Should I Fix or Replace my Driveway?

Summer is the ideal time to take care of your driveway. The dry weather allows you to replace it without interference from the rain. But does it really need to be replaced? It is normal to notice cracks. The constant traffic and weathering cycles will cause damage in time. Maybe you’ve discovered little plants breaking through, or maybe you just have a few small fissures. The size and type of cracks you have will tell you what your driveway needs. As we are entering August, this is the time to take care of it!

If your driveway is in good shape, with only small cracks or divots, it can be repaired in a day. These repairs will extend the life of your driveway for up to a few years, making them a temporary but cost and time effective solution for driveways with only minor damage. The product you need for repair depends on the type of driveway you have. The two most commonly found driveways: asphalt and cement, can be repaired using fillers purchased from your local hardware store. Ask a store associate to direct you to the correct liquid filler. If comfortable doing this yourself, you can complete the task in a day. If this is out of your skill set, contact a professional to do the job for you. Hint: We can connect you!

If you find cracks larger than a quarter-inch in width, or a several inches in depth, you have larger problems. These large cracks are a sign that there are issues going on under the surface. If your driveway is more than twenty years old, you can be sure it’s time to replace. While you may be able to get away with patching it for a short time, problems will resurface quickly if the damage is more significant. Your time and money is better spent on a more permanent solution.

Driveways have a foundation, and many contractors are able to take off the top layer and resurface the driveway. This is a great substitute for a replacement that will get the job done in a more cost-effective manner. As long as there are no issues with the foundation itself, it is generally recommended to resurface. This should only be done by a professional. If you discover issues with the foundation, the whole driveway may need to be replaced.

But, why bother with any of this? What’s the problem with cracks in my driveway? Unless your driveway is in poor condition, or you’re about to sell your home, a new driveway isn’t known to add monetary value. The benefits of a driveway in proper condition do, however, extend beyond aesthetics. Cracks can pose a danger overtime. If not taken care of promptly, they can turn into a liability, as you, your family, and guests may easily trip. And while a good driveway may not increase your property value, a driveway in poor condition is a detractor for those looking to buy. Even if you aren’t selling your home, doesn’t it still deserve the best and safest?

At Responsible Contractors, we are here to connect you with the best contractors for your home. If you need someone to take care of your driveway repair, contact us for a recommendation, or see a list of companies we endorse atwww.responsiblecontractors.com!

Speaking of Windows

It’s no secret that windows play an important role in your home. They protect against the weather, they guard against intruders big and small, they play a crucial role in your home’s energy usage, temperature, and air quality, and they perform all these important activities while making your home look bright and clean. Windows are important. Here’s what you, as the homeowner, can do to care for them.

There are different types of windows, from vinyl to aluminum, single pane to double pane, screened to unscreened. Because of this, we recommend asking your installer for pertinent information you need to know that may be specific to your window needs. In addition to that, here are some universal tips.

If your window is adjacent to the floor, has a sliding door or runs along a track of any kind, regular vacuuming along its base is encouraged. Dust, debris, and even soil can settle there. Before washing your windows, make sure it’s vacuumed. Once vacuumed, most newer window and door frames can be cleaned with a mixture of dish soap and lukewarm water. Note that older, solid wood frames can potentially take water damage and should be cleaned with a wood-safe product. If you are unsure, check with your manufacturer. Always avoid abrasive or caustic soaps, cleaners and solvents. You don’t want to damage your windows’ finish!

When cleaning your outdoor windows, high-pressure water hoses are unfortunately a much too common cleaning method. Avoid the temptation, even for the high, hard-to-reach windows. Hard pressure, abrasion, and chemicals will take a toll on your windows over time.

Indoor screens are even more fragile than your windows. The same careful practice of gentle cleaning should apply. A mild dish soap, water, and a soft brush are ideal to keep your screen clean without pulling, snagging or tearing!

