We here at Innovative Glass Window Cleaning would like to remind you of some helpful tips to get YOUR home ready for the changing temperatures.

1. Be sure to trim those trees and bushes away from the house. Sure they look pretty and provide shade,but not only do they provide a path for insects, they cause damage to your roof and siding.
2. Get ready to clean those gutters! Full gutters can cause overflow and if we get snow, ice dams, All resulting in damage to the eaves, roof and foundation
3. No One like drafts and heat loss, be sure to inspect the caulking around windows and doors and replace if needed.
4. Change that Air Filter! As we switch from A/C to heat, its always a good idea to install a new filter and vaccuum out the area in the return.
5. Go ahead a install new exterior bulbs. After all, who wants to pull out the ladder when ice and snow is on the ground.
6. Be sure to dis-connect all hoses and install faucet covers, as temps drop at night, this is easy to overlook, but frozen pipes count for thousands of dollars in damage every year.

 As always, please feel free to Call us anytime if you need help with any of these projects around Your home! 865-455-9871

 Fall is here, which means Winter is quickly on the way. As tempatures drop,a few basic maintenance items on YOUR home can save YOU big Money through the Winter months and possibly disaster.

• Re-Caulking the Windows and Doors, An often overlooked item, removing the old caulking and adding new, can not only reduce the winter draft, it also helps keep insects out of your home.
• Pest Control, As the weather turns colder, un-wanted guests need a place to live. Do you like cuddling with Spiders?
• Weather Striping, Replacing worn out weather stripping from around the doors has the same effect as re-caulking the windows, plus this will help cut down on energy costs.
• Chimney Cleaning, Having a professional Chimney sweep can remove years of soot and tar, one of the #1 causes of home fires!!
• Wrap those exposed pipes! Frozen pipes thaw, and when they do, they flood.
• Faucet Covers, A $3.00 spicket cover can keep you from thousands of dollars in repairs.
• Gutter Cleaning, As the leaves fall and fill those gutters, the water and moisture will freeze, causing an ice dam, this causes MAJOR damage to your roof and facia.

We here at Innovative Glass (865-455-9871), recommend doing this few simple chores every year to make sure YOU and YOUR Family stay warm amd Safe through the Winter months. If your having trouble finding a trusted proffessional in the Knoxville area,Please feel free to Contact us Anytime. Over the years we have built a huge network for just about anything you could have!

Importance of Gutter cleaning

One aspect of exterior home maintenance can be more important than most of homeowners 
realize; gutter cleaning. Generally, gutters play a very important role in the structural 
integrity of a house, and keeping them clean is a better way of avoiding the potential 
cost expenses associated with gutter repairs. The main function of gutters is to
 guide the rain water off the roof and straight down the drain. However, despite their
 importance, though, it may be very easy to forget about their maintenance until something
 goes wrong. For instance, if your gutters become clogged, the ultimate results
 may be serious to an extent of causing structural damage and the resulting damp can
 cause health issues for you and your family.

Knoxville Tn has always been a subject to damaging weather patterns including storms and winds. 
This is a city where gutter blockages may pose serious risks to a home and business premises. Even
 if you have plastic, pressed steel, or iron gutters, it is important to clean them
 annually in order to keep them performing properly. Besides that, here are some of the
 reasons for keeping your gutters clean, they include:

To avoid cracked foundations and leaking basements Basically, when your gutters 
become clogged, they become the major source of problems associated with leaking 
basements. The roof water can overflow and accumulate around the foundation. 
In case that happens, beyond no doubt, basement leaks can be a moment away 
and the intemperance water against the foundation can consequently cause the
 footings to weaken and thus leading to cracks.

To avoid internal damages

Basically, Clogged and overflowing gutters may let water run into the internal roof area,
 past your fascia boards. This can lead to swollen ceilings and damage to the integrity of 
your roof structure. Overflowing of water into the ceiling can cause a direct damage 
causing your ceiling to show stains, damage insulation, light fittings and electrical wiring. 

Reduce the possibility of wood-destroying insects from breeding

The lack of cleaning of gutters may be the source of water pooling in areas blocked by
 debris. The condition is perfect for breeding mosquitoes. Insects normally love moisture 
and will probably make a permanent home in the gutter wreckage.

