Category: General Home Improvement

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General Home Improvement Newsletters

Assessing Winter’s Damage: 7 Things That Need Fixing Now – March 2021 Newsletter

Hello!

Winter is just about done (yay). I hope your home escaped without any severe damage.


Either way, now is the time to inspect and repair the parts of your home that are most vulnerable. There are no guarantees, of course, but if you pay attention to these trouble spots each spring, you’ll be well protected when Old Man Winter returns.


Stay well, see you at Fenway soon!

Jim Moon
President
Gutter Helmet and Quality Roofing

Assessing Winter’s Damage: 7 Things That Need Fixing Now

The 2020-21 winter season looks to be comfortably behind us! And with the exception of an early season snow, this winter had seemed to be following the pattern of the past several years: Mild temperatures and some snowfall in the early part of the season, with forecasters predicting warm conditions for the remainder of the winter.

That is, until everything changed: An Artic blast hit and we New Englanders were plunged into severe winter weather, with heavy snow loads and freezing temperatures.

Unfortunately for many homeowners, this meant damaging ice dams, leaking roofs, and the need for immediate repairs. Whether this happened to you or not, severe winters remind us to inspect our homes and fix any damage! 

Here are the 7 most common forms of winter damage…

#1. Ice Dams. Even though you may not have seen leaks in your house this past winter, you may still have experienced ice dams. Inspect your attic and crawl spaces for moisture or water stains. If ice dams happened once, they’ll happen again, often with more severity. It may be time to upgrade your roof or install heating elements.


#2. Roof Damage. High winds and freeze-thaw cycles can damage your roof, causing leaks or early system failure. Visually inspect your roof for signs of damage, things like missing shingles or damaged flashing. A simple repair may be all that’s necessary to ensure your roof continues to protect your home for years to come.

#3. Detached Rain Gutters. Ice loads like those experienced this winter can separate gutters from your home’s fascial (to which they are attached). When spacing occurs between the gutters and the roofing shingles, water can work its way behind the gutters and start damaging fascia boards, trim, and even siding. Inspect your gutters for obvious signs of damage and watch how they perform during the upcoming spring rains.

#4. Peeling or Blistering Exterior Paint. Even with a functioning roof and gutter system, your home’s exterior paint can be damaged by winter weather. The tell-tale signs are peeling paint or pockets of water which have formed behind the paint. Identifying and repainting this early can limit additional damage and increase the time between exterior painting cycles.

#5. Window and Exterior Door Damage. Winter snow and ice may have worked its way into your home’s windows and doors, a process that starts a slow and often invisible cycle of rotting. Junction points between windows and siding are typically protected by thin beads of caulk which can break down over the years. Be sure to inspect the integrity of these junctions and re-caulk where needed. Soft or damp areas on windows and doors may indicate that the problem has advanced, and replacements may be required.

#6. Tree Damage. Strong winter winds and heavy ice loads can weaken trees and limbs. Weakened trees are more susceptible to falling, potentially damaging homes and cars, not to mention knocking out power. Visually inspect the trees on your property for damage. It may also be time for a major tree trim to short-circuit potential future problems.

#7. Cracks in Foundation. Your home’s foundation is also subject to freeze-thaw cycles, especially during winters with heavy snow loads like the one we just experienced. Inspect both the interior and exterior of your foundation for cracks; you can repair these with a two-part epoxy which chemically seals them. Delays can lead to basement leaks or can even compromise the integrity of the foundation.

There you have it; the seven forms of winter damage that can cause the most trouble. All of them are fixable, so give your home a good look and stay safe, warm, and dry next season!

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General Home Improvement

Avoid DIY Nightmares With Professional Installation

Some home renovation projects seem easy to do at first. You may feel confident that you have the skills to handle the project, and it will be cheaper to do it yourself. All too often, however, unforeseen difficulties can make even the simplest project more complicated (and expensive) than you ever thought it would be.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for a renovation project to go wrong. In untrained and inexperienced hands, what contractors can do easily ends up taking much more time and work than it needs to. One slip of a saw or hammer can cut into a wall or pipe and cause more expense and more work than it would have cost to hire a professional in the first place. One wrong measurement can mean that materials must be bought twice, or that you will need to rip them out and start all over again when the work is nearly done.

