Best Buys for the Season

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin

Even though the thoughts of backyard barbeques and mowing the lawn on the weekends is slipping slowly from our minds, it is the best time of year to prepare for next year. Once the height of the summer has passed and the winter holidays begin creeping up, retailers are desperate to empty their stock of summer items. Here are some great end-of-season buys that can save you big bucks for next year.

One of the biggest money savers at the end of summer is on patio furniture. Many retailers take deep discounts on sets in order to move them quickly. In order to find the best deals, it’s best to wait until after labor day. If you can stand to wait a few months before you can use your awesome new patio furniture, you can easily save yourself hundreds of dollars and possibly buy a nicer set than you could originally have afforded.

Another area that retailers give huge discounts in at the end of summer is on lawn equipment. If you have been thinking about buying a new lawnmower or if your trimmer has taken a turn for the worse, fall is the time to buy. After labor day, you should be able to find discounts on lawn and garden tools of at least 30% if not more. They might sit in your shed for a few months, but the amount of money you can save is well worth the wait.

When it comes to your yard, making it beautiful can be expensive – espeically when it comes to new plants. In the springtime when most people are planting, the prices hit record highs. However, once autumn hits, stores are desperate to get rid of any leftover plants. If you live in an area where it will still be warm for a few weeks, you can save some serious dough. Many stores discount their plants up to 80% off! You won’t see the results of your savings until they bloom next spring but that’s about as close to seeing money on a tree as you can get!

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Splurge or Steal – Wood Floors

Posted on January 5, 2012 by admin

You want to put down wood flooring in your home, but have no idea where to start or what to choose. Sound right? This is a common frustration among homeowners because there are so many choices. To break it down simply when it comes to wood flooring, you really have two options – hardwood and laminate. Here’s how they stack up:

Real hardwood flooring, while it will cost you more than laminate, will provide you with a few important benefits. You can’t beat the appearance of a true hardwood floor, they really are beautiful. Many of the hardwood options out there are also quite scratch resistant. Another benefit of hardwood floor is ease of repair. It is relatively easy to repair any damaged boards and you can also sand them down for refinishing. If you take good care of your hardwood floors, they can last for 30 years or more.

Laminate flooring is definitely the more cost efficient way to go and it also provides some benefits. The appearance of laminate has improved greatly but still will never stand up to a true hardwood. However, laminate flooring is extremely durable, scratch and stain resistant, making it an excellent choice if you have small children and or pets. Laminate flooring also requires very little maintenance and is easy to clean. With laminate however, it is more difficult to replace any boards that get damaged and this type of flooring cannot be refinished.

So, when deciding on true hardwood or laminate, consider your circumstances and weigh all of the pros and cons. Either way, you are sure to end up with some beautiful new flooring!

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Splurge or Steal – Refrigerators

Posted on December 22, 2011 by admin

There is no doubt about it that new appliances in a kitchen can add a lot of value to your home, especially if you are ready to sell. There are a ton of different options out there when it comes to refrigerators. Here are some choices for every budget and purpose:

Let’s start with the steal. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a decent refrigerator with ample space. A great example is the LG Bottom Freezer mount refrigerator. It should run you just under $800 and comes from a reliable brand of appliances. At 22.4 cubic feet it provides plenty of storage space and is energy star certified to cut your electric bill. It has temperature controls and plenty of freezer space. There is no icemaker/water dispenser on the front but if you are willing to do without this feature, this is a great steal.

If you are looking to go more mid-range when purchasing a new refrigerator, consider a style like the Maytag French Door refrigerator. This type of fridge is going to run you about $1200-$1500 but if you shop well, you can find a great deal. This particular fridge offers a ton of space at 25 cubic feet and the French door style really opens it up. When you go for a mid-price refrigerator you are also typically going to get an ice/water dispenser on the door. This style of fridge is going to give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to resale.

If you want to splurge on your new refrigerator, there are some great options that will put you right in the lap of luxury. Try the LG stainless steel double drawer French Door refrigerator. This fridge offers features like a double drawer freezer pullout, 27.5 cubic feet, slide out spill proof shelves and an extra tall ice/water dispenser. At about $2200 it may hurt the pocket but you can’t find a better appliance.

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Splurge or Steal – Hot Water Heaters

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

With everybody trying to save money these days, people are taking a lot closer look at home appliances and their efficiency. One huge draw of energy in a home is the hot water heater. There are a lot of options to choose from nowadays, so which direction should you go when it’s time to replace?

