Does the Exterior of Your Home Need Repair?

Homeowners that are conscientious about the maintenance of their home sometimes have a greater concern about exterior maintenance versus interior maintenance.  After all, we have the ability to control the environment (humidity, temperature, etc.) inside our homes, but we have very little control over the environment outside of our homes.  So the question many homeowners face is both what to look for on the outside of their home in order to determine if a repair or replacement is required and how to look for it. 

The most efficient way to look for areas that may require maintenance is to harness the power of simple technology to see places that could be dangerous to inspect (i.e., roofs and related areas) and use visual inspection of areas that are easily accessible.  A good pair of binoculars or a digital camera (with a zoom in feature) should be used to inspect: 1) roof shingles to see if any are missing or not lined up properly due to wind damage; 2) flashing around anything that is on the roof, especially chimneys, but also dormers, plumbing vents, and skylights to make sure it has not become loose or misaligned and; 3) roof valleys where different sloped roof sections meet to make sure leaves, snow and of course water are not collecting. 

For the following areas a visual inspection should be easily accomplished by the homeowner without the need for anything but perhaps a ladder and a keen eye: 1) gutters and downspouts for cleaning and/or repairs in late spring after trees have greened; 2) siding and corner boards for condition and secure attachment with painting required to prevent water damage and power washing for vinyl siding or perhaps replacement if the age and condition warrant it; 3) windows for painting if made of wood and caulking of seal gaps for all window materials. 

A key priority for a homeowner is to make sure exterior preventive maintenance is done and needed repairs are made in a timely manner. This will minimize the cost of home repairs, so you can invest in more home improvements. The first step to good home exterior maintenance is inspecting your house.  After your inspection if you have concerns, then feel free to contact Feazel for free inspection and an honest opinion on a course of action.

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio & North Carolina by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

 

Home Ownership 101

Deciding to own a home could be one of the best decisions you ever make.  But making sure it is the right choice requires more than just being able to afford the purchase of a home.  There is a great deal more to being a homeowner than just signing the mortgage and moving in.  You quickly become aware of a new role that you must assume since there is no landlord to call when your home needs maintenance or repairs. 

So are you ready to be a homeowner when it comes to exterior home repair and maintenance projects?  You can find out by reviewing some of the most common maintenance and repairs which become your responsibility when you become a homeowner. 

First consider maintenance and repairs that are often performed by the homeowner.  These include cleaning of your home’s exterior (siding, windows, gutters, etc.) and painting, including staining and sealing of any decks or wood fencing as required.  Additionally, there is routine lawn cutting, weeding and landscape maintenance.  You need to be prepared to dedicate a portion of your free time (on average 2 days per month or more if you have a large lawn) to complete these types of projects yourself.  Of course some or all of these can be hired out but the cost needs to be considered and if your budget can handle it. 

Other major exterior projects are best left for the pros.  Fortunately, these repairs and / or replacements won’t be required often.  But when they are needed they will require an investment of money and some time as well to make sure you are comfortable with the company and the cost of the residential home service provider you trust for the job.  These projects typically consist of roof repairs (and after a certain amount of time, replacement), siding replacement and window replacement as well as other projects that are specific to an individual home such as chimneys and skylights.  

If you are new homeowner or existing homeowner, Feazel offers residential home services including roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  We are a trusted company that you can rely on now and in the future for your needs.  Please contact us to learn more about our services. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company serving Raleigh NC, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland Ohio.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

Fun Things to do in Ohio this Winter

Just because the cold weather has arrived does not mean it is time to wait out the winter season for fun things to do in Ohio.  At Feazel we can perform our outstanding residential home services all winter long and still find time after hours to enjoy numerous exciting leisure time activities.  Here are a couple of our favorites. 

If music and art is your thing don’t miss the Brite Winter Festival in Ohio City in February.  It features top-notch local and regional music acts, hot drinks and treats and fireside conversations galore.  Plus there are the incredible art installations and tents along with vendors to visit and view.  All the events are free or low cost and fulfill the mission of the event sponsors to deliver creative culture during underserved times of the year.  The event slogan says it all:  Art. Music. Fire. Fun. 

