Name: First Tier Exterior
Address: US
Rating: 4.6

First Tier Exterior provides a wide range of exterior renovation services for residential and commercial clients throughout the Silicon Valley. The company is qualified to work on all the exterior shell work for a house or building, including plastering, painting, window and door installations, roof replacement and repair, and siding. It also maintains a stucco showroom in Santa Clara where customers can see texture and color options up close.Co-owner Mahoni Gokce says First Tier Exterior’s success is rooted in its responsiveness, technical expertise and ability to provide long-lasting solutions. “We focus on using the most durable materials available and we can answer any question that our clients have. Also, since we’re certified in so many aspects of exterior renovation, they don’t have to deal with multiple contractors to complete their projects, which they really appreciate.”First Tier Exterior maintains high levels of quality control by keeping all work in-house and ensuring every installation meets manufacturer standards. “We also perform a walkthrough at the end of each job to address touch-ups and confirm the work has been done correctly,” adds Mr. Gokce. “Our clients know we’re going to pay attention to details and leave their properties in the best possible shape.”

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While some aspects of home maintenance are best left to a professional, there are many you can address yourself. Photo: <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/duncan-plumbing-ent-inc/" target="_self">Duncan Plumbing Ent., Inc.</a> (2015)
Owning a home requires a fair amount of maintenance to keep things looking and functioning optimally. While some maintenance tasks are best handled by professionals, there are plenty of others you can perform yourself, even if you’ve never done them before. To highlight a few of these, we asked four Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to share their home maintenance how-tos.
<h3>How to fix a swinging door: Dennis Thompson of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/thompson-construction-inc/" target="_self">Thompson Construction, Inc.</a>&nbsp;</h3>
If a door in your home tends to swing open or closed, you might be surprised to learn that a simple adjustment can make a huge difference. First, remove a pin from one of the door’s hinges. Place it on a hard surface and hit it with a hammer to give it a slight bend in the middle. When you return the pin to its hinge, its bent angle should create enough resistance to keep the door from swinging. Be aware that you may have to repeat this step with two or even all three pins to completely resolve the problem.
<h3>How to clean a window: Eric Kennedy of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/smart-window-cleaning/" target="_self">Smart Window Cleaning</a>&nbsp;</h3>
If you want to maintain your windows in between professional cleanings, you’ll need to have the right cleaning tools and techniques at your disposal. Start with the tools: Go to your local hardware store and pick up a strip washer (sort of like a mop that’s used on windows) and a squeegee. Once you have your tools, follow this technique:
1. Use your strip washer to wet and scrub the window. If you have baked-on dirt, you can use some #4 steel wool (the finest grade available) to get more abrasive power.
2. Starting at the top of the window, use your squeegee to “fan” the window by moving briskly from one side to the other in a downward direction. This will displace moisture and allow the window to dry without leaving fibers or smudges. As an alternative to fanning, you can also do a straight pull: Starting at the top, pull your squeegee straight across the window, then down to the bottom. Use a towel to wipe the moisture off your squeegee, then repeat this across-and-down motion until you’ve covered the entire window.
3. Towel the edges of the window frame and sill. While your squeegee will catch most of the moisture, there’s likely to be some remaining in the frame’s edges and corners. You can collect this residual moisture by going along the frame and sill with a towel.
<h3>How to remove a recurrent carpet spot: Scott Sunkel of Start Fresh Restoration</h3>
If you have a carpet spot that reappears after repeated cleanings, don’t give up before attempting the following procedure. First, take a warm, wet, wrung-out towel and work from the outside of the spot toward the middle, wiping in one direction all the way around. Intermittently alternate to cleaner sections of the towel as you go—this will remove any residual dirt and grime that’s locking in the stain.
Next, neutralize any residual chemicals from prior spot cleanings. Use a mister filled with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water to spray over the surface of the spot. Use a dry towel to wipe with the same motion as before. Finally, rinse the vinegar and water out of the carpet by wiping around the spot with a new, wet, wrung-out towel. If done properly, these steps should put a stop to your reappearing spot.
<h3>How to replace a water heater anode rod: Scott Duncan of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/duncan-plumbing-ent-inc/" target="_self">Duncan Plumbing Ent., Inc.</a>&nbsp;</h3>
Comprised of either magnesium, aluminum or aluminum/zinc alloy, a water heater’s anode rod serves a single purpose: to attract and absorb corrosion so the tank doesn’t. After years of sustained subjection to corrosive activity, however, an anode rod ceases to fulfill its primary function, which is why it’s important to replace it on a regular basis (typically every four to five years).
Fortunately, this is something you can perform yourself. After shutting off the water to your water heater and disconnecting the supply line, use a pair of pliers to unscrew and remove the anode rod. Typically, the rod’s hexagonal head will be visible at the top of the water heater—if you have trouble finding it, consult your owner’s manual. Once the old rod is out, drop in the new one and tighten it in place with your pliers before reconnecting the supply line and turning the water back on.
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Be your own handyman! These easy home maintenance tips help you fix small home problems yourself to save money and live better.

