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Louisville Winterizing Tips — It’s Getting Cold Again
It’s November and we have been spared the snow and extreme cold to date. As we near the threshold of those cold windy days, there are some things you need to do to prevent a disaster.
This time of year, just as in the spring, we experience several calls about outside faucets leaking. That usually means someone has forgotten to disconnect the hose on the nights we have a light freeze. Why does this happen? First of all, most faucets are not designed to allow a hose to remain connected during a freeze. Even a “frost proof” faucet is not designed to have a hose connected during freezing weather. A “frost proof” faucet is designed to allow the water to drain out of the faucet when turned off. The stem is usually 6″ to 8″ back in the wall, allowing the water to drain out. When a hose is left hooked up, it allows the water to siphon back into the pipe. The water freezes and the pipe expands, usually causing a split in the pipe. Many people don’t realize the hose was hooked up for just one evening, and always tell us there was no hose hooked up. We know otherwise, as the faucet would not have frozen and split. SO DISCONNECT THAT HOSE EVERY TIME YOU USE IT.
It’s a good time to have your furnace system serviced and your fireplaces serviced. Nothing worse than realizing a small amount of preventative maintenance could have saved an uncomfortable evening and an expensive service call for a replacement part.
All fireplaces should be checked to make sure they are in good working order and are safe to use. Even the engineered gas fireplaces should be checked and serviced.
We also recommend the electric panel be looked at yearly. Why? Where the main wire feeds enter the electric box and are inserted into a lug, these can work loose over time, as the wire can expand slightly and contract slightly, allowing the lug to loosen somewhat. This can lead to an unsafe situation, and can allow for the main breaker to get hot and burn out. It sometimes leads to the entire panel box needing to be replaced.
Sump pumps occasionally get a breather in the winter months. However, if the water table rises, and we have a wet fall and winter, it still has to do its job. We recommend you test the sump pump(s) every 30 days, allowing you to know it is in working condition.
This is also a great time to check your septic tank if you are on a septic system. The growth over or around the septic tank is more easily accessed this time of year than it is in the spring. It also gives you the opportunity to make any repairs if required, and get any areas ready for seeding in the spring.
Find a HBAL member who can help. www.hbal.com
Having just changed our clocks to EST, change those batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you have any questions concerning the above, give us a call at (502) 244-0114, email me at perry@pllyons.com or fill out our handy Ask a Question Form. I might even write a blog post to answer it!
For updated information concerning industry related issues and comments, follow us on Twitter.
Share on FacebookP.L. Lyons featured in November issue of Louisville Builder
If you get Louisville Builder magazine, then make sure you take a few seconds to check out the story they did on us in November. The article written by Nancy Miller focused on Virtual Tours, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook and LinkedIn. It was titled “They’re Not Just Techie Buzz Words; They’re Today’s Marketing Reality”.
Our part of the the story focused primarily on Twitter (micro blogging) and Blogging. It discusses how we keep up with producing content, engaging in social media and using our online presence as a sales and educational tool for customers— or prospective ones for that matter.
Online with Google— it really is the way most customers begin their search. They vetted you there. They see if you’re up to speed on the market. They expect you to be involved in social media and blogging— engaging them with educational content and answering their questions. They want to believe you’re a thought leader in your field. They want to build trust with you online before they meet you offline. They don’t have time to drive around in cars pressing flesh (shaking hands) with 5 builders before they pick one. Yes we still meet people offline eventually, it’s just that the conversations often begin now on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, our Blog, through email or via our forms on our website. A lot has changed but the playing field is leveled to compete with those who bought attention through ads and direct marketing. It’s hard to do that now. The little guy can bootstrap his efforts now more than ever.
Share on FacebookDouglas Hills Deck Addition Louisville KY
Another Covered Deck Addition in Douglas Hills and another satisfied customer. If it seems like we’ve done a lot of these little custom remodels and additions this year, we have. It’s been one after another since the spring. It’s a great way to add value and usability to your home when you’re not wanting to break the bank.
In this video Perry explains a few differences in this project versus others and gets a glowing testimonial from the owner.