The first option is your typical, hardware store hot water tank. Depending on the size, one of these is going to run you $300-$500. Many of the hot water tanks now are energy star certified and have multiple settings to help you save money. With this type of hot water system, you are going to have the same old issues like possibly running out of hot water if you have a lot of people trying to use all of it at once and it can take a minute or two for the hot water to reach you. If there is cold water sitting in the pipes, it needs to be flushed out before the hot water can make its way through. So, going with this old reliable is still a good choice in today’s economy and if you buy the proper size for your home, it should serve you quite well.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and want to splurge on a new hot water system you might consider going tankless. These systems have been around for a few years now but are going to run you about $1000. The tankless water heaters boast an endless amount of hot water as they are attached directly to your pipes and constantly run water through the unit. If you have a large household, these might not be the best option for you as the water still has to have time to heat up. With these tankless systems, the temperature often fluctuates. So, if you have a relatively small household with low water usage, this could be the way to go.

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Avoid Deck Drainage Problems

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Karl

You finish the deck and it looks great – until it rains.

Nothing more frustrating than getting a really good deck project finished only to have the rain…well,rain on your parade.

Follow these tips to avoid drainage issues.

Water Direction

Directing the water to one location in large amounts will simply lead to overflow and erosion issues.  Water will tend to accumulate and pool as well, so you need to ensure even flow across the area – use a slight, downward gradient and multiple channels for the water to be directed away from the area or into your drains.  If you are feeling green, direct the water to your lawn and flower bed areas to supplement their watering or even by collecting it for later use.

Use Round or V-shape Channels

Don’t use square-shaped channels as these tend to become blocked by leaves and debris more easily.  Using a rounded or v-shaped channel will minimize this and the debris is more likely to be transported away from the area with the run-off.  These channel shapes also promote an even flow of water from the area which helps avoid water accumulation or pooling.

Use the Right Drainage System

Some drainage systems will not handle the volume of rain water you experience.  Make sure the drainage system you use is going to be capable of handling the level of water you are likely to experience.

Drainage Life Expectancy

Thick PVC or plastic piping is likely to provide the longest life expectancy for the decking drainage – using metal pipes is only likely to lead to corrosion and deterioration in the system.  There is another issue with using metal drainage systems in that the water tends to become poisoned due to corrosion and this in turn is bad for plants, animals and potentially even for your family.

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5 Tips for Unblocking the Sink

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Karl

The sink is blocked, it should be fixed straight away and you are thinking it’s time to get a plumber in to get it fixed.

Stop!

Try these 5 tips first and save your dollars.

Off-the-Shelf Products

There are plenty to choose form but, a word of caution. Check the ingredients as many chemicals used are highly toxic and will affect the local water supply – this said, they usually unblock a sink in a few minutes.

Plunger

A couple of dollars will buy you a plunger and you should always have one – if you don’t borrow one from your neighbor. Applying a plunger and some elbow grease will usually shift all but the most stubborn blockages – make sure you have a round-shaped plunger to do this job and not the oval-shaped ones.

Plunge three times then check the water level to see if you are getting anywhere. Repeat this for no more than 4 times – if you haven’t shifted the blockage by that point, you need to look at some other strategy.

Vinegar

Try this instead of the plunger – put a quarter-cup of vinegar into the sink, or you can take a quarter-cup of baking powder and add this to the vinegar and then apply to the blockage. This will create foam so beware of spillage, but leave it until the foaming has finished and then get your plunger again and repeat.

Snake

This will tackle really bad blockages and is a flexed cable for threading through the pipes. Be careful in how you use a snake as you can damage the pipes and you need a degree of experience to become proficient at clearing a blockage. If you have frequent blockages in your home it will be better to buy one, but if you only need one occasionally it will be cheaper to rent them.

Remove & Clean the Trap

The U-bend is where a lot of debris accumulates and this ends up clogging the sink. Remove the trap by unscrewing the pipes here, which is usually a simple job. IMPORTANT: make sure there is a bucket underneath the trap when you are unscrewing it as there will be an outpouring of water and debris when you unscrew it.

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Dealing with an Old-Style Dryer Vent” Problems You Can Expect

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Karl

Buying an older home may be something you prefer as a result of taste, or your budget may be constrained and so you intend doing a lot of repairs and renovations yourself. Either way, eventually you are likely to encounter an old-style dryer vent and there are some common issues you will encounter.

The most common issue is a clogged vent with accumulations of dust, lint and debris which will block the vent and lead to dangerous overheating. Your dryer may switch itself off spontaneously which is due to the thermostat kicking in, however older dryer models may not have one which can lead to a fire risk. You can deal with this by purchasing a vent cleaning kit which is usually a brush with an extending arm. Inserting this into the vent and brushing out the dust and debris. If you are facing a really stubborn vent problem, grab a leaf blower and use that to blow out the debris.

