Category: Handyman

Snow season is here, Canada! Yes, this only means more hot chocolate and cozy nights spent by the fireplace at home. On the other hand, this also means more unplanned chores in the morning involving shoveling the snow off your doorway, driveway and sidewalks! Not as cozy as we’d like, huh?

If you have been living in a snowy country for a while, you would know by now that spreading salt is probably the most efficient and cost effective way to melt off the snow and the ice that accumulates on the exteriors of your home and even on the roads. The chemical properties of salt make it the perfect de-icing agent during snow removal as it lowers the formation of ice by quickly dissolving in water and breaking the ions. 

Having said that, you should know that salt is not just one type. There are tens of different types that can be used differently. Let us look through some of the most commonly used ones for snow removal in Canada: 

Halite 

Halite is the most commonly used type of salt for snow removal off the street and is often referred to as rock salt.  It is often mined from the undergrounds and has similar chemical properties to that of table salt. High concentrations of halite salt can affect the vegetation in the surrounding environment, so it is best to be used in low concentrations. 

Potassium Chloride

Also used for snow melting off the streets, potassium chloride is a mined salt that also affects the vegetation of your surroundings, thanks to its fertilizing properties. Again, it is best to not overuse it to not increase the lushness around the highways, attracting animals and creating traffic hazards for drivers. 

Magnesium Chloride

You are definitely reading through this blog to see what type of salt is best used for your commercial and residential properties. Here goes your answer. Magnesium chloride is the perfect option for people who have pets or a surrounding garden. This type of salt is much more environmentally friendly than other types. The downside? It might cause damage to your concrete and plants if overused. 

Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride comes in second place for best salt to use for commercial and residential properties. The main advantage is it dissolves ice faster than magnesium chloride which makes it a better option for people who are tight on time.  However, this advantage comes with considerable downsides including skin irritation and is harsh to plants and pets in it’s surroundings. 

Let us not go in more detail and bore you with chemistry; consider this a brief introduction to dealing with snow 101, especially if you have moved into a snowy country such as Canada recently. Although there may be better and more environmentally-friendly options such as beet root juice, using salt for commercial and residential purposes is a time efficient and cost effective way to deal with snow. Think of it as a quick fix. This doesn’t negate the fact that you need to hire regular snow shoveling or snow removal service, all of which you can find on the WeServe app. 

All you have to do is create a homeowner profile on WeServe and choose the type of service you want as the platform includes many other types of services including but not limited to painting, plumbing, appliance repair, furniture assembly, roofing, handymen, house keepers, etc. 

Once you choose the type of service you need, in our case today, snow management, hundreds of profiles of service providers around you will appear to you. You then get to pick the one you are most comfortable with according to their rates, availability, reviews and rating. Very convenient right? Connecting with service providers has never been easier.

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Trees are being put up. Decorative lights are being hung. Santa is dressing up. Kids are getting excited for his visit with their favorite toys and everyone is just feeling the magic of the season. The most wonderful time of the year is here! If Christmas isn’t joyous, then we don’t know what is! It is the most joyous time of the year where families come together and bond over fun activities and yummy food.

For some families setting up Christmas decoration is the funniest part of the holidays, while for others they prefer having the work taken care of by professionals while they sit back and enjoy the festive season doing other sorts of activities. Needless to say, that some family members don’t even have the luxury of time to set up Christmas decorations by themselves. Those are the instances when hiring a handyman comes in handy, after all, they are called HANDYmen for a reason!

What you can expect a Handyman to do when hired for their holiday services:

1. Hang decorative lights

 Whether you’re having your lights hung on the roof, doorway, stairs or on architectural surfaces, the job involves a considerable amount of risk and hazards related to falling, electrocution or even fire. This task is best done by professionals, especially for those lights that are hung in hard to reach places and require the use of ladders and special electrical adaptors and extensions.

Having said that, when you hire a handyman on WeServe you won’t have to worry about supplying the equipment as they will show up with the ladders, tools, and any special equipment they might need to fulfil the task safely and properly.

If you end up deciding to hang the lights by yourself, it is strongly advised to hire an electrician to come in and inspect all the electrical outlets to which you are connecting your lights beforehand since incorrectly installed lights might result in an outage or overloading the breaker box. If you decide to go down this path, you can also request the help of hundreds of certified electricians around you on the WeServe app.

