Category: Homeowner Tips

Here in the Valley, summer has already announced its presence with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. To escape the heat, many of us may leave town and head to the mountains, beach or other cooler climates. Unfortunately, this can leave our homes extra vulnerable to burglars. The majority of break-ins occur when nobody’s home. Whether you on vacation or simply at the office, school or shopping, it’s important to keep your home protected from burglars. We’ve compiled some tips to help you do so. Take basic acts to secure your home

● Always lock your house, including the door from the garage door. 40% of break-ins are not forced! ● Secure sliding windows and doors with a strong dowel or metal rod. Place it in the groove of the door or window. ● When you are away, keep curtains or blinds closed. ● Make sure that your windows and doors are visible from the street and have adequate lighting so that a passerby could see if someone were attempting to break into your home. ● NEVER leave a spare key outside.

Install safeguard tools

● Install deadbolts, and use them. The introduction of deadbolts in the 1960’s decreased home break-ins dramatically. They are a simple way to discourage burglaries. ● Consider investing in modern technology. We have more access to a obtaining a secure home. Invest in a burglar alarm system and or security cameras. Install motion detectors and adequate outdoor lighting as a deterrent a well.

Keep valuables out of sight and out of mind

● Keep valuables out of sight from the window or door. ● When you purchase a new computer or TV, do not leave the box in the trashcan. Potential burglars can see this as an invitation for burglary. ● Keep bikes, mopeds and scooters in the garage or out of sight. ● Park your car in the garage with the garage door closed.

Build a neighbor network

● Be informed about crime in your neighborhood, and get to know your neighbors. Becoming acquainted makes it easy to look out for one another and detect a stranger.

Eliminate obvious signs that you are away

● Have a friend or neighbor pick up your paper and mail, or stop delivery until you return. ● If you are gone for an extended time, have someone cut your lawn and maintain your landscape. ● Put a light or two on a timer to go on and off as if you were home.

Avoid over-sharing that you are away

● DO NOT talk about your upcoming trip in public. ● DO NOT change your voicemail to announce to the world that you will be out of town. ● DO NOT broadcast that you are on vacation by posting photos on social media.

Be smart, safe, and secure, and have a great summer!]]>

House dust mites aren’t exactly a topic most people want to spend time thinking about. But, given that dust mite allergies are among the most prominent allergies in Phoenix, it’s worth taking a moment to understand how you can minimize dust mites in your home. What are dust mites? According to the AZ Allergy Society, house dust mites (scientifically called Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. Farina) are microscopic mites that dwell in our homes. They can be found in our beds, sheets, carpets, sofas and any furnishings that contain moisture. They feed on dead skin found within the dust in our homes, and unfortunately, they leave a few things behind while they’re at it. Healthy Homes reports, “The average house dust mite produces approximately 2,000 fecal particles and even more partially digested enzyme-covered dust particles!” What are the symptoms of dust mite allergies? Experts have pointed to dust mites as a major healthcare problem that can adversely affect people’s daily lives. Symptoms of dust mite allergies include, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, hay fever, eczema and asthma. What can I do to prevent dust mites? The one ingredient dust mites need to survive is humidity. Without humidity, they dry up and die. Given this, the most important thing you can do is to minimize the humidity in your home. For those with major dust mite problems, a dehumidifier may be helpful. AZ Healthy Homes offers several other recommendations:

 -Cover mattresses, pillows and other upholstered articles with allergen-proof encasements. -Wash your sheets weekly, in hot water. -Use foam or and special hypoallergenic bedding (no feather pillows). -Get rid of carpeting if possible and use throw rugs that can be washed or dry cleaned on a regular basis. -If you must have carpeting then vacuum regularly and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. -Keep pets out of the bedroom and definitely off the bed. -Get your home’s air quality inspected by a professional. -Have your home treated to remove dust mite and other allergens and indoor air pollutions. -Install micro-air filters to reduce indoor allergens.