Diamond Certified Experts: Home Maintenance How-Tos

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As the “smart home” movement continues to build momentum, more and more homeowners are considering the benefits of home automation. Photo: Lavish Theaters (2016)
Thirty years ago, if you conducted a survey about what technological advancements people expected to see in 2016, answers would have likely included flying cars, computer-controlled homes and colonization of other planets. Well…at least one of these futuristic forecasts has come to pass: home automation. The “smart home” is here, and it’s revolutionizing the mode of modern domestic life.
But what exactly is a smart home? According to Micah Brown, owner of Avid Home Theater, a smart home is defined by two key terms: integration (multiple systems are tied together into a single control system) and automation (the systems are programmed to function autonomously of the user). Utilizing these two principles, a smart home provides three big advantages: convenience, energy efficiency and security.
<h3>Convenience</h3>
Everyone likes being able to do things with the mere touch of a button, and the smart home expands upon this concept. Using a single device (universal remote, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.), homeowners can control everything from their TVs and stereo systems to their thermostats and light switches, from any location in the home. Furthermore, to ensure maximum ease of use, home automation systems utilize apps that allow users to control home functions by simply tapping icons on their screen devices.
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Home automation technology allows homeowners to control various systems from any room in the house. Photo: Avid Home Theater (2016)
Not only that, certain functions can be programmed to occur automatically when triggered by specific circumstances or user actions. Eliseo “Tito” Pabon, owner of High Definition Designs, offers an example: “Say you’re watching TV and the doorbell rings. A message pops up on your TV letting you know someone is at the door. When you hit ‘pause,’ the overhead lights come on in the room so you’re able to see as you exit. When you hit ‘play’ upon returning, the lights dim again.”
<h3>Energy efficiency</h3>
Having complete control of your home at your fingertips is amazing, but it’s just the beginning. An even more impressive function of home automation is its ability to function independently of user involvement. This is where the term “smart home” truly applies, as the home’s various systems interact and intuitively make adjustments in accordance with the circumstances.
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The adaptive capabilities of “smart” products like the Nest Thermostat help to minimize energy consumption. Photo: American Ratings Corporation (2016)
As Mr. Brown explains, one of the main advantages of this is improved home energy efficiency. “Most energy wastage occurs accidentally, such as forgetting to turn off a light or lower the thermostat before leaving the house,” he says. “A smart home minimizes these inadvertent wastages in a couple of ways. One is motion detection: if the home doesn’t think a particular area is occupied, it will turn off a light or adjust the thermostat accordingly. Additionally, the home adapts to your daily routine. ‘Smart’ products like the Nest thermostat store data on your usage patterns throughout the day and ‘learn’ your habits in order to minimize energy consumed in heating and cooling the home.”&nbsp;
<h3>Home Security</h3>
Convenience and energy efficiency are great advantages, but what if your smart home could prevent a break-in or even save your life? As Mr. Pabon explains, it potentially can. “Besides lighting and audio/video, home automation integrates security aspects like the smoke detector and burglar alarm,” he says. “In the event of a fire, an automated smoke detector will tell the thermostat to shut off the fan so the smoke doesn’t get circulated. The system can also be programmed to have all the lights in the home flash on and off, making it easier for firefighters to find your house. If the flames don’t get their attention, the flashing lights will.”