Why DIY Often Isn’t

One reason it’s gotten more difficult to do your own home renovations is that technology keeps advancing. Renovations that used to be simple now have complex parts and procedures to follow. New rules about lead paint and other chemicals were set up to protect consumers and contractors from harmful exposure. These make installing new windows, sinks or other fixtures much more difficult. The permit process has also become more complex, but professionals are familiar with the process and can navigate it easily.

In the end, advances in technology have given us products that work better and are often more efficient to use, but may be more difficult to install initially. Home improvement professionals have been trained on all the ins and outs of these complex installations, and their experience allows them to complete your project quickly and with far fewer mistakes. Not only that, but if a costly or time-consuming mistake does occur, it is unlikely that the expense will be passed on to you because you have already agreed upon a price.


DIY
Even simple projects like installing a new door may be better left to a professional.

Professional Installation Can Save You Money

Hiring a professional to renovate your home is often thought to be more expensive than doing it yourself, but that may not always be the case. If you take a day (or week) off from your job to do a project yourself, how much is your time worth? And if you injure yourself, there are medical bills (and additional lost wages in some cases) that can also add to the cost of doing it yourself.

Professional installers can often get materials at a lower cost than you could get on your own, since they may have access to wholesale suppliers or contractor discounts. Another way installers can save you money is by buying the correct materials the first time, instead of the common DIY practice of buying the wrong thing, trying to use it, then having to go back and buy a second item that will actually work.

Sure, there may be simple projects you can do around your home with confidence and efficiency, but for many renovations, professional installation is the best way to avoid a DIY nightmare. The professionals at Moonworks will give you an estimate for your installation so you can avoid a DIY nightmare. Call 1-800-975-6666 to talk to a Moonworks professional.

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General Home Improvement

5 Home Projects No One Could Mess Up

Although replacing a roof, windows or your HVAC system is a job best left to the professionals, there are some DIY projects that homeowners can tackle without much risk of damage or mess-ups. Here are some home projects that are just about foolproof for even the most novice homeowners.

1. Painting a Room.

With some painter’s tape and quality brushes or rollers, it doesn’t take a great deal of skill to repaint a room and give it a whole new look. Use spackling paste to smooth over cracks, and be sure to use primer if you are covering stains or painting a light color over a darker color. Most paints require two coats for optimal coverage, and using a quality paint will help it last longer and look more professional.

2. Replacing Hardware on Cabinets or Dressers.

Changing out the cabinet handles or dresser pulls can give your fixtures a whole new look with minimal effort. You might need a screwdriver, but that should be the extent of required tools. Just be sure the new handles have the same hole distance as the originals when purchasing.

3. Painting the Front Door.

If your front door is old and allows drafts to enter your home, you may want to consider having it replaced. Steel entry doors have one of the largest returns of any home improvement, with an increase in home value nearly equal to the cost, as well as energy savings. If your existing door is newer and airtight, you can paint it inexpensively to give your entry a whole new look and your home more curb appeal.


Home projects

New cabinet hardware can change the look of your kitchen.

4. Weatherstripping Your Windows

Over time, the seals and gaskets that keep windows airtight break down and degrade, and the caulking that was applied upon installation can crack to allow cold air to get in (or hot air in summer). The good news is that you can replace weatherstripping or even re-caulk your windows yourself to keep much of the air outside where it belongs. If your efforts don’t seem to yield much improvement, you can have the windows replaced professionally to increase your energy savings.

