Category: News & Updates

These are the most recent posts with helpful information about the last concerns and safety changes. You can find everything here to be updated.

Dryer vents: Problems with vent covers

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Save money and possibly your home with this quick fix.  Dryer vents are a fire hazard, and can be a real maintenance issue and if you’ve read our previous article you should have a good understanding on the importance of regularly scheduled dryer vent cleaning. If one of your buildings is having an ongoing issue, we have a suggestion that might help solve the problem. Change the exterior vent cover. Often builders place orders for vents without acknowledging these vents perform a different function and therefore require a different vent cover. Perhaps they get cost savings by buying the same style in bulk. Whatever the case, there are numerous ways to cut corners on a job for which the repercussions aren’t immediately felt. What should you look for? Perform an inspection of the vent covers on the outside of the building. If the wrong type of cover is used it can actually prevent the hot air and lint from escaping the building. Dryer vents are different from any other vent in that more than just air is meant to escape.  The best vent is a cover with a simple flap with no mesh grille, it opens when air forces it, and closes when the dryer is off. The problems occur when the openings are too small or there is mesh installed over the vent as they clog very easily. In addition, these small openings do not allow the use of professional dryer vent cleaning tools. Good air flow is critical for proper venting. Anything that prohibits lint from leaving the system is a bad idea.

Why clean windows in the winter?

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Its winter you don’t need to clean your windows, right? Incase you haven’t noticed, life in the Vancouver area is a little different than the rest of Canada. -30 degree temperatures – NOPE. Two feet of snow – NOPE. Plugging your car in – WHAT? You still wash your car at this time of year, so what holds most people back from window cleaning in Vancouver? MYTH – It rains too much so there’s no point, they’ll just get dirty again. FACT – Its true, we do get our fair share of rain in the winter, however we suggest the solution to this is a re-think on window cleaning. Rainwater is absolutely clean with no chemicals and generally few minerals. If windows are clean, when rain water comes in contact with them they will dry with no spots. Its the reaction with surface dust that causes the spots. So its dirty windows, that cause spots! Additionally, like your car or your clothes, its not a one-and-done scenario. They require constant cleaning so you can enjoy the longest and best possible life out of them, windows are no different. Perhaps you might have noticed a hazing effect on your windows, which is generally found on the lower portion of windows. This is caused by rain water splashing on the metal window sill which picks up minute mineral particles from the sill and deposits them on the glass known as mineral staining. A regular cleaning schedule can prevent this from becoming unsightly and a costly repair. Then of course there’s the great feeling that comes from looking out clean windows! Call us today to book your appointment.

Window cleaning tip of the month

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In between window cleaning appointments or on a budget? This DIY tip is for you. If you’ve spent more than one minute cleaning a window, you’ve spent too long. The traditional combination of a proprietary spray and paper towel often results in frustration as streaks invariably develop. This is due in part to the fact that paper towels are designed to break down in water, as you wipe across the window, the paper towel begins to disintegrate leaving behind a trail. Try replacing your paper towel with a paper coffee filter. They are designed to withstand water and are much more hardy. Dry, clean micro-fibre cloths work too, but once they start to get too wet they become ineffective and you’ll need more. For small smudges and fingerprints, use a dry, clean piece of steel wool to avoid re-cleaning a window. Do you have a great window cleaning tip? Share it with us.

JEDI WINDOW CLEANING

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May the Force be with you. This might be the first ever comparison between a lightsaber and a squeegee. But to achieve the all-desired perfect, streak free window, Imagine’s staff perfect their squeegee skills through long hours of training not unlike a Jedi Master. A window cleaners lightsaber… Clearly, the best way to clean windows is with a squeegee. Invented in 1936 by Ettore Steccone, the design has remained basically unchanged and is a staple in any window cleaners kit. But don’t let the simplicity of this tool fool you. As anyone who has used a squeegee at the local gas station can attest, the squeegee takes more than a little time to master. The path to the Dark Side You wouldn’t wash your car by spraying it with a bottle and wiping with a rag. Likewise, your windows require the same care and consideration to get that all-desired, streak-free finish. So put away that paper towel and back away from the spray bottle, this is a job for a Jedi. Save your weekend. Weekends are a hot commodity in the summer, so why use one up cleaning your windows? Our rates are affordable, and our service is top-notch. We’re Insured, backed by WCB, and have an A+ standing with the BBB. Check out our testimonials section to hear what our customers have to say about us.

