Your Dependable Justin Handyman

Whether it's a little or a lot, almost every home in the United States includes some tile, and why not? It's beautiful, durable, and long-lasting, not to mention it protects against damage in moisture-prone areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, or mudroom.

Since there's such a dizzying array of colors, textures, sizes, shapes, and materials available, tile is an excellent opportunity to bring your own personality and sense of style into your home. Our tile experts have installed all types of tile, and we're experienced at tiling even irregularly shaped rooms and hard-to-reach areas.

Some of the many types of tiles we can install are:

• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Marble
• Slate
• Glass
• Metal
• Mosaic
• Cork
• Laminate

If you are not sure what type of tile is best for your home, think about what your top priorities for it are. Do you want it to be strikingly beautiful and give the room an air of luxury and sophistication? Natural stones like slate or marble will accomplish that, but they are more prone to damage than some other types of tiles and need regular maintenance like sealing. Or is it more important that your tile be durable, waterproof, and virtually maintenance-free? If so, ceramic or porcelain tile may be just what you are looking for. They don't have the same eye-catching appearance as natural stone, but there are a lot of different looks available to choose from.

Clothes dryers tend to be taken for granted by most people, but if you have ever had to hang your laundry out to dry on a clothesline, you can fully appreciate how convenient and time-saving dryers really are. They are dependable workhorses — up to a point. However, few Justin homeowners realize that the innocent machine in their laundry room can actually pose a serious hazard to the safety of their family and property if it doesn't get regular dryer vent cleaning.

Under typical circumstances, lint and other debris like dryer sheets are supposed to get caught in the lint trap, while the ventilation hose or pipe is used to vent hot, humid air from drying laundry out of the machine. But over time, lint works its way into the duct and coats the inside of the vent hose, partially or completely blocking off the flow of air. That means the dryer has to operate for longer and uses a lot more energy to get your clothes dry, which significantly increases the amount you have to pay on your utility bill.

But much worse than increased energy costs, a clogged dryer vent can cause the dryer to create an electrical spark that sets all that lint coating the ductwork on fire and sends flames racing through the walls of your home. Tragically, clothes dryer fires are more common than many people suspect. Every year in the United States, 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported, resulting in five deaths, 100 injuries, and a jaw-dropping $35 million in property loss.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, a clogged dryer vent creates the additional hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning. The dryer uses the ductwork to release carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that is fatal when it's inhaled in large quantities. When the vent is blocked, the carbon monoxide seeps into your home instead of being harmlessly vented outside and is a serious health risk to your family.

Not sure if your dryer vent is in need of professional cleaning? Here are some key warning signs to look for:

• It takes more than about 30 to 45 minutes to dry a load of clothes
• You have to run the dryer more than once for the same load of laundry
• Fabric is very hot or has a musty smell after being dried
• There is visible lint gathered around the vent opening outside
• It has been more than one year since it was last cleaned

Some households use their dryer once per week, while others need to use it several times per day, so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how often you need dryer vent cleaning. However, the general rule of thumb for a single-family dwelling is once per year to keep the machine operating efficiently and reduce the risk of fire. A large family that produces a lot of laundry, or a multi-family building with shared laundry facilities may need it as frequently as every six months.

The bathroom is probably the most utilitarian part of your house. You use it many times per day because it has several critical functions, so it has to be working properly. It should also be an attractive, inviting space that you actually want to spend time in.

From floor to ceiling, Mr. Handyman of Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Denton can completely remodel your bathroom to transform it from just a utilitarian space into your favorite room — a private oasis for relaxing rejuvenation.

Your bathroom options include:

• Re-tiling floors & walls
• Installing a bathtub or shower door
• Refinishing walls with new drywall or cement boards
• Installing custom cabinets & countertops
• Installing mirrors

That's not all! Whether you need one update or want the entire room overhauled, our technicians have finished dozens of remodel projects to the highest standard. They know how to expertly complete every task required to deliver your dream bathroom. While it's obviously important to plan for the necessities, we recommend choosing at least one luxury item that you've always wanted to push your new bathroom up to the next level.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• In-floor heating
• Custom-built vanity table
• "Floating" fixtures on the wall—like a toilet or sink
• Heated towel racks

You don't want just anyone working on your home—you want a professional who has the skilled tradesman experience to get the job done correctly and efficiently, and that's the best reason to call Mr. Handyman of Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Denton for Justine handyman services.

Contact us today, or request service online, and we'll show you why we're Justin's number one choice for local Justin handyman services!