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Well folks, it’s the holiday season, and you know what that means – it’s time for last minute shoppers to unite over a lifelong habit of waiting until the last minute to find that perfect gift. Whether you’re stumped looking for your significant other, neighbor, co-worker, or even your pup, Randy of course has you covered with the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide that includes something to benefit everyone on your shopping list!
Designed for the procrastinator at heart, this list includes a variety of gifts you can purchase on Amazon or pick up at your local hardware store to ensure your present makes it under the tree before the big day. You can also hear Randy and the team go down the list (checking it twice and making it nice!) in the latest episode of Under the Roof with Randy Barfield.
- TAPE! The most essential tool you can use for just about anything, Duck Tape can (at least temporarily) fix a variety of things around the home from water and air leaks, auto accidents, and more! Randy also prefers Frog Tape for painting projects that require a clean cut-in. Round out your tape gift basket with double sided tape and regular Scotch tape to ensure all your adhesive needs are adequately met, with a bonus 25-foot measuring tape for … good measure 😉
- Ranging from $10 to thousands, a toolbox is a practical gift everyone can benefit from. Toolboxes can be stationary or portable, and some even come with tools to get the new homeowner or renter started! Randy recommends taking this gift up a notch by stocking it with and assortment of screwdrivers, socket sets, wrenches, a level and hammer.
- Ask any single lady this holiday season – a good stud is hard to find! In all seriousness, a stud finder can save you tons of time and aggravation when hanging artwork around your home. Randy recommends a stud finder that also scans for electricity to keep you safe this holiday season!
- Everyone on your list could use a new pair of gloves this holiday, and we aren’t just talking fashion! Whether you choose rubber gloves, garden gloves, or nitrile gloves, this gift will literally have the recipient covered! Our resident pitmaster, Randy recommends a pair of stainless steel mesh gloves to keep your digits safe while trimming the fat from your next brisket (also a great gift!).
- Light someone’s day with an assortment of flashlights and headlamps that are both rechargeable and battery operated. This practical gift may seem frivolous but comes in handy in so many situations at home and on the go!
- Randy also recommends a battery stockpile with a battery organizer to keep all of your activities energized well into the New Year!
- Looking for something a little less practical and a little more fun!? How about a Chuck It Rugged Flyer frisbee for your best friend. Certified by Randy’s golden retrievers!
Now that your holiday shopping is all wrapped up (see what we did there?!), take one final tip from Randy and settle down for a long winter’s nap with your favorite bourbon of choice. We hope these tips hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season!
Ahhhh spring and summer: Wild flowers are in bloom, the kids are finishing up with school, homes sales are through the roof, and … storms are brewing. While warm breezes bring the temps we all love in Central Texas, they can also create the perfect environment for severe thunderstorms, including risks of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.
While we know you would rather focus on the fun in the sun topics of summer, this is important! According to ADT, thunderstorms cause an astonishing $15 billion in property damage each year, while hailstorms alone are responsible for $1 billion in damage. So take a moment to see how you can best prepare your home for severe storms this season with these tips that can offer peace of mind:
- Prepare an emergency kit. Summer storms are notorious for hitting at night, and the last thing you want to do is scramble to assemble these necessities that can make a difference in severe situations. Create a stash of easy-to-find tools and resources you can quickly access in case of an emergency. Here are our top suggestions:
- Flashlights with new batteries
- Cell phones with charged battery packs
- First aid kit
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Blankets and/or jackets
- Shoes with sturdy soles
- If you have pets, include leashes and/or harnesses so you can keep them with you as you and your family shelter for safety.
- Know where to go and have a plan. Again, preparation is everything and you don’t want to leave any doubt about where your family should go in case of a disaster. Identify the safest structure in your home (few Central Texas homes have basements, so the best bet is either a storm shelter or interior room of your home without windows).
- Remove excess limbs and branches. Trees pose a significant threat to your windows and roof in high winds, so do yourself a favor and face the problem head on. Cut down unwanted limbs and trim your trees (or hire professionals!) early in the season.
- Park your vehicles in the garage if possible and secure outdoor items that could become airborne, such as patio furniture and grills.
- Have your roof and foundation inspected routinely. Did you know cracks in the roof are the leading cause of residential flood damage? Make sure you start storm season off prepared for what’s ahead.
