Patio Additions

Patio Additions

The beautiful fall weather has many home owners wishing for a space that allows them to enjoy the outdoors, have a meal, and engage in conversation with company.  A patio is an excellent option for homeowners who wish to make an exterior addition to their home at a reasonable price.  Adding a patio to your landscape allows for entertainment and relaxation with very low maintenance.  Whether you plan on hiring a professional to assist you in creating the perfect outdoor space or taking on the task yourself, Mr. Handyman has a few tips to consider during preparation.

Location
Begin the process with choosing a location.  Consider all of the space available.  Do you want the patio to be easily accessible or close to the house? Do you prefer an enclosed space directly adjacent to the house or would you rather have a quiet area in the corner of the yard? Would you like the area to be sunny or shaded most of the time? Remember, patios that never receive sunlight will usually stay damp for quite some time after it rains.  If you live in a particularly damp environment the excessive moisture may lead to algae development. What are your other plans for landscaping your outdoor space?  How does the patio fit in with these plans?

Once you have determined the perfect location, plot the shape and size of the patio.  It may be helpful to use sticks or other makeshift markers to outline the space and visualize the actual size.  When you have decided on a size, take measurements and write them down.  They will  come in handy when you are purchasing your materials.

Materials
There are many options when it comes to choosing the materials for your patio.  Manufacturers offer a wide range of durable products in various colors and textures.  The abundance of options will allow you to choose materials that are cohesive with the current design of your backyard.  Whether you want the patio to pop or blend in, the pavers and stones available will allow you to accomplish your design goals.  Keep in mind that some products may be more difficult or expensive to install.  Also remember that you will need gravel, sand, concrete, or mortar to install the materials – these costs should be included in your reasoning when you make a final decision.

While concrete is a bit more durable than brick pavers, the pavers are perhaps the easiest to install and still offer many color, shape, and texture options.  If you live in a cold climate, consider using brick pavers instead of regular bricks.  The holes in real bricks absorb moisture when laid in the ground.  The accumulated moisture can enter a cycle of freezing and thawing, which may crack the brick.  Concrete pavers are incredibly durable and can take more pressure than brick pavers.  In fact, concrete pavers are so strong that they are used for road and even runways.  For the purposes of a backyard patio, the brick pavers will be more than sufficient.

After choosing the location and selecting the materials, it’s time for installation!  If you are unfamiliar with outdoor landscaping, it will be beneficial to hire a professional to complete the patio installation.  The task will be fairly quick and inexpensive, and the use of a professional ensures that the final product comes out the way you want it to!  Mr. Handyman can help you choose a location, select materials, and install a patio in your own backyard!  Beautify any outdoor space with this cost-efficient and quick solution.  Mr. Handyman of Gilbert promises that the job will be on time and done right, every time!  Give us a call today!

Interior Painting Tips: Paint like a Pro!

Thinking of changing the look of a room in your home?  Painting is often one of the easiest means of giving new flavor and character to a room.  The expert repairmen at Mr. Handyman wanted to share some tips for painting the interior of your home.  This article is an excellent resource to consult before embarking on any painting venture.  

PREPARATION

• ·        Choose Paint Finish Wisely

The finish of the paint is an important factor that is often overlooked.  Is the wall in good condition?  Does the room receive large amounts of traffic?  Are you painting a room for a little one? High-gloss paint is durable and easy to clean, but will make imperfections in the wall more apparent. On the other hand, a flat finish will help to hide flaws but is easily damaged.

• ·        Color Never Hurt Anybody

Colors can completely change the atmosphere of a room.  They add depth, texture, and personality.  The best part is – if you don’t like it, you can paint over it!

• ·        Test First

Instead of splurging on a whole gallon of paint to test at home, look for sample cans.  You can get a good idea of how the paint will look on the wall (much better than a swatch!) and not waste too much money if the color is not what you are looking for.

• ·        Size Isn’t All That Matters

When you go to buy your paint, you have to know the square footage of your room. There are many other factors that contribute to the amount of paint you will need, however. Always consider the surface you're painting, whether you're priming walls and the number of coats you are going to need. All of these things will affect the amount of paint you need to purchase.