ENTER THE FOAM

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Imagine’s new service: Foam cleaning is the safe way to clean your home’s exterior. With over 160 days of rain in the Lower Mainland its easy to see how this wet and cloudy weather is the perfect environment for moss and algae to build up on your home’s exterior. Dirt and other airborne pollutants combine to dull the appearance of your home. Imagine has the solution to safely and professionally restore the appearance of your home. We never use direct pressure. Direct, high-pressure washing brings many inherent risks to the home owner. Using the wrong tips, or setting the machine at too high a pressure for the surface to be cleaned can easily and irreversibly damage building materials. When adjusting the pressure, there is no gauge on the equipment so it is left up to “the feel” of the cleaner to determine if they are using the correct pressure for the surface. With a slip of the wrist, pressure wands can embed a pattern into materials or embed water into delicate wood finishes. Additionally, there is the risk of high-pressure water getting underneath siding panels or soffit, thus penetrating the moisture/vapour barrier of your home. Moisture trapped beneath vinyl will accelerate rot, promote mold and mildew, and invite insect infestations in leftover wood siding and framing. Even in new homes, vinyl siding can act as a moisture trap. Our Solution. We are proud to announce our newest service; Foam Cleaning! Specially designed air-aspirating foam nozzles connected to our pressure washers turn our own custom formulated solution into a cleaning foam that safely blankets your home. The foam nozzles act as a regulator, reducing the pressure to the point that you can safely and comfortably hold your hand in front of the spray, basically no stronger than a shower head. We then use soft bristle brushes to gently remove the buildup and rinse away the soap with a hose leaving your home looking good as new. Our custom formulated cleaning solution is mixed specifically for your project and is not commercially available. It is safe on plants and landscaping and we always give sensitive areas a thorough pre-soak and post rinse-down. Foam cleaning is ideal for: Mossy roofs Dirty siding, wood, stone, brick Algae-stained fences, patios and more… Do your homework. Cleaners sell their experience, expertise and time. When soliciting quotes, investigate to determine the cleaning methods that will be used, ask to see copies of their insurance & wcb information. And a few references of past work won’t hurt either. Direct pressure washing takes less time than softer, less intrusive techniques, and along with it may result in a lower price.

CURB APPEAL: Algae Attacks!

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DIY or hire-a-guy, don’t overlook this effective step to refresh your home’s exterior. Removing algae from your home is like fighting off a zombie horde, it just keeps coming back. In the Vancouver area we see over 161 rainy days per year. This wet environment, combined with cloud cover provides the perfect environment for zombie/algae growth on your home. How to defeat this relentless foe? Algae are simple organisms that rapidly grow in moist environments and produce their own food. They are extremely beneficial in many ecosystems and help to support life on Earth but are less than ideal on the walls of your home. Luckily, algae in of itself is fairly simple to remove, however you may find the purchase cost of equipment or working from ladders to access all the exterior surfacing on your home reason enough to call in a pro. For those DIY’ers up to the task, prepare to get dirty. Make your plan Before you start killing zombies cleaning, there are a few things you need to do to prepare first. • Cover sources of electricity. Either shut off power to exterior lights at the breaker, or cover fixtures with plastic sheets and duct tape. Also make sure all windows are shut tight. • Prepare the workspace. Ensure all lawn furniture, kids toys are moved out of the way. If plants can’t be moved, cover them with plastic • Stock up Like any good zombie attack you’ll need to stock up on supplies. • Weapons Solution: 1 cup tsp, 4 litres of bleach, 20 litre’s of water. You can strengthen the solution if needed, but this is a good place to start. • Gear Put on some grubby clothes you don’t mind getting ruined, eye protection and gloves are a must too. • Tools Ladder, long extending pole with a brush (possibly a pressure washer, more on that later) Start your attack With your solution mixed and your goggles on, start by scrubbing at the bottom and working your way up. Rinse as you go. This is very important as you don’t want the solution to dry as it can leave the siding spotty looking. When rinsing, be thorough and rinse all the way to the ground, each time until you’re done. For an extra bonus, scrub the exteriors of your gutters and downspouts. You might find this tedious and slow and think using a pressure washer is a great idea, but its use comes with a word of warning. Your siding is designed to shed water down your house, standing from an low vantage point and spraying up with a pressure washer can easily force water behind your shingles, rot the underlay and encourage mold growth. Aside from that, its very easy to be inconsistent with the spray pattern, come too close and chip or crack the siding. If feel its worth the risk to pressure wash, here are a few tips. • Use very low pressure, the lowest amount that does the job. • Never spray at an upward angle. Ladders will be required, use a short pressure wand and maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder • Start from the top, and work in sections equal to your reach • Spray away from doors and windows Congratulations! You have successfully beaten off the algae attack. Saved the day, won the girl (or guy) and did your part to make your neighbourhood a nicer place. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/algaeattacks#sthash.bxNbwwNk.dpuf

