Fall Maintenance Tips

During the fall season, before the weather grows colder it’s important to prepare for the winter months to prevent costly damage later on. Below are fall preventative home maintenance steps that every homeowner should follow.
Gutters and Downspouts: Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems, pest infestations, wet basements, foundation damage and many other expensive complications. Be sure water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place. Check to ensure water drains properly and doesn’t pool, which can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and walkways.
Windows and Doors: Change summer screens to cool weather storm windows and doors. Inspect and repair any loose or damaged window or door frames. Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and lower heating bills. Clean and lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and tracks and be sure screws are tight.
Heating Systems: Replace the filter in your furnace. Consider having a heating professional check your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs. Clean your ducts to better your heating system’s efficiency as well as to reduce household dust and to provide relief to those with respiratory problems. Also check for air leakage especially around joints. Clean your thermostat’s heat sensor, contact points, and contacts. Check accuracy and replace if necessary.
Plumbing: To prevent pipes freezing and bursting, ensure that the pipes, as well as the wall cavities where they reside, are well insulated. Be sure that you know how to locate and turn off the water shut-off valve in case pipes do freeze.
Chimney and Fireplace: Call a professional in to inspect and clean your chimney. Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent dangerous chimney fires. Test your fireplace flue for a tight seal when closed. Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm near the fireplace and furnace.
Attic ventilation: Be sure attic insulation doesn’t cover ventilation vents in the eaves to prevent winter ice dams on the roof. Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are free of plants and debris. Check bird and rodent screens for attic vents to prevent any unwanted guests.
Landscape and Yard Work: Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn. Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.          Ceiling fans: A common misconception about overhead fans is that they’re just for summer. The truth is ceiling fans are helpful no matter what the season. In summer they will cool you down and in winter they increase the airflow and improve your heating.
Equipment: If you have portable patio furniture, lightweight play equipment, or a barbecue grill, store it inside. The exception to this is a propane tank, which should never be put indoors. Garden hoses should be drained of water and stored indoors. Make sure your outside water spigots are completely turned off and capped to prevent freezing.
Thermostat: The number one thing that affects a person’s bill is the heat they use in their house. Heating accounts for approximately 70% of a person’s energy bill. The simple act of turning down your thermostat at night or while you are gone during the day will go a long way to reducing your energy bills. It is recommended keeping your thermostat at 68-72 degrees for heating purposes and dropping it lower at night. By turning your thermostat down at night, you reap the savings of a lower winter utility bill. If you have trouble remembering to turn the temperature down, consider installing a programmable thermostat to do the work for you.
Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns: Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants and can increase incidences of cold-weather illnesses. Consider hiring a pro to clean hard-to-reach ductwork.

Preventing Senior Falls Starts in the Bathroom

(NewsUSA) – More than one in three seniors over age 65 fall each year, and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says 80 percent of these falls are in the bathroom. Due to the multitude of unforgiving and slippery surfaces, bathrooms are very hazardous for the home.
Knowing how to get in and out of tubs and showers properly and equipping homes with necessary safety precautions can reduce senior falls, keep them out of the emergency room and possibly extend their life.
According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 million older adults seek emergency care each year for fall-related injuries, fractures or head trauma. In addition to potentially losing their independence, seniors 65 years old and up have a 25 percent chance of dying within six months to a year if they fall and break a hip.

Seniors are vulnerable to falls for many reasons — eyesight and reflexes aren’t as razor-sharp as they used to be, not to mention the balance issues posed by diabetes, heart disease, thyroid conditions and various medications. One of the most effective ways to preserve balance is to stay active with an exercise regimen. Ask your doctor about exercises designed to improve balance, stability and overall mobility, such as moderate yoga. Another preventative method recommended by physicians is installing a shower or tub built around the unique needs of elderly adults. For example, Safe Step Tub Walk-In Tub Company’s new walk-in shower has a foldable chair, flexible shower wand, grab bars, ultra-low step up and other senior-friendly features. And since the cost of retirement is high for many seniors, installation is included in the price. To find out more about these showers and walk-in tubs or to request a free brochure and DVD, visit www.safesteptub.com/news

Besides a customized shower or bath, NIA and the American Geriatrics Society advise the following bathroom safety precautions for seniors:
* Non-slip rubber mats in front of sink, toilet and shower/bath.
* Grab bars inside and outside of shower/bath and on either side of the toilet (these are much stronger than towel racks, which aren’t meant to support weight).
* Bright lights that are easily accessible.