• ·        Always Be Prepared!

About 80 percent of your time should be spent doing prep work. Contrary to popular belief, paint will not hide all imperfections. Take the proper steps to make your walls as flat as possible, and make sure you clean them before you start to paint. Any dust or debris left on the wall could cause your new paint to peel.

PAINTING

• ·        Don’t Forget Primer

Primer is essential to the quality of any painting work. It acts as a seal on the wall surface and helps the color to “grab” onto the hard surface.   

• ·        Corners First

It is easier to do brushwork in the corners first before you start rolling any paint.  Using the rollers after the corners have been hand brushed allows you to cover any remaining brushstrokes and maintain an even surface finish.

• ·        Prep the Rollers

Most rollers have excess fibers that end up on the wall with the paint.  To avoid this unwanted shedding, use masking tape to remove any extra fibers before you begin to work.

• ·        Don’t Overextend

Extension poles are excellent tools that help you decrease time and effort while painting.  With a pole, a ladder is probably unnecessary and you can maintain a safer work environment.

Mr. Handyman of Gilbert can help you redesign the interior or exterior of your home with a few coats of fresh paint!  Our professional technicians will produce quality results no matter the size of the room.  Give us a call today and let’s get the job done right!

Mr Handyman Can Take Care of Your "To Do" List!

Fun and Focused: Improve Rooms for Kids!

School is back in session!  The kids are starting a new year of learning and that means, of course, a new year of homework.  We can greatly impact the way our children learn and their success by providing them with a designated study area that is tidy and focused.  In fact, we may as well improve the whole bedroom while we’re at it!

Provide a Study Space

Many children have a hard time focusing when it comes to homework because they tend to study in areas full of distractions, like the living room or kitchen.  Create a quiet area that is separate from any other commotion in the house.  A simple desk in the bedroom will allow the little scholar to remove any distractions and will essentially “force” them to focus on the task at hand.  Mr. Handyman can design a custom carpentry solution for this purpose or assist you with troublesome furniture assembly.

Make Organization Easier

Does it ever feel like picking up after the kids is an uphill battle?  We know the feeling.  Make it easy for kids to organize toys and clothes and save yourself from some of the daily clean up duty.  Use organization tools and discuss their purpose with the kids.  Designate certain drawers/cubbies for certain things until everything has a home.  If everything has a place, there should be no excuses at clean up time!  Mr. Handyman can install closet organizers to make everyone’s chore list a little easier.

Make the Most of Wall Space

Give a child’s bedroom personality and functionality with fun organizational tools like shelving and hooks.  Let the little one display their prized items on unique shelves or hang items of everyday use (like a backpack) on hooks with a fun design.

Mr. Handyman of Gilbert can help you design and build a fun and focused room for your child.  Give us a call today!

Stay Safe with Grab Bar Installation

Grab bars are safety devices that allow users to maintain balance, lessen fatigue while standing, hold some of their weight while maneuvering, or have something to grab onto in case of a slip or fall. A care assistant can also use a grab bar for support while transferring a patient from one place to another.

The use of proactive safety precautions as we grow older and face new challenges are a wise investment for your own safety or the safety of ones you love. Falls are the most common accident around the home and can be prevented by installing grab bars in select locations to provide the stability and support required by those with limited mobility. A safety grab bar railing will help maintain balance and provide a safe, accessible tool that reduces fall risk. It's an incredible cost effective modification that will provide you with peace of mind and support.

Common Locations

• Grab bars next to a toilet help people using a wheelchair transfer to the toilet seat and back to the wheelchair. They also assist people who have difficulty sitting down, have balance problems while seated or need help rising from a seated position.

• Used in a shower or bathtub, grab bars help to maintain balance while standing or maneuvering, assist in transferring into and out of the enclosure, and generally help to reduce slips and falls.

The expert team at Mr. Handyman can install grab bars in your home or the home of a loved one.  Don’t wait for an unfortunate incident to take simple safety measures such as this!  Mr. Handyman can help you decide the best locations for grab bars and perform a professional, trustworthy installation.  Give us a call today! 480.612.6000