5. Upcycling Vintage Finds and Wood Pallets.

If you can use a table saw (or know someone who can help), you can cut pallets into bookshelves, wine racks or shoe holders that you can paint or leave rough to complement your existing decor. Old windows can become picture frames or rows of hooks for coats, while an old door can turn into a coffee table or side table by adding some legs to the bottom. Even vintage picture frames can become chalkboards by adding plywood and paint. These pieces can give flair and style to your home and change your look without much expense.

Minor projects like these can provide a creative outlet for your inner designer and save you some money on your renovation while leaving the more complex work to the professionals. Moonworks offers a free estimate on any home renovation project by calling 1-800-975-6666.

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General Home Improvement

Expert Interview Series: Allison Hester of eClean Magazine

Allison Hester has been writing for the exterior cleaning industry for over 20 years, and her publication, eClean Magazine, has quickly become the online resource for professional exterior contract cleaners.

We recently checked in with her to learn more about her magazine and how homeowners can clean their homes more thoroughly. Here’s what she had to say:

Tell us about eClean Magazine. Who should be reading it? What will they find?

eClean Magazine is a publication designed for the professional exterior contract cleaner (i.e., pressure washing, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, roof cleaning/soft washing, etc.). While knowing how to properly clean is important, so is knowing how to properly run a successful business, which is why eClean Magazine provides a mixture of both technical and business related articles.

What are the most-neglected areas of the home when it comes to cleaning?

When people think of cleaning their home, they primarily think of the interior. But keeping the exterior clean is also important.

Pressure washing and window cleaning not only make the house look better, they help protect the home from germs and bacteria and mold/mildew. Roofs and gutters especially need cleaning to prevent damage to the home. Also, oil and other spills in the driveway can cause slips and falls.

Wood decks and fences can add huge amounts of value to a home, but they must be properly cleaned AND sealed with a professional-grade sealer to protect against the sun and other weathering effects.

What are the risks of not giving these spaces/places TLC?

Not cleaning gutters can cause major problems like flooding; stained walls/siding/floors; rotting doors and other wood elements; cracking walls and foundations; warping or bowing floors; plus it can lead to mosquito and pest infestations; frozen gutters (i.e., “ice dams); and damage caused from heavy gutters ripping off of the home.

Those ugly black streaks on roofs are are actually caused by bacteria that are eating away at shingles, destroying the roof in the process and potentially increasing electric bills in the summer.

Decks and other wood surfaces will decay if not properly protected. Plus, cleaning and sealing wood makes a huge aesthetic difference and adds value to the property.

What are the biggest mistakes homeowners make when cleaning?

Homeowners will often attempt to clean their homes, decks, driveways, patios and roofs themselves using a pressure washer. The problem is that in untrained hands, a pressure washer can do more damage than good. Homeowners tend to focus on maximizing the pressure, which can cause damage to surfaces. Water can shoot up behind siding and cause the siding to warp. Too high of pressure or improper procedures can cause damage to wood surfaces and concrete. And high pressure can destroy roof shingles.

The other concern for homeowners is the danger of working from a ladder. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment every year due to ladder injuries. Homeowners are risking injury or death when they choose to clean gutters, windows, etc., from ladders.

What cleaning tasks should homeowners consider enlisting the help of a professional?

There’s the potential for damage any time a pressure washer is used in untrained hands. Beyond that, though, there’s also the risk of falling any time a ladder is used. I recommend hiring a professional for all these tasks.

What should homeowners look for when hiring a professional? What types of training/certification should they be on the look out for?

I would start by making sure the contractor is insured. They should not only have liability insurance, but care, custody and control coverage.

As for training and certification, those are generally not required by the industries I serve. There are trade associations that offer some certifications, but there are no uniform industry standards for gaining certification. Hiring a certified pressure washing contractor indicates that they have training and/or experience, but there a lot of good contractors who have not been certified. Likewise, there are various trade associations, and if a contractor is a member of such a group, they have likely gained some sort of education through these groups. But this isn’t always the case, and again, there are a number of quality contractors out there who are not members of any organizations.