Tips for Toilet Shopping

(NewsUSA) – Americans will spend, on average, seven years of their lives in the bathroom. That’s way too much time to be dealing with a plunger.

“Today’s toilets virtually eliminate clogging,” says James Walsh, chinaware director for American Standard. “There are toilets that have been independently rated to flush 1,000 grams of solids with a single flush. That’s almost two and half pounds!”

Here’s how to find the finest in flushers:

1. Check the test scores. The Maximum Performance (MaP) Test is an independent report that tests how many grams of solids can be cleanly eliminated on a single flush. Developed by John Koehler and Veritec Consulting, the latest report is available for free at www.veritec.ca. Other independent flush test results are available from consumer ratings magazines.

2. Look for the widest trapway. Most toilets have a two-inch wide waterway snaking out the back of the bowl. The narrow trapway enhances the strength of the siphon, which is the pull-action that draws waste and water out of the bowl. While the difference between a two-inch and a two-and-three-eighths-inch trapway doesn’t sound like much, the additional width can handle 70 percent more mass.

3. Seek out power from above. Today’s top flushers harness bowl-cleaning energy when the water enters the bowl, not as it exits through the trapway. The top-rated Champion 4 toilet from American Standard has the widest opening between the tank and bowl at four inches. A patented, funnel-shaped flush valve accelerates the water as it leaves the tank.

4. Give peace and quiet a chance. Pressure-assisted toilets prevent clogging, but flush loudly. Gravity-fed toilets have a quieter flush, and the top performers are actually the quietest. The re-engineered waterways reduce water turbulence.

5. Look for fully-glazed waterways, because the porcelain glaze impedes sticking. Double-glazing that incorporates anti-microbial elements provides nano-level smoothness, and the added benefit of inhibiting stains and odors.

High-performance toilets are available from lower price points on up to high fashion styles, so there’s no reason not to toss your plunger. After all, it’s seven years.

Accessorize Your Bathroom on a Budget

 

(NewsUSA) – Decorating a bathroom on a budget is a lot like updating a wardrobe on a budget. Work with what you have, and use accessories to update and add the “wow” factor.

In the bathroom, accessorizing can even include bathroom sink faucets. “With a pre-assembled drain assembly such as Speed Connect, a new faucet is easier to add than a new coat of paint,” says Gray Uhl, design director for American Standard. “Even better, top performing lifetime finishes and drip-free, solid brass faucets start as low as $100.”

Trend No. 1: Warmer Finishes. Special finishes in warmer tones such as satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and blackened bronze are currently popular in hardware and faucets, coordinating well with creams and browns in linens and wall décor. “Matte black finish is the proverbial height of fashion for faucets and accessories right now,” says Leslie Clagett on her blog, kbculture.blogspot.com.

Trend No. 2: American Minimalism. “Styles such as the Moments, Copeland and Princeton faucet collections echo the same geometric lines and styling familiar in European contemporary design, but warmer and softer,” says Uhl. “American minimalist faucets and accessories look best when paired with warmer tones and rich wood surfaces in cabinets and bathroom furniture.” Uhl notes that an easy way to get the look is with a design-matched collection such as Tropic, which includes furniture, faucets and fixtures.

Trend No. 3: Escape. Turn even a small bathroom into a spa experience with a serene, monochromatic look and plant oils that create a soothing aroma. Asian-inspired design such as the Green Tea bathroom sink faucet completes the look, with the added benefit of a discrete pull-out spout, which makes it easy to rinse the sink or wash delicate clothing items or one’s hair.

Trend No. 4: The Responsible Bathroom. Look for the WaterSense label on new bathroom faucets. The WaterSense label is an assurance that water use will be reduced by 30 percent or more, without sacrificing performance. Replacing three older faucets with three WaterSense-labeled faucets can save almost $500 and 74,000 gallons of water per year.

