Photo by Andrew Rulloda
6 signs you may need a new HVAC system
There’s no place like home, especially when that home is a comfortable and safe haven. One of the ways residents find comfort in their homes is by maintaining the right indoor temperatures, which fluctuate along with the seasons. While there is much to be said about opening windows and doors to let Mother Nature do her thing, indoor comfort is often maintained with an HVAC system.
As with any mechanical device, an HVAC system has a life span that must be considered. Should any of the following conditions be present, it is likely time to consult with an HVAC technician to see if
repairs or replacement of the entire system is warranted.
1. Age
If the HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it could be time to begin budgeting for a new unit. Many modern,
Heating, ventilation and air-condiitiong systems are vital to keeping indoor environments comfortable and safe. Such systems may exhibit certain signs that indicate they need to be replaced.
efficient systems may last 12 to 14 years with routine maintenance. But it’s good to keep an HVAC system’s age in mind so you can readily recognize when it might start to fail.
2. Longer or constant running times
An efficient, properly working system will quickly heat or cool the home and then turn off. A system that is turning on repeatedly or having to run for awhile before the set temperature is reached could be nearing the end of its utility.
3. Strange noises
Groaning, banging or loud humming noises should be addressed. While these noises may indicate that certain components need maintenance or replacement, they also could be symptoms of age and a system nearing failure.
4. Frequent repair visits
Knowing the HVAC company’s repair person by name is a sign that the system has required too much work in recent months. Repeated issues and repairs are probably signs that it’s time to consider a system replacement.
5. Higher bills
Sticker shock when receiving electricity or gas bills likely mean the HVAC system isn’t working efficiently and might need to be replaced.
6.
Poor indoor air quality
If the home is dusty or humid, or even if allergies seem to have cropped up out of nowhere, this could indicate a poorly functioning HVAC system.
For more information call Fairview Heating & Air Cinditioning, Inc. at 100-A Brownstone Road, Oakley 925-625-4963. – Metro Creative
CONSTRUCTION
Bathroom and kitchen remodel? We can handle it from start to finish!
PLUMBING
Faucet, sink, toilet or drain problems? No problem!
ELECTRICAL
Need additional outlets, ceiling fans, sconces or recessed lighting? We do that, too!
PAINTING
Interior, exterior, fence or other structure that needs painting? We’ve got you covered!
MAINTENANCE
Gutter cleaning, pressure washing, fence repair, landscaping, hauling? We’ve got you covered!
s a mother of five and an accomplished business owner, Ona Hennessey has brought her passion for design and purpose to residential and commercial fencing to Brentwood.
Starting her business in 2006 in San Jose with the goal to be able to maintain her career while taking care of her children gave her the drive to create a business that can satisfy her desire to be an independent business woman and a mother.
“I started my business after having my fifth child, I started working and running the fencing company out of my home, giving me the freedom to be more available to my kids when they needed me,” she said.
Hennessey’s Fencing is now operated in part by other family members. “I have two of my kids that work with me, the kids’ dad and their uncle, so it is a familyoperated business,” she said.
we’ve done projects at The Streets of Brentwood, and recently Hennessey’s Fencing was also awarded a contract with Contra Costa County to conduct jobs throughout the county.” Hennessey said.
When it comes to working with their clients, she ensures they can expect a professional and personal experience during the consultation and implementation process.
Part of the Brentwood community since 2009, Hennessey’s Fencing has been creating new looks for many Brentwood properties, and has expanded its operations into other cities and counties, including all of Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties.
“We sometimes go beyond that depending on the services needed, but we are very diverse in the areas we serve,” she
said. “Brentwood has been a wonderful community, and we love to give back. Look out for us again this year at the Hometown Halloween parade on Saturday, Oct. 26 in downtown Brentwood.”
If you have done any shopping around Brentwood, you may have already seen Hennessey’s work. “Hennessey’s Fencing has done work at the Golden Hills Church,
“From start to finish, we go out to conduct free estimates,” she said. “If they decide to move forward, we provide the contracts and work with the neighbors until the completion of the project. It’s a pretty simple process; we have it dialed in. It’s always exciting when we are hired to do the whole house, it transforms your house completely if you can do your whole fence line at the same time.”
