Catch a buzz!

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In honor of National Coffee Day today and International Coffee Day on Sunday, we’ll send you a bag of the Geek’s home-engineered coffee beans when you refer your friends or family to us. Just another way we treat clients like family!

And if you’re one of the two thirds of Americans who drink coffee daily, you’ll probably be hunting for a free cup of java in honor of National Coffee Day. USA Today has the lowdown on where to go, and which countries drink the most coffee around the world.

Hello, Fall.

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The cool, crisp autumn wind has arrived, the leaves are turning, and everything from chai lattes to pork rinds seems to have a pumpkin spice variation. What do you look forward to about Fall?

CHIC (Pearl)

There’s a day every September when the Bay Area dress code shifts from summer dresses to cozy sweaters, and we got there a little earlier than expected this year. But you won’t find me complaining. I love waking up to morning frost and a warm cup of coffee while I snuggle in a blanket and catch up on email. It definitely beats waking up in a cold sweat when it’s 72°F before sunrise.

GEEK (Kevin)

For DIY home improvement types – like yours truly – this is prime time for cleaning, inspections, repairs, and other annual upkeep that you’ve been putting off all Summer while you played golf and sat by the pool working on your non-existent tan. It’s especially important to check your heating system now before things get really chilly, when repairs cost more and take longer.

Hold on to your fruit!

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At the beginning of the month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced a quarantine on homegrown fruit and vegetables in a 112-square-mile area of Santa Clara County — including Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Los Altos — in an effort to stop the spread of fruit flies. Palo Alto Weekly has the story.

Cracks in the Foundation

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No matter the size, a crack in the concrete foundation holding up your home is a big deal, and like any household pest, a crack doesn’t come alone. It always has buddies. How can you spot them, and what can you do about them?

CHIC (Pearl)

If you find vertical cracks, it could mean your home is still settling, but that doesn’t mean you should let it lie. It’s best to hire an inspector to get to the bottom of the issue. Horizontal cracks are a bigger problem and could mean compromised integrity caused by poor construction, excessive moisture, or other stress. Once you spot these cracks, you could already be well on your way to a major repair job.

GEEK (Kevin)

It’s always smarter — and cheaper — to fix the problem as soon as you find it rather than wait around for it to miraculously fix itself. Getting on top of a small crack now could save you from deeper structural issues and a whole lot of headaches later. But your foundation is a project you shouldn’t necessarily take on yourself. If you need a referral to a good contractor, send us an email!