The Trusty Monmouth County Handyman

Thinking about adding a deck to your home? One of the first decisions you'll face is: composite or wood ? Both have real advantages. This guide breaks down the cost, maintenance, and lifespan of each so you can pick the right one for your home and budget. What Is the Difference Between Composite and Wood Decking? Wood decking is exactly what it sounds like natural lumber, usually pressure-treated pine, cedar, or redwood. It has been the traditional choice for decades. Composite decking is made from a mix of wood fibers and recycled plastic. It looks like wood but behaves very differently over time. Cost Comparison Upfront Cost Wood decking is cheaper to install upfront. A pressure-treated wood deck typically costs $15 to $25 per square foot installed. Composite decking runs $25 to $45 per square foot installed, depending on the brand and style. For a 400-square-foot deck: Wood : $6,000 to $10,000 Composite : $10,000 to $18,000 Long-Term Cost Here is where composite...

Summer is the best time of year to work on the outside of your home. The weather is dry, the days are long, and most exterior repairs go much faster without rain or cold getting in the way. If you've been putting off outdoor projects, summer 2026 is the time to get them done. But which exterior upgrades actually matter? Here are the ones that protect your home, improve curb appeal, and give you real value for the money. Inspect and Repair Your Roof and Gutters After a long New Jersey winter and spring rain season , your roof and gutters take a beating. Before anything else, check for missing shingles, damaged flashing, and clogged gutters. Gutters full of leaves and debris can cause water to back up against your roof and walls, leading to rot and leaks inside the home. Cleaning gutters and fixing small roof issues in summer is much easier and cheaper than dealing with water damage in fall. Even if you're not replacing the full roof, patching problem spots now can add years...

Your energy bill just jumped higher again, and you're scratching your head wondering why. Sure, it's summer or winter, but something feels off. The truth? Hidden home damage is silently draining your wallet. What's Causing Your Energy Bills to Spike? When your home has damage you can't see like poor insulation, air leaks around windows, or damaged weatherstripping, your heating and cooling system has to work much harder. That furnace or AC unit running overtime? That's money flying out your windows, literally. Damaged roof shingles, cracks in your foundation, or gaps around door frames create pathways for conditioned air to escape. Your HVAC system kicks into overdrive trying to maintain the temperature you set, but it's fighting a losing battle. Meanwhile, your utility company is cashing those bigger checks. The Hidden Culprits Poor attic insulation – Heat escapes through your roof in winter; cool air leaks out in summer Window and door seals failing ...

Electrical problems are more common in homes than most people realize. Some are minor annoyances like a flickering light. Others are serious safety risks. Either way, understanding what causes them helps you know when to act fast and when to call for help. Flickering or Dimming Lights If your lights flicker when you turn on an appliance, the most common reason is that your circuit is overloaded. High-power devices like washing machines, HVAC units, or refrigerators pull a lot of electricity when they start up. If they share a circuit with your lights, the lights will dim for a moment. This is usually not dangerous, but it is a sign your electrical system is working harder than it should. Over time, this kind of stress shortens the life of your appliances and wiring. Dead Outlets An outlet that stops working is almost always caused by one of three things: a tripped GFCI outlet, a tripped breaker, or loose wiring. GFCI outlets — the ones with the reset button, found in bathrooms and kitc...

If you've noticed a crack in your wall, a hole from a doorknob, or some bubbling from water damage, you're probably wondering the same thing most homeowners wonder: how much is this going to cost me? The good news is that drywall repair in Monmouth County, NJ is one of the more affordable home fixes you can make and the sooner you get it done, the less it costs in the long run. In this article, we'll break down what affects drywall repair pricing, what you can expect to pay for different types of damage, and why hiring a trusted local handyman in Monmouth County is the smartest move you can make. What Affects the Cost of Drywall Repair? Not all drywall damage is the same, and the cost of repair depends on several factors. Understanding these will help you get a better sense of what your specific repair might run. Size of the Damage This is the biggest factor. A small nail hole is a quick, inexpensive fix. A large section of damaged drywall — say, from a burst pipe, a...

Water pipe problems can cause serious damage to your home if you don't catch them early. Knowing the warning signs helps you call a plumber before a small issue becomes a big, expensive mess. Here are the key signs to watch for. Strange Sounds in Your Pipes Hear banging, gurgling, or whistling when you turn on the water? These noises aren't normal. Banging pipes might mean loose fittings or high water pressure. Gurgling sounds could point to a blockage somewhere in your system. Don't ignore these sounds - they're your pipes asking for help! Water Pressure Keeps Dropping If your shower suddenly feels weak or the sink takes forever to fill, you might have a pipe problem. Low water pressure can mean a leak somewhere in your system, buildup inside your pipes, or a hidden blockage. A professional can find the real cause and fix it. Wet Spots and Water Stains See wet spots on your walls, ceiling, or floor? Notice brown or yellow stains appearing? These are big red fla...