For more information and to get a free estimate and consultation, call 925-5166601 or visit www.hennesseysfencing.com. Hennessey’s Fencing encourages potential customers to get their consultations done before the rainy season to ensure that supply is available.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
ANDREW RULLODA
Submitted photo
Owner Ona Hennessey and her team.
Tips for preparing your pool for fall and winter
As summer is winding down and fall and winter approach, it is time to start thinking about preparing your pool for the changing season. According to Mike Logan of Logan Pools in Brentwood, winterizing a swimming pool in California is typically less intensive than in colder climates, such as the East Coast, due to milder winters. However it is essential to protect your pool during the off-season to prevent damage and maintain water quality.
There are certain things you can do to prepare your pool for the changing seasons and make reopening in the spring easier.
Here are some tips as you prepare to winterize your pool this year.
Clean the entire pool area
Empty the skimmer baskets and vacuum the pool. Brush the pool to remove and prevent any algae build up. It
is also a good idea to clean the jets. There are plenty of crevices where algae can grow. This will make reopening the pool in Spring easier.
Test the water
Leading pool products manufacturer Hayward recommends adjusting the pH to between 7.2 and 7.8 to prevent stains, scaling and algae growth. Alkalinity
should be 80 to 125 ppm for plaster/ gunite pools and 125 to 150 ppm for other pool types. Test the level of available chlorine, and super-chlorinate the pool to maintain a sanitation level of at least 4 ppm. Once the pool cover is on, the amount of chlorine that escapes due to sunlight and evaporation will decrease. An algaecide may be used, if desired, as well. In very cold climates, a pool-water antifreeze may be necessary. Check with your pool supply store for more information.
Balance pool water
After checking the pH, add the proper chemicals when necessary. It is a good idea to purchase your chemicals ahead of time, rather than waiting until the last minute, as some may be hard to find as summer dwindles down. Some items you will need include, sanitizer, algaecide and pH-balancing chemicals.
Clean the pool filter
Cleaning the filter is important to ensure that it will be able to continue to do it’s job properly. Run the filter at least 24 hours before disassembling the filter for the season. Make sure to run it after adding chemicals to help circulate them.
Drain the water to proper level
The pool water should be leveled just below the opening of the skimmer.
Shut off the filter pump, heater and any other equipment
Let all the water drain out and allow equipment to dry before storing them away. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for lubrication and covering. Install freeze plugs if you choose to use them.
Adjust electricity settings
Turn off the circuit to outdoor outlets that feed the pool equipment, testing to make sure the power is off.
Store pool accessories
Remove any ladders, diving boards, slides, external drain lines, and other recreational materials from the pool. Store them in a place where they will be protected from the winter weather, such as a garage or shed.
Cover
Be sure to cover up your pool with a pool cover to prevent unwanted items from falling in the water.
For more information go to www. loganpools.com or call Logan Polls at 925-513-9272.
– Metro Creative contributed to this article.
NICOLE BECCHINA
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
There
number of steps that homeowners can take to properly prepare their swimming pools for the cooler months ahead.
Adam Martinez (with scissors) and his daughters cut the ribbon as city officials and friends look on during the ceremony celebrating 10 years in Brentwood.
by Andrew Rulloda
Handydads celebrates 10 years serving Brentwood
Handydads main office on Brentwood Boulevard.
Adam Martinez, owner of Handydads Construction, stood with his two daughters as they celebrated 10 years of business serving Brentwood and its residents with a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I started the company when I became a father for the first time,” Martinez said. “We’ve created something different that nobody else is doing in the industry. So far, it’s working, and we are looking into expanding the company.”
The ribbon cutting was held at the
Alongside Martinez’s friends and family were members of the Brentwood Rotary Club, and city leaders such as Mayor Joel Bryant who presented Martinez with a Certificate of Recognition for his success as a small business owner and service to his community.
“We want to continue working with the city, continue contributing to the Rotary Club, to continue to build and provide more jobs and expand it even further,” Martinez said.