When selecting a contractor, I would say look at their website, look at their uniforms, look at their trucks and equipment. Do they appear to be professionals, or do they look like they bought a pressure washer and threw it in the back of the truck in order to earn a few extra bucks? Ask them about their cleaning processes and see if they seem educated in what they are doing.

Again, are they insured? That will also help you know how serious they are about their business.

What should a good home maintenance schedule look like? What areas of the home should homeowners be addressing regularly?

Gutters should ideally be cleaned twice a year, usually in the Spring and the Fall. As for the rest of the home’s exterior, it’s going to vary from location to location, but generally falls into the once a year or once every other year. Window cleaning is going to vary by client, climate and personal preference.

Contact us for help protecting your home.

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General Home Improvement

House too Hot? Here’s How to Get Relief

The dog days of summer have arrived, and it’s hot outside. But what about the temperature inside your home — is it as comfortable as you would like? As the weather heats up, your house may feel too hot for your liking. Here are some things you can do to cool it down, or save money by running your central air conditioning less.

Block Out the Sun

When the sun beats down on your house, it can raise the indoor temperature by 10 to 20 degrees. As the indoor temperature rises, your electric bill can spike along with it. Installing shades, tinted window film or insulating curtains on all south and west-facing windows can lower your cooling costs up to 7 percent each year or keep your home up to 20 degrees cooler.

Shade trees are another way to block out the sun. They should be planted on the east and west sides of the home. If they are large enough to shade the roof as well as the windows, homeowners can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs every year.

Air conditioning

Minimize Heat Generation Indoors

Everything that plugs in around your home generates heat, so you can minimize that heat by unplugging things that you aren’t using. Power strips can make this easier — just flip the switch when you don’t need them to be on.

Your lighting also generates heat. Incandescent bulbs produce up to 10 times more heat than more efficient lighting like LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. They can add up to 11 degrees to your indoor temperature, depending on how many lights you have. Switching to efficient lighting is a small initial investment that can make a big difference on your electric bill.

Cooking is another activity that generates heat inside the home. The stovetop and oven create the most heat. Thankfully, there are plenty of other options for cooking that won’t leave your home feeling hot, including using the microwave, crock pot, or grilling outside. If you have to use the oven, try to cook early in the morning and be sure to turn the oven off as soon as you’ve finished. Another good option is to cook several meals at once, and then reheat them in the microwave as the week goes on. If you’re going to turn on the oven, you might as well fill it up so you can avoid using it again the next day.

Tune Up (or Replace) HVAC System

If your central air conditioner is more than 10 years old, chances are that it is inefficient and is causing your electric bills to be higher than they need to be. All units should be serviced and cleaned yearly for maximum efficiency, and replacing your unit if it is older may lower your cooling bills 30 to 50 percent.

Moonworks can help with all your HVAC needs as well as other renovations that can keep your house cooler. Call 1-800-975-6666 get a free estimate.

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General Home Improvement

Choosing the Best Home Renovation Options

Sometimes it’s easy to know which home renovations to do. If your roof is leaking or the ice dams are building up every winter, deciding to address these issues is a no-brainer. Sometimes, though, there are competing priorities that aren’t urgent but will nonetheless help your home function better, look better, or sell better when the time comes.

When your budget is limited, it pays to be smart about the home renovations you choose to do, and to carefully consider all your options before choosing. Here are some ways to decide which renovations are the best choices for your home and family.

Setting Home Improvement Goals

The first step in the home improvement process is to decide what you want most out of the renovations you decide to do. Maybe you want improved functionality of your home’s layout, updated technology that will make your home more efficient and save you money, or a more current look for your home. Identify your goals for renovating, and you can make better decisions about how to proceed.

Home renovations

Research Options

Once you have a direction for your renovation, there will probably be a number of different options from which to choose. For instance, if you want to make your home more efficient, you could replace the roof, windows, or lighting and appliances in order to achieve your goal. Within each of these categories, there are multiple options that offer various levels of savings. In the roofing category, there are metal roofs, energy efficient asphalt shingles, or solar roofing that can provide some of the home’s energy needs.