Style Trend No. 5: You. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Bathrooms are personal spaces, so personal statements work well, including tasteful humor. After all, if you can’t be yourself in the bathroom, where can you be yourself?

Protect Your Children from Falling Furniture

(StatePoint) It doesn’t take long for a curious toddler to climb onto a dresser drawer or a bookcase — sometimes with tragic consequences.
Forty children are taken to the emergency room daily in the U.S. with injuries due to a heavy piece of furniture falling on them. Nearly half of these incidents are caused by televisions. And one child is killed every two weeks from being crushed under a television set, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Many of these injuries and deaths occur when children fall against an unstable piece of furniture or try to climb or pull themselves up onto furniture or TVs.
“We see these injuries most often in children who are age 5 and younger. The most devastating injuries can be injuries to the brain or when a child becomes pinned beneath a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates,” says Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, FAAP, a pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “The most important thing for parents to know is that these injuries are totally preventable,” says Dr. Smith, who is also President of the Child Injury Prevention Alliance.
Some parents simply don’t realize these heavy objects can be major hazards in their homes. Parents can help prevent these injuries by anchoring televisions and heavy furniture like dressers and bookcases firmly to walls.
It’s important to realize that even though they are heavy, televisions aren’t stable, stress the experts at the AAP. Older, boxy TVs have most of their weight in front, which makes them easy to topple. New flat-screen TVs have their weight more evenly distributed but are often much larger, and can easily tip if not secured.
The AAP is offering these tips for parents to help keep kids safe from furniture and TV tip-overs:

• All dressers, bookcases, entertainment units, TV stands and TVs need to be securely anchored, usually into a wall stud. You can secure heavy furniture, TVs and appliances to a wall stud with braces, brackets, anchors or wall straps.
• Televisions should be placed on low, sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV.
• Do not place televisions on top of furniture that is not designed for such use — such as on dressers — as they can tip over more easily.

• Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to anchor it.

• Remove items such as toys and remote controls from the top of televisions and furniture. These items may tempt children to climb the furniture or TV, which may cause a tip-over.

• Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach kids not to play with the cords.
For more information on keeping kids safe at home and at school visit http://www.healthychildren.org/

A few simple safety measures can go a long way in making sure your little explorer doesn’t climb his or her way to an accident in your home.

Take Advantage of Programmable Thermostats to Maximize Energy Savings

 (NewsUSA) – From smart phones to programmable thermostats, today’s electronics come equipped with advanced operating systems that make life easier and more efficient. The challenge is knowing how to take full advantage of the capabilities of these devices.

Consider indoor environment devices like programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

“Adjusting the temperature up and down doesn’t equate to savings or even comfort in the home,” said Jonathan Payne, product manager of programmable controls at Carrier. “The key to total comfort is the homeowner’s ability to control the temperature, humidity, air circulation and energy use.”

Although many homes have programmable thermostats, they may not be programmed or used properly. To truly realize the advantages of a programmable thermostat, consider these tips:

1.    Choose a thermostat that manages your system properly and efficiently. Select a thermostat that is not only easy for you to understand and program, but one that controls all of the equipment in your HVAC system, including an air purifier, humidifier, air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump.

2.    Have the HVAC control or thermostat installed by a Carrier authorized dealer or other HVAC expert to ensure the wiring and settings are configured to match the needs of your specific system.

3.    Choose a program that fits well with your lifestyle, and stick with it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy can be saved if you keep energy-saving set points activated for longer timeframes. So, you could leave home energy-saving set points on during the work/school day, or at night when family members are asleep, for instance.

4.    Avoid overuse of the temporary “hold” feature. If you consistently “hold” or over-ride the pre-programmed settings, you could be wasting energy. The EPA suggests that the “hold” and “vacation” settings should be set several degrees warmer and cooler in the summer and winter months, respectively, and only used when you’re away from home for an extended stay.

5.    Try not to achieve a quick fix. The EPA’s Proper Use Guidelines for Programmable Controls indicate that you will not heat or cool your house faster by adjusting the temperature on your thermostat to the extremes – up to 80 degrees or down to 30 degrees.