Avoiding rotted wood

When your gutters have debris stack above the single or flashing line, this debris is likely
 to hold enough moisture on the fascia board. The moisture may also have adverse effects 
on the roof covering and framing past the fascia. Debris usually works as a wick and drains
 water to the bottom side of the gutter up to the fascia. So many people have spent a lot 
of dollars in replacement of rotted wood which an inexpensive gutter cleaning expert could 
have simply prevented.

To keep away from driveways

Generally, blocked gutters can typically cause driveways and walkways resulting in sagging and cracking. 

Conclusively, it is good not to ignore the role which clean gutters have on ensuring that the 
drainage system of your home runs smoothly. Damage caused by water may be costly and therefore
 gutter cleaning is a preventative maintenance on your most valuable assets. 

Cleaning Tips and Tricks
 written by: moleak
  As the person who does the cleaning in not one, but two households, I have found that, over time, I have been doing everything the hard way. And by the hard way, I mean the wrong way, which is to say the expensive way. I have never been able to resist the allure of expensive cleaning products which make your home smell like the Himalayas. But are they the best choice? Not always. Here are some tips, tricks, and life hacks to help you avoid the common cleaning pitfalls.

Tip #1 – Baking Soda

For reasons we cannot understand (science!) baking soda is one of the most versatile cleaning products you can use. And it isn't even a product! It can be used to clean your sofa, unclog drains, disinfect your oven (with vinegar), remove stains from carpets, freshen your mattress, remove grout, clean toilets, combine with vegetable oil to clean cabinets, and a whole host of other applications. If you have room for only one thing in your cleaning arsenal, it should be baking soda.

Tip #2 – Clean Carpets with an Iron

One of the most difficult, and often dirtiest, things to clean in a home is the carpet. You do not, however, need to hire expensive carpet cleaners to freshen up your rug. You simply need an iron, a clean cloth, some water, a cheap spray bottle, and some vinegar. Create a cleaning solution using one part of vinegar with two parts of water. Spray it on the stain, place the cloth over the solution, and iron using the steam setting for one minute. Voila! No more carpet stains.

Tip #3 – Cleaning the Oven

There are few life hacks you can use to make cleaning a greasy oven a piece of cake! One of them involves baking soda (naturally). Mix four tablespoons of white vinegar, five tablespoons of baking soda, and five drops of dishwashing liquid. Spread the solution over the oven, leave for 20 minutes, and wipe clean with a sponge. The alternative method requires almost no effort. Simply put 1/2 a cup of ammonia solution into a cold oven overnight and wipe clean the following day.

Tip #4 – Cleaning the Bathtub

Much like the carpet a bathroom can be an absolute nightmare to clean. Between the shower, bathtub, sink, tiles, and floor it can take days. That is, it can take days if you don’t use our hacks. Two such hacks involve cleaning the bathtub. Mix a tablespoon of soap with half a dozen drops of antibacterial oil and, of course, baking soda. Add some water and wipe the tub with a sponge. You'll be left with a sparkling tub that smells like a spa. You can also use grapefruit to clean the ever-frequent rings around the tub. Cut the fruit in half, add some salt, and scrub the stain.

Conclusion

Whether you're cleaning the home because it is spring cleaning season, you're moving, you have an upcoming inspection from your letting agency, it can be a hugely daunting task. We hope that with these life hacks, and some good elbow grease, you can get through that cleaning just a little bit faster. When in doub

Top 5 Cost Efficient Ways To Improve Your Curb Appeal
 written by: Emily Velez
   When it comes to enhancing the appearance of your property, there are literally dozens of different options that are available to you. However, while it may be true that some home improvement jobs may require a moderate amount of money, there are still a few available options out there, that can be done for under $500 in as little as a few hours. In this overview, we'll take a look at 5 of the most cost-effective ways to improve your curb appeal.

1) Install Solar Powered Lights Along Your Sidewalk 
One of the most cost efficient ways to enhance your curb appeal is by installing solar powered lights along your sidewalk. Not only does this help to increase the safety level of your sidewalk after dusk, a few sets of solar power lights makes your home appear to be more inviting and friendly. Additionally, it can add some life to your surrounding landscape at nighttime as well. 

