The WHAM Home Repair Clinic September 2026 Newsletter

How did summer go by so fast and we're into September already. Let's hope we still get some warm - dry - days! Kids will be back to school. Teachers, too! Just remember school buses will be back. Pay attention to their lights if they stop - you must stop no matter how many lanes across you are. Keep your eye out for kids running out without looking.

With summer winding down, the thought goes to projects that didn't get done but now they need to be. We have a lot of great, locally owned companies for you to hire.

It's important to choose carefully and get multiple estimates, the cheapest price doesn't mean it's the best. Estimates are generally free from any contractor. When you do decide it's extremely important to have a detailed contract with a start and completion date. Yes, things happen but if so, an addendum should be written with any changes. Protect yourself. Be careful, too, about deposits, some companies don't require them but most do. Just don't fall for the contractor needing more money along the way, a little here and there to be able to continue the job. That screams poor management and unfortunately, problems.

Now is a good time to have Western New York Exterior Cleaning come out. They do power washing of your deck, patio, the exterior of your house to get rid of all the grim that's accumulated over the spring & summer. They clean your windows inside and outside! Wow, wouldn't that be nice! They even have interior cleaning, great to have things cleaned up before you get into all the holiday busy time. You know you just don't have time to do it all, and you don't have to! A call to Western New York Exterior Cleaning can get it all done for you! Maybe you can even schedule them to come back a few more times for touch ups and more jobs. Mark it off your to-do list! They also do commercial properties, perfect for landlords to keep their investments looking great!

Besides saving you time, they save you money by not having to purchase all the equipment you would need to do your exterior cleaning! 585-775-8900

A locally owned company right here in Webster, with local employees!

We, at Jim Salmon Home Inspections get calls for inspections after people have closed on their new-to-them house. They were pressured to sign off beforehand. Big mistake for you, the buyer. So, now, during the home inspection a lot of issues are discovered. costly ones. You, the buyer, has extended your credit, paid too much for the house, used up all your savings to get this house and now you're finding out there are repairs that NEED to be done. If you had known about these issues before closing you could have negotiated, planned or walked away. Somethings are for safety, some to protect you, some - like a roof, to prevent further damage. Home inspectors don't make up problems with the house, they find and document them.

Many people who are looking to buy may have only walked through this house for a few minutes, then were basically, pressured to pay as much as possible to get that house. No time to think, no time to get an inspection, no time to really look past how cute the porch is. If you're looking to buy a house, insist on a home inspection to cover you and your money.

There is and has been a bill presented to NYS Legislature to protect you, the buyer (and in the long run, the seller). Click here to read about it and why it is so very important. NYRTHI.ORG

585-589-5650

https://www.jimsalmon.com/what-is-a-home-inspection

Have you been experiencing moisture in your basement? Possibly water getting in? The culprit is most likely your gutter system. "WHAT?" You say. Yes, chances are very good your gutters are clogged, or cracked, or hanging, or not connected! With all of those it causes rain water to seep down along the foundation and right into your basement. All County Gutter can remedy these issues! They do cleaning, repairs and installs. They have you covered! And it's a lot cheaper than a company who tells you they need to dig all around your basement and put in a drainage system. That's not what you need! All County Gutter will also install proper downspouts that allows the water to flow far away from your foundation.

Check out their website but also plan on getting larger 6" gutters and the downspouts too. That way it's more manageable. All County Gutter is a full-service gutter company, local, family-owned and operated business. They won't steer you wrong, customer service is a priority. 585-538-4226

Rotary Club’s Next Drive-thru Food Drive is Sept. 5

The Rotary Club of Pittsford’s next monthly drive-thru food drive is scheduled Saturday (Sept. 5) from 9 am to noon at the Pittsford Sutherland High School bus loop. Rotarians and Interact Club members will be collecting at the drive rain or shine.

Donations will support the Pittsford Food Cupboard and the Nazareth University Oak Tree Food Pantry.

The Pittsford Food Cupboard plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity within our community. Donations help ensure that local families have access to essential food items and will promote well-being and stability. The cupboard accepts all non-perishable food items but current needs include corned beef hash; Spam; ketchup and relish; chicken broth; bread crumbs; taco shells; jam or jelly (smaller sizes); facial tissues; and any cleaning supplies.

The Oak Tree Pantry serves those with food insecurity in the Nazareth community. The pantry has an ongoing need for granola bars, pasta, peanut butter, soap and other hygiene products.

The drive also will collect donations of gently used, current magazines for distribution to area human service organizations. The club conducts the drives the first Saturday of the month all year with an occasional change of date to avoid holiday and event conflicts.

