For many AllHaus clients, cooling down in the pool is at the top of their summer to-do list. Therefore, keeping pools in tip-top shape is important to ensure safety and cleanliness. Hire an AllHaus pro to complete the below essential pool maintenance tasks.
• Clean the Pool Filter: Cleaning your pool’s filter is one-third of the equation (which includes circulation, filtration and chemistry) to a perfect pool. There are indicators to look out for that will tell you it’s time to clean your filter. Some warning signs include abnormal pool odor, clogged drain and inefficient hose cleaner.
• Keep an Eye on Water Chemistry: Homeowners should make it a priority to maintain proper water chemistry. Improper water chemistry – or corrosive water – can cause damage to pool surfaces, equipment, decks and bathers.
• Vacuum for Dirt & Debris: Simply taking the time to clean your pool will go a long way. From a sanitary perspective, keeping the surface of your pool dirt-free prevents potential infections.
• Maintain Water Levels: Many overlook the importance of maintaining the water levels in their pool. If your water isn’t maintained at the appropriate level, it could cause your water skimmers and filters to have a harder time keeping your pool clean.
Looking to simplify maintenance for your home? One call does it all!
Is your property ready for the warmer months ahead? Make your life even easier by hiring an AllHaus pro to complete these essential home maintenance tasks and tips.
• Update Exterior Paint: Spring is a great time for painting and staining projects. The weather is usually warming up, but not yet reaching those hot summer temperatures, giving homeowners optimal conditions to complete an exterior paint or stain project.
• Clear the Roof: Inspect the roof for any piles of leaves or debris that may build up on the roof. Leaves tend to hold moisture, which can lead to bigger roof issues.
• Refresh Windows: Adding weather stripping, repainting, and fixing cracked glass will all help make sure your windows look aesthetically pleasing and protect your interior from the harsh Arizona heat.
• Power Wash Surfaces: A thorough pressure wash will have the exterior of your home renewed for the season. It’s a fast way to get rid of dirt and grime that builds up over the winter months. Many surfaces, including driveways, concrete pavers, decks, and siding, can be power-washed.
Winter can be tough on your home – even if you live in an area that receives little or no snowfall. Below are a few items from our springtime maintenance checklist to ensure your home is ready for the new season.
•Door & Window Seals: Cracked caulking should be touched up to prevent the loss of cooled air all summer.
• HVAC Checkup: It’s a good idea to have your system tuned up before air conditioning season arrives. Always use a trained professional for this.
• Trees: If your property has any trees, have them inspected by a professional that can check for signs of illness or any dead branches. It is important to catch problems before they escalate and kill a tree. The untrained eye could miss signs of damage and a dead or dying tree poses a safety hazard to you, your home and neighboring properties.
• Lawns and Hedges: Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn.
• Gutters: Gutters that don’t drain properly may create drainage issues and, overtime, can spill enough water to damage the foundation.
• Give the House a Bath: Wash the winter away on a dry day! Take the storm windows off and wash the windows – inside and out. The house can get grimy, too. Grit stuck to the facade can damage paint and masonry over time.
Looking to simplify Spring Maintenance for your home? One call does it all!
AllHaus is pleased to share the achievement of the prestigious Certified Remodeler (CR) designation awarded by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
NARI Certified Remodelers possess expertise in a broad range of business management and technical skill areas, identifying them as well-rounded remodeling experts capable of managing a variety of remodeling projects, from kitchen and bath renovations to additions. This top-tier certification is reserved for highly experienced remodeling professionals who have demonstrated tenure in the industry of a minimum of five years, have satisfied extensive continuing education requirements, and abide by the NARI Code of Ethics and the NARI Standards of Practice. Certified Remodelers are tested in the following eight areas of expertise: Business Operations, Building Codes and Construction Law, Project Existing Conditions, Remodeling Plans and Construction Specifications, Remodeling Tools and Jobsite Safety, Green Remodeling and Building Science Processes, Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, and all trades involved in full-service remodeling.
About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, provides residential remodelers with tools that enable them to perform at a higher level. NARI members adhere to core values and the Code of Ethics, which serves as a key differentiator between NARI member companies and non-members. NARI members’ annual sales nearly three times the industry average because of the knowledge, network, and support that they receive. In addition, NARI connects homeowners with its professional members, so consumers have a positive remodeling experience with a professional, qualified remodeler. To find out more visit www.remodelingdoneright.com.