Another way home automation improves security is by independently monitoring your alarm system. “How many people have alarms in their home and never set them because they forget or because it’s inconvenient?” asks Mr. Brown. “With a smart home, you don’t even have to think about it because the alarm is set automatically when you leave the house for the day, which increases security.”
<h3>Dispelling concerns</h3>
The idea of having a home that thinks and functions autonomously may rub some people the wrong way, and perhaps even evoke nightmarish science fiction scenarios (think HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey”). Mr. Brown assures there’s no such cause for concern. “Don’t worry—your home isn’t going to go rogue and turn the heater up to 75 degrees,” he says. “I generally answer skeptics’ questions of reliability with a question: ‘Do you own a laptop or smartphone?’ These are computers. Your phone is a computer, your laptop is a computer—even your car is controlled and monitored by computerized systems. And yet you rely on these things every day. The fact is, technology doesn’t work right 100 percent of the time, but that’s what tech support is for. When one of our clients has a problem with their home automation system, they just call us and we fix it for them.”
Mr. Pabon points out that although a smart home is automated, it’s still manually operable if the system goes down. “If I were to lose my controller, I could simply walk up to the light switch or thermostat and turn it off,” he affirms. “So, worst case scenario, if your system was on the fritz, you’d just continue to operate things like you did before.”
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Affordable systems like Control4 are making home automation available to a wider homeowner demographic. Photo: High Definition Designs (2016)
<h3>Not just for the mega-rich</h3>
Besides the fear of a hostile technological takeover, many people assume home automation is prohibitively expensive. While this may have been the case a decade ago, Mr. Brown says the financial barrier is rapidly eroding. “What we’re able to do hasn’t changed a great deal in the last five years, but who we can do it for is changing dramatically. As the technology becomes more widespread, it’s becoming more affordable for a larger number of homeowners.” Mr. Pabon concurs, citing economical options like Control4, which enables homeowners to automate their lighting, HVAC and audio/video systems without breaking the bank.
<h3>Looking to the horizon</h3>
Considering how rapidly the home automation field has developed during the last decade, you might wonder what kind of changes we can expect in the future. Mr. Pabon forecasts that things will extend to the automotive realm. “We’re already starting to see this technology approach the automotive sector, with devices that automatically open your garage door and turn things on as you approach your home.”
Mr. Brown predicts that automated features will gradually be incorporated into building code legislation. “Ten years from now, no home will be built that isn’t completely laden with smart technology, and it may even become the law,” he says. “With California being a progressive trailblazer in regard to environmental awareness, I wouldn’t be surprised to see home automation become part of the building code. It would certainly have an impact on our energy consumption—after all, turning off an unused light in one house may not be significant, but if you apply that over 40 million people throughout the state, you’re looking at some pretty major power savings.”
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Learn how smart homes pair integration and automation for more convenience, energy efficiency and security. Find ideas for making your home a smart home.

