Phoenix Home and Garden – May is Kitchen Month

Phoenix Home and Garden is pulling out all the stops in May, featuring everything kitchens. The magazine will publish their “Best Kitchen Ideas” issue which will showcase the latest in kitchen products like hidden pantries, backsplash knife blocks, and a special “Trend Watch” on range hoods. If you are thinking of doing a kitchen remodel, this could be the time to get inspired.

Any kitchen remodeling job needs careful planning and design, on top of your dream-kitchen wish list. At Trades Unlimited, a four step process ensures the project goes smoothly and the end result is that you absolutely love your new kitchen. During an initial meeting, ideas and needs for the space are discussed, along with materials, design and rough estimates of cost. The second step is the design phase, where client and designer communicate as the drawings are created and final pricing is developed.

A pre-inspection meeting between client, designer and Trades Unlimited supervisor is the next step in the process, allowing the supervisor to look at the project in detail and make sure that measurements are accurate, codes are being met and there are no issues with the plans. Before work begins, the job foreman is brought aboard for a pre-job conference with client and superintendant. The goal is to streamline communication with the foreman who will actually be on the job on a day to day basis, and give everyone a chance to go over the job in detail.

The end result of the four step process is that before the job has even begun a clear picture of the scope of the job and the end result has been established for all parties involved. So go out and see what’s cooking in the world of kitchens to inspire your dream kitchen.

Water Softener Basics

Water softeners can be a mysterious concept to homeowners who are new to the area. In many parts of the country hard water isn’t an issue, but in Arizona it’s necessary to remove calcium and magnesium from our water to protect plumbing and heating systems, appliances, plumbing fixtures and even dishes and glassware. Hard water deposits lime scale and can leave water spots or a white residue behind on everything from your sink and vanity top to your finest dishes. It can make detergents and soaps less effective as well.

A water softener is a system that exchanges the “hard” minerals such as calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium. This happens in the mineral tank, where the household water is run over plastic beads which are covered in sodium ions. The sodium ions are swapped with the undesirable mineral ions. When there are no more sodium ions left, the beads must be regenerated, so they are flushed with a strong brine solution that is made from keeping your water softener stocked with salt. This removes all of the stored calcium and magnesium ions and replenishes the beads with sodium ions.

Water softener systems are low-maintenance, in that you really just need to check your softener to make sure the salt level doesn’t get too low. If it drops below one-third, refill with the recommended salt pellets to the fill line. If you notice a large amount of salt residue, you may need to have your unit checked out or cleaned by a professional.

There are quite a few options for installing or upgrading your water softener, from all-in-one units to those with multiple tanks and some systems that also remove bacteria, pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Give Your Old Covered Patio a New Look for Spring

If you’ve got a plain concrete slab patio, you might want to update it and add some color and a finished look with concrete stain. Based on the color and effect that you want, you can choose from water-based acidic stain or a non-reactive stain. There are many colors to choose from, and you can opt for a variegated, sheer look or a more opaque and uniform type of effect. Some concrete stains look like stone or marble when applied.

Concrete stain isn’t just a coating - it actually soaks into the concrete. So, you’ll need to check your existing concrete to make sure it has not been coated with a sealer or anything else that might inhibit the stain from permeating the concrete. Check for paints, oils, or glues, and sprinkle water on the concrete to make sure it soaks in. If you’ve got major cracks or damage, staining might not work well on your concrete, although you may be able to apply a thin layer of a cement-based overlay.

Concrete staining can be left to the pros or there are some types you can purchase at a local home improvement store. Either way, you’ll need to thoroughly clean your concrete before stain is applied. There is a wide range of cleaning solvents available, and many are environmentally safe. Tri-sodium phosphate is a good all purpose cleaner to use to scrub down your concrete.

To decide whether to try staining your patio yourself, check manufacturers’ instructions and recommendations. Acrylic-based stains are often easier to use and a good choice for beginners. Take a look at some concrete stain effects and consider giving your plain old patio a whole new look.

Dive into Simple Pool Maintenance

Owning a pool in the Valley of the Sun doesn’t need to be intimidating if you know some basic pool maintenance facts. Start with testing your pool water to check pH levels and see whether you will need to add chemicals to get the pool ready for swimmers. The pH scale measures acidity and alkalinity from 0 to 14. Purchase a simple pool test kit and look for a reading of between 7.2 and 7.8. Some pool equipment stores will test your water if you bring a small amount into the store – this might help familiarize you with what chemicals you may need to add to the pool.

