http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/rss/feedsAlert Construction is a North Carolina licensed general contractor (#57151) serving the Piedmont Triad area. Our services include roofing repair and emergency roof repair, carpentry, painting, and handy services. We also build quality homes to your exact requirements.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:01:19 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/whos-ready-for-fallhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/whos-ready-for-fall Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:58:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/roof-fall-in-who-ya-gonna-call-pm-r-by-alert-construction-thats-whohttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/roof-fall-in-who-ya-gonna-call-pm-r-by-alert-construction-thats-who This project included demolishing the old roof, reframing it, reshingling it, replacing all the fascia and trim, relocating electrical and new gutters too! To top it off we coordinated with the homeowner's insurance from start to finish. All they had to do was make that one call to PM&R by Alert Construction. We took care of the claim so they didn't have to and when all was said and done, the repairs didn't cost the homeowner even one red cent. Whatever your need, we can do it ALL! One stop shopping so you don't have to. Call PM&R at Alert Construction to take care of all your home repair, rehabilitaion and improvement needs! Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:31:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/whats-on-your-spring-home-maintenance-listhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/whats-on-your-spring-home-maintenance-listWith winter now officially behind us, it's time to welcome in the Spring season. What's on your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist? On the top of my list is bugs. With all the new spring flowers, come new visitors. Where they were all winter long, only they would know and the variety and numbers are staggering. There must be a hive under the deck or maybe on the roof, but these last few warm days have been spent racing across the lawn or deck to get inside whilst scary bird sized insects battle it out. Ducking your head so as not to disturb or distract for fear they'll turn their attention and their stingers to you. We've armed ourselves with wasp and hornet spray and this weekend we will head out to war. Are they hornets or wasps? We're not getting close enough to find out. Hopefully, you've been spared the invasion. These are not your friendly bumble bees, but warlike wasps or hornets or some new alien lifeform and once they've decided to call yours home, their eradication is not a chore to be left idle. While you're at it, you might want to spray your perimeter with insect repellant before the mass migration begins. Prevention is as always the key. Draw the line before creatures big and small burrow out from the depths and wander into your homes. We're hoping this will take care of the wasps and hornets and we're spraying the entire perimeter of the home with this. If you're lucky enough to be spared the insect invasion, and you need ideas, check out our Spring Maintenance Checklist. Inspect your home's siding and roof for hail or wind damage. Take on minor repairs now before they become big headaches later. Grab a tube of clear silicone caulk and seal any cracks or holes. Replace weatherstripping on your doors and windows and clean out your gutters and downspouts. Get rid of all the debris that winter left behind before April showers are upon us. Have your HVAC serviced and make sure your AC is ready for the hot summer months. Dust off your lawn mower, attack those weeds, trim those scraggly limbs and bushes. If you see bare spots on your lawn, now is the best time to plant the seeds for a lush lawn in time for Barbeque season. Power wash your deck, driveway and your home's exterior. Wash away all that winter grime. Spring cleaning is called spring cleaning for a reason. Back in the day, homes were heated by hearths and fires, and doors were kept shut tight all winter long to keep the warm air in. Along with the heat came soot and ashes that would accumulate over the cold winter months. Once the weather warmed up, the doors and windows opened up again and people swept out the detritus of winter in favor of fresh Spring air. Things haven't changed a whole lot in the all the centuries since. Get your Spring cleaning going. Clear out all the various things that have accumulated through the winter. Wipe down all your surfaces and be sure to hit all those neglected nooks and crannies. While you're cleaning out your cabinets and closets, purge yourself of all the things you don't need or don't want to clean or maintain. Lighten your load. Switch out your heavy window dressings for lighter fare, pack away your winter clothes. The list goes on and on. Post your Spring Maintenace Checklist and start crossing things off your list. Celebrate and get ready for the new season.Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/disco-comes-to-greensborohttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/disco-comes-to-greensboro A good time was had by all at the March 23rd 70's inspired Realtor Mixer hosted by Alert Construction, Guaranteed Rate and a host of other vendors. The event was held at the Greensboro Boxar +Arcade located at 120 W Lewis St. Invitations requested that atendees come dressed in their best 70's attire. PM&R by Alert Constructions's HGIC (Head Gopher In Charge) Ed Regensburg dazzled in groovy tie-dyed fashion. In keeping with the theme, the live DJ played Disco and other 70s inspired tunes. What started out as a 70's themed Happy Hour kept grooving on into the early evening hours. If you missed this one, keep posted for future events. Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:10:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/spring-home-maintenance-checklisthttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/spring-home-maintenance-checklist Now that Spring is here, it's time to go over our Spring Home Maintenance Checklist. Inspect for Winter Damage While we’ve all been hibernating, our homes may have taken a few lickings this winter. Now that the warmer weather is here, inspect your home and take measure. Some things you should look out for include: loose or missing shingles, damaged siding, gutter or downspout damage, cracks in the sidewalks or driveway and check all outside plumbing.\ Time to start your working on that yard again. Pick up all those fallen limbs and any leaves that are still hanging around. Trim those trees and shrubs. Get your lawn mower ready or call your landscaper. It’s that time of year again. If your grass is looking patchy, this is the time to plant those seeds and get your lawn ready for summer Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts You want to do this at least a couple of times a year to prevent damage to your home and foundation. Now that Spring is here, you want to clear out all the obstructions and debris that winter left behind before the start of Spring showers. Don’t forget to clear out the downspouts and any extensions too. Schedule that seasonal HVAC service Preventative maintenance is the key here. Schedule your bi-annual HVAC service to make sure your AC is ready for summer. Then in the fall, you’ll do the same for heat in the winter. Spring Cleaning. This is a great time to clean your home inside and out. Open your windows and clean neglected areas. Get rid of all that accumulated dust, dander and allergens. Pressure wash your home’s exterior and wash away all the winter grime. Make a list and take care of small problems before they become big headaches or call PM&R by Alert Construction and we’ll provide an onsite assessment, recommendations and a free estimate! Tue, 21 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/happy-monday-everybodyhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/happy-monday-everybody Congratulations you've made it to day 79! Today is Monday, March 20th, the first day of the twelfth week and the 79th day of 2023. You've survived more than a quarter of the way through the 23rd year of the 21st Century. Give yourself a pat on the back, take a deep breath and celebrate the first day of Spring 2023. If you were born today, you are a Pisces and if you're in Michigan, you'll be celebrating Snowman Burning day to usher in the Spring season. Today is also National Proposal Day, National Ravioli Day, Alien Abduction Day and the International Day of Happiness to name a few. So take your pick and celebrate Monday, March 20th, 2023. Stay posted for spring home maintenance tips coming to the blog later this week. Happy Monday everybody! Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:06:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/home-maintenance-and-repairs-every-homeowner-should-know-how-to-do-on-their-ownhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/home-maintenance-and-repairs-every-homeowner-should-know-how-to-do-on-their-own Not every home repair project should be DIY'ed. There are lots of things you should probably leave to the professionals. However, there are some things that every homeowner should know how to do on their own. Here's a list of home repair and maintenance projects that every homeowner should learn to tackle on their own. Unclog a sink, drain or toilet. Did you know that there were different plungers for your sink and toilet? The standard domed plunger with the wide mouth is meant for flat surfaces and works best for clearing clogs in sinks and tubs. Then there is the toilet plunger which has an added flange and a narrower opening. This plunger can just as effectively be used on a sink or tub. All you have to do is fold in the flange so that you get a flat opening. However, it’s probably not a good idea to use the same plunger for both your sinks and toilets. Clean your appliances. In order for your appliances to continue to work properly, some routine maintenance is required. Front Load Washers- It’s recommended you clean your front-load washer about once six weeks. Because they never really dry out completely after each load, your front-load washing machine can be a breeding ground for mold and. A lot of today’s washers have a self-cleaning cycle. If yours does, use it. However, for those that don’t, just set the washer to run at hottest, longest cleaning cycle available. Add two cups of vinegar plus a quarter cup of baking soda, and let it run through the cycle. Once the cycle is done, grab a sponge and a little water and wipe down the inside of the drum and rubber seal and you’re done. Front Load Dryers- Unplug the dryer, pull it away from the wall, and vacuum lint out of the dryer duct. If the duct is damaged or torn, replace it. Dishwashers- Fill a cup with vinegar then place it in a dishwasher safe container on the upper rack, and run a cycle. When it's done don't forget to clear the drain. Garbage Disposals - Make sure the disposal is off before clearing the drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda, followed by a half cup of vinegar down each side of the sink and let it sit. After a few minutes, flush both drains with hot water. For odor, throw some citrus fruit peels into the disposal with as much ice as you can fit into it, run some cold water, run the disposal and watch all that muck come up and down the drain again. Caulking. Did you know that caulk can fix anything? Ok maybe not everything. I think duct tape takes that honor. Water from sinks and showers produces a lot of