He said his drive and love for his daughters inspired him to create a company that is focused on providing quality home repair and construction services from, painting, electrical, plumbing and many more at an affordable rate, customers can visit handydads.net to set up an appointment for consultation, or call 925-587-DADS (3237)
• We pride ourselves on high quality workmanship
• Family owned and operated by T. George Sanchez, a life long resident of Brentwood
• Fair prices, on time install & great customer service
ANDREW RULLODA
Photo
Rose and Sons Glass started in 1978 and we have been in the same location in Beautiful Downtown Brentwood.
Even when the sun isn’t very strong and the temperatures are cold, a lawn still needs water. That water requirement multiplies when higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation.
The experts at LawnLove.com, a lawn care and landscaping resource, say grass needs between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of water a week. Many times, precipitation will take care of all of a lawn’s water needs. But in times of drought or infrequent rain, it’s up to homeowners to provide the water a lawn requires.
If homeowners ask a dozen lawn experts what they recommend in terms of watering, they’re likely to offer 12 different answers. The type of soil and grass affects how frequently a lawn needs to be watered. According to the lawn care company Organo Lawn, it’s better to do a deep watering two or three times a week to promote strong grass roots and maintain a healthy microbial composition in soil than to water the lawn daily, which leads to shallow roots and can wash away nutrients. But it is important for homeowners to recog-
nize when their lawns are not getting ample water. Here are some signs a lawn needs a drink.
♦ Visible footprints: Elasticity of the grass blades decreases when the lawn is not getting enough water. If you walk on the lawn and footprints do not bounce back in a short amount of time, you likely need to water.
♦ Gaps between lawn and sidewalk: Lawn Pride says that the soil can shrink in drought conditions. This may be visible where the lawn abuts a driveway, sidewalk or even planting beds. If you walk along the perimeter of a lawn and notice a gap between the grass and hardscape, it is time to water.
♦ Clumps of grass: It is a sign of drought stress when grass grows in clumps rather than uniformly across a lawn.
♦ Presence of dollar spot fungus: Grass can become susceptible to this fungus, which also is called ascochyta leaf blight. It only develops in lawns with shallow grass roots caused by improper lawn watering. It’s common in parts of Colorado and elsewhere and is noticeable when damage to the turf begins in the middle of the grass foliage.
♦ Slow growth: A lawn that doesn’t seem to be growing well, or doesn’t need to be mowed as frequently, likely isn’t getting enough water.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
Maintaining a lawn routinely roamed by pets
While many treatments can be applied to lawns to help them thrive, animal waste is not among them. Pet owners who aspire to have beautiful lawns will have to take a few extra steps to ensure lawns can persevere despite the presence of furry companions.
Reseed with a damage-resistant grass
There are many different types of grass, and some are more resilient than others. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and Bermuda grass are just some of the grass varieties that can capably handle pet traffic. If replacing the entire lawn is not possible, consider reseeding or addressing the areas that pets frequent.
Strengthen the root system
According to The Home Depot, letting the lawn grow to at least three inches will help keep moisture in the soil and prevent evaporation. That moisture will strengthen the roots, creating a healthier lawn for pets and people.
Set boundaries
Pet urine contains high levels of nitrogen, which can burn grass and turn it brown. You can’t water down urine or pick up solid waste immediately every time a pet goes outdoors, so designate a petfriendly spot for potty time. Use fencing or a dog run to separate this area and help reduce the number of “land mines” all over the lawn. Fencing also can keep pets out of vegetable gardens and away from potentially toxic plants.
Avoid chemical lawn treatments
When pets use the yard and rest on the lawn, eliminate products that can be harmful to them. Choose all-natural fertilizers and weed and pest preventatives.
End of Summer Sale
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
These renovations can help sell homes
The adage “there’s a lid for every pot” suggests that, even in relation to the real estate market, there’s bound to be a buyer for every home on the market. Price is a significant variable in the minds of potential buyers, but there are additional factors that can affect the impression people get of a given home.
Certain home features can tip the scales in favor of sellers. In fact, various renovations can help sell homes more readily. And these renovations need not cost a fortune. Putting a home on the market can be stressful, but these renovations may help it sell fast.