For fans of Dicken’s and England, or just those that want some great fun, there is still time before the last day on January 2^nd, 2017, to visit the Dicken’s Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio.  Take a trip back in time with a unique walking tour back to life in 1850’s England.  Featuring more than 80 scenes with 180 lifelike figures that represent Victorian society and Dicken’s novels, this activity is a real crowd pleaser and completely unique to Ohio.  Be sure to visit the website for information on tickets and attending before heading out. 

Are you ready to exercise away some of those holiday treat calories?  One fun option is the Winter Sports Center at Kendall Lake in Peninsula, Ohio within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Snow shoe treks and cross-country skiing on peaceful trails in the winter is just the way to relax and burn calories.  And don’t worry if you don’t own equipment as you can rent it at the center.  Using snow shoes in particular is very easy to quickly learn and some people find it addictively fun when they try it for the first time.  When planning a trip remember to check their website for the dates they are open and also make sure there is snow on the ground! 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company serving Raleigh NC, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland Ohio.  Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.

 

Window Replacement – It’s Never Too Late

Perhaps you think that because fall is already here that it is too late for this year to think about replacing your worn-out and energy inefficient windows.  In fact, now is an excellent time to request a free inspection and estimate from Feazel.  Don’t wait until the winter when you might again notice cold air leaks and loss of insulation. 

At Feazel we can and do replace windows during any time of the year.  We have the ability to seal off the room we are working in to minimize any discomfort.  However, by acting now to replace your windows before the start of winter you could see lower utility bills during the entire length of the cold months while also enjoying much more comfort inside your home. 

The life of a window is not always easy to predict.  A properly installed and high quality window should last 20 – 30 years if properly maintained.  If your windows are in this range or older, then it is possible they may need replacement.  Still, if you have not experienced any problems during past winters but you begin to notice issues this winter, then by all means give us a call for an inspection and we will provide honest advice.  Or contact us for an inspection now if you just want some peace of mind regarding the condition of your windows. 

Another thing to consider is the condition of your sliding glass patio door.  Although the use of this door in the winter months may be limited, it is still a very large opening that can leak cold air into the home if it is not properly maintained or it is worn out.  Security of your home is also at stake if the locking mechanism is not working properly.  And the operation of the door is difficult if the rollers or tracks are experiencing issues.   

We can inspect your sliding glass door and, if warranted, recommend maintenance and lubrication on the door and the screen to get it running smoothly and efficiently.  Many times that is all that is needed.  You can count on us for integrity and quality when providing advice during our free inspection. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

How Facility and Property Managers Save Time with Feazel

Feazel is known in the major cities and surrounding areas of Ohio as being one of the best in the business when it comes to residential roof repair and replacement, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  And the name Feazel has always been synonymous with honesty, integrity and top quality.  However, another area where Feazel exceeds the expectations of its customers is commercial services and multi-family services which we have been providing for over 26 years. 

In our commercial services division we work across a wide range of properties including office buildings, hospitals, schools, churches, and retail locations.  Our main line of work is repairing and replacing roofs, including flat roofs, steep slopes and low slopes; but we also perform window installation and replacement as well as other services. 

When it comes to multi-family services we are second to none in the quality of work we bring to all types of properties including apartments, townhomes, and condominiums.  And we not only provide a full line of quality services, we are also strong supporters of the associations that are important to multi-family property owners including the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Columbus Apartment Association (CAA).  And of course we are fully accredited and belong to all local chapters of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

One of the value added features our commercial services and multi-family services clients receive is the time saving benefits of our property manager’s portal.  Facility managers can use this proprietary portal to create work orders, attach photos, and check on the status of projects across multiple properties in real time.  Property managers can track service orders, invoice history, budget reports as well as photos and downloadable forms. We provide secure logins to manage your information which also allows access to personalize the information you need and what you see.  Our clients that use this portal tell us it saves them time and assists them to better manage their properties. 