Different options will have different price points and varying levels of benefits to consider. Initial price is one consideration, but it’s important to take into account any cost savings that may result, as well as increases in home value, should you plant to sell in the near future.

Payment Options

Before you decide against renovations that could really benefit your home, you should fully investigate the possible ways to pay for home renovations. A home equity loan lets you use your equity to improve your home, paying back a little bit each month. The great thing about using your home’s equity to renovate is that your home value will increase after the renovations, generating even more equity.

Other financing that may be available includes low-interest credit cards, short term contractor loans, or a complete refinance of your home. You could also borrow money from an IRA or 401(k), although you will want to check with your plan’s administrator for details about how those options work.

Once you have investigated all your payment options, you may find that you can choose to complete more renovations on your home than you ever thought possible. Your home is an investment, but it is also the place you spend the most time. Renovations that improve your quality of life are worth pursuing, if you can get the financing.

Moonworks offers home renovations of all kinds, and you can always get a free estimate by calling 1-800-975-6666.

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General Home Improvement

Expert Interview Series: Dave Notte of Shack Shine on Keeping Your Home’s Exterior Clean

Dave Notte is the managing director at Shack Shine, a house detailing services company, specializing in everything from window and house washing to gutter cleaning. We recently asked Dave for tips on keeping your home’s exterior sparkling. Here’s what he had to say:

When and how often should we be washing our homes’ exteriors?

This varies on multiple factors such as the terrain and climate you live in, the age of your home, and the materials it’s made out of. Many of our customers choose to get their siding washed in the spring so the exterior of their home is nice and shiny for the summer.

What is the correct way to wash a house? What are the dos and don’ts of cleaning a home’s exterior?

Each type of exterior will require its own unique method for proper cleaning. The most important thing to note in this whole process is ensuring the proper techniques are used for all the different types of materials out there.

Shack Shine uses multiple methods from a light scrub with a brush and water to a commercial grade pressure washer. Methods and techniques will differ depending on the house, the type of siding, and essentially how dirty the house really is. Using the wrong method can cause damage to the exterior of your home and potentially void any warranties you may have.

Shack Shine recommends not using any harsh chemicals to wash the exterior of your home as some cleaning agents and products can harm paint and other surfaces. If you do decide to use chemicals, ensure the products are approved for your specific type of exterior.

What are the risks of not keeping the exterior of a home clean?

Dirt, dust, mildew and other debris will accumulate on the siding as well as other surfaces of your home and set in over time. This will eventually leave stains on the exterior of your home, which often become difficult to remove. The harder a stain becomes, the more damage it will require to remove it. When a stain is too stubborn, the only option left is to paint over it. A dirty exterior can also attract bugs, germs and other neighborhood pests to your home which can cause further damage, as well as pose potential health risks.

What are the most important exterior home maintenance projects homeowners should tackle regularly?

One of the most important maintenance tasks for your home is a regular gutter cleaning. It is essential to clear gutter drain water safely away from your home into the perimeter drain. If your gutters overflow, water can enter the building envelope causing rot and other damage.

What areas of the home do you find homeowners are most likely to overlook or forget about?

Many homeowners often forget about gutter cleaning. Because of where the gutters are located, it’s tough to see what’s going on inside of them. It doesn’t take the heaviest of rainstorms to clog up gutters as they can very quickly begin to overflow. The best way to prevent this is to schedule a regular time for cleaning your gutters throughout the year.

How often should homeowners be cleaning their windows?

How often homeowners should be cleaning their windows will depend on the climate they live in. At Shack Shine, many of our customers have us come in and clean their windows twice a year. Windows tend to attract an abundant amount of dirt and debris which sticks to their surface. The longer things sit on the window and bake in the sun, the harder it is to get the window clean. Spring time is our peak season for window washing as the sunny weather really shows off the dirt and streaks on windows. Many Shack Shine customers also bring us in for a fall window washing service to clean off everything that has accumulated over the spring and summer.

