Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Gutter Cleaning Is A Necessity

Someone’s gotta do it.  Might as well be….US!

Heart problems require a cardiologist, dirty gutters require gutter cleaners who are trained, skilled and insured to do the work.

Because of how important a properly flowing gutter system is to your home, it is crucial for you to keep your gutters clean and flowing all year round.

dallas gutter cleaningWhen gutters overflow, water not only spills over the front edge of the gutters, creating that nice waterfall at your front door, but it also overflows behind the soffit boards which causes moisture damage and produces wood rot and mold. This mold eventually works it’s way inside the attic and throughout the house by way of air ventilation ducts.

Gutters that are neglected will carry heavy debris which has accumulated over time, in addition to standing water. That debris and water can weigh as much as 370 pounds, and can destroy a gutter’s pitch! The pitch is the angle of the gutter which uses gravity to direct the water to the downspout. If that pitch is destroyed due to excess weight, the water will not flow to the downspout, and will instead sit still in the gutter. At that point, the standing water can back up into the home.

Not concerned yet? If you wait long enough, mix in a classic Dallas bi-polar winter weather system or two (freeze-thaw-freeze, repeat…) and that standing water and debris, expanding and contracting, will destroy your gutters in no time.

We’ve all heard the stories of homeowners falling from rooftops in an attempt to clean the gutters out themselves…These accidents can be prevented by simply hiring a person who has the proper experience to effectively clean the gutters and downspouts. Roofs are dangerous and this task should be left to a professional.

Star Brite provides the gutter cleaning services you need, including:

  • Cleaning Gutters and Flushing Out Downspouts
  • Roof debris removal
  • Minor repairs
  • Clean all types of gutters
  • One time cleanings & yearly contracts available

Monday, November 28, 2016

Fixing Drafts in Winter

Winter is a good time to discover air leaks around your windows and doors, but is one of the worst times to actually repair them. But don’t despair! We have a few tips to improve your windows and doors until it gets warmer and you have time to seal them properly. First spend some time discovering where each leak is. For large leaks this can be easy, but smaller leaks may be more challenging.Each time you discover a leak, note where it is. This can be a great help in the summer when you are able to make repairs, but in some cases it will help now as you block these leaks.

A particularly cold day will make leaks more obvious, but don’t wait around for it to get really cold; find the leaks that you can earlier and save yourself some money and increase your comfort! It’s a good idea to momentarily turn off any fans and your heat for a few minutes while you check for leaks. Remember to turn it back on when you’re done! To discover large leaks the residential window cleaninghand test is your easiest tool. Simply place your hand near where you suspect there may be a possible draft and see if you feel one. Note that at the bottom of large windows or uninsulated doors it will often as if there is an air leak when in fact there is none. This is because the window or door itself is cold. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, the cold air will cascade down the inside of the door or window like an invisible waterfall. When the cold air reaches the bottom if will then flow away over the sill or across the floor.

Once you find and block major leaks you can turn to lesser leaks. The best way to find these is to make the invisible air currents visible. You can accomplish this by lighting a stick of incense and moving it to suspected leaks just as you did with the hand test. Watch the smoke stream and you should be able to spot leaks. If you don’t have incense or don’t like the smell, you can also do a similar test with a candle, only in this case you’ll need to watch the flame. This test is often less sensitive than the incense test, but it can still be effective. In both cases be careful around curtains and drapes! If you don’t have candles or incense you can use the wet finger test. You can dip your finger in water, or more effectively, simply stick it in your mouth, and then hold the finger near the suspected draft(s). The side toward the breeze/leak will feel colder as the water on that side evaporates in the breeze. Once you find the leaks you can try a few things.

Tunnel snakes: If you like to sew you can fashion a cloth tube and fill it with rice. This can be placed along the bottom of a door to block drafts under the door or along the bottom sill of a window if the sill is large enough. If you do not sew, you can accomplish the same thing by rolling up an old towel or fabric, or fill up old socks.

If you can still find some, you can still install window film. Make sure all surfaces are clean before doing this. Note that the double-stick tape may not work well in the cold, so make sure to wrap it around the outside of the window or door frame to reduce the pull on it from the weight of the plastic. When applying window film at this time of year it is NOT a good idea to use a blow dryer to make the film taut; this can pull the tape loose. If applying over a door, use a tunnel snake at the bottom to block air flow across the floor. If your double-sided tape doesn’t stick well, you can apply clear plastic packing tape (not scotch tape) around the frame OVER the tape. Don’t apply this tape over paint – it will very likely remove some when you remove the tape.

Can’t find window film? Clear plastic or even bubble wrap can work in a pinch. In this case you’ll probably need to use clear packing tape as identified in the above tip, since the double-sided tape will likely not be strong enough. Start with the double-sided tape to hold the plastic in place, then apply the packing tape.

Put up curtains or drapes. The extra layer(s) of fabric can make a big difference.
For windows that you don’t need to use, such as those in the attic, basement, or even a closet, you can buy foam board, cut it to fit snugly in the window, and push it in place.
Hopefully these tips will help you have a warmer (and less expensive) winter!

And when you’re ready to clean your windows, remember Star Brite for all your residential window cleaning.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

What Type of Service Does Your Window Cleaning Company Offer?

Are you pleased with your present window cleaning business?

Do they truly listen to you, and meet your requirements?

Are they caring and compassionate?

home window cleaning servicesFinding a window cleaning business that has a passion for each service they deliver can be difficult. Unfortunately, not all companies are worthy of your organization or deliver the service you should have.

