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Fix it Yourself or Call in the Experts: When to Choose One Over the Other?

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Common tools for home repairs
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Nothing lasts forever. Inevitably, things break down, and often at the most inopportune times. So, the real question is, what do you do when something breaks? Should you try to fix the broken object yourself or seek professional help to avoid worsening the situation? Let’s explore our options.

Having the necessary skills

As individuals, we each possess many skills acquired throughout our lives. For example, some people excel at electrical work, while others are skilled carpenters. But these abilities are often more like hobbies than expert-level proficiencies.

Such a view doesn’t diminish their value. Indeed, if a task is simple enough and you have the skills to handle it, by all means, do so. Tapping into your inner DIY powers can go a long way to boosting your self-esteem and saving you money. But for more complex problems, it’s wise to rely on professionals. For example, when a furnace malfunctions, it’s best to let experienced technicians handle the repair.

In such cases, one can easily find and contact local repair companies, like those specializing in furnace repairs in Groveport, Ohio. It’s crucial to avoid attempting such repairs without proper knowledge or tools, as this could lead to disastrous consequences such as setting the house on fire.

It’s cheaper if you do it

It’s common, particularly among dads, to insist on fixing broken appliances instead of admitting they may lack the necessary skills. They often justify this by arguing that professional help is just too costly and they can fix it for free. However, if someone attempts a repair without the necessary expertise, it can result in even higher expenses than if professionals were contacted initially.

Consider this: calling in the experts may be more cost-effective than having to endure complaints from your spouse after making matters worse by trying to handle the repair on your own. After all, peace of mind is invaluable when repairing appliances and maintaining relationships in your home.

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The Roofing Materials the Professionals Use

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Although a professional can take care of our roofing, it does not hurt knowing just what the choice of materials is so that we can have more of a say in what is used. Eagle Eye Roofing, as a professional roofing contractor, can advise what you need to ensure that you make the right choice for your circumstances. Several factors determine what materials are used. This article will consider some of the issues regarding materials so that, together with our roofing professional, we can make an informed choice.

Shingles

Roofing shingles are used to create a roof that is both watertight and resistant to wind. This combination will ensure that your roof is protected from environmental damage. In other words, bad weather. A storm is your main enemy as that can cause significant damage to a roof that has not been well constructed or maintained.

Shingles are available as asphalt, metal, clay, wood, or slate. All of these kinds will protect your home equally well. However, some of them will perform better in certain climates. This is something that a professional roofing contractor will be able to advise you on.

In comparison to their cost, the roofing shingle is a good choice when it comes to withstanding the elements of the weather and lasting for a significant period. The asphalt shingle is a popular choice among roofers and their customers because it is inexpensive and easy to fit. Apart from that, it is widely available to buy. For these reasons, it is considered the most popular roofing material in the U.S. So, if you are struggling to know what to choose for your roof, nobody is likely to advise you against this option. It depends on the look and the longevity that you are trying to achieve.

Natural Slate

For a complete contrast, a natural skifer (slate) tile will provide a natural period look, and instead of lasting around 20 years, will last for more like 100 years. That’s an entire lifetime! And despite the passing of time and changing fashions, slate will fit right in.

One obstacle to utilizing slate for some people can be the cost of the material, as it is one of the most expensive of all the roofing materials. Professionals will only recommend it if you have the budget for it. In terms of how it lasts, it can be considered a long-term investment. If you want to put money into a house, then this will be the way to achieve that. No buyer can ignore the fact that the roof is sorted for a while, even if they need to spend significant money on other areas of a house. You could forgive anyone for putting their priorities into the roof of their house. It is, after all, not just a curbside feature but an insurance company’s friend in that it protects the household fittings and contents. A good roof is a householder’s friend, too, because it keeps the heat in that we spend so much money generating.

Your roofing contractor can help source your slate. It is present in lots of places around the world. In the U.S., it is found in Vermont, New York, and Virginia.

Tiles

Like shingles, tiles come in many different forms. We primarily have a choice of clay, concrete, metal, double style roman roof tiles, or metal tiles. Not forgetting slate tiles that we mentioned above. Slate can be used in its natural form as a slate tile, or as shingles.

It should be said that it is more time-consuming to fit individual tiles than sheets of shingles, so this will invariably increase the cost of a job. This time will need to be charged for. It is a nicer look to have individual tiles, but a very close effect can be achieved with shingles. Your choice, as always, will be about affordability. Either way, you will want to put your money into having your roof fitted properly. This should be more important to you than the materials because a badly fitted roof will not prove to be effective when it comes to storms, persistent rain, or snow.