A fresh coat of paint
Although painting is relatively inexpensive and a job that some do-it-yourselfers can tackle, it’s not a task relished by many. Painting is messy, it takes time, and requires moving furniture. In fact, prepping a room for painting often is the toughest component of any painting job. But fresh coats of paint can create a strong first impression. Choose a neutral color and get painting. Jennie Norris, chairwoman for the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, says gray is a “safe” color that has been trending in recent years.
Minor bathroom remodel
surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and fixtures can cost roughly $10,500, says HGTV. You’ll recoup an average of $10,700 at resale, making a minor bathroom remodel a potentially worthy investment.
Redone kitchen
The kitchen tends to be the hub of a home. This room gets the most usage and attention of any space, and it’s a great place to focus your remodeling attention. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry estimates that homeowners can recover up to 52 percent of the cost of a kitchen upgrade upon selling a home. Buyers want a functional and updated kitchen. Trending features include drawer-style microwaves and dishwashers, commercial ranges, hidden outlets, and even wine refrigerators.
Updated heating and cooling system
Better Homes and Gardens reports that homeowners may be able to recoup 85 percent of the cost of new heating, venting and air-conditioning systems when they sell their homes. Heating, cooling and ventilation components are vital to maintain. You don’t want buyers to be taken aback by an older system, and many millennial buyers are not willing to overlook old mechanical systems.
Fresh landscaping
Remove dated wall coverings, replace fixtures, consider re-glazing or replacing an old tub, and swap old shower doors for fast fixes in a bathroom. If there’s more room in the budget, replacing a tub, tile
A home’s exterior is the first thing buyers will see. If they pull up to a home with eye-catching landscaping and outdoor areas that are attractive yet functional, they’re more likely to be intrigued. Often, buyers will equate a home that features an impressive exterior with upkeep inside as well. The American Nursery Landscape Association says the average homeowner may spend $3,500 for landscaping.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
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remote that privacy isn’t an
their
Fencing or planting?
Most homeowners looking to create more privacy on their property will have to choose between fencing and planting. Fencing provides immediate privacy because, once it’s installed, no one can see into the yard. Fencing also doesn’t require
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
watering or other immediate upkeep, which will be necessary when planting to ensure tree roots can establish themselves.
But planting has its benefits as well. Planting for privacy is essentially creating a living fence that can grow over time and provide even more privacy as trees reach maturity. Plants also tend to be less costly than fencing. The home renovation experts at BobVila.com estimate that fencing projects typically cost between $1,667 and $4,075. However, fencing projects can cost considerably more than $4,000, especially for homeowners with large properties they want to enclose. Large, mature trees can be expensive, though it’s unlikely they will cost as much as fencing. In addition, fencing requires more maintenance and will potentially need to be replaced, while native trees won’t require much upkeep and can last for generations.
Planting
Homeowners who choose to plant for privacy will next have to decide which type of plants to add to their properties. Evergreens provide year-round privacy because they don’t shed their leaves, so these are the ones most often chosen when creating a living fence. A number of varieties of evergreen trees can do the job, but it’s important that homeowners consult with a landscape architect prior to choosing trees so they can ensure the trees will thrive when faced with the growing
conditions on their properties. During such a consultation, homeowners may discuss the following popular privacy trees.
♦ Leyland cypress: The Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) notes that the Leyland cypress is popular for hedges and boundaries, likely because a typical tree reaches a mature height of 60-70 feet and can spread as wide as 25 feet. The Leyland cypress grows fast, which may appeal to homeowners who don’t want to wait to establish privacy.
♦ Green Giant Arborvitae: There are different varieties of the arborvitae, but the Green Giant tends to be the go-to option for privacy. The ADF notes that Green Giants will grow up to three feet per year until they reach maturity, providing a fast-growing option for privacy planters. The Green Giant can spread as wide as 20 feet at maturity, which is another attribute that makes it so popular among homeowners desiring privacy.
♦ Eastern White Pine: The ADF notes that the eastern white pine, which can reach heights as high as 80 feet, is favored in spacious yards. That’s likely due to its height and its potential spread, which can reach 40 feet. Homeowners who choose the eastern white pine might like it for its resemblance to a Christmas tree, and in fact it is widely used for that purpose. The privacy provided by the eastern white pine is significant, but it might be best suited to especially large properties.
–Metro Creative.
