Couple of tips on how and where to store firewood outside the home.
Never stack against the house and always keep it off the ground. This will help keep critters and insects from invading your home and help keep the wood dry.
Putting a tarp on the ground will help or stacking the wood on stickers, concrete or asphalt or even clean gravel, just about anything is better than soil.
Many people think that covering firewood is the most important part to having dry firewood.
Do not cover the whole pile of wood in a way that eliminates almost all air circulation. The better way is to cover firewood on the top of the pile and leave the sides open. This allows moisture to escape while keeping the majority of the wood dry.
When storing firewood outdoors, we are not dealing with rocket science. The main thing is to keep the wood off of the soil.
Space is a premium in our home so take the time to de-clutter a room or two. Here some steps to help with that process
Sort into four categories. Use four boxes, sacks or plastic bags. Label them “toss,” “give away,” “relocate” (in other rooms) and “stay.” Remove one item at a time, deciding in which of the four categories it belongs. Clean every shelf and closet one at a time till you see the bottom. Use the last 15 minutes to clean up. Put “toss” items in the trash and “give away” items in the car). Take “relocate” items to designated rooms and push “stay” items back into the closet and then Collect articles from other areas that belong in the newly cleaned closet. NOW Reorganize the space, using storage principles: Keep frequently used items low and accessible. Store seldom used items on higher shelves
A neat product to help you control energy cost when decorating the exterior of your home for the holidays
Many of us love the beautiful lights on the outside of homes during the holidays. If you decorate your home you probably even have a spotlight shining onto the wreath of your front door. Powering all of these lights can be expensive if you use the older style lights plus you forget and leave the floodlight on all night. Here is a neat product that will help reduce your energy cost during the holidays. It is a spotlight holder with a photo cell built into the light. The spotlight turns on at dusk and then you can set how long you want it to stay on 1- 9 hours. So the light will turn on at dusk and set it to turn off in 5 hours and you never have to worry about turning it off. You might also consider using a cfl flood light instead of the regular spot light and you will save even more.
Here are some basics regarding portable generators. But the first thing to do is Read the Instruction Booklet or ManualNever use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Never use a generator indoors or by an open window.
Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'backfeed' into the power lines connected to your home.
Don't plug a portable generator into an electrical outlet in your home or garage.
The correct way to use a generator is to connect a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated power cord to the generator. Appliances can then be connected to the power cord.
Make sure that the outdoor-rated power cord has a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
Don't overload the generator.
All generators have a power rating
Shut off the generator before refueling. Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
You never want your home too dry or too wet.Home humidity in the winter should be around 40%.If your home is drier than this, adding a home humidifier would be a good idea. Here is just a short list of benefits from a properly humidified home in the winter time.
1. Maintains Health – Dry air is the perfect breeding ground for many viruses
2. Beneficial for Dry Skin –.
3. Valuable for the Home – Low humidity can cause wallpaper to peel, wood flooring to dry out, separate and crack, and wood furniture to crack and split.
4. Air Feels Warmer, Saves Money– Dry air feels cooler than humidified air,.
5. Removes Static Electricity – When the air is dry, static electricity is the perpetrator of frizzy hair, tousled clothes and electric shocks
6. Healthy Environment for Indoor Plants – Many indoor plants require humidity to survive,
7. Snoring Relief – Humidity moisturizes the respiratory system which can reduce the intensity and loudness of snoring.
We weather-strip our homes but how about the garage door?The garage that is below the bedroom upstairs or right behind the dining room down stairs.The more cold air we let into the garage the colder these areas become.First the walls and ceiling should be insulated to create a buffer between the garage and living quarters.Now it is time to check or add weather-stripping to the sides of the garage door.This is mounted on the jam and a vinyl strip seals against the door.At the bottom of the door there should be a rubber seal that compresses against the garage floor when the door is down.Over time it can become brittle and should be replaced.
The seasons are changing and here are a couple of quick things to do with your heating system.Change the filter.If you have a humidifier on the furnace the pad on the inside should be changed annually.There are different sizes on both of these so bring the sizes to the hardware store with you. Turn the damper to the winter position when using the humidifier and also turn the water valve to on. If you are not comfortable with doing this basic maintenance, call a heating professional to inspect your furnace and make these adjustments.This is also a good time to install or reprogram your programmable thermostat.While you’re at it check for any gaps in the duct work.This will cause loss of air flow and can easily be corrected by covering the gaps with aluminum tape.
Just about time to remove the screens in the next 6 weeks or so.This is a good time to remove the old screen and replace it with new.If you happen to have the older screen where the screen is held in place with a metal wire you can remove that piece.When you go to purchase the new spline you will find one size too small one size too large.The larger size will work by using this technique.Allow the spline to sit in the sun for a couple of hours making it very pliable.When you begin to install it, stretching the spline will make it thinner in diameter allowing it to fit in the screen channel.Now using a spline tool roll the spline into the channel holding the screen it place.
We keep reading that everyone is downsizing and homes are getting smaller, well here are some facts that might surprise you. ·In 2009, 21 percent of residences boasted four or more bedrooms, up from 17 percent of houses and apartments in 1999. Over that span, the median size for all homes climbed to 1,800 square feet from 1,730, according to the survey. ·In 2009, 51 percent of homes had two or more bathrooms versus just 42 percent a decade earlier. ·Of course, the recession has caused thousands of homeowners to downsize. Consequently, our living-space growth spurt has slowed, said Stan Humphries, chief economist for the online real estate database Zillow.com. ·He pointed to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders that showed a decline in the size of single-family homes built in 2009 – and that fewer bathrooms occupied those new homes as compared to recent years. ·“There is some evidence that people are starting to prefer smaller homes in ‘walkable’ environments,”
Elaine Williamson Designs, an award-winning interiors group, offersthese 10 fall design and decor trends and tips:
1.Vintage accents. What’s old is new again. In your home accent and update a time-worn look.
2.Wallpaper! Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big and decidedly fashionable way. From bright and bold to subdued and elegant today’s wallpapers are easy to apply and even easier to remove,
3.Timeless art. When shopping for items to occupy wall space, ditch the quick fix,. Art doesn’t have to be expensive but it should certainly have meaning!
4.Elemental color. While neutrals have made a strong showing in design this year.
5.Space simplification. . Many times we place too many items in a room by way of accessories, pillows, throw rugs, and family photos. Pick and choose very carefully the most important items and then pare down from there.
6.Rug rage.Throw rugs are in.