If you are a commercial or multi-family property manager or owner, then Feazel welcomes the opportunity to serve you and encourages you to visit us online or call us for information on how we can save you time and provide quality services and value. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

Feazel Proud to Support Apartment Association Outreach

Feazel has been providing residential home services to residents of Ohio since 1988.  Homeowners trust us to provide the best customer service and stress-free buying experience when it comes to roofing, gutters, windows, siding, chimneys, masonry, skylights and insulation.  We also take a great deal of pride in making a positive impact in the communities we serve. 

One of our favorite community organizations is The Apartment Association Outreach.  Feazel is the Presenting Sponsor for this outstanding organization whose mission is to provide basic needs and emergency assistance to families and individuals in crisis.  Since 1991 they have been providing food, shelter and other basic needs to those that have no resources to fall back on during a time of need.  They do this through several programs including food assistance, rent assistance, a back pack drive for school supplies, and a program for seniors. 

The Outreach also has a program that offers scholarships for up to 4 deserving students to help with the costs of books and lab supplies that are not covered by other scholarships.  And each year the organization runs their “Night Out For Outreach” which helps raise funds for the organization and provides a fun night for all participants.  One of the highlights of the event is a raffle winner that gets the use of a Chevrolet Corvette from a local Chevrolet dealer! 

Recently, we had the opportunity to contribute $10,000 to a family within a community The Apartment Association Outreach serves.  It was a great Feel Good Friday for Feazel and we were very happy to be able to provide support to this deserving family and help strengthen the community. 

One of Feazel’s core values is commitment to supporting the communities we serve.  So we are proud to be a strong supporter of The Apartment Association Outreach. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry.  We strive to maintain our highly regarded reputation earned over the past 28+ years.  Please contact us for a trusted solution for the best replacement windows in Ohio.

Cleveland Fun – It More Than Just Rocks!

As a top residential home services company in Ohio, many of Feazel’s employees live, work and play in the Cleveland area. After working hard to provide superior services to Cleveland area homeowners, there are many local activities we enjoy.  We are pleased to share some of our favorites.   

One the most recognized and visited attractions in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  It is known world-wide for showcasing the best rock and roll artists of all time whom have been inducted into its hallowed halls.  It is a must see attraction in Cleveland.  A recent exhibit features the rock band inductee “Rush”, the power trio from Toronto that Cleveland rock fans were the first to discover in 1974 at the beginning of their remarkable career.  But if rock and roll is not your thing than read on: there is much to do here! 

Perhaps the most offbeat and unknown of Cleveland attractions, the “Christmas Story” house is nonetheless one of the best.  It is a visit to the house where the popular movie of the same name was filmed. It offers a unique, interactive visit where you have the opportunity to explore different scenes from the movie (you can even wear the infamous “bunny suit” if you want!).  Knowledgeable tour guides give behind the scenes anecdotes and make the tour a lot of fun. 

Foodies from everywhere can celebrate at The West Side Market.  It features vendors and displays of outstanding food from around the world.  The historic architecture is an incredible setting for the sights and sounds that surround you on a visit to this incredible place.  Visiting is like a great adventure of discovery and true sensory overload. 

If you are a Cleveland homeowner in need of residential homes services, we invite you to contact us to discuss your project.  We promise a high quality customer experience and deliver on that promise as our many repeat customers can attest. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

Window Safety – A Serious Matter

Oftentimes overlooked when it comes to safety in a residence are the windows.  At Feazel we install thousands of replacement windows each year and many times we see that the windows that are being replaced are either lacking or have broken safety features.  And even new or up to date windows could cause injuries or even death to occupants of the home, especially young children, if they are operated in an unsafe manner.

According to the National Safety Council more than 3,300 children are injured seriously enough to go to the hospital each year in falls from windows.  And about 1 child each month dies from window cord accidents and another one will be treated but saved.  These are sobering statistics but there simple measure we can all take to make sure windows are operated safely and have features that enhance safety.