To learn more about Carrier programmable thermostats, call 1-800-CARRIER or visit www.residential.carrier.com.

Shining New Light on Bulb Legislation

(NewsUSA) – Confused about changing light bulb technology and new regulations affecting the types of bulbs stores sell? The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers information to help simplify the process of selecting efficient, economical and effective light bulbs.
Are certain types of light bulbs being banned?
The word “ban” is incorrect. While it is true that the 100-watt incandescent bulb will no longer be manufactured after January 2012, it is not a ban as much as it is a replacement. Products in every industry go through a similar process where something that is no longer efficient is replaced in the marketplace by a new model.
“The legislation is meant to improve the efficiency of lighting,” says Brian Brandes of light bulb manufacturer SATCO Products. “There is nothing in the law that stipulates that CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) are the mandatory replacement. The government is not telling consumers which type of bulb to buy.”
The new FTC Lighting Facts labels, which go into effect in January, will help educate consumers as to which lamp types are more efficient by showing the cost to operate per year based on a national average of 0.11 per kilowatt hour.
What am I supposed to replace my 100-watt incandescent bulbs with after January?
There are several options:
* One option is the 72-watt halogen-incandescent that is available now. It produces slightly less light than a 100-watt incandescent, but 72 watts is the standard that has been set by federal legislation for replacing the 100-watt models. It is also important to select a bulb with a “warm” color temperature, such as 2,700K and 3,000K.
* Another good choice, and the least-expensive option, would be a halogen or xenon hybrid that will just meet the efficiency requirements and minimum life ratings. These bulbs will look, light and dim just like the 100-watt versions they replace.
* A halogen IR (infrared-coated) bulb will provide higher efficiency and three times longer life than a halogen-xenon bulb, but at approximately twice the price.
* A 26-watt, medium-base CFL also offers the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent and uses one-quarter of the electricity. It will also last 10 times longer.
Still confused about the light bulb legislation and how to select the right bulb? Find a local ALA-member lighting showroom for expert advice at http://www.americanlightingassoc.com/

How to Host an “Open House” Party

(NewsUSA) – Look at your holiday calendar, and you’ll likely see a tight schedule of mixers, parties, cookie exchanges and other holiday events. And it’s the same way for your friends and family members, making it difficult to get everyone together for the holiday party you want to host.
The solution? Instead of throwing a party with set hours, which will run into conflict with prior obligations, consider holding a holiday open house — a party that runs all day, allowing guests to arrive at their leisure.
A holiday open house also puts less stress on the hosts. With a little decorating, holiday libations and some simple snacks, you can easily plan an all-day get-together that allows you to mix and mingle, rather than watch the oven or shake cocktails.
Not sure where to start? Pottery Barn offers the following tips to help you plan a successful holiday open house:
• Create a festive mood. Get your guests into the holiday spirit before they even enter your home by lining your walkway with Arches lanterns and pillar candles and hanging a wreath on your door. You can also decorate trees and shrubs with lights.
• Use candles to infuse your home with warmth and light. Wrap garlands around banisters, and drape them over doorways.
• Set up a buffet. Use your dining table to present an array of delectables that do well at room temperature. A cheese board, for example, along with Marcona almonds, dried figs and sliced baguette, looks elegant without requiring anything more than the occasional refill.
• Create a bar. Pottery Barn portable Modine Bar lets you set up drinks anywhere in your home. Keep ice on hand for cold drinks and an electric kettle for hot ones. Select two or three drinks, and print out the recipes on cards, so guests can mix their own cocktails.
• Provide entertainment. No matter what time guests arrive, make them feel like they’ve experienced the best of the party by focusing the merriment on a few activities. For example, invite guests to bring a toy to donate to a local organization, and put all of the toys on one table, so guests can see the pile grow. Set up a craft table for children, giving them supplies to make paper snowflakes, simple tree decorations and homemade wrapping paper. And before the fun is over, hand out party favors, like ornaments, that your guests can take home.
For more entertaining ideas, visit www.potterybarn.com/stylehouse.

Block Winter’s Rush From Sacking Your Roof

Blue 42! Blue 42! Hike!