7.Bed basics. Bedding has also changed this year. The pomp and circumstances of overstuffed pillows that seem to multiply in the night are out. Way out. Exquisite, neutral colored linens are in,.
8.Pillow talk. Today’s pillow designs offer an array of textures, colors, shapes, sizes and accents, and can completely transform a room’s aesthetic. Accordingly, pillows have become the ultimate interior design accessory,
9.Window treatments.. Linen panels are now very trendy since they beautifully outline and soften windows. .
10.Brass. Yes, brass is back but a bit older and wiser.
Over the past several years many of us have experienced Asian ladybugs infesting our homes.Between the months of Sept and October the Asian ladybugs looks for a home to winter over.
Studies have shown that Asian lady beetles are attracted to illuminated surfaces. They tend to congregate on the sunnier, southwest sides of buildings illuminated by afternoon sun. Homes or buildings shaded from afternoon sun are less likely to attract beetles.
Dwellings near woods or fields are especially prone to infestation, although those in other locations can be infested as well. Once the beetles settle on buildings, they seek out crevices and protected places to spend the winter.
They often congregate in attics, wall cavities, and other protected locations.Typical locations include cracks around window and doorframes, behind fascia boards and exterior siding, and within soffits, attics, and wall voids. Structures in poor repair with many cracks and openings are most vulnerable to infestation.
Get out the caulking and vacuum cleaner before they enter your home.
Just about half way through the cooling season and here are a couple of things to do.
#1The outside compressor unit needs to be cleaned.You have been blowing those grass clippings up against the unit all summer and the unit needs to breathe.. Take a hose and clean of the screen material surrounding the unit.It is best to clean the unitfrom the inside out.
#2Change the filter in the air handler on the inside of the home.The pleated filters are great filters but restrict too much of the air flow.If you are using pleated filers use the 4” pleats or low air restrictive filters. It is best to change a standard filter every 30 days and the pleated filters every 90 days.
How do you save money and keep your home cool at the same time? Unlike winter time when you search for drafts and plug them with weather stripping during the summer time you try to create shade and lower humidity to stay comfortable in your home. During the peak cooling hours (2-6), solar heat gain can account for a third of the load on your ac unit.Close all blinds and drapes as this will help with solar gain in your home. Turn your ac setting to 76 degrees and turn on the ceilings fans.Move the thermostat higher if you are going to be gone for 8 or more hours. Now work on the air leaks and plug them with caulking or other weather stripping.
An asphalt driveway should last 20 years or more if it is properly installed.Having a driveway installed improperly usually consist of the contractor not using enough materials during installation.A 8” gravel base should be installed before any asphalt is applied to the area.After this has been compacted, at least 3” of asphalt should be applied aver the stone.Asphalt is more flexible then concrete and does better in colder climates because of the heaving and thawing of the soil. To maintain an asphalt driveway I recommend sealing every three years or so depending on the sealer that is used.The most important task to do is make sure the cracks are sealed every year.If an area begins to break up, remove the asphalt and use more gravel and a bag of asphalt patch.
Well its grilling season and I just did some seasonal maintenance to my gas grill that I thought I would pass along.First pull out the cooking grates and soak them in hot water and Dawn liquid soap or a 50-50 solution of ammonia and water. You also might want to get a putty knife and scrap the inside of the grills hood.That black stuff that looks like peeling paint is actually just carbon from cooking.For the top of the grill I have found product that re designed to clean cook tops do a great job.The synthetic side tables on a grill are also cleaned with soft scrub.Use a wire brush on the Flavorizers and inspect the hoses and you are ready to go.
Time to do some maintenance around the home and let’s start with some silicone spray. Clean and lubricate all hinges and locks in the home.Silicone works better then most oils.Using a coil brush or vacuum, clean the coils to the refrigerator, this will allow it to work more efficiently. Clean the filter to the exhaust fan over the stove top.Soak in 50% solution of ammonia and water and then allow to air dry.Check the outlet ground fault circuit interrupters throughout the home.Press the test button and then the rest button.This will insure that they are properly working for your protection.If it has been a couple of months since you replace the furnace filter what are you waiting for.Get the proper size filter and have at it.One more thing, make sure the screens are in good shape.
Yes it is time to get your mower tuned up and ready to go for the spring.The first step is to clean the mower with soap and water while it is cold and get rid of all the dirt and debris. The air filter can usually be found on the side of the engine and should be replaced annually. There are different sizes so bring the part or mower model number to the Hardware store for the correct filter. The goes for changing the spark plug and remember not to over tighten.As we turn the mower over the under side should be scraped and cleaned and remove the blade for sharpening.The blade should be sharpened twice a year.The blade should be balanced and sharpened only on one side.Change the oil and replace with 10w 30 all we need now is green grass.
Well many of us have had enough snow but there is still plenty of shoveling to go around.Here are a couple of tips.Always shovel and pile snow away from the foundation of the home if possible.Make sure the downspouts are not ice and snow covered as this can cause the downspout to freeze up and create an ice dam.Dryer vents and furnace exhaust pipes should not be snow or ice covered and never pile snow against them.Make sure the mailbox is accessible for the mailman and shovel around the fire hydrant to make it visible. Be careful and take breaks when shoveling heavy wet snow.When the snow is dry and only an inch or two deep consider using a leaf blower. It works much faster then a broom or shovel.
With this recession all businesses are looking for ways to cut cost and that include home builders that produce track housing in the suburbs.This type of building has been citied over the years for the look of sameness.
Faced with declining demand for new homes and a glut of inventory, home builders are cutting house plans from their portfolios and standardizing on design in an effort to save costs and better compete with bargain-priced foreclosures and pre-existing homes. They have standardized landscaping, window sizes, even trim for doors and baseboards.Fewer choices streamline the building process.
Countless snow shovels are thrown away each season because their blades have worn unevenly and they no longer scrape sidewalks clean. But often, they can be repaired. If your aluminum, steel or plastic shovel has a straight blade like, you can replace the worn-out edge. An 18-in. long, 16-gauge galvanized steel blade edge costs $3.50. It can be cut to fit smaller shovels. If your shovel has a worn-out steel reinforcement strip, remove it and replace it with this blade edge. Either way, in a half hour, you and your prized shovel will be back at work. 1 Prepare the shovel edge to receive a new replacement blade edge by cutting off burrs and filing the old edge flat.
