Pittsburgh bathtub refinishing or bathtub reglazing is a service that many homeowners are unaware of, but one that can potentially save them thousands of dollars. This is because bathtub refinishing uses your existing bathtub to completely repair and restore your tub to like-new condition – complete with a color change if you’re updating the look and style of your bathroom. And considering that many bathroom remodeling projects require the complete removal of the tub and the resulting structural work this requires, it’s likely that a large number of homeowners will be able to save a great deal of time and money by considering a Pittsburgh bathtub refinishing solution instead.

Even if your beautiful old claw-foot tub has dings, dents, chips or cracks, the refinishing process can repair it to a virtually flawless state. This is done by carefully filling these imperfections with a powerful compound that is then sanded smooth with the rest of the surface. This can be done regardless of the material your tub is constructed from: fiberglass, acrylic, cultured marble or porcelain can all be refinished in this manner.

The next step in the process is to apply a specialized bonding agent across the surface of the tub, to which your new surface will be permanently adhered. Top-quality Pittsburgh bathtub refinishers use a hi-tech piece of equipment that evenly applies a fine finishing spray that contains a tough and long-lasting acrylic coating.

Once the finish spray has been applied, high velocity buffers are used in stages with progressively finer buffing pads. When the surface is glossy and smooth, a polishing machine is then used to bring the new surface to a state of bright intensity and exceptional structural integrity. This last step is the most critical and the one that is most often overlooked or ignored by contractors of questionable quality.

In fact, this bathtub refinishing process is essentially the same process used in the preservation of antique tubs, sinks, commodes and other relics from the past. This means that even very old tubs can be repaired to a stunning state – a compelling enough reason for homeowners who have a distinct need (or desire) for the luxurious 6′ tubs of the past.

Overall, Pittsburgh bathtub reglazing requires far less time, money and resources than replacing your tub with a new one. This is especially true considering that when replacing an old tub entirely, you may also need to replace entire sections of your walls, replace or re-route sections of pipe or wiring, and possibly even have to make repairs or changes to your floor. Refinishing your tub solves all of these issues.

Finally, even professionals have difficulty telling the difference between a new tub and one that has been refinished – especially if the job was done by an expert reglazer/refinisher. And because this process extends the life of your tub for 10 to 15 years and even more, with the thousands of dollars that you could save versus replacing your tub you can afford additional updates to your bathroom or other areas of your home. All you have to do to get started is fill out the form to the right of the screen now for a free, comprehensive estimate and consultation from a professional Pittsburgh bathtub refinishing company.

Pittsburgh bathroom remodeling can significantly improve the quality of life in your home and increase the overall value of your property – provided that the project is done right the first time. A poorly planned remodeling project can not only disrupt your life for a significant amount of time, it can also cause you to either go over your budget – or worse – leave things left undone. Before you attempt to take on such a project yourself, there are a number of critical points you should consider, the complexity of which will often require a consultation with a professional Pittsburgh bathroom remodeling company.

1.) Increasing the Value of Your Home

Many homeowners jump into a bathroom remodeling project as they prepare to sell their current property. Their logic is generally that by improving the quality of the bathroom, they will increase the selling price. However, this isn’t always the case. For major bathroom overhauls, the cost of the job can easily exceed the value that the upgrade adds to the selling price. This means that if not done properly you can lose thousands of dollars on a large remodeling project, so consulting with an expert Pittsburgh Handyman or Pittsburgh bathroom remodeling company is an important first step.

2.) Electrical Concerns

Because many people remodel bathrooms in older houses, there could be electrical concerns involved in some projects. For instance, bathrooms that do not currently feature GFCI (Ground-Fault-Circuit-Interrupter) outlets will (in most cases) be required to upgrade to this standard in order to meet local building codes. Additionally, some wiring in older houses may be damaged from decay, rodents or water damage. This could require a complete rewiring of the bathroom in order to comply with public safety standards, necessitating the use of a licensed professional for the job.

