Tips from Toby – Outdoor Winter Quick Checkup
This weather has been awfully dry and that can lead to some expansion and contraction of our home and soil. About 60% of foundation issues are caused by clogged gutters, broken downspouts, or improper drainage. Now is a good time to make sure those downspouts aren't clogged and draining away from your home. Those ornamental grasses near your home need to be pruned back. They are a fire hazard and should be trimmed now to allow them to grow back next Spring. Do you have ice melter handy? It won't be long before the next Polar Vortex comes upon us. Make sure you pick up some ice melter that is safe for your concrete, pets and carpet next time you're out shopping. Keep a bag handy in your trunk too!eo is about FS Toby Fall 30 TV
Toby Holiday Preparation Safety Checkup
It's that time of year with ice, travel, holiday decorations and hurrying from place to place. This is a great time (while we're stuck with a little cold weather) to catch up on those easy tips that can save you a lot of hassles during the holiday season. From loading up your car with safety items to adding timers to those holiday lights, we've got a great list of tips to keep your season running smooth.
Tips from Toby Warm, Easy Vent Adjust for Comfort
Do you have those rooms that seem drafty in some areas and hot in others? Do you shut of vents in some rooms to try in make it more comfortable in others? Find out how to use some simple tips to make your whole house more comfortable and why closing off those vents in some rooms is actually a bad idea. This is one of our favorite easy tips that will make your whole home more comfortable, will save you money on your energy bills and you'll even sleep better at night! Take a look at this tip now and you'll be feeling a lot more comfortable and saving money in no time!
Tips from Toby – The Bed Bug Tip
Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't let the Bed Bugs Bite! An old phrase uttered by just about every parent to their kids at bedtime. Unfortunately, bed bugs are becoming a significant problem in homes throughout the country and Kansas City area. You don't have to have a dirty home to get bed bugs. They can be brought in with your luggage after a trip, on kids backpacks, moving trucks or just on someone's clothing. They are about the size of an apple seed. These little vampires feed off of human blood and are experts at hiding. Bed Bugs multiply at a rate that would make a bunny blush and quite frankly, they are disgusting! Learn what they look like, how to professionally treat the problem and how to avoid letting a couple of bed bugs become a huge, expensive problem in your home. Treatment can cost $100's of dollars per room and a female bed bug that is pregnant can lay 100's of eggs per day so they spread like wildfire and so do the costs! Check out all you need to know about Bed Bugs in this week's tip and you'll sleep tight avoiding a big problem!
Tips from Toby Fireplace, Chimney & Dryer Vent Tip
The leading cause of home fires in the United States is caused by excessive lint buildup in our dryer vents and by creosote buildup in our chimneys. As the nights get a bit chillier it won't be long before we are firing up those fireplaces and lots of static will be firing up around our dryers. Don't be one of those victims you see on the news and suffer damage to your home or much worse! This is an inexpensive maintenance tip that should be a priority this Fall on your home upkeep list!
Tips from Toby Winter Home Prep
The colder nights are here and that means it time to get your plants, furnace and home Winter ready. From garage door maintenance to unscrewing that hose so you don't have a broken pipe and flood on your hands! Check out this week's tip from Toby to check off these ease Winter Prep items off the list and keep everything running great!
Tips from Toby Fall Furnace Checks & Prep
The cooler nights mean it won't be long before we begin firing up those furnaces. What till you hear how easy it is for something as simple as a dirty furnace or misaligned vent to spread CO Poisoning throughout your home. Check out the easy steps you can take to avoid problems and even death. CO is a silent killer, but it is very easy to avoid problems if you are prepared. We look into humidifiers and their benefit to your home, woodwork, furniture, skin and overall comfort - plus you'll be amazed at how much they can save you on energy bills. Get that annual tune up scheduled now and don't wait till you "have" to turn on your furnace to experience problems.
Tips from Toby Allergies & Your Furnace
If you think your allergies have been worse this year than most - they probably are. The great growing conditions mean the plants that cause our allergies (ragweed, grass, etc) is growing strong and that means lots of sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. In this weeks tip we show you how to keep allergens out of the house and breathe a whole lot easier!
Tips from Toby – Fall Bugs, Mice & Itches!
The Oak/Itch mites are back in full force. Learn about Whup a Bug from Toby and his Brother - who’s lawn team was being eaten alive. Whup a Bug is all natural and it has been keeping the itch mites and other biters away for quite some time. It might work for you! The mice and bugs are trying to get into your home as the nights get colder. We show you the easy solutions to keep them out of the house and not spray any chemicals or leave nasty traps inside the house! Watch the video tip now to find out how you can keep from getting bit or bothered over the Fall.
Tips from Toby Foundation Check
Typical Kansas City Summer! Long periods of heat and no rain followed by heavy downpours. If you're not watering around your foundation on a consistent basis you can have flooding in your basement or even worse - foundation cracks. Our Friends at Atlantis Drainage Solutions give you some great tips on things to check for around the home that might be causing the problems. Such things as downspouts draining improperly, clogged gutters and soil erosion around your foundation may be the culprits and a lot less money to repair that extremely costly foundation repair or French Drains. Some of us do need foundation repair but be sure you are getting the right advice and if you are unsure get a second or even third bid and check those backgrounds online!