What are best practices for window cleaning?

When cleaning windows, the most most important thing to consider is safety. Shack Shine uses extension poles in order to minimize the use of ladders. Most windows are cleaned from the ground which is much safer than placing ladders all over your home. Shack Shine uses purified deionized water for washing windows in order to get a spot free shine.

What are the benefits to homeowners of making sure their home’s exterior sparkles?

Your home is your biggest investment, and we believe you should be proud of it! What better way is there to show your pride than ensuring your house is shining at all times. Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to add to the resale value of your home. A clean and well maintained home will increase the curb appeal of your property and signal to potential buyers that your house has been well looked after.

What other exterior home improvement projects are smart investments for homeowners?

Power washing is one of the best ways to add instant curb appeal to your home. A freshly washed driveway, walkway, clean exterior gutter surfaces and sparkling siding and trim looks amazing from a street view. Your neighbors will definitely take notice.

Get a free estimate from Moonworks.

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General Home Improvement

How a Reward Program Can Save You Money on Home Renovations

Reward programs are typically structured to provide some kind of savings to participants. The program may be a point system where each purchase earns points that can be redeemed for something of value like merchandise, a special deal or a discount on future services. Other reward programs offer deals to repeat customers or customers who make certain purchases in a given time frame.

Saving money with reward programs for services like home renovations can happen in several ways. When considering what home renovations to have done, many homeowners think about the return on investment — how much that renovation will increase the value of their home. Using discounts from a reward program, homeowners can recoup more of their investment, even all of it in some cases. It may be possible to do renovations when the cost is less that you weren’t considering at full price.

You may also be able to finance subsequent renovations with the equity created by the first renovation, which saves you in out-of-pocket costs and allows you to build your investment in your home. For many homeowners, your home is your biggest investment, and you want to make it as valuable as possible at the lowest cost to you. Reward programs can help you achieve this goal, whether your roof needs repair or you need to replace your HVAC system.

Saving money is the primary motivator for most customers that sign up for reward programs. Customers don’t want to spend more money than they have to, and if they can save money, they are willing to sign up. There are other benefits to reward programs that can be as valuable as a discount, however, and make reward programs all the more … well, rewarding.

Home renovations Reward programs are sometimes known as loyalty programs.

Continuity of Services/Customer Service

When you become a repeat customer and purchase multiple related services from one provider, you will gain a continuity that can help the provider give you better customer service. When you get service from the same provider repeatedly, that provider will get to know you and your needs, allowing them to do a better job on your projects.

With more knowledge about your situation, preferences, and past purchases, a business can better match its services to your particular needs and wants, in addition to any monetary savings. Moonworks offers a reward program with a discount to anyone buying a different category of service than their original purchase. Repeat purchases may mean faster services since Moonworks professionals will be familiar with your home and its particulars.

Priority of Services

Joining a reward program can give you priority when you do need services performed. This isn’t always the case, but even if it isn’t the official policy of a company to give priority to repeat customers, being a repeat customer will make most businesses more likely to pay attention when a request comes in.

Moonworks offers reward programs for repeat customers and for those who refer new customers. You can always get a free estimate from Moonworks even if you don’t join the reward program. Call 1-800-975-6666 to speak to a Moonworks professional about your renovation needs.

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General Home Improvement Roofing

5 Reasons for Water Leaks and What You Should Do About Them

A water leak could signify roof problems, but there are other causes for leaks as well. Here are the main sources of water leaks around your home and some steps to take if you do have a leak.

1. A Spilled Drink.

If a family member spills a drink on your hardwood floor, water can leak through the cracks onto the ceiling below. This is simple to fix, but can cause staining on the ceiling depending on the type of drink and how long it is left there without being cleaned up. Since the leak is short term, it is not likely to cause any mold problems and if staining does occur, it can be primed and repainted when dry.