How to improve curb appeal

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Tips for sprucing up your home. Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home’s exterior when viewed from the street, and is so important because it sets the tone for your entire home. Whether you are listing your home for sale, or keeping up the maintenance as pride of ownership, an inviting exterior creates a welcoming and cared for attitude to buyers or guests. Assessing This is a challenging exercise for most everyone, to see their home with the fresh eyes of a buyer. We tend to become accustomed to what we see everyday, including faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of your property as a home, its a house – a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible. Walk across the street from your home or far enough to get a good view. 1. What is your first impression of the house and yard 2. What are the best features? How can you enhance them? 3. What are the worst features? How can you minimize them? 4. What can you do yourself? What do you need professional help with? Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? Make a list of the problem areas you discover. Tackle clean up and basic repair chores first. Enhancing – Kill moss and algae on the house, sidewalks, roof, fence patio, and driveway. – Clean windows and gutters. – Mow the lawn, get rid of weeds, edge sidewalks. – Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof – Polish any hardware – Touch up cracked paint – Purchasing a new house address – Add colourful plants to existing flower beds – Installing lighting along driveway or sidewalk. The Front Door This is the part of your house that says “Welcome.” Highlight this area with decorative touches such as adding a small grouping of potted plants. Paint or replace your front door and put out a new welcome mat. If your home is inviting from the street, people will imagine its attractive inside too. Stay tuned for more in-depth articles and DIY tips for curb appeal. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/how-to-improve-curb-appeal#sthash.Hv5tXqBl.dpuf

