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.

My House Needs to Be Painted…Again

There are several reasons why your home may need to be repainted sooner than you thought.  Of course,
maintaining a quality painted finish on your house is not only aesthetically pleasing – no one wants to look at peeling, cracked or discolored paint – but also good for the life of your home.  So when you start to see problems with your exterior paint finish, it’s a good time to act.

Even a quality paint job will wear over time, especially in our extreme climate. Rain and snow aren’t really environmental factors that affect paint here in the desert, but sun and high temperatures certainly take a toll on your exterior paint.  The sun’s UV rays can cause paint to break down and fade.  Heat will cause paint and the surface beneath it to expand.  Repeated expansion and contraction can cause cracks that eventually expand and result in peeling paint.

Another reason you may need to repaint your house stems from improper preparation before a previous paint job.  If the surface was not properly prepared, the paint won’t adhere properly.  Quality of paint or choosing the incorrect type of paint can also result in peeling and cracking prematurely.  More expensive paints generally contain higher quality materials and should last longer if applied properly.  One coat of paint may be a quick fix, but you won’t get the wear out of it and your house will not be as well protected as it should be.

If you think your exterior paint is showing signs of wear, call in a qualified professional painter to evaluate the condition, identify any potential problems and provide your home with lasting protection and beauty.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Are you ready to enjoy the fall and winter in beautiful Arizona?  Time to relax with family and friends, get outdoors, whether you’re golfing, hiking or attending the many festivals or art events in the area.  But, before you can play it’s a good idea to get your home maintenance list squared away.  September is a great time to handle routine maintenance items around the house as it begins to cool off a little.

Walk the exterior of your home and check for peeling paint, cracks in the foundation or stucco, damage to the soffit and fascia, and the slab and any plantings around your air conditioning unit.  As temperatures cool, adjust your irrigation timers accordingly.

In fall, solar screens can be removed, cleaned and stored.  Of course, that means windows can be washed after all of our summer dust storms.  It’s also a good time to check your sliding glass doors and clean the tracks and treads.  Check your garage door for proper operation, and follow manufacturer’s instructions for oiling the door if necessary.

Fall is also a good time to check and/or change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Remember to have your HVAC system checked by a qualified professional, and change your air filters.  While you are checking filters, don’t forget about your water filtration or softening systems – do you need a new filter in your fridge or bags of salt in your water softener?

Spend a day thoroughly checking out your systems and structure, keeping things clean and running smoothly and you’ll be ready to get out and enjoy the beautiful  Arizona fall weather.

Attack Grubby Grout This Summer

Do you ever pull up a corner of the area rug on your tile and see the difference between the grout color under the rug and the grout in your traffic areas? Sometimes it looks like two completely different colors of grout, just due to a build-up of dirt in your grout. There are a number of techniques you can use to remove stains and dirt from your grout.

For smaller surface stains, you can use a pencil eraser or a small piece of folded sandpaper to rub the stain from the grout. Liquid solutions that can be applied to grout stains include a bleach and water mix, or a white-vinegar and water solution applied with baking soda. A toothbrush can be used in grout lines to scrub in the solutions before rinsing with clear water.

For larger areas, grout can be cleaned with an “oxy” solution. Apply the solution and let it work on the grout for 20-30 minutes before rinsing. Once your grout is clean, you can keep it clean by adding the oxy powder to your mopping water, allowing the oxygen ions to penetrate the grout before rinsing.

Tough stains and years of traffic might require removing and replacing grout. You can do it yourself with a grout removal tool, and a carefully matched grout. If you are considering replacing a large area of grout, you may want to consult a professional. The new grout can be sealed to help reduce staining.

Caulking Tiled Surfaces Couldn’t be Easier

When installing new tile or looking to refresh an existing tiled area, you may wonder whether to use grout or tile.  In general, most joints between tiles will be grouted, but in transition or expansion areas, grout would be the preferred material to use.  In kitchen and bath projects, using a caulk specifically designed for high moisture areas is recommended.  Kitchen and bath caulk comes in a variety of colors to blend in with grout and effectively seals tubs, showers, toilets and sinks.

Grout is not flexible, but caulk is – allowing it to “give” with any possible structural movement that occurs between surfaces.  Joints between surfaces – like wall and floor – or anywhere that settling might occur, should be caulked.  Use caulk between wall tile and tub or shower, between countertop and backsplash, and in corners where two walls come together.  Grout is also a porous surface, which allows moisture to penetrate.  Caulk is effective for creating a waterproof seal in areas such as around plumbing valves, sinks and faucets.

Caulk is easy to apply, by just following manufacturer’s recommendations.  You’ll need a caulking gun, a damp rag or a caulk smoothing tool.  Load the caulk tube into the gun and use a sharp blade to make an angled cut across the tip of the tube, then poke a hole into the tube with a nail or the metal tool that comes on some caulking guns.  Move your caulking gun smoothly across the seam and then smooth the joint with a damp rag, moistened fingertip or caulk smoothing tool.  Be sure to note whether your caulking gun stops dispensing when you release the trigger, some need to be stopped manually or caulk will keep flowing!

Allow your caulk to dry thoroughly per manufacturer’s instructions, and your tiled surface will be ready to use and sealed to perfection.

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.

Spring Weed Control

If you’ve got grass in your yard, it may be dormant and brown, or if you’ve overseeded for the winter you may still be enjoying a lush green lawn. Either way, your lawn will look better this summer if you start your weed control program now. Spring is the best time for weed control, according to Turfgrass Specialist David M. Kopec of University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Summer annuals that we consider weeds like crabgrass, stinkgrass, foxtails and broadleaf weeds germinate in the spring at our low elevation.

To protect your turf from a weed invasion, you can apply one of the pre-emergence herbicides that are sold as granules or powders. They can also be found in “weed and feed” type products. It’s important to read the label and make sure that your turf is tolerant of whatever herbicides are in the product you choose. As a general guideline, the recommended time for application in the Phoenix area is around February 25 – March 5th. It’s important to time your application correctly with your irrigation so that the product soaks into the turf and does its job!

You can also use chemical pre-emergence herbicides on broadleaf weeds, and you can use products designed for weeds in your gravel areas. Most homeowners are familiar with killing existing weeds with products like Round-Up or other herbicides applied directly to the plant. If you’d rather not use potentially harmful chemicals, you can also get creative with your weed control by using salt granules or a propane torch to kill your weeds. Of course, if you’re not that adventurous, there are natural weed-killers available too. Whatever method you choose, start now before the weeds take you by surprise!

Phoenix Roof Rat Facts and Prevention

This is the time of year when citrus trees are loaded with fruit and roof rats become more visible. Roof rats generally live a minimum of 4 feet off of the ground, and travel through trees, along tops of walls, power lines and roofs. While continued testing has shown that roof rats don’t carry disease, they can be a hazard to your home.


An opening as small as the size of a nickel can give roof rats access to your home, where they can chew through wood, plastic, aluminum siding, sheet rock and soft metals. Often the rats enter homes through the attic and then travel down pipes and gnaw through drywall to get into kitchens, laundry rooms or garages.

Signs of roof rats on your property include hollowed-out citrus fruits, droppings, evidence of chewing near the roof eaves or wire covers, the sound of scratching or gnawing and actual sightings of the rats (most likely twilight or at night).

The first step in preventing roof rats from taking up residence with you and your family is to remove their food source. Roof rats enjoy citrus fruits because they provide both food and water. They will also eat pet food, bird seed and queen palm fruit in the summer. Water sources include fountains, irrigation, pet water dishes, condensation drip lines and leaky faucets or sprinkler heads.

Use stucco diamond mesh to seal vents and holes around the house – on the roof and near appliances and under sinks. Caulk all cracks as well. You can also use the services of a licensed professional to bait or trap roof rats.

Winter Home Maintenance Reminders

Although we’re well into winter conditions here in Arizona, it’s not too late to do some simple winter maintenance checks around the house. With the recent cold temperatures, you might want to check your outdoor water sources like hose bibs. You can pick up an inexpensive insulating cover to prevent freezing, or turn off the water supply to the outside fixture, and turn the fixture on to allow any water to drain. Drain and remove hoses as well, and store them inside for the remainder of the cold weather.

Remember to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed. Even if you’ve had your heater serviced in preparation for the winter, check that your vents are open and unobstructed. If you have less frequently used rooms, you can partially close the vents to save energy and focus on heating your main living areas. And remember to change those air filters frequently to keep your HVAC system running efficiently.

Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are fully charged, and turn them upside down to loosen up the dry chemicals inside. If you have any concerns about your fire extinguishers or if they are older, you can have them professionally inspected.

Another area that benefits from a winter inspection is insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Check for sagging fiberglass insulation panels, which can leave spaces where cold air can enter the home. You can fix small gaps with duct tape, but larger sagging areas should be examined for potential moisture problems.

A few simple maintenance tasks should get you through the remainder of our short winter, and keep your home in top condition.

Fireplace Safety and Maintenance Tips

Most newer homes in Arizona have gas fireplaces, which are convenient, clean and easy to operate. Like any system in your home, your gas fireplace does require some simple maintenance. Always make sure the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector are fresh. You’ll also want to make sure vents are clean and unobstructed, as well as cleaning the fan and ensuring it is working properly. From an aesthetic viewpoint, keeping the glass on the fireplace clean and rearranging the glowing embers and logs for a natural appearance makes a big difference.

There are times when calling in a professional is the best route. If you smell gas, shut off the valve to the fireplace and have it checked out by a pro. If you have problems with your pilot light going out, that’s another good time to seek professional advice. After service, remember that the technician should do a gas leak and CO test for safety.

For wood burning fireplaces, periodic chimney inspections are a good idea. You’ll want to make sure the flue is working properly, that creosote hasn’t built up and that birds or other critters haven’t taken up residence. Age, weather and fireplace use can also take a toll on your chimney.

For safety as you use your fireplace, there are a number of items you’ll want to have on hand. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in the room with the fireplace. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand as well. Use a screen to keep stray sparks from landing on rugs or furniture. Periodically clean the ashes out of your fireplace with a shovel and dustpan. After enjoying the warmth of your fire, don’t leave a burning fireplace unattended. Make sure your fire is completely out before closing the flue so carbon monoxide or smoke doesn’t build up in the house.

The New Year is a Great Time to Flush Your Hot Water Heater

Did you know that flushing your hot water heater annually is recommended maintenance and could save you some major headaches and water damage down the road? Many homeowners rely on their hot water heaters to perform day in and day out for years without considering that the heater might need some basic maintenance. Flushing the heater removes sediment and bacteria from your tank, which can lead to displaced hot water volume and excess wear and tear on the tank.

Flushing your hot water heater is a simple process that should take only an hour or two, once a year. Here are the steps to easy hot water heater maintenance:

1.  Turn off electric heaters at the breaker box and turn gas heaters
     to pilot setting.

2.  Attach a hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the heater
     and run the hose outside, away from the house. Remember the
     water that will drain out is hot!

3.  Shut off the cold water inlet valve at the top of the heater.
     Before opening the drain valve, go inside and turn on one of
     your hot water  faucets and let it run. This will prevent a
     vacuum from forming.

4.  Open the drain valve and let the hot water out of the tank.
     Once the tank has drained, open the inlet valve and add
     more water to flush the tank.

5.  Once the water coming out of the hose is clear, you can
     close the drain valve and remove the hose, and turn off
     the faucet in the house.

6.  Allow the tank to fill again with clean water and then
    turn your power or gas back on to heat up the water.

7.  Once the water in the tank is heated up, it’s a good idea
     to check the pressure release valve according to the
     instructions.

This simple New Year’s maintenance job can save you on heating costs and save on costly repairs to your tank. Inspecting the tank yearly will also alert you to any rust or wear on the outside of the tank that might lead to problems.

Winterize Your Home to Save on Heating Costs

Here in Arizona, we tend to think of cutting energy costs in the summer, when air conditioning our homes, but there are simple ways to cut your winter energy bills as well. Take a few hours this weekend to winterize your home and make it more energy efficient.


•  Do a simple inspection of your home to find cracks and seams that allow drafts into the house and allow
   heat to escape. A flame on a lighter or candle can help you uncover drafts around windows and doors.
   Seal with weather stripping or caulk. This will also benefit you in the heat of summer.

•  Flip a switch and save. Ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling – reverse your fans to a clockwise direction and
   the fan will push warm air from the ceiling down into your rooms. This simple “switch” could save you up
   to 10% on energy costs.

•  Mark your calendar to check the air filters in your furnace or fan coil monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow,
    which uses more energy and causes excessive wear on your furnace.

•  Make a small investment in a programmable thermostat so you’re not heating an empty house or lower
   your thermostat for times you aren’t home. You could save from 1 to 3% on your heating bill for every
   degree you lower your thermostat.

•  Schedule a routine inspection and tune-up of your heating system to keep it running at its most efficient,
   saving you money on your energy bills.

Bedbugs are REAL!

Bedbugs are all over the news these days, because apparently bedbugs are all over everything these days. The rise in bedbug infestations is credited to increased travel, more immigration and the fact that the hardy bugs are tough to eliminate. Bedbugs can live for as long as a year without feeding, and their food of choice is human blood. They hide in seams, cracks and crevices and are expert at hitching rides in suitcases, briefcases, gym bags, purses or on your clothes. This allows them to spread from hotels to homes to schools and offices.

These little brown bugs cannot be stopped by pesticides alone. In a span of about 4 months, just two bedbugs can produce over 300 bugs and lay an additional 1,000 eggs. They like dark places, and like to feed in the dark.

If you’re getting itchy bites, or see evidence of bedbugs you should call a pest control professional. In addition to any chemical treatments, you’ll need to take some other measures to eliminate these pesky parasites. You’ll need to seal your mattress and pillows with a zippered cover to trap bugs and nymphs and prevent them from feeding. Wash linens and be sure to dry them in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Vacuuming can help, although the eggs are hard to remove. After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag in a Ziploc bag and dispose of it outside. Sticky tape or glue boards can be used around your bed to catch the bugs, and allow you to see if they are still moving around.

Remember to check your room if you are traveling, and even be on the lookout for bedbugs in the office or gym. An infestation can easily be transported back to your home from one of these places.

Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips

Believe it or not, the weather will cool down before you know it and you’ll want your heating system to be working properly. Regularly scheduled maintenance by a professional is essential for keeping your system in top operating condition. Check out Energy Star’s maintenance checklist to see what your technician should be servicing.
Filters should be checked monthly, especially in times of high usage. Dirty filters can result in your system running inefficiently and raising your energy costs. Dirt and dust trapped in your system can also lead to expensive repairs if allowed to build up over time. Use the best quality filters for the best results.

Check your ductwork for cracks or loose seams where your heated air can escape. Seal all seams and connections with metal-backed or duct sealant (mastic) tape. You can then wrap ductwork with insulation to keep your ducts leak-free. Speaking of insulation, having the proper wall and ceiling insulation in your home can result in energy savings in both summer and winter. Both the U.S. Department of Energy and APS provide guidelines for proper insulation in specific geographic regions.

Check your condenser as well. First remove any grass, weeds or vines that may have grown up around your condenser, obstructing air flow. Also remove any leaves or other debris. Using a dry, soft brush, clean the exterior of the condenser to remove accumulated dirt. If you are reaching the fins, use care when brushing away dirt. Fins are lightweight and easily damaged. Don’t use your hose, as the dirt can turn to mud packed between the fins.

The concrete pad on which your condenser rests should be level. You can check this by setting a carpenter’s level front to back and side to side on top of the condenser. If you need to level your pad, you can pry it up slightly and fill underneath with a little gravel. These easy, common-sense measures will keep your home and your wallet comfortable this fall.

Simple Prep Work for Painting

Nothing has a bigger impact on your living space than interior painting. A fresh coat of paint can add appeal your home, making a tired interior seem new again. Painting is often a crucial part of getting your house ready to sell, especially in a tough housing market. You might think that choosing the perfect color is the main concern before having your interior painted, but having the proper prep work done before painting is just as important. Your paint job will look its best and last longer when your walls are prepared properly.

If your walls are already painted, it’s important to determine whether the existing paint is latex or oil-based. Testing the paint with denatured alcohol on a rag is a quick way to determine what type of paint is on your walls. If rubbing with the alcohol softens or removes the paint, it is an acrylic or latex paint. You can apply an oil-based or latex paint over this without priming. If the paint is unaffected by the alcohol, it is oil based and cannot be recoated with latex paint without using a primer.

Nail holes and minor cracks in your wall can be filled with lightweight spackle and lightly sanded. This is also a great time to check the caulking around windows, moldings and baseboards. Make sure the any new caulk that is applied is paintable. If you are painting a light color over a bold, dark color, it’s helpful to prime the walls. If you encounter peeling, stains, mold or mildew or major cracks on your walls, more extensive prep work will need to be done before painting. Skimping on the preparation can result in problems down the road, and the need to repaint a second time. It’s also important in homes built before 1978 to use proper precautions when scraping or sanding existing paint, which may be lead-based.

Update Your Kitchen with Cabinet Refacing

In this economy, homeowners are looking to make home improvements that make sense. Kitchens are one part of the home where improvements can go from something as small as new cabinet hardware to a full-blown kitchen remodel. According to Remodeling Magazine, homeowners in 2009 who chose to do smaller kitchen remodeling jobs, spending less than half the cost of a major remodel, recouped a higher percentage of their investment – 81.5%. The magazine included cabinet refacing in their estimates for the minor remodel.

Cabinet refacing makes sense if you are looking for an updated look in your kitchen, but like the existing layout of your kitchen. You can create a whole new look at a fraction of the cost and with a lot less disruption within your home. The actual process of cabinet refacing consists of removing the doors and drawer fronts, leaving the cabinet boxes in place. The doors and drawer fronts are replaced with high-quality new pieces, and the exterior faces of the boxes are covered with new surface material. There are a wide variety of styles and finishes available for your “new” cabinets, and you can replace and update the hardware as well, creating an updated kitchen in as little as a few days.

Don’t just think color or finish when considering refacing your cabinets. This is a great time to add new features or accessories to your kitchen. Incorporate mullion doors into your design. Add moldings and rosettes for the look of a high-end custom kitchen. You can even add cabinets to your existing layout to improve your kitchen’s functionality. Finish your refacing project off with a built-in wine rack or added corner shelves. The options are unlimited, and make sense for homeowners who want a quality kitchen for less.

Clogged Bathtub Drains

I recently had the opportunity to share a bathroom with my nephew. Hmm. There are mysterious things in the bathroom of a 17 year old!! Most I chose not to ask about but the plugged drain in the shower definitely needed attention so I brought it up. That sent us searching for solutions. My sister was determined to find an environmentally friendly fix. I'd like to share our research with HouseTalk Show listeners.

This introductory article from the DoItYourself web site was a good starting point. I thought the suggestions at the end to keep the problem from reoccurring were very good.

Here's a good pictorial if you have a "Lift and Turn" drain from eHow.

If the above methods don't work and you feel the need for a drain cleaner, there are environmental friendly options.
Baking Soda
Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners article from About.com

Pamela
a HouseTalk fan

Check Your Electrical System

In preparation for summer, now is a good time to check your electrical system. Below is a basic list. If you have more questions or need specific instructions for your home, call me Saturday morning!

• Trip and reset circuit breakers.
• Check all light bulbs to ensure they don't exceed the recommended wattage for the lamp or fixture.
• Consider using CFL bulbs whenever possible to increase your energy savings.
• Check electrical outlets and switches for loose hardware.
• Check power cords for frayed cables or damaged plugs.
• If there are small children in the home, use safety covers on any unused outlets.
• Replace surge protectors if needed.
  
• Check all fire extinguishers to ensure they are in working order.
• Check smoke detectors.
• Check CO2 detectors.
• Check the batteries in your flash lights in preparation for summer outages.
  

Tags: home maintenance