February Yard & Garden Tips

As the weather begins to warm up, don't get too far ahead in your spring gardening - we may still have frost, so be prepared to cover tender plants.  Trees, shrubs and vines can be fertilized at this time.  Fertilize trees away from the trunk; you want to reach the active roots under the outer part of the tree canopy.  Wait to prune any frost-damaged plants after you begin to see new growth.  You can clean out dead wood and remove suckers on trees in your yard.  Remember when pruning any plant to use clean, sharp tools designed for pruning and disinfect them between uses to prevent any spreading of disease.  Never remove more than 25% of the plant when pruning.

Bermuda grass can still be watered just once per month, while rye grass can be watered once or twice per week.  Don’t water grass at night or cut grass when it is wet – both of these actions can encourage growth of fungal diseases.  Don’t fertilize dormant Bermuda grass until later in the spring.

Dealing with weed control is easiest when weeds are small and their roots are weak.  This is a good time to use a pre-emergent weed control in gravel areas.  Remember that if you are planning to plant seeds, don’t use the pre-emergent in that area because it will prevent the seeds from germinating.

These simple tips will help your trees and landscape stay healthy and help prepare for those hot temperatures.

Make Pool Safety a Priority This Year

It’s never too early in the season to think about pool safety. In Arizona, local building codes include very specific requirements for pool safety in terms of fencing, gates, and door alarms in an attempt eliminate drowning incidents.  Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in Arizona, and is the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children under the age of 15.

There are a number of ways homeowners can protect their families and keep their pool areas safe.  The number one tool in drowning prevention is supervision.  A child can drown in the time it takes to answer an unexpected phone call or ring of the doorbell.  Installing alarms and self-closing, self-latching devices on doors offers further protection.  Children are prevented from opening doors by themselves, and an alarm will sound when a door is opened.

Permanent, galvanized steel pool fencing is an excellent option for keeping your pool area secure.  If you don’t have children in your home, but perhaps have visiting family or grandchildren, removable mesh fencing is an option.  This fencing can be removed, rolled up and put away when children are not in the home.  An additional option for pool safety is a pool safety net.  These nets stretch across the surface of the pool, so small that children cannot reach the water.  Of course, the homeowner must be vigilant about replacing the net after swimming, so that the pool is never left uncovered. 

Keep your family safe - start thinking about your pool safety plan now.

Find Out Where your Energy Dollars are Going - Home Energy Audits

Everyone’s talking about energy efficiency these days – how to save on energy costs while preserving the environment.  But do you really know why you spend what you do on energy?  One way to find out is to have a home energy audit performed.  A home energy audit is a great way to gather and analyze information to determine where you can save money on your energy costs.

A home energy audit is performed using infrared cameras, surface thermometers, furnace efficiency meters and other specialized equipment.  A thorough examination of the home, inside and out, is completed by technicians.  If the homeowner knows of any problem areas (hot spots, drafty areas, etc.) these can be looked at in more detail to determine the cause. 

Additionally, the auditor will want to know how many people live in the home, what the occupants’ energy habits are (when are thermostats turned up or down, when are people home or at work, etc.) and what the actual monthly energy costs are.  Once all of this information is compiled and analyzed, the audit can provide recommendations for improvements and areas where savings can be recognized.

The audit should also provide information about potential tax rebates for making energy efficiency improvements and a projection on how much the homeowner will save in energy costs.  An energy audit is a great first step to leading a more energy efficient lifestyle.

Benefits of Water Conditioning Systems

Living in the desert presents some unique challenges when it comes to our water supply.  Water in Arizona contains large amounts hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium, resulting in water that is two to three times harder than water in other parts of the country.  Hard water is a problem for a number of reasons, but mostly because it is “hard” on appliances, systems, our bodies and our wallets.  The minerals found in hard water can form a build-up that causes problems in water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, humidifiers and the plumbing throughout your home.