Home, Smart Home: Integration, Automation and the Future of Domestic Living

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I’ve been busy having three bedrooms and a bathroom painted, which forced me to clean out my closets. The project was time-consuming, but I’m happy to say I didn’t spend a lot of money. It made our home more aesthetically pleasing and I’m looking forward to having houseguests again.
That got me thinking about other little things my husband and I could do to spruce things up that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. The first thing we purchased was a new corner desk so my husband could work at home more comfortably. It was deeply discounted after Christmas. Then, I had a couple of pictures reframed so they would complement the colors of our newly painted walls. I replaced the wastebasket in my home office and the beat-up dish rack in my kitchen. A friend gave me some silk-covered pillows for my old couch, which perked up our living room more than I expected. I just picked out fabric for a new bathroom curtain, and I’ve hired a neighbor’s 10-year-old daughter to do the sewing. Instead of a major bathroom remodel, I decided to have a new, more contemporary semi-frameless shower door installed.
You might already have small home improvement projects of your own in the works, but in case you don’t, here are some great suggestions from five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors:
Radu Binzari, Strong Builders Construction, Inc. If you want your ceramic or porcelain tile to look amazing, just apply a sealant to the gaps between the tiles once a year. If you have granite or marble tile, apply sealant to the entire thing (including the grout) every eight months.
Dan Pitcock, <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/roberts-electric-company-inc/" target="_self">Roberts Electric Company, Inc.</a> One way to update the lighting in your home is to add light switch dimmers, which can significantly reduce your energy usage. Additionally, if you have a room in your home where you’ve always wanted an additional light switch but don’t want to pay for the cost of wiring, wireless switching is a recent innovation that enables you to control lighting from the other side of a room with a battery-operated radio receiver.
Uri Rosenberg, <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/closet-factory/" target="_self">Closet Factory</a> If your closet is so full that you’re putting hangers on hangers, it might be time to add some accessories to improve its functionality. One popular accessory is known as a valet rod. This retractable post provides a convenient place to hang clothes when you’re in a hurry, deciding what to wear or packing for a trip. Rather than re-hanging a piece of clothing in its original spot on the closet rod (or worse, hanging it on a chair or door jamb), you can temporarily hang it on the valet rod. In addition, a valet rod provides an easy way to compare clothing items side by side or assemble your wardrobe for an upcoming trip. It’s also a great catch-all if you’re in a hurry or you’ve just brought clothes home from the dry cleaner.
John Grivas, Bay Area Deck While some contractors will agree to replace a deck regardless of whether it’s warranted, a good contractor will offer the option of refurbishing your existing deck to save you the expense of a full replacement. Getting your old deck refurbished doesn’t mean it has to look refurbished; rather, a skilled contractor can utilize numerous measures to bring your deck back to like-new condition. For example, simple steps like refinishing and resealing can instill new life into old deck boards. Another economic alternative is to replace only the most dilapidated boards and leave those that are still in good condition. Also, a contractor can give your existing deck a new look by adding a modern style of railing.
Jeremy Carlock, <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/got-watts-electric-solar-hvac/" target="_self">Got Watts Electric, Solar &amp; HVAC</a> During the summer, it’s common for people to run their air conditioners until late at night, not realizing that it’s actually cooler outside their homes than it is inside. A whole house fan is designed to bring in this cool outdoor air while simultaneously cycling out the warm indoor air. This cools and refreshes the home naturally, rather than artificially as an air conditioning system does. Additionally, a whole house fan is a far more energy-efficient option: on average, it consumes 65 watts on the low setting and 250 watts on the high setting, which is considerably less than a 10,000-watt air conditioning system. By installing a whole house fan, you’ll breathe easier in more ways than one: not only will your air be fresher, but you’ll also decrease your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.
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Refresh your home and get a new look without a major remodel. These tips give you a new look on a budget.

