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Must-do Winter Home Maintenance To-dos

1. Roof and gutters. When snow on the roof melts because your attic is too warm, it freezes and forms ice dams. Pooling water from the melting ice can cause leaks and mold in your home. Clean gutters of debris that can cause water to back up and freeze. Sweep snow from the roof and eaves as soon as possible after a significant snowfall. If you get a lot of snow each winter, install an Ice and Water Shield barrier 32" wide along the gutter edges of the roof -- between the decking and shingles -- to prevent leaks.
2. Attic. Inspect for properly installed insulation, which should be keeping heat in your house but not in your attic. Proper attic ventilation can let cold outside air into the attic to help the roof stay cold enough for snow to evaporate rather than melting and refreezing. Otherwise, the continual cycle of melting, freezing and forming ice dams can cause damage from water dripping not only through the roof but around windows and through your exterior walls. If your furnace is in the attic, you may need more insulation between the attic and the roof to keep the roof colder.

Happy New Year!

Indoor Winter House Cleaning & Organizing

Kitchen Cabinets: While you’re stuck indoors in winter weather, take the opportunity to give your kitchen cabinets a good cleaning to remove any grease and grime. To make the job easy, spray on a little orange oil cleaner to cut the grease, then wipe the cabinets clean with a wet sponge that’s been microwaved about 40 seconds. Be sure to wear gloves so you don’t burn your hands! The combination of citrus oil and hot water will make short work of grease on cabinets. To see how it’s done, check out our video on Removing Grease from Kitchen Cabinets. 

Stovetop and Oven: Citrus-based cleaner also works great for cleaning your stove. Start by removing the burners and pans, then give the stovetop a good cleaning using the same hot sponge method. Be sure to remove and clean the knobs and the surface behind them as well. For stubborn stains, sprinkle a little baking soda and scrub. While you’re at it, be sure to clean your oven with a commercial oven cleaner, following the instructions. For a greener option, sprinkle the bottom of the oven with baking soda, spritz with water, let it sit overnight, then scrub it clean. 

Merry Christmas!!

Be sure to take some time out of your busy life to enjoy the magic of the holidays this season.

This Christmas...

...spend quality time with your kids before your extended family arrives. Christmas is a good time to teach your family, especially children about values like love, compassion, giving and sharing. Try to include the whole family in different Christmas activities like festival related cooking, decorating the house and the tree and wrapping up gifts...

Christmas Tips

This Christmas, take your dog outside for some playtime before your gathering. A tired pooch is a lot less likely to jump up on guests or bark incessantly every time the doorbell rings. For extra insurance, keep him occupied with a toy that dispenses treats.

During your Christmas party remember: guests prefer to take on some small tasks, instead of standing around while you attempt to do everything yourself. Ask an older relative if he'd mind greeting guests at the door. Recruit teens to take coats or offer fruit juice. Kids may direct guests to the buffet table or offer hors d'oeuvres.

Rest Your Fears About Hosting Thanksgiving

As the host of Thanksgiving dinner, you will have plenty on your plate to be concerned about. But thanks to these tips, the things that could possibly go wrong probably won’t. Relax—have a drink. You got this.

What If I Don’t Have Enough Food?

Thanksgiving nightmare No. 1  is running out of food, as guests clamor for another helping of green bean casserole. You don’t have to guesstimate the amount of food you need to feed your crowd. Simply plug in your number of guests here and you’ll have your shopping list. Wondering how big of a turkey to buy? The USDA recommends 1 pound per person. And check out our breakdown of turkey types to help you choose the best one.

What If All the Food Isn’t Ready at the Same Time?

The turkey is getting cold on the counter while the yams are still rock-hard in the oven. Your quickest solution is a warming tray to keep items ready for the table as you pull together the meal’s remaining dishes. When possible, make menu components in advance and then reheat as needed.

Expert Cleaning Hacks That Make Walls Sparkle

The Smartest Home on the Block

How to Extend the Life of Your Lawn Mower

Aerate the Air Filter

Besides fuel and a spark, the engine on your mower also needs clear airways. Air filters, which cover the air intakes on your mower, actually protect the engine from dust and debris. Over the course of a long summer of mowing, these filters can become corroded, putting your engine at risk. Check, clean, and (if necessary) replace air filters regularly, in accordance with your manual’s specifications. Suggestions vary from 25 to 100 hours.

Unclog the Mower Deck

You may not think about cleaning your mower deck because you can’t see it. You’ll be reminded, however, when gooey grass clogs your blades and causes a rough cut, or when rust develops. The best time to remove grass clumps from your deck is before they become caked-on and hard. But don’t do it immediately after mowing (it’s hot under there!). Wait a while for the mower to cool down. Spray the area with a garden hose—some mowers have a handy hose attachment! Use a scraper to remove tougher clumps. Tip: Tilt a push mower on its side to gain better access to the deck (make sure the gas tank is empty). On riding mowers, remove the mower deck and turn it upside down.