Photo Contest and prize information

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FUNNIEST BABY PHOTO CONTEST RULES  Please visit our facebook page to participate in our current contest running from March 1 2013 to March 31 2013. The winner will be announced on or around 04/01/2013. DESCRIPTION OF PRIZE Comprehensive curb appeal package for a detached single family residential home consisting of, but not limited to: exterior window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and algae removal from siding, driveway & patio. Valued at $1500.00 ENTRY PROCEDURE To enter this Imagine Maintenance Ltd. photo contest, you must submit your photos to the facebook page, under the “Funniest Baby Photo Contest” category. To be valid, all entries must include a description, your first name, last name, email, City, and Province. Photos can only be submitted online. VOTING – 1 vote per day per contestant. – 3 bonus points awarded for referring friends who submit an entry. Winner will be selected by the highest total points at the end of the contest period. The contest is governed by the rules set out below. By entering the contest, you agree to abide by those rules and the decisions of Imagine Maintenance Ltd. You also agree to comply with all applicable laws. Imagine is entitled in its sole discretion, to interpret these contest rules as needed, and its interpretations and decisions are final. No purchase required. A purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning. ELIGIBILITY This contest is open residents of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia over the age of 18. Employees of the Imagine Maintenance Ltd. and their immediate family or persons living under the same roof are not eligible to enter this contest. By submitting your photos, you agree to grant to the Imagine Maintenance Ltd. , free of charge, nonexclusive permission to use your photo in connection with Imagine Maintenance Ltd. Copyright in your photo will remain with you. You can continue to use the photo in any way you want. In order that Imagine Maintenance Ltd. can use your photo, you confirm that (a) your photo is your own original work; (b) you own all the rights in the photo, including copyright; (c) you have the right to give Imagine Maintenance Ltd. permission to use your photo for the purposes specified in these rules; (d) the photo is not defamatory and does not infringe any Canadian laws or violate the rights of any third party; (e) you have the consent of anyone who is identifiable in your photo or the consent of their parent / guardian if they are minors; (f) you waive any moral rights that you may have in the photo; (g) you indemnify Imagine Maintenance Ltd. against any claim, demand, action, suit, or other proceedings against Imagine Maintenance Ltd. arising out of the use of the photo or any false or inaccurate statements. If you do not want to grant Imagine Maintenance Ltd. the permission set out in these rules, please do not submit your photo. PROCEDURE FOR AWARDING PRIZES Voting ends on March 31, 2013. On or around April 1, 2013 Imagine will announce the winner by the total number of points earned over the voting period. The selected winner will be contacted by telephone or email during the week following the vote and should acknowledge his/her prize as instructed by Imagine Maintenance Ltd. by no later than three (3) days following imagine’s attempt at contacting the selected winner. If the prize is not claimed within this period, a new winner will be selected. Once a winner is finally selected and confirmed, it will be announced on facebook. Imagine will email the prize voucher to the winner’s address. The prize shall be accepted as is and may not be exchanged for an amount of money, nor sold nor transferred. No substitutions will be allowed. If the prize cannot be awarded as described, Imagine Maintenance Ltd. reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable value. Refusal to accept the prize releases the Imagine Maintenance, as well as their respective directors, officers and employees, of all obligations. GENERAL RULES If you are selected as a winner, you shall first correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question before being declared a winner. If you are selected as a winner, you, or your parents or guardians if you are a minor, agree to have your name and/or picture, including your photograph, and/or voice used for advertising purposes related to this contest, free of charge. If you are selected as a winner, you, or your parents or guardians if you are a minor, agree that upon accepting the prize you confirm your eligibility of these rules and release Imagine Maintenance Ltd. and its affiliates, as well as their respective directors, officers and employees, from all liability for any damage or loss arising from participation in this contest or from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize. Should you make any false statement, you shall be automatically disqualified from the contest. Imagine Maintenance Ltd. and its affiliates, as well as their respective directors, officers and employees, shall assume no liability resulting from losses, delays, mistaken addresses on mail or e-mail received, typographical errors, technical, computer or telephone malfunctions, loss or theft of computer or telephone data, damage to software or computer equipment, fraudulent calls or any other mistake. Imagine Maintenance Ltd. and its affiliates, as well as their respective directors, officers and employees, shall assume no liability of any kind, whatsoever, in any cases in which their inability to act results from an event or situation beyond their control, including more particularly a strike, lockout or any other labour dispute in their place of business or the places of business of the organizations or businesses whose services are used to hold this contest. All personal information, such as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and age is collected for the purposes of administering this contest and shall not be sold or given to any third party. By providing this information, you consent

Why gutter vacuuming?