The Art of the Tweak: Small Change but Big Home Improvement

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When things stop working in your home, a little troubleshooting may help you avoid an expensive service call. Photo: Burkell Plumbing, Inc. ©2020
When your furnace, dryer or garbage disposal stops working, your first instinct may be to call a professional. In some cases, however, all it takes is a little troubleshooting to avoid an expensive service call. We asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to share their home troubleshooting tips.
<h2>Troubleshooting a Thermostat</h2>
If your furnace thermostat isn’t working, there are a couple of things you can check before calling an HVAC company. Jake Newman Jr. of Burkell Plumbing, Inc. suggests starting with the simplest possible cause: missing or dead batteries. “Locate the battery compartment either by taking the thermostat off the wall or removing its face or cover,” he instructs. “While you’re checking for batteries, also check to see if there’s any corrosion on the battery contacts. If there is, clean it off using a cotton swab and white vinegar.”
If the batteries are in place, you’ll need to take another step to diagnose the problem. After removing the thermostat from the wall, take a gator clip or piece of insulated wire and insert the ends into the R and W terminals on the wall-mounted wiring panel. This technique is used by HVAC technicians to “jumpstart” a furnace when its thermostat malfunctions. “If you’re able to turn on the heat, you know your problem is either a malfunctioning thermostat or just dead batteries,” explains Mr. Newman. “If you don’t get a response, the problem may be internal, in which case you’ll need to call a professional.”
For a more detailed demonstration, watch Mr. Newman’s video below.
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<h2>Troubleshooting an Air Conditioner</h2>
If your air conditioner isn’t operating at full strength, you might assume it’s malfunctioning, but Michael Zieglar of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/valley-heating-cooling-electrical-and-solar/" target="_self">Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar</a> says there may be other causal factors in play. “One possibility is that you simply forgot to set the thermostat to the ‘cool’ setting or at a low enough temperature. Another factor that can affect an air conditioner’s performance is dirty or clogged components such as the filter or evaporator coil. Before calling a professional, clean these components and see if it makes a noticeable improvement.”
If your air conditioner isn’t working at all, Mr. Zieglar gives some additional troubleshooting tips. “First, make sure the unit is connected to power. Next, check your electrical circuit or fuse box to make sure the problem isn’t being caused by a tripped breaker or blown fuse. If there aren’t any power issues, it may be something more serious like a blown motor or compressor, in which case you’ll need professional assistance.”
<h2>Troubleshooting Dryer Vent Issues</h2>
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A crimped or crushed exhaust line can inhibit dyer performance. Photo: Best Chimney Sweep ©2020
Have you noticed your dryer isn’t performing like it used to? It’s very likely that this dip in performance is linked to a venting issue. Andy Gatley of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/best-chimney-sweep/" target="_self">Best Chimney Sweep</a> says there could be a couple of causes and solutions. One is when the line from the dryer to the exterior vent becomes constricted. “If your dryer gets pushed back against the wall, it can cause the line to become crimped and/or crushed. This will restrict air flow and cause the unit to overheat and underperform, particularly if the line is made of pliable material like Mylar or plastic. Check behind the unit to make sure the line isn’t constricted. If visibility is an issue, use a long-handled mirror to get a better view.”
Another possible cause is that the dryer vent is being obstructed from the outside. “Whether vegetation growth, an animal or insect nest, or a child’s toy, it’s easy for something to get into the dryer vent and block air flow,” continues Mr. Gatley. “For birds, a dryer vent is like a rent-free condo with central heating, which makes for a great winter home. As cute as this may sound, the air flow obstruction can reduce your dryer’s efficiency and even pose a potential fire hazard, so be sure to regularly check this area and remove any foreign objects.”
<h2>Troubleshooting a Garbage Disposal</h2>
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Garbage disposals are known for frequently malfunctioning, but on the plus side, the solutions are often simple. Lamine Elabed of <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/report/lw-construction-handyman-services/" target="_self">LW Construction &amp; Handyman Services</a> offers some troubleshooting steps, starting with a simple reset. “On the bottom of the unit, there should be an ON/OFF power switch and a red reset button,” he explains. “Set the disposal’s power switch to OFF and press the reset button. Set the power switch back to ON and see if the unit will work.”
If this doesn’t solve the problem, Mr. Elabed suggests trying to unjam the disposal manually. “Your garbage disposal should come with a mechanical hex key specifically for this purpose,” he says. “If you don’t have this key, a 1/4-inch Allen wrench will work. After turning the unit’s power switch to OFF, insert the tool into the slot on its underside. Crank it left and right a few times—this will rotate the disposal’s metal teeth to manually clear the blockage. Turn the unit back on and see if works; if not, you may need to call a plumber.”
<h2>Troubleshooting a Power Outage</h2>
If you’ve <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/power-blackouts-scheduled-for-the-bay-area/" target="_self">lost electrical power</a> in your home, don’t panic—assuming it’s not a blackout or a scheduled Public Safety Power Shutoff, the problem may have a simple solution. Chris Bennett of Bennett Electric, Inc. says one such situation is if one of your home’s ground fault interrupters (GFIs) has tripped. “GFIs are typically found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages. To tell if a GFI has been tripped, simply look to see if the green indicator light is on. If not, press the RESET button. When the indicator light comes back on, the power should be restored. You can also test your GFI by pressing the TEST button, which will turn off the power, and then pressing RESET to restore it.”
Another instance where Mr. Bennett says you can easily restore power is a tripped circuit breaker. “You can tell a tripped breaker by its position. Like a light switch, a breaker that’s on will point up, while a tripped one will point down. To restore power, simply flip the tripped breaker to the ON position. Sometimes a breaker will appear to be in the ON position, yet the power will still be out. In this case, reset it by forcefully pushing it down and flipping it back up. This may take a couple of repetitions, but it should restore power.”
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Don’t call a repair service when you can fix it yourself. Get tips for troubleshooting thermostats, air conditioners, dryer vents, garbage disposals and more.

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