As the holiday season arrives, so does the winter frost. It’s important to know how to protect plants from the cold climate, as tender and young plants in particular can be wiped out by a sudden visit from Jack Frost.
Not all plants in your backyard will need protection from the frost, but there are certain categories that will. These include:
Young seedlings and new growth
Tender perennials
Half-hardy varieties
Tropical and subtropical plants such as palms and banana plants
Many people protect their plants by going the DIY route with blankets or sheets. Although it may not be as aesthetically pleasing, this is a possible answer for large plants and bushes. However, we recommend plastic sheets as a convenient way to protect your landscaping this season.
You can buy plant protectors in various sizes. Some are even designed to fit snugly over potted plants! These solutions work well because they’re made from rigid plastic and won’t collapse on your plants.
When temperatures dip between 24°F and 32°F, damage to the foliage and sometimes even to the roots can occur. Signs of frost damage include blackened, distorted or limp growth and the leaves turning green on evergreen plants and shrubs.
Looking to protect your plants and to simplify the process even further? Have an AllHaus professional service your property. Contact the AllHaus team today to schedule your winter maintenance!
Your exterior paint does not just keep up your home’s curb appeal, but it also acts as a moisture barrier. If you notice peeling or chipping in your exterior paint, it is important to give it a touch up as soon as possible. You could also consider pressure washing the exterior of your property prior to painting to ensure proper maintenance and paint longevity.
Looking to simplify this process even further? Have an AllHaus professional service your property and retouch chipped or peeling paint. Contact the AllHaus team today to schedule your maintenance!
As we make our way through monsoon season in the valley, it is important to repair fences and gates from the impacts of harsh summer heat and weather.
Cycles of wet weather can cause wood to move, twist and warp. That can make garden gates fall out of alignment and can cause fence pickets to loosen or fall off. Check for signs of loose fencing and fix sagging gates. You can use a cordless, battery-powered nail gun to make quick repairs and to refasten pickets and fence supports. Make sure to only use galvanized nails for outdoor work and to use a power drill fitted with a screw tip or a hex driver to remove or tighten loose screws and bolts in gates.
Looking to simplify this process even further? Have an AllHaus pro service your fences and gates. Contact the AllHaus team to schedule your maintenance!
This Independence Day, step up your grill master techniques with a clean barbecue. Nobody wants a rack of ribs with last year’s grill gunk on them. Before you fire up the barbecue, make sure your grill is clean and that any gas hoses and connections are secure. Not only will cleaning prevent unwanted flare-ups, but it also extends the life of the grill by reducing rust buildup.
No matter what kind of grill you have, invest in a grill brush or other coarse cleaning brush, remove the grates and metal plates beneath them, and soak them in hot soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes. Then scrub the grates hard and rinse by spraying them with the hose.
Cover the area where the grates usually go with foil, and use a stiff grill brush to clean grime from the hood and inside walls. Use a cleaner specifically designed for your grill’s surface (e.g., stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parts.
Looking to simplify this process even further? Contact the AllHaus team to assist with maintenance!
Times have changed since the days of leaving your home unlocked or windows open when you’re away. Statistics show that 160 burglaries take place every hour in the United States. That’s about 3,840 burglaries every day.
As startling as these statistics are, the good news is that there are a number of preventative measures you can take to burglar-proof your home and protect loved ones.
Securing Your Home Daily:
Lock Your Doors: Locking your doors seems like an obvious tip. However, many people forget to latch their front door or lock up the garage when they leave.
Home Security Systems: Make sure to set alarms when leaving the house (whether for the weekend or just for daily errands). Also, set your alarm system at night – even when you’re home. Change your alarm codes often.
Security Cameras: Security cameras give you the ability to check on areas of your home throughout the day and night, so you can keep an eye on your property.
Spare Keys: It’s important to have a spare key for your house. However, burglars and thieves know to look for spare keys around your doors. Be on the safe side and prevent it from getting into the wrong hands.
Securing Your Home While Away:
Automated Yard Lighting: Making sure your outdoor areas are well-illuminated is an effective way to keep potential criminals at bay. A well-lit house not only indicates that there are people at home, but it also makes any suspicious activity clearly visible.
