Ask Art – Builder Blog
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Take Measures to Prevent Home Fires
According to the American Red Cross, home fires are on the rise since 2000. Most home fires happen during the fall and winter seasons, on weekends, and in between the times of 6pm – 7pm. As you begin to prep for your home for the fall, no other homeowner tasks could be as significant or potentially life-saving as the following list:
If your air conditioner is not performing as well as it once did, it might be time to get it serviced. Here are 5 signs it might need to be repaired:
Abolish Wasps, Mosquitos, & Other Insects..
Insect activity usually peaks in late summer, August in most places. Wasps especially can become more aggressive and more likely to sting during this time. I recommend locating the wasp nests you find and immediately spraying to eliminate them. Some nests will require you to spray them for up to 3 days in a row for the whole nest to die. As far as mosquitos are concerned, scan your yard for places with stagnant water which act as a breeding ground for these most unwanted insects. Birdfeeders, planters, and kiddie pools are common areas where rainwater collects and mosquitos thrive. Drain all stagnant and standing water you find. As far as prevention measures go, you can use citronella candles, mosquito traps, and bug zappers (if you can find one that doesn’t annoy you more than the insects do!). Also, many pest control services now offer spraying for mosquitos. I’ve seen prices range from $125/single treatment to $500/summer plan. If you are interested in such a service in the Richmond Metro area, just contact me and I would be happy to connect you with my preferred pest control service.
Tips for Hanging Outdoor String Lights..
Nothing adds ambiance to your back deck, patio, and yard like outdoor string lights! This relatively inexpensive lighting option can add a finishing touch upgrade to any outdoor living area. Here are three major factors to consider when hanging up string lights:
It’s sometimes daunting trying to figure out which home improvement projects should take priority over others when it comes to increasing your home’s overall value. According to the latest 2020 remodeling research study I’ve seen, here are 5 of the top return value projects for the Southeast region of the country:
Check Your Shingles!
The month of April is a great time to inspect your roof and look for damaged shingles that may be loose, buckling, worn, curled, or missing. Winter snow and ice storms can take a toll on your roof and cause damage to shingles. Likewise, the hot attic air of summers can cause the shingles above them to buckle and curl. Ideally you should be checking your roof twice a year – each spring and fall. If you find more than 1/3 of your shingles are curling, it’s time to replace the entire roof. If you find loose or missing shingles, have them replaced immediately lest water seep through your roof with the next April shower. If you have asphalt shingles, look to see if most of the little gravel-like granules are still on the shingles or if a good number have fallen into your gutters indicating the shingles have limited life left. Lastly, look for areas on your roof covered in moss or piles of leaves as both of these can be extremely damaging since they trap moisture which can seep into the sheathing underneath your shingles. An ounce of prevention with your roof goes a long way in saving potential costly rot and repairs later!
You have asked and I feel compelled to respond with my best understanding, but please note, I am not an expert in this field and you are receiving an opinion, not a recommendation. That said, the short answer is likely: Yes, to a certain extent, air purifiers & filters CAN (but are NOT guaranteed to) help prevent viruses from spreading throughout your home, according to some sources. Those sources claim the best HEPA air purifier filters can trap up to 99% (See Remi Halo site noted below) of viruses circulating through your air by using a system involving a complex weave of tiny fibers that carry an electrostatic charge. This charge then attracts bypassing particles and acts more like a magnet than a net. The smaller the fiber with the greater charge coefficient, the greater the likelihood of trapping even smaller particles. Although HEPA is a Department of Energy specification, testing and manufacturing protocol in the consumer sector varies to the extent that no filter brand should claim they can completely protect people from COVID-19 or other viruses. Home HVAC air filters have MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings. Every air filter has holes that allow air and particles to pass through. The smaller the holes, the fewer particles that passes through. Higher MERV ratings indicate smaller holes, and therefore a more efficient filter. The Dept. of Energy recommends households use filters with a MERV rating of 8 or higher. Click here for an example of a MERV 16 filter for purchase on amazon.
A product that claims to be highly effective is a Remi Halo Ultraviolet Light that can be installed inside of your current HVAC system and, according to the product advertisement, has been thoroughly tested to show impressive results killing MRSA, e-coli, & Norwalk viruses to name a few. If you would like more information concerning this product and live in central VA, you may wish to call Classic Comfort, an established HVAC firm, or another HVAC company that you prefer. Classic Comfort indicated to us that you should expect to pay $700-$900 to have one of these systems installed in your current system. I see these filters as an additive protective measure, especially helpful to those who might be more at risk, but understand that nothing that I know of is guaranteed to kill all the viruses, bacteria, & pollutes that may be air borne.