3.) Improved Sanitation and Efficiencies

One thing that many homeowners do not consider when they remodel their bathrooms is that they may realize a substantial savings in the form of increased sanitation and decreased electrical and water consumption. Outdated bathrooms may have mold growing behind the walls or in the floors, or there may be dirt and bacteria embedded deeply in the porous surfaces of countertops, floors, tubs, shower walls and baseboards. In a case like this a remodel of the bathroom will significantly improve the overall sanitation of the bathroom, which could result in fewer instances of illness for your family.

New, energy efficient appliances, faucets and shower heads can also save hundreds of dollars per year compared to outdated models designed and built during a time when energy-efficient technologies had yet to be developed.

4.) Discounts on Additional Services

In many cases, if the bathroom needs remodeling, the kitchen probably does too. A Pittsburgh bathroom remodeling company can offer discounts to homeowners that need multiple areas of their home updated. Whether simply to enjoy the beauty and comfort of a fresh, clean and eye-catching home, or to increase the value of your property prior to sale, working with an expert, Old-World style Pittsburgh Handyman like The Affordable Handyman Online will assure that your project is done right – the first time. Call us now to schedule a no-cost, professional estimate.

As the 2011 year draw’s to a end, I would like to thank all of the people that made this year possible. Enjoy the new year and remember the sky is your only limit, dream big and go for your goal’s have a healthy and prosperous new year!

Pittsburgh kitchen remodeling projects are generally a serious undertaking that can have a profound impact on the functionality and value of your property – for better, or for worse. From appliances to molding to cabinets and countertops, the scope of a Pittsburgh kitchen remodeling job can quickly become too much for many homeowners to grasp without professional intervention. However, finding the right combination of old-world craftsmanship and infallible trustworthiness in a handyman can often seem like an impossible task. The following are 4 sources you can use to determine the credibility of the Pittsburgh kitchen remodeling company you’re considering:

1.) BBB

The Better Business Bureau is still one of the most reliable places to get information relating to the reputation of a company or organization. If any negative reports have been filed against the outfit you’re considering, then you’ll be able to see how (or if) the situation was resolved, and what the company’s overall rating is. Companies that are registered with the BBB usually have a vested interest in maintaining good public relations and therefore could be more trustworthy than a business that is not registered.

2.) Trade Organizations & Charities

Skilled craftsman often belong to trade groups, charities and other organizations that can be used as a reference source. Others in related industries will likely be able to provide information about their experiences with a prospective Pittsburgh handyman.

Ultimately, the more involved a company or individual is in their communities and industry, the more trustworthy they generally are because they have an obvious public interest and reputation to protect. However, this isn’t to say that quiet, traditional-style craftsmen who don’t belong to any of the above groups aren’t highly skilled – it’s simply another potential source of information.

3.) State Certifications & Insurance

A professional Pittsburgh kitchen remodeling company will be properly insured, licensed and bonded and be able to show clear, easily defined proof of these vital items. This is especially important if any electrical or plumbing work is to be conducted on your property. In the state of Pennsylvania, construction contractors are not licensed at a state level, but may or may not be licensed at a local level. Check with your town or city hall’s commerce department for more information.

4.) Consumer Reports & Online Reviews

The internet is a vast source of consumer reports and reviews on nearly every product or service imaginable. This includes positive – or negative – reviews of the kitchen remodeling company you’re considering. In some rural areas there might not be any reviews available, but in many cases urban areas will offer a number of reviews that can be used to make an informed decision about the company you work with.

It’s also important to note that sometimes a negative review isn’t as important as the company’s response.

5.) References

It should be obvious that references provided by a potential contractor are going to provide excellent reviews. However, this doesn’t make them worthless. One question that you can ask a reference is:

“Who else in your area has XYZ done work for?”

If they provide some names, you can then contact those people, who will probably provide a more realistic review of the handyman. This view could match what the provided reference says, or it could be significantly different. In either case it’s valuable information to have and compare.