2 Clamp the replacement blade edge to the back of your shovel with locking pliers or C-clamps so that the new blade edge extends 3/8 in. to 1/2 in. beyond the shovel’s edge. and the rounded ridge on the replacement blade edge faces up. Drill sixholes through the shovel blade and install with pop rivets.
Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. It's not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow. Rather, opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. The drip can be very slight. Even the slowest drip at normal pressure will provide pressure relief when needed. Where both hot and cold lines serve a spigot, make sure each one contributes to the drip, since both are subjected to freezing.
Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, remember: ·A fresh tree is green. ·Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches. ·When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break. ·The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin. ·When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.
Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.
Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Trim away branches as necessary to set tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the tree is indoors.
Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.
Artificial Snow
Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. To avoid injury, read container labels; follow directions carefully.
Lights
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.
Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.
Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other firm support to protect from wind damage.
Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted! To avoid this danger, use colored spotlights above or beside a tree, never fastened onto it!
Keep “bubbling” lights away from children. These lights with their bright colors and bubbling movement can tempt curious children to break candle-shaped glass, which can cut, and attempt to drink liquid, which contains a hazardous chemical.
Candles
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.
Always use non-flammable holders.
Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper.
Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
Trimmings
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair” to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.
Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
In homes with small children, take special care to: ·Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. ·Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled. ·Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child could eat them!
Fires
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that flue is open. Keep a screen before the fireplace all the time a fire is burning.Use care with “fire salts” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. Keep away from children.
Paper
When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame-resistant.
Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.
Remove all wrapping papers from tree and fireplace areas immediately after presents are opened. Do not burn papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
General Rules for Holiday Safety ·Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children. ·Avoid smoking near flammable decorations. ·Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. PRACTICE THE PLAN! ·Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes—particularly long, open sleeves—near open flames - such as those of a fireplace, stove, or candlelit table. ·Never burn candles near evergreens. Burning evergreens in the fireplace can also be hazardous. When dry, greens burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send sparks flying into a room, or up the chimney to ignite creosote deposits.
Plan for safety. Remember, there is no substitute for common sense. Look for and eliminate potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees, and/or electrical connections.~
Okay the filters are changed in the furnace the doors and windows are tightly caulked but here are a few more things to take care before the cold weather sets in.
Check the outdoor lights for burned out bulbs and timers that may need adjusting for the shorter days.
Clear insulation, spider webs and dirt from the soffit vents found under the overhangs of the house.
Cover the grill and outdoor patio furniture and protect from the harsh winter weather.
Clean the dryer vent
Don’t forget todisconnect and turn off the water to the outdoor garden hose.
Clean and winterize your lawn mower and put a stabilizer in the gas tank.
How is that snow shovel doing? Have you tried to start the snow blower.
Here are a couple of things to help with your energy cost during this heat wave.
A programmable thermostat automatically coordinates temperatures in your home with your daily and weekend patterns. This can reduce your bills by up to10%.
· Using ceiling fans to circulate air will make you feel cooler and can allow you to raise the temperature setting on your AC thermostat
· Replacing your 12+-year-old central air conditioning system (CAC) with an ENERGY STAR-qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30%,
· Clean or replace CAC system filters monthly – and do the same for window unit filters.
Keeping the Heat Outside
· Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking,
· Curtains and shades on the sunny sides of your home will provide additional relief.
· Chose energy-efficient lighting, since inefficient incandescent light bulbs emit 90% of their energy as heat instead of light.
The color forecasting for 2011 has begun and I must admit it is all over the palette.The one thing that is consistent is the tone and texture of the color.In others word seems like all colors are represented but they all have a dusty hue to them.Here are some of the colors I have seen as trends for 2011.
Coral which will always add warmth to a room.
Green I would call it a sage or gray casted green.
Yellow not quite antique gold but close.
Graywhich compliments most colors; plus gray goes with gray.
Blue which has overtones of purple.
Other forecast will come out before the end of the year and I will keep you posted.
Using a ceiling fan in the winter ? Really?Absolutely your savings in home energy by using your ceiling fan in the winter can amount to 10%.
Fans more effectively distribute heat throughout your home. When warm air rises, cool air can become trapped near floor level. This accumulation of air layers can be a problem during colder months, especially in rooms with high or domed ceilings. A ceiling fan breaks up the cool and warm layers, making the overall room temperature uniform. By simply flipping a switch to reverse the fan's normal operating direction, warm air is moved across the ceiling and down the walls. This distributes room heat without creating a cooling draft. The result is that warm air is where you need it - at the level you live in, not on the ceiling. So, in winter you can lower your furnace thermostat degrees, again saving energy dollars. Ceiling fans can also guarantee proper airflow in solar and other alternative fuel heat.So which fan should the fan run in the winter ?CLOCKWISE..
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that candles were responsible for an estimated 18,000 home fires. Candle-related fires caused an estimated 333 million in property damage. According to the NFPA, twice the average monthly number of candle fires occurs in December. Christmas Day brings the most candle fires of the whole year. I admit that I enjoy candles as much as anyone. But here are some safety tips when burning candles. Don't leave candles burning in a room unattended. Extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep. Keep candles away from items that can catch fire. Clothing, books and magazines, or curtains. Use sturdy candle holders that will not tip or burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax. Keep all open flame - including candles - away from flammable liquids.
Trim candle wicks to one-quarter inch. Extinguish pillar and taper candles when they get within two inches of the holder. Extinguish votives and container candles before the last half-inch of wax is melted.
When it is super cold outside it makes for a great time to find the drafts in your home.One area to checkout is the outlets and switches located on the outside wall of your home.You will be amazed at the amount of cold air rushing in the home around the switch plate cover.This can be corrected by installing foam weather-stripping pads that fit under the plated covers.You will also be able to detect drafts around windows.Installing plastic windows kits create a nice buffer between the inside and outside air.These can be applied to the window frame and by heating the plastic with a hair dryer it will cause the plastic to shrink and eliminate any wrinkles.If the draft is under the door a door sweep or a towel will stop the draft.
Christmas Eve and Christmas are times when bad things can happen at your home so please follow this advice.Never ever burn gist wrap or boxes in the fireplace or wood stove.Never leave candles unattended and remember to put them in an area where they can not be knocked over.The use of extension cords should be used sparingly and should never be used underneath an area rug or across doorways.Make sure that hot dishes are not put directly onto a piece of wood furniture.The disposal should not have food jammed into it but rather scrapes should be ground up a little at a time.If you would over load a circuit that has a fuse to it …do not use a larger number fuse to keep it from blowing. Following this advice can help you have a Merry Christmas.