2. Hanging the Wreaths:

Well, we all know that wreaths usually come with their own hanging kit that should be easily mounted to your door or destined wall. However, what you might not know yet, is that some doors don’t have enough clearance room above them or might be made of a material that doesn’t support the wreath’s hanging kit.

What a handyman can do in this case is drill a small hole above the door and insert the screw in a specific way that allows the wreath to be tied to the finishing line that is attached to the screw. This is a cost-effective solution that will ensure minimal harm to your door

3. A Handyman Setting lawn display:

Yes, you might have bought the nicest Christmas decorations out there, but if they are not set properly, then it is simply money gone to waste. A handyman might have a better eye on what is the best way to visually set up your Christmas lawn display and bring out the beauty of it in a way that ameliorates your house’s exterior.

Setting up Christmas decorations is all fun and exciting until lights, extension cords and wires take over the interiors and exteriors of your home. If you don’t have much experience with electricity, or have kids around, or you are simply worried about overloading your home’s electrical system, it is best to seek the help of professionals.

 If you request a Handyman on the WeServe app, you can be rest assured that your Christmas decorations will be up in no time while you relax and sip on your warm eggnog with your family members, watching your favorite holiday movies. The holiday season should not be overwhelming; if anything, it should be delightful and stress-free. Enjoy the little things with the family. Since hanging the Christmas tree and ornaments is hazard-free, you can always enjoy the task with your loved ones, while allowing professionals to take care of the more hazardous and daunting tasks.

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For some, furniture assembly is a soothing project that lets them disconnect and funnel their energy into solving what can be thought of as a big-sized puzzle. However, for the vast majority of people, furniture assembly can only be seen as a daunting task that they try to avoid whenever possible. 

Don’t have an already assembled piece of furniture? Here are 5 main steps that will allow you to put your furniture together nicely, in an efficient and a timely manner. Who knows, this once thought of nerve-wracking project might become your next fun family activity!

1. Prepare, Unbox and Organize

Preparation is key for successfully assembling your furniture. First and foremost, you must bear in mind that you have to assemble your furniture in the place you plan on installing it in. Moving furniture after assembly is not only heavy and inconvenient, but you might also risk damaging it and other surrounding items during the move. 

Secondly, unbox the items attentively ensuring that you don’t lose any small pieces in the process. Losing nails, caps or nobs will risk not allowing you to proceed with putting things together. As you unpack, be careful not to scratch off surfaces and laminates. It is recommended that you cut the packaging open and use the cardboard as a flat surface for your work.

Lastly, and most importantly, organize. Have all bits and pieces grouped and laid out in an orderly manner to avoid ruffling through all items every time you are looking for something. 

2. Have your tools ready

Before you begin your assembly project, have the basic tools ready; a hammer, Philips-head screwdriver, adjustable wrench, measuring tape, sandpaper and a level to start with. Many packages include other extra tools that you might need. Just make sure you have everything handy before you start in order not to lose focus midway through your project. 

3. Closely follow instructions

All ready-to-assemble furniture comes with a manual and illustrated instruction. Carefully read through every bit of it before starting in order to have a clear sense of direction in the back of your mind, even if you have to read it more than once. 

Now it is time to go one step at a time. Start with the base and go upward and outward. Step by step, you will see your project coming to life.

If you found yourself stuck at a certain step, watch online videos. There is an abundance of material available for you online that can guide you through the process. Many furniture manufacturers even have downloadable instructive videos and frequently asked questions that you can benefit from.

As you are building and assembling, make sure you take frequent breaks to look at the project to make sure everything is coming together nicely. You do not want to figure out that you have done something incorrectly and redo the entire process afterwards. 

4. Be patient and enjoy the process of furniture assembly

Patience is key when it comes to assembling furniture. Having a friend or a family member around won’t just give you company, but will also give you a second set of hands to hold, carry and lift items. 

Furniture assembly is an enjoyable bonding activity between couples and family members. When you see the final results, you will feel how rewarding the hard work you put in is. 

