Home Improvement Blog

the best way ti enjoy a summer night is on your new deck with family and friends

the grill will be going music on dancing having a great summer night 

enjoy that new deck        ( final pick Services  will custom your deck) 

Final Pick Inc: We Started a new Bathroom today in Mattapan MA for one of our customers  we remodeled his other bathroom about three months ago he must liked our work!!

because he had us back to do the next bathroom in his home it is all-ways good  to see repeat customers it shows me that they like our prices and customer services that the job starts on time and finishes on time, on budget and we keep the job site clean as well as the customers home and we work with the customer to make sure they are satisfied with the project so they will have us back again for the next one.  thanks for the work!!! 

Hello all my Home owner friends its the 5th of July summer is hear.

just wanted to say enjoy the time with family and friends pool party's cook outs

it is a great time of the year, after a tough Winter you need to go out and spend some time out doors fresh air.

I`m sure you have some projects at your home you want to take care of , it you need a estimate on the job please give Scott a call on his cell phone tell him what you want to do he will come over and talk with you and go over the project and give you a few ideas the best way off doing the job. ( no cost) we are looking forward in meeting some new people in our area.

please visit us at www.finalpickservices.com

Scott phone 617-233-6476

Yes, CorkOak, the same material used for stopping up your bottle of Dom Perignon, canalso be used for flooring.  If youare planning to replace the flooring in your home, we strongly recommendconsidering cork.  It is aneco-conscious choice for home improvement.

The deciduousCork Oak tree grows around the Mediterranean, in the countries of Spain, Italy,France, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and most of the cultivation inPortugal.  These trees grow a thickbark, which protects the tree against forest fires.  Without harming or cutting the tree down, only the bark isharvested once every decade to produce the cork material.  Much care is taken during the harvest,which is done by hand and a small axe. The bark regrows, therefore making it an excellent renewableresource.  These trees live andproduce cork up to 250 years.  Somehave lived to 500 years! 

Cork Oak barkevolved over thousands of years as a thermal insulator to resist fires and itis for this reason that the material is an excellent safety choice for use inhomes.  Your heating bills will begreatly reduced (sigh for New England residents!).  Going barefoot is great because cork is soft and warm againstyour feet.

The barkconsists of honeycomb-like bubbles that contain gas and air.  It can be compressed up to 40% andstill return to its original state without damage.  This creates an excellent cushioning effect and is much morecomfortable to walk on than ceramic tile or hardwood floors.  It will be a welcome relief if you areon your feet all day.  Corkflooring is durable and impact resistant even from heavy furniture or highheels.  Imagine how cork is used asa stopper in wine bottles.  It canbe compressed for many years, yet as soon as it’s opened the cork will go backto it original size.  However, wedo recommend putting pads underneath furniture legs, just as you would with ahardwood floor.  It is beinginstalled more frequently in places with constant foot traffic, such asoffices, public buildings, banks, libraries and kitchens.

A substanceinside the honeycomb structure of cork, called Suberin, repels moisture, pests,termites, fungus and rot.  Theseare common issues for homeowners here in Massachusetts due to the many olderhomes and humid climate during the summer months.  MA residents who suffer from allergies should think aboutmaterials like cork when home remodelling because its anti-allergenic properties.

Cork is usedin recording studios and under heavy machinery because it is a naturalacoustical insulator and reduces vibration.  Sound from footsteps or accidently dropping things will begreatly reduced. 

Cork flooringcomes in hundreds of colors and shapes, just like ceramic tiles.  Organic pigments are used forcolor.  You can decide whether youwant it varnished or the raw material for your home improvement.  Alone, it has a natural beauty and doesnot need paint or chemicals. 

As Junk Removal Specialists, here at Final Pick, we always think about recycling.  Oak Cork is easily recyclable.

Yes, Cork Oak, the same material used for stopping up your bottle of Dom Perignon, can also be used for flooring.  If you are planning to replace the flooring in your home, we strongly recommend considering cork.  It is an eco-conscious choice for home improvement.

The deciduous Cork Oak tree grows around the Mediterranean, in the countries of Spain, Italy, France, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and most of the cultivation is done in Portugal.  These trees grow a thick bark, which protects the tree against forest fires.  Without harming or cutting the tree down, only the bark is harvested once every decade to produce the cork material.  Much care is taken during the harvest, which is done by hand and a small axe.  The bark regrows, therefore making it an excellent renewable resource.  These trees live and produce cork up to 250 years.  Some have lived to 500 years! 

Cork Oak bark evolved over thousands of years as a thermal insulator to resist fires and it is for this reason that the material is an excellent safety choice for use in homes.  Your heating bills will be greatly reduced (sigh for New England residents!).  Going barefoot is great because cork is soft and warm against your feet.

The bark consists of honeycomb-like bubbles that contain gas and air.  It can be compressed up to 40% and still return to its original state without damage.  This creates an excellent cushioning effect and is much more comfortable to walk on than ceramic tile or hardwood floors.  It will be a welcome relief if you are on your feet all day.  Cork flooring is durable and impact resistant even from heavy furniture or high heels.  Imagine how cork is used as a stopper in wine bottles.  It can be compressed for many years, yet as soon as it’s opened the cork will go back to it original size.  However, we do recommend putting pads underneath furniture legs, just as you would with a hardwood floor.  It is being installed more frequently in places with constant foot traffic, such as offices, public buildings, banks, libraries and kitchens.