Insulation

It is only right to conclude this article talking about insulation. Without it, a roof is not complete in that it will not keep enough of the heat in to heat your home efficiently.

Glass wool remains one of the commonest insulation materials used by roofers. It is lightweight and a good insulator. It can only be used, though, where there is roofing underlay. It is best installed by a professional as it can irritate the handler during installation. Rock wool has a slightly better density and so is better for sound insulation. Spray foam insulation known as PUR is another option. This will fill every gap effortlessly. Then, if you are wanting to exploit the space that is beneath the floor, insulation boards or panels are the answer.

So, mentioned above are some materials that will be used by professionals when constructing, repairing, or insulating your roof. It is a good idea to know about them, then you will know what questions to ask when you are talking roofs with your constructor. That way, you can achieve a roof that you are both happy with.

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How the DIYZ Mobile App Makes Toilet Repair with a Toddler Fun

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the DIYZ app®. All opinions of apps and companies that help me complete DIY projects are my own. #DIYZ #GetWise

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Do you enjoy taking on DIY projects around the home, or does the thought make you cringe? I’m somewhere in between. I’ll get excited at the thought of tackling a project, but when it comes time to get the ball rolling, I’m never confident about what all I need. Even if that project is getting the ball to roll! Luckily, I was introduced to the DIYZ app that features an extensive library of DIY projects that users of all skill levels can take on with confidence.

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I’ll admit, Going Mom is handier with projects around the home than I am, but scrolling through the plethora of DIY projects on the DIYZ app had me ready to prove myself as a handyman. The app provides step-by-step guides with segmented how-to videos, a list of recommended tools and materials needed and even the option to speak with a Pro Advisor via video chat or over the phone. Oh, and it’s free to download for iPhone in the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android. For a limited time, even the video-chat is FREE!

I already found a number of projects saved that I wanted to start right away, but there was one looming repair beckoning for my upmost attention. And that, of course, was the toilet flush valve.

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For months, our toilet would constantly run throughout the day as it never completely filled to the level inside the tank. The noise was subtle at first, but, it eventually progressed to the equivalent of fingernails slowly running down a chalkboard. Avery refused to use it since it screeched out in protest when she lifted the lid. We told her he was just a grumpy potty feeling down in the dumps and it was our “duty” to fix him. She’s still too young to laugh at my dad jokes and just looked at me like I was full of crap. Kind of how I felt about this guy….

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As annoying as it was, not to mention a waste of water, I just never took the time to figure out where to begin with fixing the thing. No worries, the DIYZ app clearly lists the recommended tools and supplies needed to complete this project and I could purchase everything right on the app via Amazon.

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My wife and I try to teach Avery to face her fears, and judging by her willingness to help daddy fix the “flapper” in the potty, I’d say we’re doing a good job.

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With easy to follow instructions on the app, my little plumber and I went about replacing the noisy toilet flush valve with a brand new one. It’s a tight squeeze to turn off the water supply line if you’re a grown adult, but it was a non-issue for Avery.

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Her willingness to turn off the water supply and hold the lines inside the tank honestly helped me with our daddy-daughter project. It’s great that she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, but whether she actually liked it or not is a different story.

Despite the “helping” hands of a squirmy toddler the project was complete in the same amount of time as an episode of Doc McStuffins. Following the segmented videos with step-by-step instructions helped me focus on one thing at a time and not try to remember everything at once. With the confidence to complete our DIY potty repair made for a fun way to bond with my little girl and actually get something done at the same time.

My only regret is not downloading the DIYZ app sooner. There are so many projects I had issues completing in the past and ended up calling in a professional every time. But, the DIYZ app has the option to video video-chat with a licensed professional via the Pro Advisor feature. Advisors are available from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM ET Monday through Friday. On weekends, DIYZ advisors will be available to help tackle projects from 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM ET. The best part? This feature is free for a limited time! FREE!

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I’m thankful to be part of the #DIYZGuys team full of dads taking over the home with help from the DIYZ app. Make sure to follow DIYZ on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for helpful tips and ideas for DIY projects and repairs in and around your home.

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May is National Home Improvement Month which is a perfect time to find something fun to create or fix as a family. Search the app to find a home improvement project (or five) you want to start and get to it!