Across the country there seems to be a shortage of Christmas lights this year.So if you are still decorating you better hurry up. Increased demand, lower inventories, the economy and the mild weather around Thanksgiving all seem to be to blame. The popularity of LED lighting have prompted additional interest in decorating the past several years,Net lights that can be thrown over shrubs and icicle lights seems to be difficult to find.People are discarding the older less efficient lights and purchasing the LED lights which has caused a shortage of the newer efficient type of Christmas lights.Several retail experts feel people maybe cutting back on gifts but bright lights and decorating may be helping people get in the holiday spirit.
This is the time of year for colds and allergies and if you or children in the home are suffering from runny eyes it very well could be allergies. The sap or oil in Christmas trees and wreaths as well as mold that could be growing on them can trigger what is known as Christmas Tree Syndrome. Again this problem is coming more to the fore front because of the energy efficiency of our homes. As you bring down the decorations from the attic dust can be spread throughout the home along with other pollutants such as scented candles, potpourri and even spray snow can become respiratory irritants.So if this is a problem this year you can be more prepared next, store your decorations in air tight plastic bags or containers to keep the dust out.
Carpenter bees are those big bumble bee looking creatures that drill those perfectly round holes into the wood around your home.In the past we have given step by step instruction on how to rid your home of this problem but here is another effective way without chemicals.The Amish rid themselves of this problem by taking a small bucket or paint pail and fill it half way with water.Add a couple of squirts of a liquid soap into the pail and hang it next to or beneath the holes that have been made by the bees. You can hang the pail with a screw hook or nail.The bees are attracted to the pail of water and once they taken a dip into the pail they can no longer fly because the soap coats their wings.You got it no more bee or holes to deal with .
The next time it snows you need to prepare yourself for ice dams. Ice dams form in the gutters around the home when the snow melts faster at the top of the roof instead of the bottom.When this occurs the water freezes in the gutter creating a dam. Before damage occurs in the house you need to eliminate the ice.A pair of panty hose and ice melter ( not salt ) works great. Fill the legs of the panty hose with the ice melter and tie them at the waist. Simply lay the legs of the panty hose across the top of the ice dam and leave it there for a day. The ice will melt and will not be corrosive to the gutters.
It's time to start decorating for the holidays, and if you're in the market for maybe some new type of lights, a couple things you need to pay attention to. Number one, make sure they're UL listed. And make sure they're specific to the job you're using. In other words, you're going to use them inside or outside don't try and use them in both places. A UL label that is like this that is red means indoor and outdoor use. If it is green, that is indoor use only. Also, make sure you get the light set that has a fuse in it. Make sure that when one light burns out, the rest of them stay lit. And no more of three of these strands together. Otherwise, what you're going to do is blow the fuse in the head of this light switch. So, 300 lights in one continuous plug in. Now, you're probably going to need some connections on the outside. That's where it can get a little tricky. For instance, this cube tap right here. That looks pretty heavy duty. You'd certainly think you can use it outdoors. It's grounded and everything. But right on it, it says indoor use only. So, be very careful of the type of connections that you're going to use on the outside of your home. As I searched through the hardware stores, the only thing that I could find for indoor use was an extension cord that had an extension cord that had a power source right on the front end of it, so you can plug three or four things in it. Also, turning off the lights at night. I don't know about you, but every year it seems like I forget a night or two. This time is excellent for outdoor use. Several on and off switches and also several outlets so you can minimize using the cube taps altogether.
If you have a chimney on your home it is a good idea to make sure that you have a cap installed to keep birds and small animals from nesting inside the chimney.
If you have a chimney on your home it is a good idea to make sure that you have a cap installed to keep birds and small animals from nesting inside the chimney. I would recommend a stainless steel cap rather then a black painted sheet metal type.The repair and maintenance is practically nill with the stainless type cap.The summer time is also an excellent time to contract a chimney sweep to clean the chimney.The advantages of having that service done now is you will be ready to go in the fall and the chimney sweeps are not that busy so you will get fast service and maybe a great price.If your chimney is brick you might consider having it sealed every 5 years.If your chimney is being serviced make sure the crown wash is checked for cracking.
This time of year the weather may be cold and dry outside but the humidity in your home may be high because of well insulated home. A home that has high humidity in the winter time may have windows that are sweating or water that is actually running down a wall in a cupboard. This caused by the cold dry air not being able to infiltrate your home and trapping water vapor inside the home. Water vapor in you home is caused by many things; shower, dishwasher, cooking or ventless gas logs. The benchmark for home humidity should 40% when the outdoor temperature is 32 degrees. If you home humidity is 50% or above you could be experiencing problems that could lead to mold and structure damage to the home.
Typical ways to dry out your home include running the furnace blower on the on position rather then the auto position. The use a bathroom fans for 30 minutes after a shower and running fans above the cook top in the kitchen. Ceiling fans will also help dry out your inside air. If you have a home humidity problem make sure that the humidifier on the furnace is turned off.
It’s time to start thinking about hanging Christmas lights.Of course this year a lot of folks are cutting back on their displays but maybe we should look at some of the new energy saving light sets that are hitting the market.The old fashion c 7 and c 9 bulbs(the big bulbs ) are now much more efficient in fact the c7 bulb now uses 4 watts instead of the old 7 watts and the c9 only 5 watts instead of 9 but that still is a lot if you have a big display.I recommend you check out the LED lights.The life span on these sets is 20 years and they are 90% more efficient then the other miniature lights.I just check at the store and they are about double the price but the savings can quickly be made up.
What I have here is a couple of ice and snow melters.
What I have here is a couple of ice and snow melters. There's some crazy stuff I wanted to point out to you. This is rock salt, yet the liberal use of the word ice melter, liberal use of the word meaning that ice melters used to a very safe type. But this is rock salt. It will melt snow and ice down to about 20 degrees. The only problem with rock salt is after it melts the snow and the ice, the salty brine solution can soak into the concrete and be pretty doggone corrosive. The ice melter products that are good down to about zero degrees, this is wonderful. It doesn't cause as much spalling, it's not as harsh on concrete, it's very safe on plants. But, what's going on now is that a lot of the ice melter is not just potassium chloride. It's potassium chloride, that's the little white, round balls. It's also mixed with, you got it, rock salt. If you want to get a pure potassium chloride, which I'd recommend for the safety of your concrete, it might run you 24 dollars a bag, but don't be fooled. Some of these ice melters that you think are safe for your concrete, are not. So, before you buy a bag of ice melter, look on the back of the bag, there should be some chemical symbols to find out exactly what's in the bag.