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAND-CLEANING AND VACUUMING As a preface to this article, a more detailed description of why gutter cleaning is important can be found here. When selecting cleaning contractors and reviewing quotes its important to know upfront how they plan to access your gutters and perform the work. There are a variety of methods contractors may use, this article will help to inform you how to make the best decision for your home. The most common method of gutter cleaning is by hand. The worker sets up a ladder against your home, ascends with bucket in hand and proceeds to scoop up the contents with a gutter spoon. Sounds simple right? This seemingly simple method is time consuming, dangerous and difficult to perform. Other methods such as pressure washers forcefully clear debris while the fallout collects on your siding, patio furniture or neighbours home. Ladders are an inefficient tool. With an effective cleaning span of the workers arm reach they must be constantly repositioned creating more slip hazard opportunities while navigating the ladder through the yard, ascents & descents on muddy or wet rungs. According to a 2003 report from Statistics Canada, hundreds of ladder injuries occur at work each year attributing to 1500 deaths by falls and are the number one cause of injury in the  home. For more information on the safe use of ladders click here. Our climate brings up to 2500mm of rain annually. This combines with the natural material found in gutters and eroded granules from roofing shingles to create a muddy or soupy mixture in gutters. Hand cleaning is effective so far as what can be picked up with the spoon, the remaining particles are then flushed down the downspout, taking the blockage from one area and moving it to another. Gutter vacuums in most cases are operated from the ground with up to 30′ of extension tubing eliminating the need for ladders in many cases. They are also particularly useful in the case of a tiered roof that is set back from the main roofline, a solution that hand cleaning could not provide without an elaborate rope safety system. With its powerful suction, vacuums remove all debris from gutters including eroded shingle granules ensuring full and complete drainage. At Imagine, our primary concern is safety and doing the job right while providing the best price possible. The majority of our gutter service is performed via vacuum as we feel not only does it give you the best result but also creates the best work environment for our employees. As conditions dictate we do implement the  use of ladders for which all our staff is thoroughly trained on safe ladder use procedures. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/why-gutter-vacuuming-2#sthash.Vbnvug5g.dpuf

How to use a ladder safely

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Ladders are portable hazards and knowing how to use them safely will give you the confidence to carry out many tasks around your home. Consider that falls from ladders are among the most common injury in any industry attributing to 1500 deaths annually, with over 100,000 people hurt enough to seek medical treatment. According to OSHA, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, 66% of ladder injuries result from a lack of safety training. The first step in ladder safety is recognizing your comfort zone with working at heights and staying within those boundaries. Being more focused on how high you are from the ground than the task at hand is a sign to call someone more experienced. The right ladder for the right job Ladders come in a variety of types and sizes. Match the job you need to perform with the right ladder. Wood, aluminum, and fibreglass are the most common but opt for fibreglass if there is any chance you’ll be working near power lines. Never use a wooden ladder that has been painted as the paint can conceal flaws. Stay off the top two rungs of a stepladder or the top three of an extension ladder. Extension ladders should extend 3 rungs past the point of contact if stepping off the ladder. Setting up Check for hazards and make your work site safe. Stay clear of power lines, be aware of outward swinging doors, pedestrian or motor traffic. Level uneven or soft terrain by removing excess dirt. Adjustable leg levelling extensions are great for uneven terrain and allow a ladder to be set up safely on stairs. The ladder should have 4 points of contact; the two base beams and the two tip beams should be firmly in contact with the ground and the wall. Set the right angle. Consider the physics of weight distribution, too close to the building and you could tip over, too far and the bottom could come out from under you. Follow the 4:1 ratio, for every 4 feet of height the base of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall. For an extension ladder, ensure that all locks are secure and tie up the loose halyard to prevent a tripping hazard. On step ladders both beam spreaders should be fully extended. Consider tying off the top of the ladder to the structure or securing the base either by building an anchor or having a helper secure the ladder, especially in wet conditions. Wrapping the tip or contact point with cloth or foam will avoid scratching  the contact surface. Time to work Always maintain 3 points of contact when climbing or working from a ladder. When ascending or descending with tools, keep your free hand in constant contact with the beam of the ladder. In other words, when climbing with tools never let go of the ladder. If something is too heavy or awkward to carry, use a rope to haul up your equipment. Be aware that mud on your boots will create a slip hazard on the rungs, step slow and squarely on each rung. Be aware of the last rung, don’t misjudge and step off too soon, Over reaching is the fast track to a fall, it really doesn’t take much time to climb down and reposition your ladder. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with basic ladder safety will help to ensure you work safe and avoid injury. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/laddersafety#sthash.KP9tzaKa.dpuf