Star Brite Window Washing has you covered!

Look no more, you have actually discovered a full-service window cleaning business that loves what we do …

It reflects in every service we provide, every day, all year around.

Not just do we have all the right qualifications– licensed, insured, experienced, knowledgeable and certified, but we come highly recommended for our quality service.

We have an awesome team!

The entire team at Star Brite look after each other like household. It doesn’t take long prior to you feel like a part of our household too.

Right time for you to make a consultation with Star Brite Window Washing and get the service you be worthy of?

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Why Should I Clean My Gutters This Fall?

Cleaning your gutters is necessary to your home maintenance each fall. As the temperature level decreases, blocked gutters freeze and trigger your gutters to pull away from your home, causing large icicles and possibly destroying your gutter system. As winter season turns to spring and the ice melts, these blocked gutters can then trigger water to back up into the walls of your house, leading to thousands of dollars in damage.

When spring arrives, cleaning your gutters eliminates any extra particles that may have landed in your gutters after your fall cleaning, as well as any blooms and tree limbs that will clog your gutters and produce a breeding ground for mosquitos. In some cases another cleaning is required in late summer season or early fall, if your house has a lot of trees; cleaning the gutters at this time will avoid any blocking prior to the big quantities of leaves and needles that are sure to land in your gutters by late fall.

connector plastic drip gutters on the roof

Friday, November 18, 2016

Winter season in Dallas Is Still A Good Time To Get Your Windows Cleaned

Get Your Windows Cleaned Before The Busy Season

When the sun breaks out from the seasonal gloom of February and March is upon us, exactly what will the South By Southwest tourists see? Will the homes of Dallas reflect its shimmering credibility or will the gunk of winter season muddle their opinion. Select the former when it comes to your home. Let the experts clean your windows this winter season and be ready before the city reaches peak event season.

residential window cleaningIn other cities– colder cities– individuals dismiss the concept of washing windows in the winter because who’s traveling through the snow inspecting house outsides? Simply since Dallas winters are mild, to say the least, seasonal winds still blow dust, particles, and toxins from construction and traffic all over.

We’re Experts And A Little Cold Will Not Stop Us

You may be believing to yourself “Yeah, but what about the bad guys who will be doing the cleaning? I don’t desire them half-freezing outside my house just for some dirt.” That’s really sort of you, actually, however our expert group of window cleaners are properly prepared with fingerless gloves, hand warmers, and flexible coats keep them warm while our thoughtful scheduling ensures they do the job during the hottest part of the day. To sum it up, our men are experts and they’re not going to let a little thing like cold weather keep them from getting their task done.

Of course, this winter has actually been pretty mild. Because you can get an appointment with Star Brite Window Washing within the exact same week you make it throughout this slower season, you can take the weather condition into factor to consider.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Advantages Of Pressure Washing Your Residence

You’ve most likely heard all about pressure washing and the advantages it has for an organization, however what about your home? Pressure washing will remove loose paint, mud, mold, dust, and grime, from concrete locations, buildings, houses, and vehicles. Pressure washing will make your house look much better and remove all of the debris that might obstruct certain locations.

The Value Of Your House
power washingThe worth of your house can go up or down depending on how well you look after it. If you don’t cut your yard, allow the paint to chip, and do not take care of the house, the worth of your home will decrease. Value your house due to the fact that you’ve put a lot of work and energy into it. Your house is your sanctuary and you wish to treat it the right way. In addition, putting worth into your house will likewise make it sell much better if you were ever to put it on the marketplace. By pushing washing your house, you are taking care of it and putting value into it. Pressure washing with Starbrite is cost effective and will increase the value of your house because it is getting rid of the dirt, debris, and mold that might have infiltrated your house. Pressure washing will likewise include to worth and raise the sale cost a considerable amount if you are preparing on offering your house.

Protecting Your Household
Household is precious and by taking advantage of pressure washing your house you’ll be able to protect them from getting ill. Pressure washing will get rid of the various infecting compounds that might have discovered their method into your home. Pressure washing will obliterate mildew, algae, dirt, and other compounds that are life harmful and threatening to you and your household’s health.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Why Fall is the Perfect Season to Have Your Windows Cleaned

A lot of people correspond window washing with their spring cleaning chores, and we agree! Spring can be a great time to shake off those winter blues and clean your home from top to bottom. But fall is another fun time to clean your windows!

Why You Need to Have Your Windows Cleaned in the Fall

The end-of-summer tidy up.

residential window cleaningWe don’t know about you, but it appears like our homes get dirtier a lot faster in the summertime. Maybe it’s because kids are home from school for summer season getaway or because we’re spending more time going in and out of the house enjoying the summer season sunshine. Whatever the reasons, it looks like our houses need a deep clean by the end of summertime, including our windows. Fall is a good time to have a clean-up from all your summer season fun and get ready for the slower, more easy-going pace of winter.

Preparing for the holidays.

A great deal of people decide to have their windows cleaned in the fall in order to get all set for the winter season holiday. Whether they are hosting family and friends at holiday celebrations or simply desire their home to sparkle when the lights increase, cleaning your windows is a great method to help prepare your home for all the upcoming festivities. Plus, it takes something off of your to-do list when you are preparing your parties!

Call Our Window Washing Team Today

Our window washing team is ready to clean the windows on your home! Call one of our locations near you and we’ll give you a free quote on the expense of washing your windows and helping you prepare for the winter.