Pittsburgh Kitchen Remodeling Conclusions…

If you’ve done your homework and you demand extremely high quality craftsmanship from a company you can trust, then there’s no need to jump through any hoops – simply enter your details in the box to the right and we’ll prepare a free custom quote and estimate for your Pittsburgh kitchen remodeling project.

This is to the point, great advice on cutting down on your utility bill’s.  

Actions You Can Take Now

1. Pittsburgh handyman service advice is to turn down your thermostat when away or at night. You could save up to 1% off your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. And, contrary to urban legend, it does NOT use significantly more energy to warm your house back up again.

2. Reduce the temperature of your hot water heater. Reducing your hot water temp from 130 to 120 degrees can save $50-$100 per year and up to 2% of your total household fuel use and carbon dioxide production. If your setting is higher, so are the savings.

3. Open blinds and drapes on the south side of your house to let in sunlight during the day and close them tight each night. Even in the dead of winter, south-facing sunlight can warm your house an extra few degrees. Close the blinds at night , and it will trap the warmth and reduce your heating needs for a few hours.

4. Clean or replace your air filters. This not only cleans out the creepy-crawlies before they get recirculated through your house, but improves the efficiency of your heating system.

Pittsburgh handyman services can save you a significant amount of time and money compared to doing-it-yourself jobs.  This is true even if you are a skilled craftsman yourself – it’s not always easy to find time to tackle those projects at home that can slip by unattended, month after month.  However, there’s a lot more to a professional Pittsburgh handyman service than just time saved and convenience.  In many cases a pro can actually save you thousands of dollars – and big headaches – than by attempting to do things yourself.

Pittsburgh Handyman Benefit #1: Codes, Rules and Regulations

A good handyman can fix a fence, repair a doorframe, shingle a roof, remodel a bathroom and dozens of other tasks, but they can also help keep your house up to code.  This is because a professional will have a comprehensive knowledge of building codes and regulations that – if ignored – can land you in hot water.

For example, some communities only allow roofing materials of a certain color, while others require exhaust fans in bathrooms.  An established handyman will likely have had direct experience in these matters before.  Having this type of expertise available to you can save you thousands in fines and repair fees if you unknowingly violate local codes.

Pittsburgh Handyman Benefit #2: Electrical and Plumbing Issues

Even very capable men have begun what appeared to be benign electrical or plumbing projects over a weekend, only to encounter so many problems along the way that the project stalls for weeks afterward.  This is because these types of projects can be extremely intricate and involve more issues than an initial assessment might indicate.

For instance, a malfunctioning section of outlets along one section of a room might lead a person to cut into the wall to investigate and possibly replace the wiring.  This might seem like a simple job – certainly one that could be completed in a weekend.  However, upon examination of the faulty wiring it’s determined that the issue is really a result of a pipe with a slow leak on the second floor.

Now the project just changed in size and scope, and at this point many people will call in an expert.

Pittsburgh Handyman Benefit #3: Get it Done Right

We’ve all done it from time to time: worked on projects that we weren’t exactly proud of.  Like a poorly designed deck, or a gazebo that’s not level, or a tile job that’s less than perfect.  While it might have saved some money to do these projects ourselves, we have to confront those mistakes and lament on them day after day, until we finally attack them again or hire a professional to fix them.

The fact of the matter is that if you want to get things done right and done right the first time, you call a professional Pittsburgh handyman – and there are none more qualified for your project than Affordable Handyman Online.  Call or click now for a free comprehensive estimate.

We re-designed the entire web site top to bottom, added a mobile friendly version of the site, and have gotten a lot more social in the past few weeks.

Despite practicing “old world” craftsmanship and customer service we decided it was time to get with the times… and really get the Handyman online for real this time. Like, for real for real.

Keep your eyes and ears open for lots of new stuff that’ll be coming soon here on the site and blog. In the meantime if there’s any home repairs that have been getting the cold shoulder contact the Handyman today so we can show your home a little TLC.