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Finished Covered Deck in Fox Run Subdivision
We had the chance to shoot a couple quick videos today showcasing the end result of a project we began a month or so ago. You can see our initial post here. The first video is a walk through of the covered deck addition in Fox Run Subdivision.
The second video is a quick testimonial about the project.
Have questions?
Have a project like this?
We’d love to discuss it with you. Get the ball rolling by contacting us online today.
Share on FacebookFinished Covered Deck Addition in Winchester Acres Subdivision
Perry walks through a finished covered deck addition in this video. In our previous video we showed the layout phase of a similar project. We’ve completed projects like this in Douglas Hills, Winchester Acres, Fox Run and several other east Louisville neighborhoods. If you’re staying put but want to spice things up, this may the project for you.
If you’re considering a project like this, then contact us with any questions you might have. You can also comment below this post or on our Facebook Fan page. We still answer the phone at 244-0114 and we check email and Twitter DM’s regularly. So basically, any way you’d like to contact us sounds great.
Share on FacebookCovered Deck Addition Layout in Fox Run Subdivision
Take a sneak peak at how the real stuff gets done. Perry Lyons and his team of contractors and suppliers lay out a custom covered deck addition in Fox Run Subdivision. The project had already been drawn, blueprinted, permitted and estimated but there were still lots of factors to incorporate onsite. You can pick up the various factors that go into a project of this nature by listening into the dialogue between Perry and his team of seasoned professionals.
Does your custom builder or remodeler truly know the ins and outs of his trade? If not contact us for you next deck, covered deck, basement finish, addition, kitchen remodel or of course a full custom home.
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Custom Building From Concept to Completion
We put together this video loop for the recent Trend Home Garden and Remodeling Show. We hope it captures how building a custom home with Perry Lyons of P.L. Lyons Inc is a true concept to completion journey. Enjoy!
We would love for you to bring in your cocktail napkin sketch, sit in our chairs and watch your dream home come together before your eyes. It doesn’t cost a thing for us to give you a ball park estimate. Of course we never leave it that. We do a full and thorough takeoff and estimate before we begin your custom home building or remodeling project. Contact us today at 502-244-0114, email us at perry [at] pllyons [dot] com or contact us online at any time to set an free initial consultation.
Share on FacebookTrend Appliances Home Garden and Remodeling Show
If you haven’t made plans yet for this weekend, then schedule a trip to the Trend Appliances Home Garden and Remodeling Show. If you’re considering an addition, a remodel, a hardscape project, or just any little thing to make your home better; then come on out Friday, Saturday or Sunday. You can get all the information on the main promotional site linked above. The show is coordinated by the HBAL and sponsored by Trend Appliances. If these types of improvements aren’t in this years budget, dreamers and planners are welcome too. Come on out and get some ideas for that future project. Then go home and make it a goal.
If all those weren’t reasons enough, then yes coming just to see P.L. Lyons, Inc. is fine as well 
We’ll have a booth focusing on our custom building and remodeling services. We’ll be giving away some freebies each day and we’ll also have some interactive treats for you.
If you have questions then comment below, hit us up on Twitter or contact us online through our form. Of course we still answer email and the telephone too- whatever your communication preference.
Share on FacebookCompilation of Live Tweets from International Builders Show
Some fun amongst all the hard work
What comes first? Chicken or the Egg
When building your dream custom home, what comes first: the Chicken or the Egg? In this scenario the Chicken being your lot and the Egg being your home plan.
This could be debated either way and our emotions tell us design your plan first. After all that’s far more exciting then picking out a piece of barren ground. With 35 years of experience we think the opposite. Home plans can be a endless search without some parameters. A good first parameter- what size and what are the restrictions of your lot? If your lot will only allow for a home that’s 55 foot wide and 50 foot deep then you can narrow your plan search quite a bit. Thus allowing for the plan to be customized to your specifications.
On the other hand if you find your dream home plan or better yet have it designed, then you may have to compromise where you’ll build it.
These are suggestions to think about. After you have a lot, you’ll have some boundaries with which to start your plan design. At P. L. Lyons, Inc., we will help you look for lots, in your price range, and we specialize in working with you to design your plans.
Call us today to discuss your plans for building a new home or to discuss the plans and estimates for your custom remodeling project.
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