(NewsUSA) Get ready. Like a 280-pound defensive end seeking the head of an opposing quarterback, winter will be rushing your home’s roof. And if you don’t make the right moves, your home will get sacked!

You’ve probably never thought of it this way, but your roof is to your home what a 300-pound football guard is to his team’s quarterback: the first line of defense against elements – in this case, the harsh winter weather – that would pummel it mercilessly if otherwise left unchecked.

Just as football players look for holes in their competitor’s defense, homeowners should first be on alert for missing shingles or deteriorated flashing (those metal seals around bends and joints on skylights and chimneys). More than 90 percent of roof damage occurs in these two areas, and spotting it early helps prevent bigger and more expensive headaches down the road.

“It really does make sense, financially, to get a roof inspection at least twice a year,” says Bob Tafaro, president and CEO of GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. “The best times are in spring, after severe weather hits, and then again in fall before the temperature and wind become too brutal.”

Continuing the football metaphor, here are some more tips from the experts:

Know Your Opponent

Especially given the crazy weather we’ve been having, you’ll want to examine the roof edge for wind damage, weaknesses or rusted nails, and handle repairs before the winter weather hits.

Next, be on the look-out for any spots indicating mold, algae and mildew growth – especially if there’s debris on your roof. (Hint: telltale signs include dark spots and discolored shingles.)

Call the Right Play

By “debris,” we particularly mean piles of wet leaves, sticks and small branches. None of these are your roof’s friend.

In fact, not only can they cause water to back up and flow under a roof causing rain or ice dams, but they’re also a shelter for pests eager to eat through your home’s top. So, routinely clean all gutters and drains, make sure the gutters are securely fastened, and check that downspouts point away from your house.

What to do should you discover damage? If you’re at all interested in prolonging your roof’s life, it really does pay to consult a professional roof contractor who is insured and uses quality materials. A free service that makes finding one in your area easy can be found at www.gaf.com.

Brighten Up Your Home to Combat SAD

(NewsUSA)Now that daylight savings time has ended for this year, the days are getting shorter, and the reduction in natural daylight makes many feel glum. For those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the symptoms of depression are more acute at this time of year. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), there are some things homeowners can do to counteract the effects of SAD.

It’s clear that people need bright days and dark nights, a finding confirmed by a report by the Lighting Research Center in New York. Consumers might have seen “light boxes” promoted as a solution; however, using a light box is not a do-it-yourself project.

“It’s easy to use the light boxes improperly,” says Terry McGowan, director of engineering and technology for the ALA. “Light therapy – just like any other drug or treatment regimen – should be prescribed by a physician. Part of that ‘light prescription’ will involve how much light, when it’s to be provided, and for how long,” says McGowan.

McGowan’s research and concern about combating the symptoms of depression are personal as well as professional. “My wife is affected by SAD,” he reveals. “We happen to live in northern Ohio, which has many cloudy days and weeks of gloomy weather during November and December. In the dining room and kitchen, the use of indirect lighting brightens the room on a gloomy day outside and supplements the daylight through skylights and large windows. At night, the indirect lighting is turned off, and a series of accent lights plus table and floor lamps are used to illuminate the task areas, table and artwork.”

There are some options regarding light bulbs that can help, in addition to natural light. Brian Creeley, director of residential sales for light bulb manufacturer Bulbrite, suggests switching out standard incandescent bulbs with versions that mimic the effects of “full spectrum lighting, leaving you with lighting that has the same effect that you get from sunlight.”

These specialty bulbs are readily available at ALA-member lighting stores.

If an existing home or condo does not have a lot of natural daylight, McGowan offers these tips for making rooms brighter and more cheerful:

•    Maximize any available morning daylight.
•    Use light colors for room surfaces.
•    Use high-reflectance white paint for the ceiling.
•    Incorporate an indirect light source into your room.
•    Use accent and spot lights to add bright accents on plants, decorations or feature areas, creating an effect similar to sunshine and shadows.

Homeowners should evaluate whether their home is properly illuminated during the winter months. A visit to a nearby ALA-member lighting showroom to consult with a professional will result in a personally tailored solution. For more information, visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com.