A substance inside the honeycomb structure of cork, called Suberin, repels moisture, pests, termites, fungus and rot.  These are common issues for homeowners here in Massachusetts due to the many older homes and humid climate during the summer months.  MA residents who suffer from allergies should think about materials like cork when home remodeling because of its anti-allergenic properties.

Cork is used in recording studios and under heavy machinery because it is a natural acoustical insulator and reduces vibration.  Sound from footsteps or accidently dropping things will be greatly reduced. 

Cork flooring comes in hundreds of colors and shapes, just like ceramic tiles.  Organic pigments are used for color.  You can decide whether you want it varnished or the raw material for your home improvement.  Alone, it has a natural beauty and does not need paint or chemicals. 

As Junk Removal Specialists, here at Final Pick, we always think about recycling.  Oak Cork is easily recyclable.

By the end of next month the weather should (hopefully!) start getting better.  If you’ve been thinking about renovating an old house, remodeling a room in your home or making general repairs, it’s time to start doing some planning.  Your going to want to take advantage of the spring months for construction.  We offer a few tips to get you started in the right direction for planning your project.

• If you are focusing on remodeling one room in your home, you should have a clear vision of what the room will be used for. This could help you save money in the long run.  To avoid extra cost, brainstorm the use of the room very well.
• Try to sketchout a diagram of your vision on paper. This will be very helpful for making sure your contractor understands your idea and stays on track.  Here is a link for a Free Download of a program which will help you design and draw out your home remodel floorplan, deck, office or even landscaping.   http://www.smartdraw.com/specials/floorplans.asp?
• Any good design has a well thought out traffic pattern.  Are the most used areas easily accessible?  In most rooms, it is more comfortable if traffic flows on side of the room rather than directly through the middle.  Bathrooms and bedrooms are more comfortable if located separately from the rest of the home for privacy.
• Does the remodel match the overall design of your home?
• If you are adding an addition to the home, do you have enough yard space so that your property doesn’t look crowded (and you don’t inflame the nice neighbours.)
• Make sure what you are adding to your home, will also add value if you plan to sell any time soon.
• Since you're spending the money anyway, you might as well “Go Green” and buy energy efficient items.  These Energy Star products often have a cheaper price tag upfront and will also save you money on heating, cooling and water utilities. There are too many eco-friendly home improvement options to mention in this blog post, but stay tuned and we’ll list many in an upcoming post.  Also, there are tax credits available for going green while doing home repair. We will discuss those as well.
• If you are adding siding or a new roof and you live in a historic neighbourhood, there might be some building codes you have to follow.  You’ll most likely need a building permit that assures your renovations meet local building codes and safety regulations.  Our contractors are able to get this paperwork done for you in eastern Massachusetts.  This link will help you lookup your local government throughout the US for permitting information.   http://www.statelocalgov.net/index.cfm
• Finally, you’ll want to make sure the contractors you hire are licensed and insured.  Our team meets these requirements in MA.  Call us if you would like a quote for the project you have in mind.  508-588-0007

Is you water bill escalating for no apparent reason?  Do you have unexplained low water pressure?  Here are a few tips to find out if you have a punctured water pipe in your home.

• Go to your water meter (in most houses they are in the basement, near the furnace or hot water heater.)  Mark where your indicator is.  Don't use any water for two hours (make sure to turn off the automatic ice maker too.)  Then check the water meter again.  If the indicator has moved, you probably have a pipe leaking somewhere.    
• Now, inspect all exposed pipes in the basement, closets, faucets, behind dishwasher, laundry machine & under sinks.
• Rubber washers & gaskets in faucets may be worn down, which is easily fixed.
  
• Look for drops of water coming from pipes, ceiling or walls.
• Look for warping, mildew or discoloration on walls & furniture, especially in the basement.
• Buckled or expanded pipes, brass/copper fittings.   
• Corrosion or rusted pipes, shut-off valves & metal fittings.  Rust will most likely start at the shut-off valves or fittings.  Corrosion could also be a sign of a problem with the water itself. 
• If two uncomplimentary metals are used together on piping, it could cause leaks.  
• Green grime on pipes, shut-off valves & brass or copper fittings.
• The precise location of a leak may not be immediately obvious.  A leak could start at one spot, then travel along the pipe for some distance before spilling down and causing visible damage. 

If you do find a leak you could give it a quick temporary fix with electrical tape, but your going to want to replace the pipe, fitting or valve as soon as possible to prevent further serious damage.  You could also stop up the leak temporarily by clamping a material like thick leather tightly to the pipe with a radiator hose clamp.

If you are not sure what you are doing, we don't recommend trying this quick fix yourself.  Instead, make sure to call a professional.  We hope this information is helpful to you.

Here at Final Pick Services, we’ve decided to start this blog in order to stay in touch with our client base in the greater Boston area, because we’ve noticed that many of you contact us with similar questions and concerns.  It really shows us that many people need further information on current home improvement trends, especially the new energy efficiency products and tax credits before converting.  We’ll be using this space as a meeting place where we can answer these frequently asked questions on home improvement, estate clean-outs, dumpster rental and we invite you to comment.  We’re still here to answer your calls, as many of our most loyal clients insist on.  So, this is not a replacement for picking up the phone and asking questions, it’s only an addition.  Look forward to video tutorials as well in this blog. 

Even if you’re not a Massachusetts client of ours and you live half way around the globe, we’re sure you will find a wealth of valuable information here.  Stop by our comment section and say hello, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you from John Marchioni, Scott Cleveland and the entire crew here at Final Pick!