Maryland and D.C. Home Improvement and Home Inspection discussion and Repair Advice

Moving into a new home? Why you should consider mounting your TV and what you need to know before you install.  When you are arranging your furniture and setting up your living room, where to put the tv is always an important question.  As TVs have grown larger, this question grows even more importance.  Should you mount your tv, and what should you consider when paying hiring someone to perform the tv installation. Should you mount- the benefits: The benefits of mounting your tv is a personal preference. But, being on a wall, it is less likely to be knocked over or get smudge marks on the tv screen from young kids. A tv also looks good hanging on a wall and with samsung options like the frameless TV, your entertainment center is now equal to a peace of art! What you need to know before hiring: Mounting your tv can be a daunting task. It is more than simply finding a stud and screwing it in. We asked to professional tv installers that are considered the best in their reg...

The information below has been brought to you by EFynch.com. We are a non-biased community for homeowners and freelance handymen based in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore, MD- For most, a home is the largest asset we have. Yet, I am often shocked by the amount of effort some place in preparing for their homes for hitting the market. Unfortunately, many spend as much time planning for this as they would a weekend camping trip, but we know you are better than that- which is why we put our list of top 10 things to do below. In speaking with over 100 local real estate agents, here is the advice we can give: 1. Fix what is broken. Generally speaking, small items might be overlooked but they sit in the back of a buyers mind and can make a difference in the aggressiveness they pursue your home. It is very easy to DIY or hire a handyman for a few hours to fix the little items . 2. De-clutter  Rule of thumb- 99% of your "available" wall space should be open. 90% of yo...

Load up the family wagon, grab some twine, and a saw- It is time to  make the annual pilgrimage for. . . THE CHRISTMAS TREE!!!! As the mother of all holidays approaches you have to be prepared. After all, what good is a new PlayStation if the tree is not the pinnacle of treedom? the TREE is a signal of absolute perfection and it will make even the dullest tie SHINE. This is my approach each year as my family dons buffalo check plaid shirts and we take our annual drive just into PA for a LIVE, you-cut-it-Christmas tree. It has served me well for years and, I have been known to keep the tree up well into January. 1. Live, Cut Fresh: There is no better way to insure a tree will last. 2. Measure BEFORE leaving your house: you can always go bigger and trim when you get home but a short tree is not as much fun. 3. Measure your tree stand: Make sure the tree is not too fat! 4. Ignore the bottom 2' of a tree: This area get beaten up by lawnmowers and animals all year- I a...

Late Spring Freeze: The Handyman and Homeowner Guide to Protecting Outdoor Landscaping in Maryland. What the homeowner should do with a late Spring Freeze/ Frost.   Baltimore, MD: Tonight (April 7th, 2017) and into Saturday morning, forecasters are calling for freezing temperatures possible throughout Central Maryland*. With the warm weather the past few days, many of us in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. have already begun outdoors landscaping for Spring. With a semi-rare Freeze Watch in place, there are a few measures that homeowners should take to help plants survive. The issue with a cold freeze and some plants is the inability for vegetable and flowers to withstand freezing water on a cellular level. As we know, when water freezes it expands and can break the sensitive cell structures. For certain plants, this is irreparable damage. Here is a quick reference on what you can do to prevent damage: 1: Sensitive plants in pots: Bring indoors. 2. Sensitive plants...

Hey Fynches ! Here in Baltimore/ Washington we are expecting an old fashion Nor’Easter on Tuesday with accumulations upwards of 12”.  We are not one to panic BUT, a snow this late in winter typically is WET and HEAVY. Forecasters are also expecting strong winds and potential for structural damage, downed trees, and power outages will be present. Below are some tips that we recommend every homeowner take before Tuesday. Before the storm, we recommend you do the following:         - Inspect the underside of your roof (check attic): Any damage or signs of leaking should be treated as an emergency and repaired immediately. Do a visual inspection outside: Gutters, deck, etc.         - Organize shovels and winter clothing: If you power goes out- sleeping bags, and blankets by the fireplace are key.         - Cooking: Lighters, bbq grill or camp stove (with full tank of fuel) are useful if power g...

Early March (Pre Spring) Guide for Outdoor Planting and Landscaping. By: EFynch.com Baltimore, Maryland- In the spring, we all tend to turn our focus from the local Handyman and repairs over to Landscaping around your house. Here in Baltimore and Washington D.C. we have certainly started to see glimmers of Spring. Behold- as I look at the weather forecast there is not one,,, but TWO potential winter storm events in the forecast. One for Friday (3/8/17) and one early next week. We don't know if these will be significant but it does prove the need for us to hold off on planting in our gardens just yet. For now- here are EFynch recommendations for outdoor related project: - Mulch Flowerbeds: If no new planting is being considered, go ahead and mulch now. Landscapers are mostly still on "winter rates" and you can save a bundle. In fact- utilize the EFynch Mulch/ landscape Deal which provides Mulch Delivery in Baltimore County for a limited time and as low as $50. ...

The Silly Little Custom of Raising Windshield Wipers Before Snow: . . . and why you should be doing it!  (home tips from EFynch.com ) So, it's an old trend but recently seems to be picking up steam (or frost!). You pull into a parking lot or drive by your neighbor's house and the friendly wave of a windshield wiper can appear puzzling at first. Looking like the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, the crooked slither of rubber and metal are gently raised- A sign of bad weather to come. But what purpose does it serve, and does it work? When it snows- ESPECIALLY here in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic temperatures are often hovering around the freezing mark. At 32 degrees, precipitation comes in many forms but more than likely will harden after sitting on your windshield for a few moments. This creates a solid ice sheet. Something that can do 2 bad things to your car. 1. First, the ice can wreak havoc on your wipers. Your wiper blades are made from rubber and the freezi...