Spiff Up the Exterior

I don’t know about you, but I’m usually ready for a break after I finish mowing. That’s why I clean my mower’s exterior in my downtime, such as rainy days when mowing isn’t on my agenda. A simple brush or broom can remove the majority of dried clippings from the surface. Or you can always use a blower or vacuum. Finish by wiping down with a damp cloth, and you’re done!

Manufacturer Certified

For any Columbia roofing contractor, or any Maryland contractor for that matter, gaining the certification of their manufacturers is a must. If you have a roofing product installed on your home by one of many Maryland roofing companies who is not certified by the product manufacturer, any product warranty may be invalidated. 

The expert Ellicott City roofing contractors and Silver Spring roofing contractors at HomeTech are continually educated by our manufacturers to ensure that project we undertake is performed using the latest techniques and advances in technology. Each of our roofers takes this education very seriously, and works hard to master each advance our manufacturers make in order to gain their certification.

Here is a list of manufacturers who have certified HomeTech to install their products:

• GAF Roofing
• HAAG Certified
• HAAG Roof Inspector
• TAMKO Pro Contractor & TAMKO Certified
• Certified Master Shingle Applicator
• CertainTeed Siding
• Mastic Siding
• EnergyTech by Soft Lite Windows
• Pro Via Doors
• Preferred James Hardy Dealer

Slate Roofing

Slate is known as the most beautiful and durable roofing material, and has been used to build roofs that have lasted for hundreds of years. A natural and beautiful roofing material, slate provides a roof that is strong, highly fire resistance, and is will last your family for years to come. Slate is very high-quality and low maintenance, with a life expectancy of between 75 and 200 years. HomeTech provides our clients with the GAF TruSlate roofing MD home and business owners trust.

Signs You Need a New MD Roofing System

Residential and commercial properties can often change hands frequently, and the integrity of the roof can go unchecked through several changes of ownership. It is essential that Maryland home and business owners have their roofs inspected every 3-5 years by a MD roofing contractor like HomeTech. A regular inspection will keep you, your family, your employees, or your possessions safe from the dangers of water damage, falling debris, and mold. When you own a building of any kind, the occupants need to feel safe being under you roof, and HomeTech has the expertise necessary to give them peace of mind.

Rain Gutters

Gutters are far more important to the structural integrity of your home than you might think. They carry rainwater and melting snow away from the house so you don’t have to deal with flooding, leaks, and even foundation damage. When your gutters aren’t working properly, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible.

Maryland Windows

The Right Window Materials for Any Maryland Home

There are four main materials used to create replacement windows. Each one has their own set up unique benefits, ranging from energy efficiency, to beauty, to tradition. At HomeTech we work with Soft Lite to provide our clients with top-of-the-line replacement windows that are specifically designed for Maryland homes. That is why we are the Maryland roofing contractors that residents depend on for their replacement window needs.

Entry Doors

The entry way to your home makes the initial impression on visitors. If your door is old, cracking, or no longer aesthetically pleasing not only will your energy costs be increased, your guests will get a bad first impression of your home. A door that has been crafted by Pro Via and installed by HomeTech will be beautiful and energy efficient for years to come, leaving visitors and neighbors with a good impression of your home. They may even get a little jealous, but that’s understandable.

Count on Home Tech!

Here’s are a few more reasons HomeTech Exterior is the roofing contractor Maryland residents can count on:

• Locally owned and operated, we are well versed in every aspect of a properly functioning roofing system.
• We do more than just roofing. HomeTech Exteriors offers a wide range of quality, fully certified exterior home improvement services, including siding, replacement windows, and doors.
• Our customers always receive personalized service. The representative with whom you first meet will be there for you throughout your project, and there’s a good chance that Albert, our company President, may come out to meet you on the day your roofing system is installed.

Storm and Water Flood Restoration Services

The possibility of Flood damages are all around us, however we seldom think about it in our daily lives. From an old building and pipes, to a water heater with age, or a random tropical storm or hurricane. If this did happen to you, who are you going to turn to? Your insurance company; that makes money off of your home not having any damages and will try to cut corners in restoring your home with the hard earned money you pay for in premiums every year. Your first call should be in the hands of the experts of Home Tech Services. flooded bath We are a licensed and bonded general contractor that specializes in home improvement and calamity damages. We follow the strictest guidelines that all major insurance agencies put out for contractors as well as local county and city home construction guidelines. All this without the extra headaches of trying to replace other valuables in your home. Call us and let us give you a helping hand in making your home, home again.

Vinyl and Fiber Cement Siding

At HomeTech we recognize the enormous benefits of installing vinyl or fiber cement siding onto any Maryland home. We are fully certified by CertainTeed and Mastic to install their expertly crafted products, and through this certification are also able to provide our clients with their deep warranties. Excellent warranties and high quality materials are just two more reasons we are the Columbia MD roofing contractors that local residents turn to for their vinyl and fiber cement siding needs.