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

Possibly the most overlooked home maintenance issue I find is your dryer vent. It is very easy to forget this annual service but can have a pretty big impact if ignored for too long. We remember to clean the lint trip after each load but what about the little dust bunnies that escape the dryer but don't quite get to freedom? There is a pipe that connects your dryer to the outside air and is needed to let heat escape and keep lint out from back-flowing into your home. Here are our top (and pretty strong) reasons to keep this chore on the top of your fall checklist: Clogged vs. Clean Vent 1. SAFETY: Over 15,000 fires each year are started because of dryers. 80% of these are reported to be from heat buildup in dryer vents. Lint and/ or animal nests can collect in your vent and cause this hazard. 2. AIR QUALITY : It is hard to argue a risk of fire one minute then mold in another however, for dryers this is a real problem. When clogged, the dryer releases enough hot ai...

Baltimore, MD: As we approach winter and I picked my final veggies from the summer stock, it is a good time to develop the game plan for winter. Know when to clear out your garden and do "prep" work prior to the next growing season. Here are a few easy steps to put your summer vegetable garden to bed for the winter season: 1. Remove all annual plants after they have completed harvest: Pull them up by the roots - do not just "cut". Surprisingly, dying vegetation can host bacteria and disease that can stunt next year's growth. Leaving your plants in place do not act as compost instead, you risk them rotting and stunting next year's harvest. 2. Wait until the first good frost, then cut or prune perennials back . 3. Lightly till the ground . This exposes some of the fungus/ bacteria and will ultimately kill it. 4. Consider adding a finished compost to the dirt prior to tilling. 4. Keep fall foliage clear from the area and make sure to not let ...

(Baltimore, MD) - After watching Hurricane Harvey rip through Texas (still ongoing as I write), it is reminder of the simple steps we can take at home to protect our families. Although the Mid-Atlantic has not experienced a storm of this magnitude, we have to remember  30"+ snowstorms that leave even the heardiest of adventures stuck for a few days. You do not need to be a "prepper" in order to prepare. Having a storm or natural disaster plan is simply responsible and we want to help make it easy. 1. Have supplies 2. Have a Plan 3. Stay Informed Below is a list of items we recommend. We broke this into 2 categories then discuss the benefits of "staying informed". The first are necessary and not having this in your home AT ALL TIMES is simple irresponsible.  The 2nd are items will make life at home easier and help you in the worst of times. 1.  ITEMS FOR SAFETY Absolutely Necessary Items:  - Prepare this as a kit. Have set aside in your home a...

(updated 4/28/2018) Explanation of EFynch Escrow- simplified. (Baltimore, MD)- The EFynch Escrow system is based on years of experience in contracting. There is no additional costs for homeowners to use system and although sometimes credit card fees apply, contractors have included all fees already in bid you received .  If you are told otherwise please contact us immediately- this is against our contractor terms of service and is false. *** We recommend using the Escrow System for ALL transactions *** For projects not in the EFynch Escrow, we are VERY limited on the assistance we can supply shoudl something go wrong.*** The EFynch Escrow works as follows:   1. After hiring, use your credit card, paypal, or venmo to post the funds. 2. The funds are held in a 3rd party escrow. They are fully refundable if you are not 100% satisfied. Funds are still under your control and are never released until you agree to doing so. 3. By putting up the funds early, this...

Baltimore, Maryland: As we approach Autumn our attention will undoubtedly turn from summer fun back to regular business. Fall is one of my favorite times of year because the days are cooler, football is on TV, and everything just seems to feel "cozy". Although you may not have a pumpkin latte yet, September is a great time to start thinking about early fall maintenance which can save you time and trouble later in the season. Working on some items now can save you from the "Late Autumn Rush". Here are some of our recommendations for early fall Home Improvement Projects: Exterior 1. Inspect your driveway: Winter is the HARDEST time on your driveway. Ice can fill in cracks causing them to expand. You cannot seal a driveway or any cracks once the night time temperature drops below 50 degrees. "Crackfill" can be purchased from your local hardware store and is a good DIY project. Asphalt Sealing is something we recommend you hire a pro because it is...

Baltimore Startup EFynch.com Expanding into D.C. 3,000 members, $250k in savings, and strict privacy features, group expands platform to serve the 3.8m households in B/W Corridor. Baltimore, MD: When homeowners think of Craigslist most have preconceived notions. Some of these may be positive but very few are comfortable when it comes to the security and reliability the site offers.  Baltimore based Startup/ Platform, EFynch.com is offering a product for those with this concern and it is now available in the entire D.C. Metro Area. By taking a more structured but still open approach to the popular Trading Post, EFynch has several user features that include competitive bid collection with a strict privacy policy. "EFynch privately connects a homeowner with the guy in a flannel shirt and truck, or the commercial contractor that has down time between projects. We look for the opportunity and by being the only Home Improvement site offering the full spectrum of options and our h...

Homeowner and Handyman Tips from EFynch.   Baltimore, MD:  The other day I heard from a homeowner who was approached by a door-to-door salesman "selling electricity". Although this sounds odd and I do not necessarily agree with the tactic, it is indeed possible and legitimate (or possibly legitimate). Maryland Energy is confusing at first but simple to explain.   Here is the short version (I am using a Baltimore home as the example). - BGE is your Distributor. They own and maintain the power lines, and handle the payments (sending you a bill, setting up service, etc.). They do not generate any electricity and are a regulated utility. You receive a bill from BGE then BGE distributes those funds to the various entities involved with getting the electricity to your home. Besides maintaining the power lines, they are like the bookkeeper.  - The Supplier of electricity is NOT BGE- The supplier is also known as the Generator . Historically the Generator had bee...