Keep your pool free of debris with a long-handled pool skimmer. Just scoop out leaves, twigs and bugs every couple of days. Also remember to empty out your automatic skimmer basket at least once a week. Just remove the top located in the pool deck and pull out the basket to empty it. Keeping the pool free of debris that deteriorates will cut down on the amount of chlorine needed to keep the pool clean.

Regular weekly vacuuming is important as well, as well as brushing the tile and walls to remove algae, mineral deposits and dirt. Some pool surfaces like vinyl, fiberglass or tile require a soft brush.

Keep an eye on your pool water level throughout the swimming season. Use your hose to fill the pool to the correct level, and make sure the level doesn’t drop below the skimmer or you may damage the pump. If your water level drops significantly, you will want to have a professional look for leaks.

Spring Maintenance – Hit the Laundry Room

One area that homeowners often neglect in routine maintenance is the laundry room. We take for granted that our appliances will perform over and over again without taking care of them. There are a few simple things you can do to keep your washer and dryer in good operating condition and reduce the likelihood of leaks or repairs.


If you have rubber hoses for your washing machine, you should check them periodically for any signs of wear or obvious issues like blisters or cracks. If one of these hoses ruptures it can mean water everywhere, and water damage to floors and walls. If you have rubber hoses you may want to replace them with stainless steel fill hoses.

You may notice your washer having issues from time to time on the spin cycle – banging, rocking back and forth or even moving across the room. This is tough on your machine and should be easily fixed by ensuring your machine is level. The front legs can be leveled to the proper height and then locked into place by tightening the lock nut. Your machine may have adjustable rear legs as well, but many machines have self-leveling rear legs. Tip your machine forward so the rear legs are off of the floor, then lower it back down.

When it comes to dryers, it’s important to check the dryer vent pipe for a build up of lint. Your vent pipe should be aluminum – if not, upgrade it to avoid the potential of fire. Lint can be trapped anywhere in the pipe, so check the whole length and remove any lint. There are brushes available for cleaning the vent pipe, and if your dryer gets heavy use you’ll want to clean it more than once a year.

Following these simple maintenance tips will keep your washer and dryer in great shape, making life easier for you.

More Benefits of Insulation

Last month I talked about insulation and how it can reduce energy costs by keeping your indoor heated or cooled air from escaping through the walls and ceilings. There are various types of insulation that can be installed by professionals, and one option for Valley residents to consider is RetroFoam.


This foamed in place insulation works well in any existing home with block or frame construction. The foam is installed through small holes and will completely fill all open areas within the walls, sealing all wall cracks and crevices. RetroFoam brings the R-Value of your walls very close to the R-19 recommended by APS for homes in the Phoenix area. RetroFoam claims to have the highest annual R-value of any re-insulation option on the market today. The foam stays in place, unlike cellulose or fiberglass insulation which can settle or break down over time. The company also points out that the foam is non-flammable and non-toxic, and eliminates places where critters can make their homes. If traffic or other noise is an issue, another potential benefit of the foam insulation is sound insulation, with a decrease of sound levels of up to 75%, a 45-50 db reduction on average.

RetroFoam technicians fill the wall cavities from the outside, so it is usually an easy process for the homeowner. The company then patches the small holes and matches your home’s finish and paint color to complete the job.

As we all look for ways to improve and maintain our homes while saving on energy costs, an insulation upgrade like RetroFoam could be something to consider.

Trends in Remodeling Cost vs. Value

Remodeling Magazine has released its 2010-2011 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. This annual report takes 35 popular remodeling projects and compares the cost to the value the projects retain at resale. Although the unstable economy has affected the construction industry as well as home values across the country, one thing has remained consistent according to the study. “Replacement projects have historically outperformed full-service remodeling projects, primarily because they are lower-cost projects that are perceived as essential to regular home maintenance.”

Exterior projects that result in increased curb appeal lead the pack, with entry door and garage door replacements recouping up to 102.1% and 83.9% respectively. Replacing windows was another high-return home project, showing a return of 81.5% in the Phoenix area. Another top exterior project that adds appeal and value is the addition of a wood deck. This relatively inexpensive project tied for fourth place in the cost to value analysis with minor kitchen remodeling. Minor kitchen remodeling is a significant expenditure at an average of $21,695 nationally, but shows the importance to homeowners of investing in a comparatively inexpensive “face lift” to keep this essential part of the house up-to-date and aesthetically pleasing to potential buyers.

Return on project investment is also dependent on the current real estate trends and values in your neighborhood. That said, keeping a well-maintained house and investing in updated features that are in line with comparable properties will allow you to enjoy your home and keep it in top form for potential resale.