Why Hire Movers?
Anyone who has ever tried to move on their own knows that movers are essential for getting the job done. Movers are experienced at loading and unloading trucks efficiently so that nothing gets damaged during transport.
Movers also know what to do when unexpected challenges arise. They are your moving champions and can take care of whatever you throw their way.
Professional packers can make a big difference in your moving process. Whether you opt for full-service packing or simply hire them to box up the contents of your home, there are some things that you can do in advance to prepare.
Start with a high-value inventory of anything you plan to move. This can be done on paper or in a computer program. Be sure to note which items are fragile or valuable, and be specific about what is in each item. This log will prove very helpful in case your shipment is damaged during transit. It will also allow you to claim any missing items quickly and easily.
If you are doing your own packing, label boxes clearly with the destination room in your new home and a number. This allows you to direct movers to which boxes should go where, preventing any confusion or frustration. You can even create a master list of all the boxes with their destination rooms that you can hand to your movers before they begin to pack.
It’s a good idea to empty out your fridge and freezer before your move date, too. The movers will not transport your frozen foods, so be sure to either donate or throw them away. Also, if you have a standalone drying rack or ironing board in your laundry room, consider wrapping them in plastic wrap to prevent any damage while moving.
You can save a lot of time and stress during your move by packing the non-essentials first, such as picture frames, items in junk drawers, off-season clothing, and holiday decorations. This will free up more space for the essentials and help you feel like you’re making progress on the packing front.
Before the movers arrive, be sure to clean your home, focusing on areas that are not often used. This will save them time and ensure your belongings are not dirty or dusty when they’re packed up. It’s also a good idea to clear walkways to avoid obstructions during the packing process, and to lay down tarps or large blankets to prevent floor scuffs during the heavy lifting phase of the move.
If you’re hiring movers to do your packing, be sure to supply them with all of the proper packing materials they’ll need. This can include boxes, bubble wrap, mattress and furniture covers, and tape. This will save you the hassle of running out to buy supplies and may even help them complete your job faster.
It’s important to keep in mind that movers get tired too, so be sure to have some water and food on hand for them when they show up on your move day. You can also offer them a tip if you’re comfortable with this, as it’s a nice gesture. It will also make the process a lot more enjoyable for everyone involved! If you are moving internationally, ask your movers what types of packing supplies they prefer. This can help you decide which boxes to purchase and how many.
Loading
A professional moving company can help you load your items into the truck or Pod you have rented, which is especially helpful if your move includes heavy furniture, appliances and other large or awkward pieces. In addition to the speed and efficiency they bring, movers have a great deal of experience in maximizing the use of space on your truck, which is important for keeping costs down and ensuring that your belongings arrive at their new home in good shape.
Loading is a complex process that involves wrapping furniture and other large items in protective padding, carefully stacking them in the truck and securing them with straps or bungee cords to prevent shifting during transit. When loading boxes, movers stack them with the heaviest ones on the bottom and lighter boxes on top to minimize risk of crushing or damaging items.
In addition to offering packing and moving services, many movers also offer cleaning, storage, vehicle transport and pet relocation services. This makes them a one-stop shop for a smooth, stress-free transition to your new home. They can also provide cleaning services for your old house and clean your new one before you move in, as well as store your possessions while the construction is underway or until you are ready to move into your new home.
The hiring process can include an interview or questionnaire to determine if you and your moving company are a good match. It is also important to consider the company’s reputation and customer satisfaction. Read online reviews of companies you are considering to gauge the quality of their service and how they treat their customers. You can also ask for references from previous clients to get a firsthand account of their experiences.
Do-it-yourself moves can save you money, but they can be dangerous if you don’t have the right tools or equipment. A professional moving company can take the worry out of your move by providing all the necessary materials and equipment to protect your belongings and make sure they are loaded properly. They can also handle the complicated task of maneuvering heavy or bulky items down a flight of stairs or through narrow doorways.
While DIY moves can appear to be the most cost-effective option, they can be expensive if you have to rent equipment or pay for parking fees. In addition, they may not be as fast or efficient as a professional moving company and could potentially damage your belongings. In addition to helping you move, professional movers can also help you unpack at your new home and set up your furniture and appliances. This can eliminate the need for you to do it yourself, which will reduce your stress levels and free up your time to focus on other tasks.
Types of Fence Repair You Can Do Yourself
Fences can sustain damage from many outside forces. Whether it’s due to weather, physical damage, or pesky wood-destroying insects, even the best fencing needs repair from time to time.
The average cost to repair a fence varies depending on the type of damage and the parts needed for the fix. Generally speaking, however, wooden fences tend to have higher repair costs than other materials. For professional help, contact Round Rock Fence Repair now!
Leaning fence posts can be caused by several factors, from a loose base to rot and insect damage. These can cause the post to shift, requiring the addition of a brace to stabilize it. If the post is rotted and not easily moved, it may need to be replaced altogether.
If you have a loose wooden post, wedging a 2 x 4 between the ground and the post can help relieve pressure and keep it upright until a more permanent repair can be made. You can also use post anchors, spikes or menders. These are metal devices that can be driven into the ground and hammered into the post to keep it from moving. They are available at home improvement centers and hardware stores.
For a wooden or rotted post that is unstable but not yet sagging, wedging a piece of lumber at a 45-degree angle between the ground and the fence can help. You can also make a quick and easy fence brace using standard steel angles (30mm wide on each side). These can be found at most DIY stores.