A good step for windows that open and close is to make sure the hardware is functioning well. Annual lubrication is recommended. We all know the feeling of prying open, or attempting to pry open, a window that hasn’t been touched in a while and has become stuck, dirty, and hard to move or clean. Keeping your hardware in good shape will help prevent this. Included in this, it’s a good practice to keep an eye on your weatherstripping. Poor weatherstripping will create problems with the seal and lead to more repair needs down the line.

There are other repair and upkeep steps that can be taken, and some of them should be handled by a professional. Throughout the year, watch for condensation. Condensation is a sign of interior humidity, and could potentially be telling you that your windows aren’t performing well. During the rainy season, watch the drainage. If you have have water buildup along your window sill, it’s time to call in a window specialist.

We know you love looking out your window in the morning, watching the kids play in the backyard, opening the curtains to let the sunlight in, and opening your windows to let in a breeze in the summer weather. For all that your windows provide for your home, it’s worth the time and effort to keep them performing well. If your windows are outdated, permanently fogged, stuck closed, or damaged, we can show you who to call to get new ones that will perform well. Your home is worth it! To read more about contractors we recommend, visit us online atwww.responsiblecontractors.com/windows_doors_contractor.html!

Spotlight on: Innovative Dream Builders

There are many contractors out there with many specialties. It’s important to know who specializes in your particular project’s needs. General contractors can often work on most aspects of the home, and still be strongest in a specific category. When it comes to windows, your home will be best in the hands of Innovative Dream Builders. Specializing in the envelope of the home: windows, siding, roofing and painting, Innovative Dream Builders comes with the highest guarantee.

Founded by the George and Thompson families, Innovative Dream Builders prides themselves on being on time, on budget, using high quality products and maintaining the highest level of service, to ensure that every customer is well cared for. Above and beyond an in and out company, Innovative Dream Builders has you covered in the long term. What sets them apart is knowing who you are working with, and knowing whose cell phone to call if you ever have a problem: even years down the line. But is knowing they are a reliable company a reason to contract them? How will you know when to call them?

Signs of defective or deteriorated windows to check your own home for are: single pane glass, sweating or fog in between double pane, condensation around the frame, drafts, cracks or daylight showing, high energy bills or an A/C that needs to run all the time, and mold mildew or rot. If you’ve noticed any of these on your own home recently, it’s time to give Innovative Dream Builders a call. Defective windows can lead to higher energy bills, water damage, rot, UV damage to your floors and furniture, and allow mold and mildew to grow inside the home. Good windows are an important part of your home’s structure!

Think all windows are built the same? Think again. Will you use any piece of glass to defend your home against weather and outdoor debris? If there is any part of you that is unsure, we encourage you to get a free estimate. Have a conversation and allow them to give you a detailed proposal so you are equipped with knowledge and understanding, to make the best choice for your family’s home.

Windows are not the only service they offer, but they are one of their specialties. When you need windows, siding or painting for your home improvement, renovation, or remodeling project, remember Innovative Dream Builders and “Update your home with purpose!”

At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We proudly give our highest recommendation for Innovative Dream Builders for your home’s windows! To find them and see more contractors we recommend, visit us atresponsiblecontractors.com!

Spotlight on: DistribuDoors

It’s one of the first things people see when they drive past your house. It’s the gate keeper, guarding against weather, rodents, bugs, and intruders. It protects your valuables, and keeps them warm and dry. Your garage door plays an important role in your home’s overall safety and design. Shouldn’t you give it the care and attention it deserves?

When it comes to garage doors, there is no one we will recommend more highly than
DistribuDoors! Founded in 1985, DistribuDoors has built a strong reputation, and is known for its exceptional product quality and superior customer service. Offering both residential and commercial services, they provide options for automation and customization.

Servicing Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, DistribuDoor is available where you need them! Offering competitive services such as same-day service, and exclusive company-employed certified technicians, they provide a flawless design and fantastic product. All with competitive pricing.