We are always talking about saving energy around our home and there is no better time to consider these savings then when you are decorating your home this year for the holidays. If you are stringing lights on the outside of you home, please pay attention to the amount of wattage they consume.The older style Christmas lights (still sold in stores) the ones with a good size screw in bulb with 25 to 30 lights per strand called c-9 bulbs. Well each bulb is a 9 W bulb. You do the math; each strand of 25 is 225W.The newest energy savings Christmas bulbs are the LED strands.These are the size of the mini lights sets but the entire strand of 100 light only consume 10.5 W. Just a little more then the 1 C 9 bulb so maybe it is time to update your lighting display.
Energy saving has even extended into our holiday decorations.
Energy saving has even extended into our holiday decorations. That's right, the standard mini lights, which we've used for years. And to give you an example of the savings, this guy here will draw about 68 watts. The new LED bulbs will draw about 13 watts a set. Now the cost is about two to three times more, but this guy here is rated to last up to about 20 years. Now the same precautions whether you're buying exterior or interior lights pertain. No more than three sets to be plugged in at any one time. Make sure you purchase them with a UL rating, either indoor or outdoor, or whatever application you're going to use. And make sure that the plug in part of the light itself has a fuse in it. In case there's problems you can replace that very easily. The LED bulbs, I think they're very attractive when they're plugged in. They're good light. And the savings, about 80 to 90 percent.
It is never too late to protect your pipes from freezing so here are a few preventive tips.Make sure all you’re out door faucets are shut off from the inside of the home and opened and drained. Check around the house for areas where water supply lines are located and are in unheated areas. Places to look include basements, crawl spaces attics, garages and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets that are along exterior walls. Both hot and cold lines should be insulated. Foam insulated pipe sleeves do an excellent job of keeping the water from freezing. When the outside temperatures approach zero allow the water to drip from a problem faucet.Also open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate round the plumbing.If you are leaving your home for an extended period do not set the thermostat lower then 55 degrees.
If you are getting ready to buy firewood for the holidays make sure it well seasoned.You can tell that it is well seasoned by the wood having cracks on the ends of the logs. Also buy only hardwood like oak, maple and apple for a good hot safe fire. Make sure your firewood is properly stacked and here are a few tips:
Cut the logs into a length that will fit in the fireplace or stove. Split the logs into more manageable pieces. Don’t stack wood against the house unless you want spiders and critters. Firewood should be stacked 6’ away from foundation of the home. Keep the firewood off the ground. It can be stacked on top of metal rails or pressure treated2x4’s. Firewood should also be cross stacked .That means each row should be stacked in a different direction then the previous row.This will allow the firewood to dry and not harbor critters.
If you're one of those lucky snowbirds that leave home and go south for a month or two in the winter, there's a couple of things you need to do. Number one, you want to shut of the water to your home. And you'll find that riser enters through the foundation of your home. Go ahead and shut that off and then drain the lines to prevent any freezing from occurring. Open up all the valves in all the sinks of the home until it stops running, and then you're set. Also, drain the water heater.Now before you drain the heater, you want to make sure you cut off the power. If it's an electric heater, hit the circuit breaker, if it's gas, shut the gas off to the water heater. Another thing, you want to keep your home heated, but you don't want it too hot, right? I would say somewhere around 56 degrees would take care of that. Also pay attention to the drains. A lot of times water will evaporate from the drains, and all of a sudden you'll have a sewer smell in the home. So taking some mineral oil or RV fluid, pouring it into the drain. It won't evaporate, keeping the sewer gas on the outside of your home.Here's a couple other tips: make sure any grain you have in your pantry, get rid of that because critters if they get in your home will just love that. Take most everything out of the refrigerator. Unplug it, keep the doors open, maybe even a little bit of activated charcoal in there.
It won’t be long and we will start having some chilly nights and that mean mice and lady bugs or Asian beetle will begin to look for a warm place to live in the winter time. To help prevent a lady bug infestation at your home, make sure the caulking is in good shape around all the windows.Spraying with a residual ant spray will also discourage them from entering your home.Mice gain entry to the home by entry doors and garage doors.Make sure the rubber seals under these doors are in good shape and seal out the outdoor critters.If you are trapping mice remember to always place the traps along the baseboards where the mice run.
We're getting close to fall and winter. Let's start with the water spigots on the outside of your home. Number one, I know I've been telling you water your foundation, but be careful, if it gets too cold, you are going to run the risk that pipe and the water in the pipe freezing and bursting. So, number one, go ahead and shut off the facets. Now if you have an older type faucet, you also need to shut if off on the inside of the home and actually drain it. This is what they call a frost-proof faucet. Just shutting if off gets the water out of the pipe. But one important thing, you've got to disconnect the hose. Here's another thing, daytime is a little bit shorter than it has been, and screens on the outside of your windows, a couple of things. When the ice and the snow come, they're really going to beat up your screen. Number two, not quite as bright out, taking those screens out is going to let more light on the inside of your home.
Are you prepared for this winter's snowfall? Do you even know where your snow shovel is? If you don't or don't have one, now's a great time to get one. Of course when you get to the hardware store, a lot of different types. This is your standard type. This is wonderful for those four or five inch snowfalls, made of aluminum, nice and light. You can pitch that snow at a pretty good clip. Be careful, don't try to chip ice with it, it is aluminum. This is another good scooper, if fact it's a little more heavy duty as you can see. You can pitch snow with this, you can scoop snow with this. And it has a steel edge. You can lightly chip maybe, just a little bit of ice. But the one that I like the most, well actually I don't like any snow shovels! But I do kind of like this one. It's very nice, nice bent handle. A little bit easier on your back, so you might want to take a look at that one. If you have a snow blower, have you tried it, have you started it up? Does it work? Well, you might check on that today.
Air enters and leaves your house constantly. While some of this movement is necessary for ventilation, most homes have entirely too much air exchange. reducing air infiltration can be easily and economically accomplished by providing seals where air enters and exits.
Use his audit to evaluate your home. After you have completed it, take it to the hardware store or home center for the tools, materials, and advice on how to plug the leaks that are costing you money in higher heating and cooling bills.
Begin by checking the exterior doors for these possible leaks:
Cracks where the door meets the frame.
The joint between the frame and the exterior and interior walls of the house
The bottom of the door at the threshold.
Between the base of the threshold and the floor underneath.