2) Cover Up Dead Spots 
If you have a shed or a tree on your property, chances are that you more than likely have a few dead spots on your property. The problem with trees are that, their roots tend to absorb all the water and nutrients within the surrounding soil. With a lack of nutrition and water, the grass that surrounds the tree may eventually die and leaves a dead spot surrounding the tree. If you realize that you have a few dead spots around your trees, one way you can cover this up is by planting a few plants that thrive in the shade or need very little water to survive. A few prime examples of plants that thrive under shade and need very little water include: 
* Heuchera 
* Lamium maculatum 
* Astilbe
* Digitails
* Alchemilla 
* Spurge 

3) Power Wash Your Home 
One of the easiest things you can do to significantly enhance your home's appeal is by utilizing a professional that specializes in powerwashng, formerly known as house washing. Typically, a power washing company can dispatch a house washing professional who will utilize a high powered power washer to clean the exterior portions of your home. Besides the fact that this can help to remove dirt and debris that may have accumulated on the surface of your home's exterior walls, it can help to remove hazardous mold and mildew as well. It's also worth noting that the National Association of Realtors proclaims that a power washed home can add as much as $15,000 to its final sale price. 

4) Upgrade Your Property's Hardware 
When it comes to improving your curb appeal, don't make the mistake of overlooking the simple things. You'd be surprised at how much more appealing your home will look if you upgrade old hardware. This is due to the fact that small enhancements to your home can help to define your home's overall look. As such, some of the small things you can do are: 
* Replace rusty light fixtures
* Change outdated locks and handles
* Install decorative house numbers
* Replace rusty mailboxes 
* Repaint your doors 
* Replace old dust mats 

5) Utilzie Window Cleaning Services 
Oftentimes, many property owners never consider the possibility of cleaning their windows. While it may not seem like it, no matter how beautiful your curb appeal may be, if you have dirty windows it can detract from your property's level of appeal. As such, if you have never had your windows professionally cleaned before, consider the possibility of utilizing a company that specializes in window cleaning services.

The harsh chilly winters can leave any house’s exterior shattered and out of shape. As per statistics, close to 25 percent households ignore a minimum of one critical maintenance problem, putting themselves at the risks of big bills and heartaches. It, therefore, becomes imperative to prepare the exteriors for cold winds before it gets too late. 

Prevention

Prevention is essential as most of the damage can be mitigated if homeowners spend a minor portion of their time on getting decked up for inclement weather. Also, most homeowners aren’t completely aware of what their house insurance policy covers and leaves out. By not maintaining a property properly, house owners risk voiding their insurance, running up huge bills potentially if a thing goes wrong due to neglect. 

Check roof condition. Look for broken or cracked tiles, chimney cracks or pointing issues. Clear the drainpipes and gutters of any debris or leaves to reduce overflow and blockage risks. Ensure the external and garage pipes are lagged. Invariably, pressure washing or power washing easily spruces up the house exterior.

External Plumbing

Inspecting outdoor plumbing can be the most critical part of taking care of house exterior, since it surfaces issues that may affect the house’s interiors. If there are taps outdoors, ensure they are devoid of any issues. If water flow is intermittent or losing pressure, it could be indicative of a plumbing system leak. And, if the water flow is extraordinarily robust, then insert your finger within the faucet. If the flow halts with no resistance, the internal plumbing line could have a leak elsewhere. However, if it sprays all around the place, there’s nothing much to be worried about. 

Weather Stripping

Inspect and substitute worn-out weather strips. Weather stripping around windows and doors plays a major role in decreasing the volume of cold air entering the house. The worn or cracked stripping must, therefore, be replaced with fresh and efficient stripping. If the caulking looks ragged and worn, re-caulk it with a moisture-resistant, more efficient product. 

Rotten Wood Probing

If there are any wooden overlays or fixtures outside the house, they are vulnerable to warping and rot. Although a majority of those fixtures are weather-treated against element exposure, the possibilities of being a target still remains. Go around the house outdoors and inspect the wood to detect any signs of give. Any kind of rot beneath the surface should show up. If there is warping, replace the fixture or restore it by weather-treating and sanding it again.

Foundation Inspection

In case of mild or significant rainfall, it’s important to inspect the ground and land around the garden and house, to make sure the water is getting drained adequately. The grounds could be vulnerable to stone and earth erosion, which could result in structural issues later. If the foundation has cracks, they must be sealed with an epoxy. Most sealants and caulks are generally not strong enough.  

Conclusion

Most households keep house exterior repair work at bay, believing their home insurance would cover impending natural/man-made disasters. However, they fail to understand that not keeping up with necessary repairs may result in the insurer not clearing the insurance claim amount.