Refinishing Gives Wood Cabinets New Luster

If you like the layout of your kitchen but just want a new look, refinishing your kitchen cabinets can be a great solution. Refinishing differs from refacing – we are talking about using the whole cabinet but stripping down the old finish and creating a new finish. Cabinets can be stained a different color – changing from a dark, dated finish to a clean, rich new look. They can even be painted if that is the look you are going for.

Cabinet refinishing makes the most sense when you’ve got quality wood cabinets. Some older cabinets are very well constructed and more solid than some of the pre-built modular cabinets you find today, so it pays to hang on to them and just give them a new look. Cabinets are generally one of the biggest investments in a kitchen remodel, so when thinking about remodeling you’ll want to consider cost, time needed for the project and the return on investment. You also want to consider your own enjoyment of your new kitchen look, and what you would most enjoy.

Having professionals come in and handle the refinishing can produce amazing transformations in old cabinets. Sometimes do-it-yourself attempts at removing old finishes and applying new ones are not as successful. Pros know how to thoroughly remove finishes, and can show you various colors of stains and glazes to choose the look you want. Keep those solid old cabinets and give them new life with refinishing.

Easy Care for a Healthy Summer Lawn

Maintaining a green lawn isn’t difficult to do, even in the summer heat. On an established grass area, set your irrigation timer to water once every three days to a depth of 8 inches. You can test the water penetration by inserting a long screwdriver into the grass. It should go in easily to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This deep water penetration allows roots to grow deeper into the ground, creating a more water-efficient and drought tolerant lawn. Set your irrigation timer to water your grass early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Smart irrigation timers are available if you are concerned about water conservation. A smart irrigation timer, once properly programmed, will adjust the controller on an on-going basis. The controller is programmed to water the lawn and your other landscape plantings to the proper depth, and the smart controller will change the number of days between waterings based on evaporation, plant use and other environmental conditions.

Your lawn needs food as well as water, so you will want to fertilize it monthly with a compete fertilizer. When mowing, sharp mower blades will keep the tips of the grass blades from browning. Keep your grass cut to about 1 ½ inches by cutting only the top one-third of the length at any time. Cutting your grass too short will hinder the photosynthesis process and even cause the deeper roots to die.

Simply providing water, food and the proper cut for your grassy areas will ensure a lush, green space for your family to enjoy all summer.

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.