If your door has windows, are they properly glazed or is the glazing old and cracked or missing entirely.
Are any of the panes cracked or broken.
If the doors have existing weatherstripping, is it still in good shape or does it need replacement.
Does you home have adequate storm doors and are they properly hung and caulked.
Taking the same approach to interior doors can't hurt either. Keeping them properly sealed helps reduce room-to-room infiltration and makes it possible to control more precisely the heating and cooling of individual rooms.
Look at your windows next:
How many windows have moving parts that allow leaks.
Are there any gaps or flaws in construction around the frame.
What is the condition of glazing compound around the glass. It may be old and cracked.
Are seams around the window trim caulked.
If weatherstripping exists, is it adequate or in need of replacement.
Are any window panes cracked or broken, and need to be replaced.
Are the windows covered with drapes, shades, or blinds.
Are storm windows installed and properly fitted and caulked to eliminate gaps where the window meets the framing
Once you have covered all the conventional openings, look for the not-so-obvious ones.
Foundation cracks or crack in basement walls
Separation between any two materials of the house construction like an exterior chimney and the house
Utility pipes
OPhone, electrical, or cable lines
Mail slot
Clothes dryer vent
Outside light connections
TV Antenna entry
Electrical outlets
Cracks or splits in the siding
Gaps or loose mortar between blocks, bricks, or stone facing
Air ducts for heating and cooling system
Improper insulation around window air conditioning units
Leaky basement windows
Exposed roofing nails
Gaps around roof flashing
Split or loose shingles
Poor drainage around house
Damaged, blocked, or poorly connected downspouts
Gaps around garage door
Energy also leaks from you home by other openings
Is your furnace properly cleaned and tuned for maximum efficiency?
Is the air filter clean?
Check the air conditioning filter
Check the range filter
Check for dirty or blocked heating/cooling registers
Do you set your thermostat too high in winter and too low in summer?
Do you turn your thermostat down when you are out the the house for several hours?
Is the thermostat broken, worn, or dirty? Have you considered a programmable thermostat?
An improperly located thermostat (too near to a heat or cool source or an outside wall) can waste energy
Check for leaks in heating and cooling ducts and joints
Is your hot water heater set at an efficient temperature?
Is the hot water heater malfunctioning in any way?
Are you lighting and heating or cooling unused or seldom used rooms.
Have you insulated your hot and cold water pipes and heating and air conditioning ducts.
I think we'll all be enjoying the fireplace soon whether your fireplace is gas or wood burning. Let's focus on the wood burning fireplace first. It needs a little attention by a professional. I wouldn't build a fire in a wood burning fireplace unless the chimney has been cleaned and inspected in the last two years. And inspected is the key word. I know you see different chimney sweep logs in stores, and they do a good job of cleaning the chimney, but they don't inspect the chimney. You don't know if that chimney liner has been cracked or not! So, if you haven't had it cleaned and inspected in the last two years, I really wouldn't use it. Now if you are going to use it, stay away from burning any kind of boxes in there or gift wrap or greens from the tree, because they create a very hot, rapid fire. Hot, rapid fires can create creosote that can line the chimney and actually create a chimney fire. Now, if you have a gas fireplace, there are also a few things to check. The gasket really should be replaced every two to three years. I would recommend going to the hardware store and getting a gasket. There are a couple different sizes, mainly just the thickness of the gasket itself. And if you have glass doors on the fireplace, those have to be cleaned periodically. There are some wonderful glass door cleaners on the market. They usually contain lye, so be sure to use goggles, rubber gloves and a cotton cloth.
It’s winter time and some big snow and ice storms across the country so here are some quick tips. The keyhole in all entry doors should be lubricated with a graphite based product and if the locks are frozen there is a deicing and lubricant spray that can be used.If you are shoveling snow or using a snow blower please pay attention to where you throw the snow.Do not pile the snow up against the foundation of your home.When warm weather returns the snow melt could cause troubles in your basement. Also, do not pile snow up over the dryer vent.I know the heat will melt the snow but if it is really stacked high you might find that your clothes won’t dry.
Ice dams can cause big time water problems on the inside of the home.When a heavy snow covers the roof of your home and begins to melt at the top of the roof but not downat the bottom by the gutters, it spells big problems. See as the snow melts to liquid form and hits the snow pack by the gutters some of it will freeze and some will work it’s way back up the roof and under the shingles and enter your home.A reason that the snow pack is melting might be inadequate insulation in your home.By adding insulation to the attic the area will stay cold and minimize snow melt until the outdoor temperature wars.Check the others homes in the area and if yours is the only one with icicles and snow melt you need insulation.
When water freezes in a water pipe it expands and can burst the pipe. If only a trickle of water is coming out of a faucet suspect a frozen water line. Locate the area of the pipe where the water may have frozen. Likely places include pipes running along exterior walls, in crawl spaces or garages. Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe water can escape through the faucet. Having the water moving through the pipe will allow for more ice to melt. Heating pads, hair dryers and potable heaters work best for thawing a frozen water line. Do not use any device with an open flame.Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check other faucets in the house that may also be frozen.
As the weather turns to cold days and nights we look for ways to add supplemental heating.Many people use kerosene heaters though I rarely recommend them.If you want to use this type of heater make sure that the room has proper ventilation. When refueling your heater, make sure that it has cooled down and that the process takes place outside.You should only use crystal clear K 1 kerosene.Any other type of fuel is asking for big problems including an explosion in your home. The wick on the heater should be checked every few weeks during the heating season. If the wick is found to be dirty clean or replace it.Kerosene heaters do have an open flame, it should never be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, gasoline or any type of oil.
When buying the small electric space heaters make sure the heater has a tip over feature. These controls are on heaters so that automatically shut off the power in the event the heater falls over. Never leave the heater on when you leave the room or retire for the evening. I also recommend you unplug the portable heater when it is not being used. Another safety tip is to never run an extension to these types of heaters.The heaters draw a lot of wattage and that can overheat an extension cord cause it to melt.These heaters typically pull between 1,000 and 1,500 watts and only one should be plug in per circuit.These types of heaters should not be used near water so keep them away from the bathroom and water heaters.
