October 2020 (172)
New Video:
Refreshing a Brick Fireplace
During our recent home remodel Jim refreshed a dated brick fireplace with beautiful stacked stone. There are many great stone options that can transform the look of the whole room.
Explore great products & arrange for expert installation at:
Throughout Texas
Dallas-Ft.Worth
Your Questions -- Jim's Answers
Home Warranties
Travis asks Jim about home warranties. What do they cover? Are they worth it? Which company would he recommend?
Too Many Acorns
Mark wants to know if there is anyway to reduce the number of acorns his oak tree produces. Arborist Matt Latham says "Yes" and here is how it is done...
Tips For Re-siding a House
If it is time to re-side your house go in with a great plan and you will love the results. Jim uses James Hardie Siding, but there are lots of options for products and contractors, so as with most remodeling projects, there's a process involved. Don't rush in. Take your time, and you will be happy with the results.
 
GET INSPIRED
Drive around your community and snap photos of home exteriors you like. Collect images of your favorite home styles and colors. On the James Hardie website browse their Photo Showcase featuring real projects across the country. Then Search James Hardie products and experiment with Home Color Tool to find the best fit for your home.

CREATE YOUR BUDGET & SCHEDULE
Continue your on-line research or contact a contractor can help estimate your project's costs. Once you’ve set a budget request quotes from certified, experienced contractors who can explain your options and create the project schedule.

FINALIZE YOUR PROJECT'S SCOPE
Once you have a game plan (for example, re-side this year, save up to install trim next year), list the exact materials and manpower required to complete your project within budget and on schedule.

CHOOSE YOUR CONTRACTOR
If the first round of contractor meetings left you unsatisfied, keep searching. This process could take a while. Take your time. Contractors are used to getting follow-up calls weeks or months after an initial meeting, and it's worth the wait to find a contractor you trust.

PREPARE FOR CONSTRUCTION
During the re-side, your new siding will take up substantial space on your driveway or yard. Be ready. Cabinets and pictures may rattle from exterior hammering, so take precautions indoors too.

ENJOY YOUR NEW RE-SIDE
Your re-side is complete and your home looks beautiful. You can relax, admire your home's exterior, and celebrate a job well done. Congratulations!
Avoid Chimney Fires This Winter
This is National Chimney Safety Week which is designed to educate homeowners on the inherent dangers of fireplaces and provide them with tips to reduce their risk of suffering a chimney fire or carbon monoxide-related health emergency. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), an average of 17,600 chimney fires occurred annually in the United States between 2015 and 2017, and although this represents a significant drop from previous years, the Chimney Safety Institute of America believes there’s still much room for improvement. CSIA's vision is that every family enjoys a safe, warm home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends chimneys be inspected annually and cleaned as-needed. Having your chimney inspected by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep before lighting your first fire of the season, is the number one way to prevent potential damage to your home or even the loss of life that may result from a damaged or blocked chimney.
To locate your nearest CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, visit www.csia.org/search and enter your zip code into the locator search tool.
To learn more about how to protect your family and home from chimney fires visit CSIA's website.
Thanks for listening - Jim Dutton