We answered this question in last month’s newsletter and it stirred up quite a buzz! We love this new trend that has started to debut across the country and have just had our first two clients inquire about building a modern farmhouse design! Much like the Craftsman style of the last decade, the Modern Farmhouse style is wrapped in old charm character with updated, fresh lines achieved through:
For further design elements, we recommend browsing the modern farmhouse plans available at Don Gardner. If you are interested in building your own modern farmhouse, we’d love to talk to you!
Chestnuts (not termites) Roasting on an Open Fire!
Tis the season for warm holiday fires but be sure to store that firewood for woodburning fireplaces away from the home! Too many homeowners make the mistake of stacking firewood up against their homes and while the shorter walk may be convenient, they are unknowingly increasing the risk of termite damage to their homes. Instead, be sure to stack and store firewood at least 20 feet away from your foundation…a simple holiday tip that can keep you merry and warm!
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning by Installing and/or Checking Your CO Detector
Carbon monoxide (CO) can pose a serious danger and the sources producing it can be found in most homes today. For years I have made it mandatory in the homes I build to include a CO detector as most can now be purchased in a combo unit with a smoke alarm. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous odorless gas that can be found as the byproduct of gas furnaces, space heaters, stoves, dryers, back-drafting from unvented appliances, & generators to name a few. Since CO is lighter than air, the detectors need to be installed on ceilings. If you already have a CO detector, be sure to regularly check the batteries. Lastly, keep an eye out for the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning :
The short answer is no! You should not put fibrous vegetables such as pumpkin, kale, celery, and asparagus down your disposal because of how easily they get tangled up in the unit and often jam the motor. Here’s a helpful list of what should and shouldn’t go in your garbage disposal:
Should:
Should Not:
If you want a luscious lawn in the spring, fall is the time to take action! Whether you hire a landscaper or do it yourself, aerating your yard provides multiple benefits to the grass and soil below by perforating small holes that allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate them. Aeration alleviates soil compaction, a condition that worsens over time and prevents new grass from being able to grow. Most professionals recommend the following order of steps:
Be sure to mow your lawn before aeration and do not cut it for at least a week after. One last helpful hint: lightly water your lawn after mowing and before aerating because aeration is most effective when the soil is slightly moist.
Vacuum Refrigerator Coils..
Keep your refrigerator running longer and more efficiently by vacuuming the coils annually. Remember to unplug the refrigerator first, then pop off the base grill if necessary, and vacuum to your heart’s content (you might be surprised by what you find)!
Dust Ceiling Fan Blades & Check Direction..
Now is the perfect time to change the direction of your fan blades and clean them at the same time! As I had advised in winter to have your fans run clockwise to distribute heat more evenly, now I recommend changing the direction to counterclockwise in summer as this will push the air straight down and help you stay cooler!
Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to get your deck set up if you haven’t already! Like any outdoor structure, your Trex deck needs to be cared for and cleaned well to maintain it’s optimal beauty and life. Early generation Trex decks do not encourage power washing, just soap and water and a soft bristled brush. The Transcend, Enhance, & Select Trex products allow for pressure washers with equal to or less than 3100 PSI and recommend holding the tip no closer than 8″ from each deck board. Never use cleaning products with Acetone in them; but rather, use a Magic Eraser to try to remove any stains you may have. Also, never sand a Trex deck. Lastly, as a reminder for next winter, never use a metal shovel on a Trex deck, only plastic should you need to remove snow and/or debris. For now, happy deck season!
Remove dead trees & shrubs!
The month of April is a great time to evaluate your yard and remove any dead trees and shrubs for both safety and aesthetic purposes. With the upcoming summer thunderstorms trumpeting our way, dead trees can easily be blown over and cause costly, if not deadly, accidents. Dead or unsightly shrubs can be removed during this time allowing for freshly planted ones to take advantage of the spring soil. As always, whenever any of your projects require digging, I strongly urge you to call 8-1-1 to find out where your utility lines run underground. You can also visit their website to find out more information (call811.com).