Whether you suffer from allergies or simply care to keep your house tidy, these recommendations can help you minimize the impact of dust mites on your home and life]]>

Preventative measures Be sure you have working smoke detectors in all rooms of your home, and check batteries once a year.   In case of a fire Call 911, and report the location. Activate alarm, and alert others. For small kitchen fires, use the extinguisher. For large fires, GET OUT. Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal injury. Do not break windows. Oxygen feeds fires. Stay low if moving through smoke. If your clothing catches on fire, STOP… DROP… ROLL.   Fire extinguisher instructions Pull the safety pin from handle. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the trigger handle. Sweep the spray from side to side.   If trapped in a room Place cloth material around/under door to prevent smoke from entering. Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire. DO NOT open or break windows unless necessary to escape. Be prepared to signal your location through a window.   If caught in smoke Drop to hands and knees and crawl. Hold your breath as much as possible. Breathe through a filter (blouse, shirt, jacket, etc). Breathe through your nose.

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Protection for your family around the water We’re always looking to help protect you and your family both within and beyond your home. Since many of us endure the summer heat each year by swimming in backyard pools, we thought a refresher on how to be safe around the water would be helpful. Pool safety especially important here in Arizona where we have one of the highest child drowning rates in the country. Poolsafety.org is a great resource for keeping your family safe. Following their water safety precautions can help your family have a safe and fun experience in your swimming pool or spa. Below are just a few key points to keep in mind. To view the full list, be sure to visit poolsafety.org. “The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Pool Safety.gov recommend the following safety steps:

• Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa. (It only takes a few seconds for a child to fall in a pool or to struggle while in a pool) • Teach children and adults basic water safety tips • Have a portable telephone close by at all times • If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim • Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools. • Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water

Summertime can be a fun time to relax and enjoy gathering around our pools with family and friends.  By practicing pool safety you will have fond memories of fun in the sun with your precious little ones.” Protection for homes on the market An extra note — if your home is on the market or you are a realtor showing a home, pool safety is equally, if not more, important. Be sure to do the following to help boost safety:

• Do not prop gates open on pools during an open house or during a showing. • Do stay with all families with small children during a showing. • Do keep an eye on the child and the water at all times. • Know CPR (attend a class), and CALL 911 immediately, when needed.

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With triple digit temperatures on the horizon, it’s the ideal time to make sure your sprinklers and valves are running efficiently.

Checking sprinkler valves

It’s important to check all of your sprinkler valves to make sure they are functioning well.  The easiest way to check your system is to run your sprinklers on manual from the sprinkler box.

Run the entire system one zone at a time.

Glance around all valves, looking for leaks. If there are any leaks, try to locate the source and determine whether the entire valve needs replacement.

Check sprinkler heads to make sure they are getting sufficient water.  If not, this could be another sign that you have a bad valve. If only one valve has a problem and other valves are getting enough water, you can likely rule out problems at the main water line. If a valve isn’t working at all, there is likely a wiring issue within the valve.

Make sure to also check any easily overlooked item — the sprinkler furthest from the sprinkler valve. If it has standing water or is leaking, it’s time to replace the valve.

 Checking other sprinkler operations

Check all sprinklers to make sure they are not spraying sidewalks, driveways or walls.

Check sprinklers for leaks or clogs. It may be time to replace the sprinkler head.

If using a drip system, check to make sure the drip is in the right place since the plant has grown since last year

Finally, if you have a controller with a battery back up, replace the battery once a year.

Installing a rain sensor

To save water and money, you may want to install a rain sensor. Rain sensors shut off sprinkler systems when the rainfall reaches a certain amount, preventing sprinklers from running when they aren’t needed. Once the moisture recedes, the sensor allows the sprinkler system to resume the normal watering schedule. This can be particularly helpful during monsoon season when unexpected rains roll in.

Summer is fondly known as the season of pool parties and vacations. It’s also notoriously known as the season for out-of-control energy bills from running systems like your air conditioning.

No one finds pleasure in finding a hefty bill in their mailbox, so we’ve done a little homework to learn how to reduce those bills. While we can’t control the rising temperatures, these pointers may help cut down your energy bill during the summer.
Use ceiling fans to increase cooling efficiency.  When coupled with your air conditioning, a fan can increase the temperature of the room by about 4 degrees. This makes the cooling process less taxing on your air conditioning. Just remember to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room, so you don’t use unnecessary energy.

