Top Dog Professional Handyman Services Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

 Award reflects Top Dog’s consistently high level of customer service

January 24, 2011 (Warrenton, VA). Top Dog Professional Handyman Services has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“Providing top quality work at an affordable price has always been a priority to the company,” says Rod Heiston, President and Owner of Top Dog Professional Handyman Services. “Having served the Northern Virginia area for nearly 20 years through Heiston Kitchen and Bath, Top Dog is dedicated to providing the same level of excellence to our valued homeowner customers no matter how big or small the job is—from cleaning gutters, caulking tiles, inst…

It's time for our homeowner Question and Answer Portion. Here's one submitted by a Top Dog customer:

QUESTION: Why do we need Sump Pumps?

TOP DOG ANSWER: The picture above shows a new basement before the final concrete is applied. Notice the accumulation of ground water because the sump pump system is not installed. 

One of the most important functions of sump pumps is to protect basements from flooding, especially during Spring. Heavy rains can overwhelm the sanitary sewer collection system and lead to sewage backups in basements. The sanitary system is designed to heavy rains, but it becomes overloaded because many people connect their sump pump discharge hose to the sanitary sewer. The sanitary system does not have capacity to carry this excess clear water.

Sump pumps also perform important functions during normal weather conditions. They drain groundwater from under and around our basement floors. Removing the groundwater reduces the possibility of the basement floors c…

Happy Spring from your friends at Top Dog! Making home improvements not only creates beautiful upgrades to your home but can also increase its overall value. Using a U.S. Bank Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or Loan can be the smartest way to manage the expense associated with making home improvements. The following tips from industry experts offer some of the most cost-effective and valuable enhancements you can make to your home.

Tip #1 Updated homes frequently sell faster. The renovation of dark or dated kitchens is one of the most profitable home improvements you can make. You can view samples of projects at http://www.heistonkitchenandbath.com

Tip #2 Time to refinance your mortgage? If interest rates are lower now than when you closed on your current mortgage, you may be able to save money by refinancing. 

Tip #3 Updating an old bathroom is one of the most profitable home improvements you can make. You can view samples of p…

Is your home cold, drafty, or uncomfortable? Do you have high energy bills? Ice dams? Peeling paint? Excessive dust? Addressing these types of home problems can make your home more comfortable, and at the same time improve its energy efficiency — saving you money on utility bills and helping to protect the environment too.

High Energy Bills

High utility bills in summer and winter can often be traced to air leaks in your home's envelope, inefficient windows or inefficient or incorrectly installed heating and cooling equipment, or poorly sealed and insulated ducts.

Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors

Water leaks or high humidity can lead to mold and mildew. This can cause wood rot, structural damage, peeling paint, and a variety of health problems. Often, high humidity in homes with central air conditioners c…

Let's face it. We can all use more money in 2012. The best way to free up disposable income is to look inside your home. Below are Top Dog's must-do home maintenance tips to help you start saving money in 2012. The average homeowner will choose to tackle the list on the list, but the smarter ones will partner with a trusted home service provider to ensure top-quality work.

1.Seal cooling and heating ducts with duct wrap or mastic sealant.

2.Fix plumbing leaks.

3.Insulate your hot water heater.

4.Replace shower heads with low-flow heads.

5.Install low flow toilets.

6.Install ceiling fans.

7.Plug overlooked energy leaks around the house.

8.Insulate.

9.Install a hot water heater timer.

10.Replace your light bulbs.

11.Replace old windows with new high performance dual pane windows.

12.Insulate your hot water pipes.

13.Install outdoor solar lighting.

14.Install shades, drapes, awnings or sunscreens…

If you're on Facebook, Twitter, FourSquare, LinkedIn, YouTube, Yelp, then it's easy to connect with Top Dog for exclusive tips, deals, events and special offers for Washington Post Service Alley members! Just click or copy and paste the links below to easily connect with us!

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TopDogHandyman

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/TopDogHandyman

WASHPOST SERVICE ALLEY DEALS: http://www.servicealley.com/business/top-dog-handyman-services/bp-monu7atl3

FOURSQUARE: http://foursquare.com/TopDogHandyman

LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/topdog-handyman/44/1b1/803

YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/T…

Meet Junior, a French bull dog, and the true inspiration for the Top Dog company logo. He's cute, muscular but soft, and super friendly and cuddly! Top Dog Professional Handyman Services is looking for a community partner, preferably a charitable nonprofit organization committed to dog rescue, care and preservation in the Northern Virginia area as part of its overall 2012 initiatives. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please post on our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/topdoghandyman or connect with us through Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/topdoghandyman

Have you seen the Top Dog Service Van on the streets? If so, call Rod Heiston at 571 221 5993, mention that you've seen the van on the street, and get an automatic $50 OFF your home repair or home improvement project!

For more information, visit http://www.topdogdoesitall.com. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/topdoghandyman or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/topdoghandyman