If you’re lucky enough to have a garage at your home you definitely know the benefits they bring. Garages keep your car out of bad weather and help preserve your paint job for a longer amount of time, they provide a useful storage place, and they can even be a work shop or a man cave. What about the security of your garage though? How many times have you asked yourself who has my garage code? Did I forget to close the garage? Well now you have the answer. With a smart garage opener the power of monitoring and controlling your garage is now right in your pocket!
A smart garage opener has many benefits. Let’s take a look at some:
•You can open and close your garage door from anywhere with just a click on your Smartphone.
•You can receive alerts when the garage door opens and closes.
•You can monitor your garage door from anywhere with not only your smartphone but you can also use a tablet, or another connected device.
•Most smart garage door openers work with all major garage door opener brands.
•They can be installed in minutes using your home’s Wi-Fi.
If you want more information on how you can benefit from a smart garage opener feel free to give us a call.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
When was the last time you pressure washed your home? Pressure washing can be a pretty confusing task. If you pressure wash too often you could run the risk of damaging your siding, however if you wash too little it could cause the exterior to degrade, not to mention your home can look dirty and unkept. So how often should you pressure wash your home? Well the answer depends on a few different factors. Let’s discuss some of them:
1.The humidity level.
Living in Georgia I’m sure you have experienced high humidity. Did you know that humidity can attract mold and mildew to the exterior of your home? This can cause your home to look dirty, ruin your siding and it can also cause allergies. If you spot mold or mildew on your home it is crucial that you pressure wash immediately and ensure that all traces of mold and mildew are gone!
2.When your home looks dirty.
One of the easiest signs to know when your home’s exterior needs to be pressure washed is simply whenever it looks dirty. Now that it’s spring time and pollen is out it is very important that you pay close attention to your home. Pollen and dirt can build up on your home especially in between the cracks of log siding causing damage. If you can run your finger on your home’s exterior and you notice a substantial amount of dirt or pollen on it, then it’s time to pressure wash!
3.The amount of rainfall.
We usually think of rainfall as a good way to clean our dirty vehicles and the exterior of the home. While it is true that rain can clean the excessive dirt off, it will still make your home’s exterior dirty. The rain can actually make the dirt stick together caking it on to your siding and in between the panels. Since we have experienced so much rainfall up here in the North Georgia Mountains your home’s exterior is probably dirtier than it appears.
If you are going to pressure wash your home yourself there are some general cleaning tips you will want to follow as using a pressure washer incorrectly can damage your homes exterior!
•Always follow the instructions that came with your pressure washer and check the manual to find information on the spray settings and how far the spray tip should be from the surface you’re cleaning.
•Test the high-pressure spray on an inconspicuous area before cleaning to make sure the setting does not damage the exterior surface.
•Only use detergents intended for pressure washers.
Regardless of the type of exterior you’re cleaning make sure to avoid getting detergent or water behind the outer surface and be sure to repair or replace all damaged siding before pressure washing!
If you have damaged siding that needs to be repaired or replaced feel free to give us a call!
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
We all know thermostats let you adjust the temperature in your home. It’s simply just a control panel for your heating and air conditioning system right? Think again! Smart thermostats not only allow you to control the temperature in your home, but you can do so remotely via a tablet, smartphone or desktop! They can show you energy consumption in real-time and can even adjust themselves based on ambient conditions like humidity.
A typical thermostat just lets you change the temperature in your home using a dial or control panel, but a smart thermostat gives you more efficient control over your home’s heating using three basic components:
1.The first component plugs directly into your boiler and can wirelessly talk to the second component.
2.The second component is the thermostat and main control.
3.The third component is an app that is downloaded to a smartphone or tablet. Users can remotely control the thermostat via the app, allowing them the ability to adjust their heating and air from any location.
While this is the basic makeup for most smart thermostats some smart thermostats still offer more, such as the ability to learn your schedule by detecting when your smartphone is in the house, or even taking it step further by detecting when you’re on your usual route home and preparing your home to the desired temperature.
The ability to remotely control a home’s temperature greatly appeals to those with busy schedules. Say you have a late meeting there’s no reason to heat or cool an empty home, right? How about you left for a vacation and realized you left the AC running? Fixing the error is now just a few taps away on your smartphone.
Smart thermostats won’t directly save you money the way energy efficient appliances can. However, they can provide the ability to heat and cool your home more efficiently which should save you money in the long run. You will also receive reports about your usage which can help you better understand your heating and cooling usage.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
Ceramic tiles are a exciting new trend in the world of tile. They are tiles that are made out of natural clay and minerals that are mixed together. They are glazed on one side and then fired under extremely high heat to create a strong and durable material. They come in both a glossy and matte finish and are usually sold in 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick 4×4 squares, but you can also find larger squares if you look for them.