- Take warnings seriously. Our local meteorologists are equipped with great tools to keep us informed of weather threats. Stay tuned to the news, set weather notifications on your mobile devices, and remember the difference between a watch and warning:
- Watch: Typically issued in advance of a weather event, this indicates conditions are favorable for a storm to develop.
- Warning: A warning confirms a weather event (thunderstorm, tornado, flood, etc.) and indicates conditions that pose a threat to life and/or property.
Summertime is one of the best times to embrace the Texas outdoors and at home, but it’s best to do it safely. Follow these tips and join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook for more insight from our home inspection team. Stay safe, Central Texas!
While we love to have fun on the pod, tool safety is no laughing matter. Some recent close calls inspired us to touch base on tool safety tips for the average home owner. Join in this week as Randy shares his number one safety mantra from his construction days, learn why reading the manual is always important, and approach the question: what risks are really worth taking?
Stay safe, stay healthy, and thanks for listening!
The ebb and flow of winter has officially arrived in Central Texas! With the scars from last year’s disastrous winter storm still fresh for many Texans, what’s needed to ensure you and your home are ready in case arctic chill rears its head again? Join us as Ashley and Randy discuss measures you can take to protect your home, family, pets and plants, whether a freeze is just overnight or lasts for days.
Listen now on the website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you like to listen!
While an apple a day may keep the doctor away, what can you do to keep the cold at bay? Most of the time we are more focused on keeping the heat out in Central Texas, but a seasonable cold snap and sudden frigid temps incline us to think of ways to keep our homes and families (including furry friends!) safe and warm this winter.
As you take stock of your home, here are a few tips and tricks courtesy of the Barfield Home Inspection team:
- Check for drafts. If your exterior doors feel a little drafty at the bottom, place a rolled-up towel at the threshold for a quick fix. It may be time for new weather stripping, which you can install as a quick and easy DIY weekend project! Inspect weather stripping around all doors and windows and repair or replace if necessary. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which will help keep your home weather-tight and lower heating bills.
- Insulate exposed exterior plumbing pipes and hose bibs. A nice foam cover from the local hardware store will work well to protect your pipes from the cold.
- Drip your faucets only when temperatures are going to drop below freezing to avoid waste. Running just a trickle of water will prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Open the cabinets under your sinks so the warm air from the house can help keep the pipes warm enough to prevent freezing.
Note: If you live in an older pier and beam home, your pipes should be wrapped. If not, hire a certified contractor to insulate these pipes in the future and use the faucet dripping technique above to protect your home in the meantime.
- Reverse ceiling fans so the warm air that rises to the ceiling will be pulled back down to the living area.
- Wrap or cover your plants (or bring them inside if possible). A planket is always a nice touch!
- Inspect your fireplace before the first use each season. Use a flashlight to check the flue for any obstructions and make sure your damper is open before you start the fire. Call a certified chimney sweep contractor to clean and evaluate your fireplace if you can see excessive soot. Don’t forget to keep your fire screen or fire doors closed while using the fireplace.
As we continue to spend more time at home, it’s great to take care of the spaces we love. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @BarfieldHomeInspection for more home maintenance tips from the company that’s been telling it like it is since 2003. Stay safe, warm, and healthy!
If the mosquitoes are finally gone it must be fall, right? Randy and Ashley take on Texas temperatures, winter and holiday preparation for your home, and cats that can carry plants in the latest episode!
As a licensed home inspector in the state of Texas, Randy knows a thing or two about wood-boring insects. Understand the difference between carpenter ants and termites and learn the signs to look for an emerging colony. Remember: your primary objective is to create an environment that is inconducive to wood-boring insects so they don’t enjoy your home as a midnight buffet!
Get more home maintenance and inspection tips on Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection.
Although it may not be your favorite topic, it’s an important one for every homeowner to think about: pest control! As a licensed home inspector, Randy has a few tips and tricks to protect your home from wood-boring insects. Plus, we investigate the case of backyard rodents and discuss how Randy keeps his hair looking great!
Trees in the kitchen. Retro design. Find out what we love most about Austin and our booming real estate market in the latest installment of Under the Roof!
Join Randy, Mary, and Ashley as we discuss the latest stats about the hot market and answer the question on everyone’s mind: has the seemingly unstoppable Austin bubble finally burst? Get your monthly dose of home maintenance tips, real estate insight, and news you can use. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from Randy and the team at Barfield Home Inspection!