DistribuDoors recognizes that every customer has different and unique needs. Their variety of automation options, accessories and designs give them a product solution for nearly every customer, and every budget! But the glue of the company: what makes them so great? Their commitment to honesty, high ethical standards, and excellence in their profession. Thousands of happy customers are a testament to their impressive portfolio. One customer recently reflected: “We had a broken garage door on an attached garage, so home security was compromised. A short notice fix was critical, but that is what we got. Extremely pleased with the service.”

Fully stocked and ready for almost any repair, DistribuDoor does more than just new door installation. Tune-up and lube service, torsion and extension spring replacements, and even smaller repairs such as hinges, track, brackets, gears and more, are all in their range of services! Not only are they ready to give you a beautiful new garage door, they are only a phone call away to fix the one you already have and love.

You know you need a reliable, effective, good-looking garage door. Now you know where to go to get it! At Responsible Contractors, we aim to bring you the best in each industry. We highly recommend DistribuDoors for all your garage door needs!

Is He the One? Choosing a Reliable Contractor

Responsible Contractors exists to arm you with companies you can count on. It’s no secret that crooks will go where the money is. Remodeling and home improvement in the US is more than a $500 billion industry. While there are many honest companies out there, it’s important to be prepared to spot a scam when you see one. Here are some tips for knowing whether or not you can count on a company.

License and Bonding

Washington has many safeguards in place to prevent contractors from scamming the public. Information on every approved contractor is available to the public, so you can check out the company for yourself. Home improvement and remodels come with a lot of specifications. There are permits required, and building codes to which all homeowners and contractors must adhere. A contractor who does not build up to code can end up causing trouble for you as a home owner down the line. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure your home meets all state requirements. Before working with a contractor, verify he is legitimate through WA State LNI. If you can’t find him on LNI, don’t work with him.

Permits

In addition to being properly licensed and bonded, a reliable contractor should take out the building permit for you. If asked to attain your own building permit first, be wary. Untrustworthy contractors may ask this so that any failure to meet state requirements will fall on you alone. A trustworthy contractor will take out the permit for you, so the state will know he is the one doing the construction, and will be the first point of contact if something isn’t up to code.

Financial Structure

It is normal for companies to request 10%, or up to $1,000 up front, relative somewhat to the scale of the project. If a company is requesting that an excessive amount be paid in advance, it is a red flag. It’s more difficult for you as a homeowner to walk away, or fire a company, that now has a large chunk of your hard-earned money at his disposal. They know that. Be careful about how you turn over your money.

Transparency

Another red flag to look for is a contractor who asks you to take his word for your requests, and will not put it in writing. A good contractor will be transparent. Every promise should be in writing, and every question should be answered. Contractors that try to scam you will sound agreeable, friendly, and persuasive. They may assure you that even though it isn’t in the proposal, they will be happy to do that for you. Be careful: If it isn’t in writing, it isn’t guaranteed. A contractor that is unethical will make assurances and promises that aren’t in writing in order to win your business, without any follow through. If it isn’t in writing, there is little to no legal obligation on their end, regardless of hearsay. Read the proposal carefully. A contractor you can rely on will be open and transparent with all your concerns!

Hiring on the Spot

There are companies out there that do not allow the customer time to check out their references and licenses. Often times a company will drive up and knock on your door, claiming they have leftover product that they can give you a great bargain off if you say yes immediately. Whether paving a driveway, landscaping, or storm repair, it’s risky. There are times it may be a good financial deal, but if anything goes wrong, without prior diligence, you will have little to no protection. It’s worth spending a little more to ensure you’ll work with a company who will take care of you long after the fact.

Scams do exist, and companies do fail to provide what they promise, but you don’t have to be a victim of this! Know what to watch out for and how to check out a company. When you’re ready to remodel, visit responsiblecontractors.com first! We endorse companies that are properly licensed, ethical, trustworthy and reliable. You’re putting thousands of your dollars up to create the home of your dreams: You should have peace of mind throughout the process.