Additional information is available at pittsfordrotaryclub.org. These are held every month on the first Saturday.

Aforementioned, Van Bortel Ford, isn't it time for you to upgrade to a new or newer vehicle? Once things start to go wrong with a car or truck it seems to escalate. You get one thing fixed and a few weeks later you have to have something else fixed. Now you're just throwing money at it. Head on over to Van Bortel Ford, 71 Marsh Road, E. Rochester. 14445. Take a look at all the beautiful cars and trucks available. New or ceritified used, car or truck you may just fall in love with something different than you thought! Everyone at Van Bortel is helpful, non-pressure, easy to work with and knowledgeable. You may just happen to see Kitty Van Bortel! She is aware of everything that goes on with her dealerships! Van Bortel holds many awards and accolades from other dealers and by the Ford Company, itself!

Jim Salmon wasn't planning on getting a new truck, not until he walked around Van Bortel Ford! He also wasn't planning on a hybrid, guess what? He bought a new 2025 F150 Hybrid Ford Truck! He was impressed with the salespeople - they weren't pressuring and they were a pleasure to work with! Right from initial walking around to the end result of signing and actually picking up the truck!

Van Bortel is proud to serve you, they have the best inventory and experienced team.

https://www.vanbortelford.net/

71 Marsh Rd., E. Rochester, N.Y. 14445

How many times has your power gone out or dimmed? That draw wreaks havoc on your computer, tv, appliances like crazy. Sometimes those surges can wipe them right out. What to do? Call Lon Lockwood Electric, of course! Their experienced electricians can install a whole house surge protector, then no worries!

For safety, have them install security lights outside - customized to your yard. While they're at it, how's the interior lighting situation? Have that checked out and upgraded. Yes, Lon Lockwood Electric does all ot it! We don't pay attention or have any idea the condition of our electical system in our house. It's so important yet overlooked, start today with a phone call 585-670-6832. Experience, trusted, customer service oriented, they care about their customers safety, going above & beyond what's expected.

Visit their website to request a visit, or quote or ask a question.

What were you doing when you were a teenager with your buddies? Ok, maybe don't answer that! Know what Bill Kohlmeier and Trevor Morse were doing? Working. Learning how to install metal roofing. Yes, they were the grunt workers doing the jobs that weren't so cool, BUT, they watched, asked questions, helped out and learned. Bill served in the Navy and came back to learning more about metal roofing. You know what they're doing today? Owning The Metal Roof Outlet! The best installers hands down of metal roofing. It isn't as simple as tacking on a piece of metal. There is a special knowledge to install correctly to understand the roof lines, the entire roof system, style of house, materials, and what is the perfect application for each individual house.

After all these years of learning, installing and running a successful business, they continue to improve and add products and services. Recently they invented a particular way to keep ice & snow from slipping off the metal roofing protecting what's below. Newest, is metal siding! Now you can have your entire house sided to eliminate painting, fading, rot, etc.

Best of all the metal siding is truly nice looking, not old metal barn look, it'll be a major improvement to your house. Take a look;

Call and set up an appointment to check it out in person 585-703-4982

1513 Empire Blvd., Webster, N.Y. 14580

When you're strolling through a museum, or a theater, maybe just visiting friends, what is on the walls? Cell phones taped up there? No, that would be dumb. Portraits are hanging on the walls, usually of people. See where we're going here, cell phone pictures will never replace a professional photographer's quality and expertise. We happen to know of a very good, experienced, Nationally-awarded photographer. Photos by Bruce and Associates.

Bruce Landis, owner, is a Certified Professional Photographer and Professional Photographers of America Craftsman Photographer. He began his career in 1974, yes, 1974! His work has earned him awards Internationally, nationally, statewide & locally. He also teaches photography including underwater! Years and years of experience with people, children, sports, business, pets, landscaping, aerial, weddings the list is endless. That is the photographer you need for your family portrait to hang on the walls in your and your families homes, to be proud to display. 585-589-9109

Invisible Fence Brand is a company you know well! Especially if you have pets! Let's hope you already have their system to keep your pet safely in your yard. Cats can also be on their system! In case you didn't know! Cats do have a different disposition than dogs but they still can learn to be contained. Even in the house, for instance you don't want your cat(s) getting on the kitchen counter, ok, Invisible Fence Brand technician can set that up! Same to keep from from going into a particular room or out the door. These work! The technician will do the install and work with you with training. Training YOU is one of the most important steps then the pet can be trained. It takes repetition and patience but before long they will 'get it' and know where they can and cannot go. It truly is easier than it may sound!