moisture. Caulk is intended to protect the drywall and prevent mold and mildew. There will come a time when the existing caulk cannot be adequately cleaned and requires replacement. First, you will need to remove the old caulk. Use a sharp tool like a razor blade or an exacto knife with some mineral oil or vinegar. Once the old caulk has been removed, tape the area that needs to be re-caulked the same way you would tape trim when painting. Then using a caulk gun, apply the caulk. Run a gloved finger or an ice cube over the line to get a smooth concave surface. Clean gutters and downspouts. Gutters collect rainwater and direct water away from the roof and foundation. Make sure to check and clear your gutters at least a couple of times a year, especially after the fall. You can use your hands, a leaf blower or a wet-dry vac. Check out our Hacks from the Frontline Blog for DIY gutter cleaning hacks. Replace air filters. Your HVAC air filters should be replaced every 6 weeks. More often if you have pets or smokers. Clogged HVAC filters not only pollute your breathing space, but can damage and prematurely age your HVAC system. Change your HVAC filters regularly to avoid more costly HVAC repairs down the line. Patch a hole in the wall. Scrapes, dings and even holes will befall your walls at some time or another. For small holes check out our Hacks from the Frontline blog for some easy nail or screw filling hacks. For small dings that are bigger than a nail hole, you can use quick-drying spackle. Fill, sand to smooth, wait for the spackle to dry and then paint. Easy breezy. For larger holes, head to the nearest hardware store for a patch kit. They are easy to purchase and even easier to use. Replace a light fixture. Before you do anything shut off the power to the fixture at the panel. Make sure you flip the right breaker. A sure way to make sure you’re flipping the right breaker is to leave the light you’re planning to switch ON before turning off the power. If the light is still on, keep flipping until the light goes off. If your breaker panel is not labeled or not labeled correctly, that’s another project you might want to take on yourself. Read on for instructions. Next remove the canopy- the domed or outer covering that covers the wires and hardware. Usually it’s a screw or set of screws holding the canopy in place. Unscrew or undo whatever mechanism is holding the canopy in place and let it drop down. Changing a light fixture is essentially unscrewing three wires to disconnect the old fixture and connecting the same wires to the new fixture. When you get the canopy off, you should see three sets of wires: black, white, and green (or copper) that need to be disconnected in order to remove the old fixture. Unscrew the wire connectors and separate the fixture wiring from the ceiling wiring- lefty loosy and remove the old fixture. Now all you need to do is connect the new fixture wires. The wires coming out from the ceiling will have bare ends and the wires for the new fixture will have what looks like frayed, silver ends. Twist the frayed ends of the new black wire to the exposed end of the black wire coming down from the ceiling and twist on a wire connector- righty tighty. Rinse and repeat for the white wire. The copper (or green) wire may be a little different. Sometimes it connects to a green grounding screw and other times to a dedicated copper wire coming from the ceiling/electrical box. If there’s a copper wire pre-installed in your ceiling, connect the new wire to the existing copper wire. However, if you just have a small green screw on your mounting plate, wrap the new copper wire around that. Now secure the new fixture, restore power and test it out. If you turn the power back on and the light still doesn’t work, most likely either the white or black wires weren’t fully connected. Just pull the fixture back down and inspect the connections. Label your breaker panel. An electrician will charge you hundreds of dollars to trace and label your breaker panel. This one is a 2- man job, but one that you can handle yourself. Just call a friend and grab some self-adhesive labels. Turn each breaker on and off while your partner identifies which lights or electronics are affected. Do this for every breaker and affix the appropriate label. You will be happy you did it when it’s time to change that light fixture. Replace a window or door screen. Remove the old screen from the frame, cut the new screen to size. Make sure to cut the new screen about 2 inches wider than the frame. Pull the screen tight over the edge and push the screen into the channel using a screen roller. You can pick one up for a couple of bucks wherever you buy your screening material. Push the pline into the channel to scure the screen and trim off any excess material. This list should get you started. Look out for more tips in the future. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 07:30:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/happy-wednesdayhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/happy-wednesday Wednesday. Somehow both the valley and the peak of your week. Happy Hump day everybody. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 07:30:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/random-tuesday-memehttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/random-tuesday-meme It's only Tuesday. Enough said. Good luck this week! Tue, 21 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0700http://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/some-monday-afternoon-toilet-humorhttp://www.alerthomerepair.com/blog/post/some-monday-afternoon-toilet-humor Before you start that bathroom remodel... Toilets VS Doors Location, location, location.. And then there are these gems Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:39:00 -0700