It finally got cold and most of us have turned our furnaces on. The question I have for you is have you done anything to your furnace for this winter? If you haven't, I've got a couple of quick tips. Number one, there is a filter, and the filter is usually between the furnace and the duct work, in an area right here. That filter needs to be replaced every thirty to ninety days. It depends what type of filter you have; the fiberglass 30 days, the ultra allergens 90 days, and the electronics, maybe cleaned 90 days.Another thing you need to know is how to control the humidity inside your home. When it's 32 degrees outside, you're looking for a relative humidity around 40 percent. You can purchase a little gizmo at the hardware store like this, probably for under eight dollars. This says 68 percent, so we have plenty of humidity inside the home. Now if it was 20 percent, we would want to add humidity into the home. You may have a humidifier already in your home. If you do not, you may want to add one. If you have a humidifier on your furnace, there is a little maintenance you need to do. Number one there is a water pad that is in the humidifier, water drips down through that and as the furnace kicks on, the moist air is blown throughout the home. If you don't change that, it calcifies and water never penetrates the pad. One other thing, change the damper, if you have a humidifier, from summer to winter. You want to open that up.
We have had a cool wet summer in many parts of the country this year, especially in the northeast and Midwest. Many older homes that are unkempt and not properly insulated have problems with water entering the home which eventually means mold growing in the home.Poor caulking, rusted flashing, missing shingles all contribute to this problem. Water leaks often occur in areas that are hard to detect, like behind walls and ceilings. When fall arrives, we close up the home and people with allergies begin to suffer.If mold is found in the home remember to clean with an enzyme cleaner and stay away from bleach. To control this problem try to keep your home humidity below 50%.Without moisture mold can’t grow.If you find a leak, fix it NOW.
Flour moths are a problem in the pantry and here are some tips to prevent them.
Discard all infested foodstuffs and place all newly purchased flour, sugar, breakfast food and similar products in canister-type containers.
Thoroughly clean the cupboard and storage bins of all refuse material. Be sure to clean out the cracks along the shelves and top of the cupboard. Scrub out these areas with soap and water, adding a little household disinfectant.
Purchase foods in quantities small enough so they may be used up rapidly.
Keep all food storage space clean at all times.
Spray the shelves or other infested areas lightly, particularly cracks where shelves and cupboards come together. Suggested insecticides include, permethrin and pyrethins.
When spray dries, cover shelves with clean, fresh paper before replacing packaged food and utensils. Spread bay leaves in the new grain products and seal in plastic bags.
The summer time means cloud burst of rain and flash flooding around homes.One area you need to concern yourself with is the downspouts around the home.They take all the rain water from the roof area and move it away from the home.In most cases the downspouts direct the water into pipes that run underground and away from the home.In areas where the downspout deposits the water right next to the foundation, you need to make a change.Soil erosion will rapidly take place and the basement will begin to leak. There are devices that channel the water 6 ft. away from the home which is ideal.If you have good soil slope away from the home, try using rocks to break down the flow of the water which minimizes erosion.I recommend several layers of rocks about the size of your fist.
It's time of year when we start our exterior holiday decorations and in most cases we're going to need a ladder. That's what I'd like to focus on a little bit, the safety aspects of decorating on the outside of your home. If you need a ladder, make sure you get the right kind of ladder for the job. Make sure it's properly sized to you. For instance, they're actually weight rated. This one is for 250 pounds. And even after thanksgiving that will take care of me. So, make sure the ladder's on good, solid, firm footing. And that's very, very important. This ladder has a real nice wide base to it where you're going to get a good balanced fitting. Also, don't be going up and down this ladder with all kinds of tools in your hand. Get a tool belt and use the ladder like you were carrying nothing. One other thing, one person on the ladder. Whether you're going up or down, always be facing the ladder. Now, for the lights, to keep them safe up on the gutter. Don't just drape them over nails. You want to put the bulbs and the sockets right into one of these gutter clips. That holds them nice and firm. That keeps them from banging into the gutter, which could cause a problem. This is kind of a nice gizmo too. If you don't have a ladder, you just need to kind of lift the light strand up a little bit. This is a telescoping pole, goes up to about eleven feet. It can be real handy for your exterior decorations.
A whole house fan is a simple and inexpensive method of cooling a house. The fan draws cool outdoor air inside through open windows and exhausts hot indoor air through the attic to the outside. Running a whole house fan whenever outdoor temperatures are lower than indoor temperatures will cool a house. In summer, the air inside a home is heated during the hot part of the day. During the morning, late evening, and night, the outside air is often cooler and can be used to replace the inside air. Operating the whole house fan at these times will cool interior materials. As daytime temperatures rise, the whole house fan can be turned off. The cool materials (along with ceiling or circulating fans, which create an additional cooling effect) will help keep the interior more comfortable. These fans are usually installed in the ceiling in the upper reaches of the home.
Here is a quick home checklist before going on vacation.
Suspend your mail and newspapers. Both of these tasks can be accomplished online.
Stop other delivery services.
Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may need to arrange to have your lawn mowed.
If you are going for an extended vacation, arrange for your trash or recycle cans to be set out for collection and then returned to your garage.
Purchase timers to be set on a few lamps around your house. Lights timed to turn on and off at appropriate hours will give your home a lived in look while you are away.
Clean out your refrigerator and discard all perishables.
Leave a copy of your itinerary, cell phone numbers and a house key with a trust worthy relative or neighbor.
Turn up your air conditioning temperature (summer) but don’t turn the air completely off! Without air, mold and mildew will grow.
Adjust window shades and blinds to a semi-open position and park a car in your driveway, again trying to maintain the feel that someone is at home.
Empty your trash cans.
Unplug your washer and dryer, coffee maker, the iron if you were doing some last minute touch ups, toaster, hair dryer, phones without answering machines, radios and TV’s. This will save electricity and reduce damage should there be a power surge.
If you use gas, turn off the pilot light and shut down the water heater. Turn off the water to the dishwasher and clothes washer.
Cancel news paper and mail
Have some inside lights set on a multiple timed timer.
Running out of propane for your gas grill can be a big problem especially when you have a house full of guest but it can also cause damage to the regulator on your gas grill. So how do you know when the propane is running out.In most cases it is difficult to know when the gas running low unless you constantly check the weight of the tank.I found a gauge that is installed between the tank and the regulator and is made of brass and has a lit dial indicating the amount of propane in the tank.It is easily installed and can save you embarrassment and money.
Every year I receive calls regarding wood peckers damaging wood siding. So I ask you….why does a wood pecker peck?The answer is for several reasons. A wood peckers rapid drumming is used as a mating call. Second, the pecking creates a hole for a nest, with the wood chips it leaves forming a cushion for the woodpecker’s eggs.