Mail: If you’ll be away from home for more than a few days, your overflowing mailbox may make it obvious to potential burglars that you’re not home. Have someone check your mailbox daily, or put a hold on your mail delivery through the postal service. Double-check that you don’t have any packages that will be delivered while you’re gone, too.
AllHaus Home Care: Inform AllHaus of your upcoming travels and we will double check all outside perimeter buildings including garages, storage facilities and casitas to ensure home safety.
Home security is a top priority and commitment to our AllHaus clients. In fact, ALL AllHaus employees go through thorough background checks.
Desire security support and management? Contact AllHaus today!
Have you seen the latest AllHaus Feature? Our team is honored to be in the August 2019 issue of Phoenix Home & Garden. Don’t worry, if you haven’t yet grabbed your copy, view the digital version of the beautiful Tempe condo remodel HERE.
Today’s open floor plans and big kitchens make surface choices for your countertops an important specification. When making a significant decision, it’s helpful to understand the options… So, read on to discover the interesting history of countertop surfaces.
In the beginning, Formica was THE brand name of plastic laminate countertops. Formica was invented and patented by Westinghouse Corporation in 1912 as an insulation for electrical wires, and by the early 1950’s, evolved into what we still see today in low cost surfacing requirements. Made by sandwiching craft paper that has been saturated with phenolic resin together with a decorative top sheet and pressed under heat and pressure, Formica became a brand name that was used to describe a product (just as Kleenex is to tissue). It’s available in 256 colors, woodgrains and Matrix patterns. As the patent ran out, many companies created their own brands, offering technically the same product, each with over 200 different colors and patterns from each manufacturer. (Wilsonart, Pionite, Nevamar, Interior Arts, Abet Laminati, etc.) A typical firm will have over 1,000 different color and pattern choices available to pick from.
In the 1960’s a Dupont chemist invented what is known today as Corian solid surface countertops. This product was all the rage in the 70’s and 80’s. It is an acrylic product that started with just one color (white) and has morphed into an option with over a hundred color choices. After their patent expired, it opened up the door for another dozen or so companies to offer the same product at various price points. (Avonite, Formica, Hanex, Livingstone, Hi Macs, Wilsonart, etc.)
Granite and Marble have always been around at a premium in cost. In early 2000’s, about 98% of homes that had granite were Bianco Antico, Colonial White, Giallo Santo, Lapidus, Baltic Brown, and Uba Tuba, which are all cheaper options. Most track home builders started transitioning to granite as standard to upgrade from solid surface or laminate. Eventually, with cut to size programs and pre manufacturing in China, granite started to make its way into multi-family apartments.
The Quartz industry started with the machinery used to make terrazzo tiles from Breton S.P.A. in Italy. As companies bought the machinery and experimented with different ratios of resin and aggregate, they landed on a perfect combination of 93% quartz aggregate and 7% resin, plus color. Using quartz aggregate gives the material more resistance to damage, and the resin makes it completely non-porous. Quartz is the fourth hardest mineral only proceeded by Topaz, Corundum and Diamond. When this category was first launched there was a severe pushback from the local fabricators because it was new. As a man-made product, it came with a set of best practices for cutting and machining the slabs that required more water on the saws and pre-drilling corners before cuts. Once the shops got the hang of a process worthy of up to a lifetime warranty, the product class took off. Now it is highly preferred by the fabricators. The current brand names that are available (and well supported) are Caesarstone, Silestone, HanStone and Cambria.
The next category is in infancy stages in the USA and is getting some of the same feedback from the fabricators, as it is at a similar phase that quartz was in 2004.
Porcelain slabs are going to be the next level of countertop surfaces that perform on an even higher level than quartz. There are a few companies that are jumping in with no real leader yet. Dekton, Ascale, Sapienstone, NeoLith and Lapitec are the current brand names in the market and some claim to differentiate themselves with terms like Sintered or Ultra Compact. Sintering is a process that all of the products go through and same with Ultra Compact. Base minerals for all of the brands is sand, feldspar, glass and quartz with Kaolin clay used as a binder. These minerals are fired at extremely high temperatures that cause them to all meld together taking on the characteristics of all of the ingredients in one slab. Porcelain slabs are typically larger than Quartz slabs, so they are great for the larger islands that are being designed. Porcelain slabs have a high pixel image embedded into the surface so you could have a picture of an $11,000 marble slab on a $1,200 porcelain slab that will never fade.