Ceramic Tile Pros:
Ceramic tiles are extremely durable; dent, scratch, and resistant to stains; they have a huge selection of colors; water and stain proof; the ceramic that is glazed doesn’t need sealing; won’t crack or warp in heat or cold temperatures; color won’t fade; it’s easy to clean, and low cost.
Ceramic Tile Cons:
Ceramic tiles are very hard and cold to the touch which can lead to back and leg problems if you’re standing on it for long periods of time; it’s very slippery when it gets wet; while the tile itself is easy to clean the grout is prone to discoloring; scratches will remove the colored glaze; it’s difficult to repair and/or resurface, and can sometimes look a bit plastic.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
The world of electricity can be quite confusing sometimes. How do you know what breaker does what? What do all the abbreviations mean? Well today we will start taking some of the confusion out of it by discussing the difference between Ground fault and Arc fault breakers.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) was designed in order to protect both people and equipment from electrical shock. When a ground fault occurs there is a transformer inside of the breaker that senses a current imbalance and generates a small current output that is electronically amplified to trip the circuit breaker. This type of breaker is used for any application that is near near water or wet locations, such as bathrooms, unfinished basements, garages, etc.
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) was designed in order to detect arcing faults in wiring, appliances and equipment, in order to prevent electrical fires. The AFCI circuit breaker contains an integrated processor that recognizes the unique current and/or voltage signatures associated with arcing faults. This type of breaker is required for all 120V, single-phase, 15 and 20A circuits such as bedrooms, family rooms, living rooms, sun rooms, etc.
There is also a dual purpose circuit breaker (arc fault/ground fault). This breaker is required for 120V, single-phase, 15 and 20A circuits in kitchen and laundry areas.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
Hardie board siding, created by James Hardie is the world leader in cement board siding. Some of the options include plank lap siding, shingle siding, panel vertical siding, trim boards, and much more. It’s usually advertised as low maintenance and long lasting, but how can you be sure it’s the right option for you? Below are the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros:
Most hardie siding comes with a 50 year, limited transferable warranty. It is also completely rot and insect resistant. Hardie siding can be made to look like just about any other siding material you can think of including wood, cedar shingles, wood shake, etc. The color options are extensive and are typically accompanied by a 10-15 year warranty on the finish. Hardie board siding is also 90% sand and cement which makes it a fire resistant choice.
Cons:
Hardie siding weighs about 300 lbs (100 square feet) compared to 60-70 lbs for vinyl siding. This means that it generally takes longer to install then other siding plus it increases labor and installation costs. While Hardie siding is pretty low maintenance, it’s not completely maintenance free. It does have to be periodically painted. The warranty for the siding is usually for 50 years, but the finishes are only guaranteed for a maximum of 15 years.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
Thinking about painting your home? What’s in style for 2016? All the way from bold to natural hues, lets talk about the beautiful palettes for 2016!
2016 is all about the earth. We are bringing together natural elements and clean tones. Imagine gathering fresh vegetables from the garden or dipping your toes in the ocean. Taking a walk through the forest or a fresh snow fall.
The colors of 2016 are inspired by all of nature such as freshly fallen leaves, fall flowers, gourds, avocados, roses, frosty winter colors, spring flowers, an ocean of teals, aquas, emeralds, and more. These colors are all about going back to the basics with hues derived from natural elements, which complements all styles even industrial looks!
For more paint ideas feel free to contact us.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
Are you thinking about or have you hired a contractor to work on your home? If so is that contractor licensed and insured? You might think that just hiring any contractor will do. If this is the case you are very mistaken. It is extremely important that the contractor you hire is licensed and insured! Below we will discuss the importance of contractor insurance and licensing:
Contractor’s insurance
There are two types of insurance that a reputable contractor should have. Those are liability insurance and workers compensation insurance.
Liability insurance along with a bond covers certain situations such as unexpected damage to your property or work that was done incorrectly.
Workers compensation insurance provides a payment to workers injured on your property for lost wages and medical care regardless of who was at fault. You wouldn’t want a worker to try to sue you because they were injured.
Making sure a contractor is insured is also insurance that you will be satisfied with your project in the long run. Make sure you ask the contractor for certificates of insurance and check to make sure their policies are current.