But most of the woodpecker’s pecking is done in search of food. Once the hole is made, the woodpecker’s long tongue shoots into the hole and spears insects on a barb at the tip of its tongue. A sticky saliva on the tongue also helps trap the food.The woodpecker’s toes flair out, enabling it to climb the trunks of trees and stop and feed at any point. A stiff spine in its tail helps support the woodpecker on the tree trunk. Eliminating the food source or changing the environment is the best way to discourage the wood pecker.
We hear about building green but what does that mean.Here are the key components that make up green building.
What Are the Elements of Green Buildings?
Below is a sampling of green building practices. Siting Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Energy Efficiency
Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of natural lighting. Materials Efficiency Select sustainable construction materials and products by evaluating several characteristics such as reused and recycled content, zero or low off gassing of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials, high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production. Water Efficiency Design for dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a gray water system that recovers rainwater. Minimize wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, and other water conserving fixtures.
Occupant Health and Safety
Choose construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low emissions to improve indoor air quality. Provide adequate ventilation and a high-efficiency, in-duct filtration system.
Building Operation and Maintenance
Proper maintenance ensures that a building continues to perform as designed and commissioned.
Sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. 1.Liberally apply cleaner using a roller or pump sprayer (wear protective equipment to avoid contact with skin and eyes). If youhave a large deck, work in small sections to make sure the area stays wet at all times. 1.Allow the cleaner to set for approximately 15 minutes. If necessary, 2.If you encounter any grease stains, clean them with a TSP substitute or another mild detergent.
2.After 15 minutes, work the cleaner into the surface using a stiff synthetic-bristle brush. Scrub thoroughly to remove all residue.
3.Use a garden hose with a good stream to completely rinse the cleaner from the wood. You may also use a power washer equipped with a 45-degree tip set at 1200 - 1400 psi. Keep a distance of 8- to 12-inches from the surface and spray with the grain of the wood to avoid damage to the surface of the deck
If you are going to buy or use a portable generator here are some tips you can use. Keep your generator ready by testing oncea month. Charge the battery with a trickle charger.Keep the fuel tank filed and make sure to use a fuel conditioner in the tank.When using the generator keep all extension cords on top of rugs or carpeting to avoid heat build up and fire. Plug in one piece of equipment at a time with the generator operating. Start with the item that require the most electricity. Prioritize your needs the more equipment that is plugged in the more fuel it uses. Always operate outside, away from windows, and on a level surface to prevent engine damage.
Well we go the super bowl behind us and it seems the waste treatments plants survived again. Several years ago a story came up about how the half time break in the game could overload our sewage system. Yeah I know something else you can worry about but seriously how big of a deal is the half time flush. Outside of the last episode of Mash the Super Bowl halftime breaks records on an annual basis for the most toilets flushed in a short period of time. Just think what was going on last night while you watched the game. The estimates are that 90 million toilets got flushed during halftime. That is equivalent to0 the Niagara Falls volume for an entire half an hour. That is a lot of water.
When using a generator, safety must be on your mind.
With Hurricane season upon us and the high number of tornados this spring you might want to consider a home generator. This will allow you to run some lighting in your home. When using a generator, safety must be on your mind.They should not be used in enclosed areas such as; garages, carports, basements, crawl spaces or near open windows and doors of your home. Carbon Monoxide poisonings from generators caused over 60 deaths just last year. So use the generator in open areas and at a safe distance from the home.Extension cords should be adequate to handle the load, and don’t try to draw more power than the generator is rated to supply. Always allow the generator to cool before filling with gas.
The biggest complaint about painting in the winter time is the odor of the paint.
The biggest complaint about painting in the winter time is the odor of the paint. Well with the whole green movement, this particular paint, Harmony, has zero V.O.C's; that's zero volatile organic compounds. The beautiful thing about using a paint like this, that is green, is that there is very, very, low odor. You can actually paint a bedroom and sleep in the bedroom the same night. So again, green safe products, excellent for painting inside this time of year. Also ceilings, they can be tough. I know we have enough light in the room, if you're going to paint a ceiling, start in the brightest area paint to the darkest corner, because as our arms get tired, we may not get as good a coat on. However, we have a solution for that too. This Visible Solutions, excellent paint. Goes on pink, dries white. For ceiling use, you'll always know where you are.
When the sun is beating down on the soil, the temperatures are in the 90’s and it hasn’t rained for weeks. You might consider watering your foundation…yep water your foundation.The main reason is if you live in an area with clay soil ( and I do)when it gets real dry the clay actually shrinks and pulls away from the foundation.This causes a channel for water to enter the house when it does rain but more importantly it puts undo stress on the concrete foundation.When you put a soaker hose on the soil and allow the water to just moisten the clay it will expand and move up onto the foundation. Repeat this process several times for good results. So walk around the house and see if the soil has pulled away from the foundation and if it has …get out the soaker hose.
Summer storms can be violent and hurricanes along the coast can create a disaster, so be prepared.
Summer storms can be violent and hurricanes along the coast can create a disaster, so be prepared. Always have extra bottled water in your home. In hurricane prone areas you may want to fill the bathtub with water for cooking. Stock up on batteries, flashlights and fluorescent camping lights. Avoid propane lamps and candles as they can be a hazard. Have a charged cell phone and a charger for the phone that works in the car in the event of a power failure. It is always a good idea to have a few tools handy and some tarps and of course duct tape. Have a first aid kit stock and be ready to go. There are many things to consider but these are just a few. Might even bring lawn furniture, bikes toys, grills and garbage cans to a sheltered area to avoid them from becoming airborne.
I know this is the time of year for summer vacations. Here are a series of tips to keep your home safe during your time out.
1) Halt the mail. A burglar knows you are away by noticing mail piling up or looking in the house and noticing a large pile of mail under the mail slot. Have the USPO stop your mail.
2) Halt the newspaper. Also don't tell the newspaper company you are going on vacation. Just tell them to stop delivery until you get back.
3) Put your lights on a timer. Also, there are timers that change and alternate which lights turn on and off. If a burglar is watching and they notice the same lights turning on and off. This could tip them off.
4) Turn the radio on. Also, keep it on talk radio (preferably At Home with Gary Sullivan) since speech patterns have a different cadence than music.
5) Set your answering machine to 5 rings. Picking up too soon or too late could tip off burglars. Also, your outgoing message shoudl never say you are not home.
6) Drapes. Some people say close them, some say open. A compromise is open the upper floors, close bottom floors. Also don't keep expensive items in the window in plain sight.
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