Diamond Certified Blog

Watch this video to learn about the latest auto body repair scam targeted at women and what you can do to avoid it. Read more

One reason vinyl fences are so popular is because they’re essentially maintenance-free after they’re installed. However, there are still simple steps you can take to ensure your vinyl fence maintains its appearance and efficiency for many years:

Clean the fence regularly. Mix a bit of non-abrasive household detergent with water, gently sponge away any grime and spray the fence down with a hose. Most greasy or oily stains can be easily wiped away with mineral spirits and a soft cloth.

Check the fence’s stability. No matter how securely your vinyl fence has been installed, sometimes freeze, thaw cycles and other natural forces can loosen its posts. It’s a good idea to periodically walk the fence line and make sure everything is still firm and straight. Read more

When you hear an unusual noise coming from your car (usually a whine, creak or squeal) it’s a warning that its normal operating methods have changed—often for the worse. By paying close attention to these sounds, you can catch minor problems before they become too serious and expensive. Consider the following tips:

Squealing brakes
If you hear high-pitched squealing when you apply your brakes (especially lightly), it’s probably caused by vibration in the brake pads. Minor squealing won’t affect your braking performance and is usually nothing to worry about. If you take your car to an auto repair shop, a mechanic may be able to apply a lubricant and quiet the vibration. Read more

Picture a previously convicted unlicensed contractor who pled guilty to six felony charges, including elder abuse, grand theft and diversion of construction funds. Does this sound like someone you’d want to hire to work on your home? Of course not…but the man described above currently has an active arrest warrant for failure to appear in court, which means he’s still at large and could potentially prey on vulnerable, unsuspecting homeowners. Read more

Here’s some savvy advice from Consumer Action and AT&T.

Your mobile phone may be the first thing you reach for in an emergency. Approximately 70 percent of 911 calls are placed from a mobile phone and 74 percent of consumers have used a mobile phone in an emergency. According to one recent study, 19 percent  of consumers had used their mobile phone to get help in an emergency in the last 30 days.

Consumer Action and AT&T are working together to educate the public about new choices for using wireless technologies during an emergency. They just released a list of wireless technology tips for emergency situations that offers suggestions on how to prepare for emergencies, Read more

Many things can affect the functionality of your house’s gutters, but the most common issue is a buildup of fallen leaves. When gutters are full of debris, they can no longer effectively divert rainwater and instead start to overflow, which can cause them to corrode and bow under the weight of the water. Keeping your gutters free of debris typically involves getting on a ladder and removing leaves and twigs, either by hand-scooping them or flushing them out with a hose. You can hire a roof maintenance professional to do this for you, but there’s another option that will prevent debris buildup from happening in the first place. Read more

We hear about so many consumer product recalls on the news, it’s easy to tune them out—another car recalled, another strangulation death by a window cord, another fire caused by a defective space heater. But defective products injure and kill thousands of people every year, which is why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was created in 1972. Essentially, the CPSC’s job is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death caused by thousands of consumer products under its jurisdiction. The agency is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that can injure children or pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. It also works with manufacturers to recall defective products and redesign them to make them safer. Read more

Watch this video to learn how the National Do Not Call Registry can help you avoid disruptive telemarketing calls. Read more

If you’re lucky enough to be able to get out of town on vacation for a few weeks this summer, you should consider taking a few steps to protect your plumbing system while you’re away. Jonathan Millington, owner of Ace Plumbing and Rooter, a Diamond Certified company, has three suggestions. First, you should shut off your main water supply. If you don’t know where the valve is, this is a good time to find out. Second, check your storm drains and gutters to make sure they’re flowing well. If we have a big storm, you don’t want them to back up. Read more

Do you know what to do when you spill food or drink on your carpet? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more