Category: News

For two decades, Vince Stoakley was a globetrotter, traveling the world as a member of the U.S. Army. After retiring from the Army in 2012, Stoakley needed to find a calling that was not just a job, but a career, and one that would let him expand his roots. He found that when he opened his Pillar To Post Home Inspectors franchise where he serves the Houston area with home inspection services for residential buildings of all kinds.

Vince was a Sergeant in the Army, a position he says made him well-suited to sate the entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to consider purchasing a franchise for North America’s largest home inspection company. Weighing his options, Vince, along with his wife Thaija, were most impressed by Pillar To Post’s commitment to the VetFran program, which provides military veterans with discounts on initial franchise fees. “My military experience has provided me with the integrity and multi-tasking ability that is so crucial to running a successful business,” said Stoakley. “It was important to me that any franchise I was part of respected my military background and Pillar To Post clearly did.”

Beyond the franchise’s VetFran assistance, Stoakley also pointed to Pillar To Post’s support system in place for new franchisees as being defining factors that has allowed his business to not just endure, but thrive. “The system in place for new franchisees at Pillar To Post is the perfect safety net; I never felt like I was going it alone as I grew my business. It made the transition from active military member to franchisee an easy one.”

“We try to be both a businessman and a friend to each customer,” added Stoakley. “We also love giving back to the community; so far, we’ve helped build three homes in the area as part of Habitat For Humanity. We also plan to donate one free home inspection a month to a service member. We are certain that our unique emphasis on the community will help ensure that our Pillar To Post franchise remains successful for a long time.”

Source: Houston Patch

Overhead garage doors may be the largest moving object in most homes and can weigh up to 400 pounds. For safety, homeowners should be sure that it's up to date and kept in proper working order.

Older garage doors often lack some of the safety features required in newer installations. These include spring systems designed to prevent flying metal in case of spring failure, and automatic openers that can operate in reverse if the door closes onto an obstacle. Automatic openers must also have sensors, usually a pair of electric eyes, that will stop and reverse the door if a person or pet moves across its path. It is sometimes possible to retrofit existing systems to include these sensors without replacing the entire system. Children should be taught that the garage doors are dangerous, and that toys, bikes, etc. should never be left in the way.

There is also the issue of power outages and how to get the door open. For several decades, automatic openers have featured an emergency release that will disengage the opener, allowing the door to be opened by hand. In most cases it will be a short red cord that hangs down close to the center of the door, inside the garage. Homeowners should learn in advance how to operate the release in case they need to get a car out of the garage during a power outage.

Maintaining the door is important for safety and for quiet, smooth operation. A garage door specialist can provide periodic maintenance, or homeowners can do much of this themselves including lubricating the springs and hinges. The track itself, where the wheel run, should never be lubricated for safety reasons. A professional can also check the door balance and alignment and make any needed adjustments.

When moving into a home, the new owners should change the remote control code immediately for security purposes, just as they would re-key or change the home's door locks. If the remote is not reprogrammable, chances are it's an outdated system and should be upgraded for safety reasons. A garage door and opener, with proper maintenance, will help ensure safe operation and should last for many trouble-free years.

A healthy plumbing system can help lessen the chance of leaks, ruptures, clogs and other not-so-nice events. Homeowners who take some basic precautions and implement a few simple steps can be more confident in the state of their home's plumbing, and can save on costly repairs as well.

• Know where the main water shutoff valve is. This is normally very accessible so that the water to the whole house can be turned off in an emergency.
• Check the household water pressure with an inexpensive gauge from the hardware store. Excessive water pressure can damage pipes, faucets and washing machine valves, which can lead to leaks and dramatically shortened lifespans for these items. In general, water pressure should be between 40-80 psi. A plumber can install a pressure reducing valve near the main shutoff to correct this condition.
• Protect pipes from freezing by using pipe insulation where pipes are exposed to the cold. This includes outdoor faucets, garages, crawlspaces, and unfinished/unheated basements. Frozen pipes can burst and result in serious water damage to the home and belongings.
• Avoid using chemical drain cleaners. Though often effective, they can damage cast iron drainpipes and cause bigger problems. Snaking the drain is a better solution - keep a plumbing snake on hand or have a plumber do this.
• Do not put any kind of grease or cooking oils down the drain. These will just solidify as they travel through the pipes and can cause serious clogs further down the line. Instead, pour the grease into a paper cup or other disposable container and throw it away.

When it comes to plumbing, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure!

Shower and bathtub safety is an everyday concern for people, even more so for the elderly and young children. Here are some essential shower and bathtub safety tips:

1. Never clutch or use the sliding glass shower door for stability or balance. Shower doors are not meant to support human weight.
2. Discard all unsafe shower and bathtub features. This could be tub seats or towel bars that are not strong enough to provide support.
3. Install appropriate weight-bearing grab-bars. Educate the elderly about bathroom safety.
4. Avoid accidental scalding by turning the hot water heater temperature down to 120 degrees.
5. Always check bathtub temperature. Nearly fifty percent of water burns come from parents putting children in water that is too hot. These burns can be serious and lead to permanent scarring.
6. Prevent drowning in the toilet and tub as two inches of water is enough to drown a child. Do not ever leave children unattended in the tub. A lock on the toilet seat in the closed position is an effective safety practice.
7. Prevent electrocution in the bathroom with proper ground fault-protection outlets. Always keep the floor dry to prevent slips and falls. Place non-slip mats strategically.
8. Use drain covers and waterspout guards. Children often hit their heads on the waterspout, leading to injuries. Soft covers on faucets protect children’s heads.

Read more helpful tips in our September 2016 edition of ePostNotes.