Old dryer vents also frequently allow for cold air to enter your home, but this is not the only thing you have to worry about. They also provide a means of entry to your home for rodents and insect infestation. Older homes have experienced settling and it is common to find gaps appearing between the vent and surrounding external wall. You can tackle this easily enough with a caulking gun and an exterior sealant affixed around the edges of the vent.

The dryer hose may also have become worn and damaged, and it is not uncommon to find it has become knotted or has collected kinks. This allows for dust and moisture to collect within it and this can lead to mildew as well as ineffective venting, which leads back to the overheating and fire hazard issue. Usually the best course of action is simply to replace the hose entirely – it is cheap to buy and simple to fit, so save yourself time and effort and invest in a few dollars in a new hose.

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The Power Has Gone Out – What to Do First

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Karl

At some time or another most people have experienced a power outage. The first thing to do is to figure out if the problem has to do with just your house or if the entire neighborhood is without power. If the power went out in your entire home and neighbors are without power too, then its best to call your electric company and report it.

A neighborhood power outage can be caused by many different things and usually has something to do with the weather conditions. If this happens in the winter time you will want to make sure you put on layers of clothes to keep you warm. Another thing to remember is to try not to open and close your freezer and refrigerator too much. The food inside will stay cold for hours if you keep it closed. Usually, depending on the problem, the power will be turned back on as quickly as possible.

If you have power in part of your house then most likely the problem has something to do with your house’s wiring. Usually when the power goes out it is caused by a loose wire, an overloaded circuit or a short circuit. For example, if the power went out when using an electric heater or something that use a lot of electrical current it usually means you overloaded the circuit. You can check your circuit panel to see if a fuse blew out or if the breaker was tripped.

You will want to go to the circuit panel and flipped the breaker back on or replace the blown fuse. If after doing this you still are without power you probably have a more serious problem. In that case it is better to call in an electrician to fix the problem for you.

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Fixing a Leaky Faucet

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Karl

A dripping faucet is not only annoying it is also a waste of precious water. Most faucets are the washer type and can usually be repaired quickly and easily. The washers in a faucet can become cracked or brittle and will wear down from use. It is best to replace the washer as soon as you notice a small leak.

Even a small leak or drip can waste gallons of water a day. A leak can also cause permanent water spots and stains in your sink. There are many different types of faucets on the market today. However, most of them have the same basic parts and go together the same way. One of the main causes of leaks is the washer. The faucet will leak if the washer is not installed properly, the wrong size or from wear and tear.

The first thing to do before you even start is to make sure you turn off the water. Usually there is a shut off value under or near the sink you are working on. If you can’t find the shut off value you can shut off the water to the entire house.

The next thing to do is to remove the decorative cap that is on the faucet handle and then remove the handle. After you have done this you unscrew and remove the rod. The next step is to remove the screw that is holding the faucet washer in place. Once you have the washer off you can use it as a guide to find the right size for your faucet.

Once you have found and replaced the washer you can then reassemble the faucet. Then turn the water back on and you should have solved the problem. Fixing a leaky faucet is a relatively easy task to do. You will be saving money on your water bill and not wasting precious water.

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Gutter Maintenance for Spring

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Karl

The rain gutters on a home have a very important purpose. They make sure the water from rain and snow are funneled away from your home. This is because water trapped in the gutters can seep into your home and cause major damage to walls and roofs. If you routinely clean your gutters you will be protecting your home from damage.

Cleaning out the gutters is one of the least favorite things that a homeowner has to do routinely. However, rain gutters are very important and help to protect your home. Gutters protect your home’s foundation from erosion and leaks when it rains. If leaves and debris clog your gutters it can hold stagnant water that could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Cleaning out the gutters on your home is a fairly simple task to do. It involves using a ladder and your garden hose to flush out the debris. It is best if you have assistance when doing this. You will want to have someone around to turn the water on and off and to be there in case you slip or fall. If you have someone helping you the task will go faster and you won’t have to climb up and down the ladder as much.

It is best to this task in the early morning. That way you won’t get excess sun exposure. You will want to use a sturdy ladder that is tall enough for you to reach the gutters easily. One thing to remember is that rain gutters are not designed to support any weight. The person helping you should help steady the ladder when you are cleaning out the rain gutters.

To make the job easier and so you have less cleanup afterwards use a garbage bag to put the debris in and also make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands. Cleaning out your gutters is one of those dreaded jobs that needs to be done routinely to protect your home from damage.

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