The Phoenix Metro has many places that you can go pick out hard surfaces like Granite, Marble, Quartz and Porcelain. Below is a list of four that our clientele have used previously:
Beautiful air-conditioned showroom with marbles that are unique. They carry quartz, and porcelain slabs as well. One unique thing about Galleria of Stone is that they list the actual price of the slabs on each slab in the showroom. It allows good choices for the consumers with no sticker shock later in the process. This company features products from Antolini in Italy.
The Stone Collection is located south of the I-10 off of 40th street and is well worth the drive. They boast a great 15,000 sq. ft. front office showroom with separate rooms to showcase actual installations of Granite, Marble, Quartz, Vetrazo, tile and Porcelain slabs. The warehouse features a well lit and air conditioned 100,000 sq. ft. of space to view a wide variety of full slabs. No appointment is necessary.
Cactus Stone has been a local business in the valley since 1973. They have a remote showroom in Scottsdale on 15551 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop that will showcase tile, porcelain and vignettes showcasing their surfacing products. The slab showroom is at the 50th st. location. They are currently remodeling the front office of the slab warehouse to showcase some of the newer materials.
Arizona Tile is another great choice with many locations around the Valley. The Scottsdale location showcases a very large area for tile and a separate large air-conditioned area for viewing full slabs. No appointment necessary.
How do we even start to express our appreciation for our incredible trade partners? Our AllHaus team agrees unanimously that we couldn’t do what we do if we weren’t so fortunate to work with incredible partners. Whether a project calls for a flooring renovation, appliance repairs or a home theater installation, we are grateful for all the talented people we collaborate with regularly.
The professionals we work alongside maintain and strengthen the skills unique to their trade each and every day. The expertise and knowledge of our trade partners is essential in allowing our business and your homes to run efficiently. Whether we are knocking down walls or building them up, we are thankful for those who help us to get each project completed beyond our client’s expectations.
AllHaus feels so strongly about acknowledging our trade partners that we hosted a Trade Appreciation Day in our new Scottsdale, AZ office. In addition to sharing our many thanks, the afternoon event included a Taco Stand, “AllHaus Paradise Punch” and a special raffle prize. (Johnny Dragon was the lucky winner taking home iPic movie tickets, a Grimaldi’s gift card, wine +more!) Our team was honored to host our partners, families and friends for a memorable afternoon.
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Sharing our many “Thanks” and future goals for AllHaus
Cheers to teamwork!
Our warehouse made for a great Taco stand.
AllHaus AllStar, Logan, opted for one of everything.
Isn’t an AllHaus party without some branded decor!
Welcome to our Blog Page! Along with our new website, our team is excited to share several important announcements about the future of our company. Since 2011, we have operated as HomeWorks Property Management and have grown to become one of the premier home services companies throughout the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley area. 2019 has been the start of many important improvements, enhancing our ability to grow and provide a greater level of client services.
First, as we continue to expand our reach, it becomes increasingly important that we have a unique name to create greater clarity in the marketplace. “HomeWorks” has been special to our team and community alike, however, as we develop, a one-of-kind name has become essential.
Over the past 4 months, a rebranding process has taken place, offering a new look, logo and name. What’s the new name? AllHaus – because we take care of allthings within your property line. Our team hopes you like our new logo as much as we do!
With our new look comes this new website and Blog Page! We hope our friends, family and clients can easily follow along and stay up-to-date with all things AllHaus. Be sure to “like” and follow us via social media, including Facebook and Instagram. We will be posting exciting happenings in remodels and design trends as well as pertinent information and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the AllHaus environment.
All of our professional services will remain the same: home remodeling, home repairs and home services/care. AllHaus is the home service company you can trust to manage every home related need with just one call. We provide comprehensive home services for everything within your property line.
As part of our continued focus on providing greater client satisfaction, we have added technology to our services with a new mobile app called AllHaus Client Connect. With Client Connect, each remodel project will provide a client portal and dashboard to keep you up-to-date with the progress. Your project information and updates will now be at your fingertips 24/7.
What will always remain constant is our excellent team and our commitment to our clients. Above all, we are here to provide you with top-notch service, best-in-class quality and peace of mind with everything regarding your home.
We thank you for your continued support and patronage. If we can be of service for anything home-related, please let us know. We look forward to sharing all of our new developments with you.
If you have a specific topic of interest for upcoming blog post’s, please contact molly@allhaus.com to share your requests.