The following measures enhance safety when it comes to windows and especially children:

1. the largest width that prevents a curious child from getting out of a window is only 4 inches
2. screens keep bugs out but they do not keep children in
3. if possible keep windows closed and locked when children are present; if not open the upper sash not the lower on double hung windows
4. keep child play areas and furniture away from windows
5. always supervise children
6. if your windows do not have limiters on how far they can be opened, then install ASTM approved limited opening hardware
7. in homes with young children use only cordless window coverings or inaccessible cords

Also, window safety means window security too.  Make sure your window locks are in good working order and are being used consistently.  Don’t leave windows open when nobody is home.  And make sure the correct type of glass is installed in areas that require safety glass such as doors and bathrooms.

If you would like to upgrade your windows, then the experts at Feazel would love to help.  Please feel free to contact us for a free inspection of your windows.

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry.  We strive to maintain our highly regarded reputation earned over the past 28+ years.  Please contact us for a trusted solution for the best replacement windows in Ohio.

Source:http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/about-national-window-safety-week.aspx

What Our Customers are Saying About Us

Since our beginnings in 1988 as an independent roofing company, Feazel has grown to now offer a full line of residential home services including windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  We have now completed over 60,000 projects!

All along the way our commitment to customer service has been the bedrock of our success. Customer service is a core value at Feazel along with integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support and environmental conservation.

But our commitment to customer service means nothing if we don’t hear from our customers that it is making a difference in their interactions and experience with us when we are honored to perform services for them.  Here is what some of our customers are saying about us online:

“  Feazel was great!  They made it very easy to get this done.  The work was fast and done neatly”  --   “An awesome experience from sale to completion.  Couldn’t be happier with the work or experience.  Thank you!”  --   “Everything was done properly.  We had one problem and they took care of it immediately”   --    “All best marks across every category”   --   “I’ve used Feazel twice and will continue to use them in the future.  Class acts from beginning to end”   --   “Respectful confident workers and office staff”

At Feazel we are truly humbled by the feedback we receive from our most valued asset: our customers.  We work hard each and every day to make sure that we are not just another residential home services company and instead we live up to all of our core values and earn the praise and respect from all those that we serve.

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Central Ohio and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice for roof replacement by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

Roofing Materials: Pros and Cons

Perhaps you are contemplating replacing your roof but are wondering if a different roofing material than what you currently have might be a better choice.  There are pros and cons to all roofing materials which we discuss briefly below. 

Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material both with homeowners and roofing contractors.  They come in a variety of styles and colors which make them easy to enhance or maintain the exterior appearance of your home.  Also, asphalt shingles provide a good value as they are a very durable and relatively inexpensive material that provides excellent waterproofing ability for 20 to 50 years depending on the product that is chosen.  However, as a general rule asphalt shingles may have a shorter life than some other roofing materials.

An increasingly popular choice for upscale homes is tile roofs which offer a sophisticated style and appearance.  This material has an expected life of up to 100 years due to not being vulnerable to rot.  However, the benefits must be weighed against the high cost of tile and the level of expertise required for installation in order to determine if a homeowner will receive a return on their investment based on how long they will actually live in their home. 

Finally, wood or cedar shakes are another choice particularly suited for those that have an inclination toward utilizing a renewable resource especially if recycled wood is part of the material.  They also produce a more environmentally friendly runoff which is appealing to some homeowners.  However, their expected life is not greater than asphalt products and wood is certainly not the most resistant to fire hazards.

At Feazel we use asphalt shingles for most roof replacements and repairs that we perform.  We find they offer the best value and return on investment to the typical homeowner that will occupy their home for a generation or more.  When replacement or repair is warranted they also have the benefit of being recyclable and easily maintained, repaired or replaced.

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Central Ohio and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Call or visit us online to learn more about roofing materials or any of the other full line of residential home services we offer.