5. Get a furniture assembly professional or a handyman help, if you need to

We are not all born naturally creative or patient enough to pull projects like these together. Sometimes you just feel that a task isn’t made for you, or that you don’t have the time or energy for it. In instances like these, don’t shy away from asking for professional help. 

Furniture assemblers can be more experienced at taking measurements, handling small items, and moving heavy furniture while maintaining the highest standards of safety. 

The WeServe App connects homeowners with the right service providers closest to them. Professional furniture assemblers are now just a few taps away. Download the app now, look for the help you need, request professional workers and enjoy hassle-free furniture assembly.

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Household appliances are designed to work robustly for a long period of time. It’s easy to take them for granted but if any failure or defects take place, it can be a completely frustrating experience. Knowing specifically how appliances work, why they stop working, and of course, how to fix them is essential prior to initiating any maintenance process. Wondering about a great solution? Request a professional home appliance repairman service through the WeServe App.

When something goes wrong and appliances need repair, you will need to have an expert appliance repair technician to take it a step further. Rather than picking the first thing you see, it’s important to do a little research to make sure you’re not wasting time or money.

Average lifespan of home appliances

Here’s a summary of the typical lifetimes of current typical home appliances in your home.

• Refrigerator: It is expected for a typical new refrigerator to last about 7 years.
• Dishwasher: A regular new dishwasher will also last about 7 years.
• Range: The oven and hob, both individually and as a unit, are the most durable appliance in your kitchen, often lasting 10 years or longer.
• Microwave: A new microwave oven can be counted on to last about 6 years.
• Washing Machine: A typical new washing machine will last 5 to 7 years and maybe longer with regular maintenance.
• Dryer: Dryers generally last longer than washing machines, typically 7 to 12 years.
• Water heater: According to the water heater database, the average water heater life of seven popular brands is approximately 15 years.

What to look for while requesting services from an appliance repairman?

If one of the appliances in your home or office breaks down, make sure to pick the best appliance repair service. Here are a few things that must be considered before deciding which repair service you are going to use. 

Certification and licenses

First of all, it is a necessity to make sure that the home appliance repair service you request services from is certified to operate in your province and has all the necessary licenses for the work being performed.

Availability of the appliance repairman

Finding a home appliance repair service that fits your schedule is important. If you work during regular office hours, it can be challenging to find a specialist to work with your busy schedule. You often have to take off work for a technician to come in to repair your appliance. 

Customer service

One of the most important things is how technicians interact with you and the quality of their service. You should check people’s reviews whether they provide satisfactory services or not. You wouldn’t want to wait for a technician all day and end up having a horrible experience. You can find expert appliance repairmen and request their services through the WeServe app.

Tips to extend the lifespan of your home appliances

Here are four ways you can extend your home appliance’s lifespan to save money while helping to protect the environment.

• Read the operating instructions: It may sound boring, but it’s true! The user manual will help you make sure you are using the appliance correctly and will also give you instructions on how to maintain it. Compliance with this maintenance guide will help extend the life of your home appliance.
• Clean filters regularly: The washing machine filter should be cleaned once every six months to remove debris, stray coins and other small items that have flown out of pockets over time. The filter is usually hidden behind a panel at the base of the washing machine.
• Keep your appliance shining: Washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators perform better and last longer when lime scale, lint and food debris are removed. So, cleaning is the best way to keep your appliance healthy.
• Leave enough space for ventilation: For freestanding refrigerators and refrigerators-freezers, leave at least 2 cm of extra space above and behind the appliance. This provides better ventilation, which means the appliance does it’s job easier and is energy efficient.
• Remember the appliance model number: Each model has its own specific problems and solutions. If you go to an auto mechanic to fix your car, he will need to know the exact make and model of your car in order to find the right parts. Home appliances are no different – without an accurate model number, an appliance maintenance specialist cannot accurately diagnose the problem.
• Scheduled maintenance: Healthy appliances help keep the household running smoothly, that is until they go unnoticed. People often take these expensive workhorses for granted, ignoring scheduled maintenance and time since installation. This can shorten the life of the device and require you to buy a new one, possibly before you are financially ready. Regular maintenance can help you keep your appliance running longer.

Conclusion:

You can request services from a professional appliance repairman without the hassle. Just count on the WeServe App and you can be connected to an available expert immediately. Download the app to find an appliance repair service near you!

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