To fix a post that is loose and shifting, dig around the base of the post. There is likely to be a chunk of concrete there from the original fence installation. You don’t want to uproot this, but you do need to excavate to the space underneath it to remove enough dirt so that you can return the post to a vertical position. Use a level to ensure the post is vertical before you do this.
Lastly, you can use a hydraulic jack to raise the post and nail it into place. Once the post is secure, fill in the hole with quick-setting concrete to add a permanent support and prevent it from leaning again in the future.
You will need to know who owns the fence if it is between two properties. Confirm this by speaking to your neighbor, or checking property records. Sometimes this is obvious, but if it is not, you will need to check with the county recorder or assessor’s office.
Rotting Posts
The biggest threat to wooden fence posts is rot. Whether it’s caused by prolonged exposure to soil moisture or simply old age, rotting is a common problem for wood fence posts and can cause them to become weak and potentially snap in high winds or other extreme weather conditions. Fortunately, rot can be prevented with proper installation and maintenance.
One of the main causes of rot is a lack of drainage around and underneath the wood fence post. This allows for soil to remain wet, which in turn encourages the growth of fungi and organisms that can quickly damage the post and lead to rot. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action before the problem worsens.
Proper installation will help prevent rot, but so will choosing a suitable wood type for your fence posts. Cheaper lumber purchased at big box stores can deteriorate rapidly in humid conditions and may be more susceptible to rot than higher-quality, expertly-chosen lumber. If possible, consider using a natural wood like cedar or redwood for your fence posts. Otherwise, choose a pressure-treated option that’s treated with the preservative chromate copper arsenate to provide long-lasting protection against rot.
Another way to protect against rot is to coat your wooden fence posts with a stain that contains a water repellent. This can also help keep the wood dry and protect against fungi and organisms that can damage it.
Once your fence posts are in the ground, they should be buried at least as deep as their height. The hole should also be lined with gravel so that the bottom of the post stays dry. A post base, which is a metal plate designed to keep the post off the concrete, can add additional support and protection against rot.
If you suspect a post is rotting, use a screwdriver to prod the area and see how easily it penetrates. If rot is present, you’ll need to cut the lowest inch of the post off and replace it with a new section that is properly installed in concrete.
Sagging Rails
While they are not as common as leaning posts, sagging rails can cause significant damage to a fence. They usually develop because the span between a pair of posts is too great, or because the rail ends deteriorate or loosen over time due to weather and age. If the sagging is due to the span between posts, it can often be corrected by tightening the fasteners that secure the rails to their posts. In some cases, the rails may need to be replaced.
Sagging rails can also be caused by loose or rotting wood. Brush a wood preservative on the end of each rail to arrest incipient rot. If a sagging rail is a result of the span between posts, it can be repaired by adding a metal post-rail connector to tighten and strengthen the connection.
A sagging gate can be particularly dangerous, since it could prevent the latch from shutting completely and closing the gap at the bottom of the gate where it meets the ground. In most cases, a sagging gate can be saved by simply tightening the hinges and adjusting the stiles on which the gate rests.
Even with a well-built chain link fence, windstorms can wreak havoc with sections of the fabric. Affected areas of the fence can experience bent or damaged rails, broken posts or compromised wire mesh.
When a section of a chain link fence rail is affected, it is important to first assess the severity of the bend and determine if it can be straightened using your hands or a pipe wrench. If the bent rail is severe, however, you will need to use a power tool to remove the damaged section of the rail and replace it.
The easiest way to fix a bent fence rail is by placing a pipe wrench on either end of the damaged section of the rail and applying pressure in the direction you want to straighten it. Be sure to wear safety goggles and gloves to avoid getting cut when cutting the metal.
Wooden fence posts can weaken or break, whether they are installed directly in contact with soil or encased in concrete footings. Once a wooden fence post has been compromised, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the surrounding fence panels and other structural components of your home. To replace a wooden fence post, the old post must first be removed by detaching it from all of the other connected components. Once the old post is out of place, dig a hole in the ground that is slightly larger than the original hole where it was inserted and then install a new wooden fence post.
Broken Slats
Though most fence damage calls require the expertise of a professional, there are some repairs that you can do yourself to extend your fence’s lifespan. You can take care of things like sagging rails and broken slats, and even add extra support to the posts. It’s important to know what types of fence repair DIY work you can do before calling a professional, as it will save time and money.
A common problem that a wood fence experiences is broken slats. When a slat breaks, it creates a gap that can be dangerous for pets and children to run through. While the best way to fix this is to replace the entire broken slat, you can also repair a broken slat with some basic materials.
Start by sanding the area with coarse sandpaper and wiping away any dust or dirt. This will make it easier for the putty to hold onto the surface.
Next, sand the area where you’re putting the wood filler. This will give the putty a smooth surface that’s more resistant to water.
Apply the wood filler to the damaged slat with a putty knife. Once the putty is dry, sand it again. You can also paint or stain the slat to match the rest of your fence.
Another quick and easy fence repair you can do is to use a pair of binder clips to bridge the gap on a busted slat. These are a lot stronger than toothpicks and can be used to keep kids and dogs from running through the gap. You can find a variety of these at most hardware stores.
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to a broken slat, try using duct tape. This can be used on the inside of a gap, as well, and is surprisingly sturdy. The only downside is that it leaves a visible line of tape on the side of your fence, but it’s still worth it for a temporary fix.
Occasionally a post will break, and this can cause your fence to lean or sway. You can reinforce the post by adding a metal brace to it. You can purchase these at most hardware stores for $15-$20. To install a brace, simply line it up with the affected post and hammer it into the ground until it’s secure.