2. Leaky Pipes.

A sudden leak or a very slow leak over time can lead to damage in your home. When you discover the leak, it’s important to find the source and repair the pipes to prevent any further problems. Once the pipes have been fixed, the damaged walls or ceiling can be either painted over or removed and replaced, depending on the extent of the damage. If there is any evidence of mold growth, it must be removed before repairing the damage. Homeowner’s insurance may cover the cost of fixing leaky pipes and fixing damage in some cases.

3. Flood Damage.

A severe storm can cause drains to back up or water to flow into your house. It’s important to dry out areas and possessions that get wet when water enters the home. This helps prevent mold growth that can spread to other areas of the home or cause health problems. Flood damage may be covered by some homeowner’s insurance policies, although many companies require a separate policy to cover floods.

Water leaks
The roof can be a source of leaks, especially if it is more than 10-15 years old.

4. Sprinkler System Leak.

If you have a built in sprinkler system, a leak underground could eventually cause damage to your foundation or basement. If you notice any wet or damaged areas in your basement, you should have your sprinkler system checked right away. You may want to shut it off until it can be properly assessed. Unusually high water usage could also be a sign of a leaking sprinkler system.

5. Roof Damage or Wear.

The average roof lasts 10-15 years, but leaks can develop anytime due to storm damage, animal or insect infestation, or other problems. If the damage is due to a storm, your homeowner’s insurance may cover the repairs. If it’s just general wear and tear, you should check your roof’s warranty to see whether repairs could be covered. Replacing the entire roof is an option in some cases of large leaks when a roof is nearing the end of its useful life and repairs will only be a temporary fix.

Moonworks provides roof repair and replacement to resolve leaks and prevent them from occurring. Call 1-800-975-6666 to get a free estimate.

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General Home Improvement

How A Reward Program Can Save You Money on Your Home Improvement Needs

Home improvements aren’t free, are they? As much as we all wish you could get a new roof or replace your windows for nothing, it just doesn’t work that way. So when you can save money on home improvements you need to make anyway, you might as well do so. Choosing a contractor with one or more rewards programs can help you minimize the cost of maintaining your property and keeping it in tip-top shape.

All About Rewards Programs

A rewards program gives you discounts or credit toward future repairs when you purchase a renovation. Some rewards programs work on a points system, such as one point for every dollar you spend, while others offer a flat discount percentage or make customers eligible for certain special offers.

While some rewards programs may be more worthwhile than others, you shouldn’t pay a membership fee or deal with a lot of restrictions on how you use your rewards. The simpler the program, the more likely you are to understand it and actually use it. If there is a lot of fine print, it’s likely you will find it difficult to benefit as much as the business claims you might.

What About Referrals?

Another way businesses can reward existing customers is to institute a referral program. These programs usually give some credit or a discount to both newly referred customers and the customers who refer them. These programs are a win-win circumstance for everyone — customers save money and the business gets new customers.

You might not feel comfortable referring everyone you know to a home improvement business. However, if you know that one of your family members, friends or neighbors is looking for a contractor or wants to make improvements to their home, it makes sense to refer them to a business you have used successfully in the past and plan to use again.

Home improvement
Loyalty programs offer discounts.

Moonworks’ Rewards Programs Offer Savings to Repeat Customers

Moonworks has two rewards programs to help its customers save money on home improvements.

The 25 for Life program gives existing customers a 25% discount when they purchase a home improvement service from a different category than the one they initially purchased from Moonworks. This is a lifetime discount. For example, a customer who purchased services related to an energy audit could later get a 25% discount on a new roof or a Gutter Helmet.

The Moonworks Referral Program offers a $100 gas card to Moonworks customers who refer a friend or family member when that individual purchases a service from Moonworks. In addition, the newly referred customer receives a $100 discount on the service purchased.

These programs reward loyal Moonworks customers, with the recognition that both repeat business and new customer referrals are a valuable part of what makes Moonworks a regionally recognized home improvement company in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Need home improvement services in New England? Call Moonworks at 1-800-975-6666 for a free estimate on your project.