Hard water also reduces the effectiveness of detergents and other cleaning products.  You spend more money on these products because you’ve got to use more to get the job done.  Hard water can also leave residue and soap scum behind when you are cleaning.  It can also etch glassware and result in spots and streaks, as well as shortening the life of your clothing when washed in hard water.  Additionally, hard water is hard on our skin and hair as it doesn’t rinse as cleanly and can be harsh and drying.

The solution to the hard water problem is to use a water conditioning system that removes the hard minerals from your water system.  These systems filter the water supply through a resin softening medium.  Salt is used to revitalize the system periodically, so a continuous supply of soft, conditioned water is available in your home.

Futuristic Home Heating and Cooling Technology – Nest Thermostat

According to the EPA, using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners and residents 5% - 15% a year on your heating and cooling bill.  They recommend setting your thermostat at 68°F when you are awake and at home, and programming a 10° to 15° setback for at least 8 hours.  The same strategy would apply for cooling your home in the summer, by keeping the thermostat at 78° when you are home and awake, and using a warmer setting while at work or asleep.

Sounds easy, right?  In a series of surveys done by researchers at University of California, it was discovered that 90% of programmable thermostats are rarely or never programmed.  Photographs of participants’ thermostats that were collected revealed that 50% of the respondents had set their thermostats on “long term hold” and 20% of the units displayed the wrong time.  Since many programmable thermostats don’t seem to be user-friendly, even homeowners who have the opportunity to save on energy bills are not using technology to their advantage.

Startup company Nest Labs wants to change that with their newly unveiled Nest thermostat, which can actually program itself. Users can adjust the thermostat manually as they normally do, and within one week the Nest unit will learn the patterns and program itself to raise and lower temperatures automatically.  It can even recognize that the house is empty during vacation times and go into energy saving mode.  Of course, the Nest can be programmed by the user as well, and if you practice good energy saving habits, Nest will pick up on them.

This year may be the time to take energy savings seriously and get a little help from a smart thermostat.

Retractable Screens - Convenience and Beauty

Arizona sun is a force to be reckoned with – not only does it cause glare, but it can raise energy costs and fade carpets and furnishings.  A great solution for homeowners, especially those who don’t want to sacrifice views, is retractable shades.  They can block up to 98% of solar heat rays, cut energy costs by up to 30% and provide glare-free shade that can be controlled with the touch of a button.  Retractable shades come in a variety of fabric and trim colors to match your home, and are custom-fitted.

There are a variety of retractable shade options for homeowners to choose from.  Interior or exterior clutch shades are easily lowered and raised manually with a chain pull system.  Heavy duty manual shades use a crank operation.  Motorized shades come with a choice of motors, all designed to provide quiet and smooth operation.  The motors can be hardwired and operated from wall switches for the ultimate in convenience.  Some models also come with remote controls and wireless wall switch options.

If you’re a homeowner looking to shade your home or patio in style while lowering energy costs and carbon footprint, consider retractable screens or shades.  You’ll be able to keep the house light and bright in winter, enjoy unrestricted views, and provide protection for your home.

Bathroom Painting - What You Need to Know

Painting a bathroom is a little different from painting other rooms in your home.  Bathrooms are subject to moisture, as well as residue on the walls from soap and products like deodorant, hair spray or perfumes.  Because of the high levels of moisture, specially formulated bathroom paint should be used, but before you get to applying the paint, it’s important to clean the walls to remove any residues that would prevent the paint from adhering properly.

You’ll want to remove switch plates, towel bars, toilet paper holder and spring-fitted shower curtain rod.  It will be easier to paint behind the toilet if you also remove the tank cover.  Next, use a good quality, paintable caulk for bathrooms.  Look for places that could use fresh caulk around the tub or shower enclosure, where the countertop and vanity cabinet meet the wall, and along baseboards.

Darker colors can be intense in bathrooms, since they are generally smaller rooms.  Also, you’ll need to allow darker colors longer to cure, because steam and moisture can cause darker colors to run in spots and create an uneven look.  Look for a durable paint with a satin or gloss finish that can be wiped down and is recommended for bathrooms.