Test your water heater pressure release valve
I recommend homeowners check their water heater pressure release valve every year. Diminishing water pressure, no water pressure, and hammering noises within your walls are all indicators that your pressure reducing valve is going bad. I like to recommend a great 3 min. video that Roto Rooter has prepared to demonstrate how this is done, although you can skip to the 1:30 mark to get straight to the point. Click here for that video.
Check your bathroom caulk!
I like to remind my homeowners to do one last interior winter check before the weather turns warmer and everyone wants to head outside: check the caulk in your bathrooms. Most homeowners remember to check the caulk by their windows and doors as they are naturally motivated by the cost savings benefit of performing those checks. Often forgotten, but just as important, is to remember to check and repair the caulk around sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Not only will it keep your bathrooms looking fresh and new, it can prevent costly leaks and plumbing calls.
We all know that hot air rises, but here’s a little tip on how to put that principle to good use in your home. If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch (most do), use it to run the fan’s blades in a clockwise direction in winter at a low speed after you turn on your heat. The fan will produce a gentle updraft and push down heated air from the ceiling into your room. This is especially helpful in rooms with high ceilings & it might even allow you to turn down your thermostat by a degree or two for greater energy savings.
Close your foundation vents!
Once the seasonal temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, I recommend closing your foundation vents to prevent the crawl space pipes from freezing. An easy way to do this is to simply use the mechanism on your vent to close them or you can plug them from the outside with foam blocks made specifically for this purpose as well. Another easy alternative is to replace your traditional vents with automatic ones which self close at 40 degrees and open at 70 degrees. Regardless of which method you prefer, be sure to remember this one & mark it off your winter checklist as done!
Good fences make good neighbors…unless they don’t
All home and property owners today need to know their property lines, especially if they’re looking at constructing a fence or outdoor structure, doing landscaping, putting in outdoor security cameras, and definitely if selling their home. In today’s highly litigious society, knowing your property lines can help avoid costly situations & headaches involving your neighbor’s trees, roots, etc.
Hiring a surveyor to come to your property would get the job done, but this option is costly and I recommend pursuing other options first:
At the end of the day, if neither of these options work, hire a surveyor. It’s absolutely worth it when you’re considering any home improvement project. After all, you want to make sure the property that you’re improving and protecting is actually yours. When it comes to your property, it’s either know it or lose it!
Change Your Furnace Filter
The change of seasons is always a great reminder to change your furnace filter. Your heating system will run much more efficiently this winter if you do so! A few things to keep in mind when replacing your filter(s):
Protect Your Deck & Patio Before Fall..
The hot summer sun can be brutal on outdoor decks and patios! First, clean away dust and debris from the surfaces of your deck, patio, and porch spaces. Next, look for signs of cracking, chipped paint, or holes that need to be repaired. Use wood putty or stone filler to repair any areas that have been damaged. Make sure to repaint or restain and seal the surface before the wet fall weather begins and the ice of winter comes!
As many of you may have seen in the newspaper yesterday, we made the Top 5 as one of Richmond’s Best Homebuilders! Thanks to your nomination votes back in the Spring, AHI broke through the historically all-production-builder ranks and grabbed a spot in the Top 5 of the annual Richmond Times Dispatch’s “The Best of Richmond” competition. We know this is because of you, thank you!
If you feel like voting again,the competition is now to the final phase and will be narrowing the list down to the Top 3 to be announced at a ceremony in October. You can vote daily, at the link above! (You’ll find Best Homebuilder in the Home and Garden section).
We appreciate your support!
The AHI Team
Yes! There are several at home remedies I recommend trying before calling a plumber for clogged drains. Try following these steps:
If the drain is still clogged after these 5 steps, I think it’s time to call the plumber.
Most of today’s high-efficiency AC units keep noise levels below 55 decibels. So, if you hear an unusual or loud noise, don’t ignore it and turn a potentially minor issue into a major expense. Below are the most common AC unit noises and what they may mean:
Clean Your Gutters!
With the weather finally turning warm, many of us are anxious to get outside and start our spring cleanup projects! I always like to remind homeowners that cleaning your gutters first is a great place to start. The wind and debris from winter storms can fill your gutters with unwanted deposits so you’ll want to be sure they’re not clogged as the season of spring showers begins. As this often times is a somewhat messy endeavor, I recommend cleaning your gutters first and then power-washing or cleaning your home’s exterior afterwards to maximize spring cleaning efficiency.