Contractor licensing
When you’re hiring a contractor it is also very important that you check to see if they are licensed. In many states if a contractor is not licensed they may not be able to be insured or bonded. On top of that a building inspector may stop work on a project if it’s being done by a improperly licensed contractor.
In short making sure you hire a licensed, insured and bonded contractor may seem like a lot of work, but in the end it all helps to ensure that you are protected, and working with reliable, reputable professionals.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains.
What types of paint are there? What are the differences? Which type should I choose? These are all questions you might ask yourself if you are looking to paint your home. Below we will discuss the different types as well as primers and sealers so you can make the best choice for your home.
Primers and Sealers–
Primers and sealers are designed to provide either a surface for the finish paints or a clear top coat.
•Primers
Primers are made to seal the surface off and provide a base for the finish paint. They can be used on bare wood, metal, and previously painted surfaces.
•Sealers
Sealers insure your paint lasts longer and peeling and premature wear is eliminated. This is an extremely important part in getting a long lasting and durable finish.
Finish paints–
There are two types of finish paints used today. Those are alkyd and latex paint.
•Alkyd paint
Alkyd paint is also known as oil-based paint and provides an excellent finish. However, it can be tricky to use, it is hard to clean up, not to mention it has a strong odor and is flammable.
•Latex paint
Latex paint also provides a great finish and it is an easer paint to use. It also cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, has less odor, is non-flammable, and easy to touch up.
Gloss levels–
The gloss or sheen of a paint is defined by the amount of light that is reflected off the surface of a paint finish. There are four basic sheens: flat, satin, semi gloss and gloss.
•Flat
Flat paint has zero reflective properties providing a matte finish. This finish helps to hide surface imperfections. It is normally used for ceilings and walls and in areas that are not subjected to a lot of wear and tear.
•Satin
Satin paint provides a soft sheen comparable to that of an eggshell. A satin finish provides a harder surface finish which in turn is more durable and more stain resistant than a flat finish. This durability makes satin paint a good choice for walls in bedrooms, hallways, stairways and family rooms.
•Semi Gloss
Semi gloss paint is very durable. It is easier to clean and is more resistant to stains than satin finish paint. Semi gloss paint is most often used on heavy wear areas that are frequently cleaned such as kitchens and bathrooms. Semi gloss paint is also great to use on wood trim and cabinets.
•Gloss
Gloss paint is the most hard, durable, and stain resistant. It is also easier to clean than all the other paint finishes. Gloss paint is the best choice for heavy wear areas like kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, floors, stairs, handrails, high traffic doors, and trim. However, it is important to note that gloss paint generally makes surface imperfections a lot more noticeable.
For more information on paint types and finishes please feel free to give us a call.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains
It’s cold up here in the North Georgia Mountains and temperatures are below freezing! Did you know that when temperatures drop your house can freeze too? Below are some helpful tips to keep your pipes from freezing and keep you dry and warm this winter:
– Shut off the water to outside spigots.
To keep your outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing, disconnect and remove any garden hoses. Then, drain the lines and shut off the water to your outdoor faucets.
If you have a sprinkler system turn it off then blow compressed air through the lines to drain them. When all the lines have been drained cover the outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
– Check the exterior walls for holes.
Even small holes where cable wires or phone lines enter your home can be an entry point for freezing air. Purchase a tube of foam insulation to close them up. Then, use weather stripping to close any cracks around your doors or windows. Also, make sure you close or cover foundation vents.
– Insulate, insulate, insulate!
You can help prevent your pipes from freezing by making sure your home has proper insulation. This includes insulating the exterior walls, crawl spaces, basement, attic, and exposed pipes (both hot and cold).
– Let your faucets drip.
If any indoor faucets are located on exterior walls that are not properly insulated let your faucets slowly drip whenever the temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure both the hot and cold lines are on since both are at risk of freezing (this also includes making sure your ice machine is running). Also, leave your cabinet doors open so your pipes will be warmed by your home’s heating system.
– Know how to shut off the water.
Locate the main shut off valve for your water and have a shut-off key handy. Also invest in a meter key or a crescent wrench so you will be able to shut off the water at the meter in case the shut off valve ever fails you.
-Keep your garage door closed.
If your garage is attached to your home make sure you minimize the time your garage door is open. This will help to keep cold air out of your house and protect your hot water heater as well as any other plumbing that you may have in your garage.
*IMPORTANT*
If your pipes should freeze use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst. Keep the faucet open when thawing the frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it. After the weather has warmed to above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed out turn off the dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for any leaks that may be unseen.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains