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.

Easy Bathroom Updates

Updating a tired bathroom is a great way to start the fall. But don’t think you have to get into heavy-duty, dusty demolition and costly renovations. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make bathroom improvements is to update your bath or shower area with an acrylic liner. These custom-fitted liners fit your existing tub or shower area perfectly, and are guaranteed not to fade, crack or peel for your house’s lifetime.

Liners Direct has been in the liner business for almost 20 years, and is an industry leader in acrylic manufacturing. They offer a variety of colors and have a complete selection of molds for tub and shower models of all ages and sizes.

So, what if you could be looking at a clean, modern shower or bath area in just one day? This is the time of year when out-of-town relatives and friends start booking their trips for Arizona’s warm winter – when is your rotation of houseguests going to start? By taking advantage of the quick turnaround using Liners Direct, you’ll be ready to host Mom and Dad in no time, for a smaller investment than you would expect.

Match your existing bathroom colors, or go in a new direction with a selection of colors and finishes – from granite and marble designs to a clean tile look. Add accessories to enhance your tub or shower, such as shelves, recessed soap dishes or a corner seat. Liners Direct can also provide a custom-fitted window kit that results in a water-tight seal on your existing window. Update the rest of the room with Liners Direct wainscoting for a fresh look with unmatched durability.

Getting excited about the possibility of a top quality bath renovation that is quick and easy? Take a look at these before and after photos for even more ideas.

Pool Safety is Important Year-round

As summer draws to a close we may not be spending as much time out by the pool, but it’s important to remember that throughout the year, pools are a potential hazard for homeowners and should be protected with the proper fencing and other safety equipment. 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.

Pool barrier code varies from city to city in the Phoenix metro area, so homeowners should familiarize themselves with their local ordinances. Homeowners have a number of options for protecting their families and keeping their pool areas safe. A permanent, galvanized and powder-coated steel pool fence can be a beautiful part of your property landscaping, while keeping your pool area safely secured when it is unsupervised. These fences can be custom built to match your home and installed to enhance your existing landscaping features.

Those that don’t have children in the home or want the convenience of a removable fence can consider a pool barrier system. These systems come in a variety of colors and can be used indoors or out, wherever a barrier is needed. They can be taken down and stored when not in use.

Be sure to comply with your local code for pool safety, but more importantly, remember to supervise children at all times because a child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone. Installing pool fencing is the next important step to take in keeping your family safe around the pool all year long.

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.

Update the Gate!

Gates are a functional part of your property, but are also an architectural element that can express your home’s style and add to curb appeal. Whether your home is a stately Tuscan, traditional southwestern territorial style, a 1920’s bungalow or a Spanish-style stucco - a front or side gate, courtyard gate or driveway gate can add a unique design element to your property. Automated gates are one way to boost your home’s security and add the ultimate convenience.

Wrought iron or powder-coated steel gates are a long-lasting alternative to wood gates, which can rot, sustain damage from insects, loosen and sag. The Arizona climate is tough on wooden gates, and can result in gates that don’t work properly, failing to latch or swing properly on their hinges. Of course, gates in disrepair are not only a safety hazard, but detract from your property’s curb appeal.

Choosing a new gate that is galvanized is a great investment, preventing rust and decay for years to come. There will be minimal rust possible in cracks and seams with the powder coating, but for the most part these materials are built to be maintenance free and last. Powder coating or electrostatically painting your gate offers up color choices to match your landscaping and existing fencing, stone or block wall.

If you love the look of wood for your gates, consider a synthetic wood. Gate companies like Great Gates Inc. offer a synthetic wood in four realistic colors: Coastal Cedar, Sequoia Red, Driftwood Gray, and Dark Walnut. This product is made of 100% recycled materials; will not split, chip or degrade and is 100% maintenance free.

Look for a gate and fencing manufacturer who uses top quality materials, and have your gate installed by an experienced, licensed fencing contractor to ensure that it functions properly and will enhance the beauty of your home for years to come.

Choosing a Fridge

Renovating your kitchen? One of the most important decisions to make is what type of refrigerator you want. There are so many makes and models available, it might seem impossible to narrow down your choices to that one perfect fridge. Size is the first important factor in choosing a refrigerator that will incorporate into your kitchen remodel.

First measure the space you have selected for your fridge in your new kitchen layout. Include an inch or so at the top and sides for clearance, and remember to measure how far out the refrigerator extends with doors open. The other aspect of size that is important is the storage capacity of the unit. With two or three people in the home, 18 to 22 cubic feet of storage might be enough, but larger families or those who love entertaining will want more space.

Styles include side-by-side models, and those with the freezer on the top or bottom. Different styles offer different amounts of storage space and functionality. Then there are features such as in-door ice and water dispensers, humidity and temperature controls, and slide-out storage features and shelves. And of course – color. You’ll want to match your new fridge to your other appliances, and possibly upgrade with panels to match your cabinetry for a seamless design.

Energy efficiency is also a consideration when choosing appliances today. Look for the Energy Star designation, and check into ways to conserve energy once you have your new appliance in place. Check reviews and ratings for your possible refrigerator choices to lessen the chance of unpleasant surprises once your dream fridge is in place, and look for a good warranty on your purchase. It should cover parts for a year and the sealed refrigeration system for five years.

Having the right new refrigerator can make or break your kitchen renovation and even add to your return on investment, so make sure to research and choose the model that works perfectly in your renovation design.

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.