Make an appointment for regular maintenance for your air conditioner.  Change filters as needed.  Vacuum vents and make sure they are clear of objects that could obstruct the airflow. Tackling these items helps your system run more efficiently.
Check your windows and doors for leaks. If there are any, caulk them or apply weatherstripping.  This helps keep the hot air out and the cool air in.

Consider adding awnings or window treatments. Awnings can reduce solar heat by 65%-75%, and window treatments can significantly reduce solar heat as well.

During the hottest part of the day, minimize any activities that heat up your home including use of the oven, dryer and dishwasher.  When you do run these systems, be sure to wait until they are full to reduce the number of cycles you need to run.
Just turning down your water heater to 120 degrees can also save energy and money. Water heating often accounts for up to 14%-25% of the energy consumed in most homes.

Finally, use natural lighting as much as possible, since powering lighting takes up energy and adds heat.

We’re entering some of the most beautiful months in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which means it’s the perfect time to give your landscape a little extra love. We’ve pulled together a few to-dos to help you navigate the spring transition and care for your yard. Prune rose bushes This one should top your list because the ideal time to prune rose bushes is almost over. If you’ve not already done your pruning, now is the time to make it a priority. Pruning is an art and needs to be performed carefully. Along with fertilizing, it allows your roses to flourish. For helpful information on caring for and growing roses, go to http://roses4az-mevrs.org. Prune other plants and bushes This is also the time to prune other trees and bushes. Remove dead and broken branches, and thin out crowded plants. Doing so strengthens the structure of your plants and allows for healthy growth and blossoming during spring. Fertilize and plant citrus If you have not yet fertilized your citrus, do so now. Fertilize the outer 2/3 of the leaf canopy. If you are planning to plant new citrus, now is the time to do so as well. Planting citrus trees and bushes at this time encourages root growth before it becomes too hot. Ready garden beds for spring planting All flower and vegetable gardens should have their beds ready for spring planting. For a list of vegetables to plan for spring/summer harvest, visit http://extension.arizona.edu. Also, be sure to fertilize existing vegetables and flowers. Protect against pests Warmer weather tends to bring out some less favorable critters as well. Aphids are one of the top visitors that will likely pop up in your garden this spring. They are tiny light pink or green bugs that especially love roses and vegetables. To get rid of them, forcefully spray your plants with a hose. If that doesn’t do the trick, try spritzing your plants using a spray bottle filled with water and a small amount of dish soap. It may be necessary to repeat this several times to send these pests away. If birds or larger pests are getting to your garden, use chicken wire to protect seedlings. Care for lawns When nighttime temperatures are over 60 degrees for a minimum of five days in a row, your lawn needs a little extra support. To boost the spring transition back to Bermuda grass, progressively mow your lawn down to 3/4 inch tall. Keep in mind that you should never mow the lawn when it is wet. Doing so can create clumps of clippings that keep your lawn from looking it’s best. And, the sticky grass can clog your mower. If you are reseeding your lawn, wait to do so until April or May. Root out weeds Be sure to take care of any weeds now. Though it’s not the most exciting task, doing so now will make the job much easier. As the season progresses, weeds tend to grow out of control, requiring more work to get rid of them. We hope these tips help you enjoy your yard even more this spring!]]>

Oh boy it’s coming; the summer heat is just a few months away.  With summer in our near future, you might find the following information interesting and can save you money while being environmentally friendly. If you currently have that gorgeous green rye grass for winter, it’s almost time to let the grass go dormant and get ready for the summer Bermuda grass.   If you have had Bermuda grass in previous years, you do not need to overseed.  The Bermuda grass will grow back once the rye grass has been dormant and the weather is warm enough for it to grow back. Did you know about half the water used at home is used outside, and most of that is for watering lawns.  Your lawn requires a lot of water in the spring and summer months, and that costs money. During the summer months your lawn requires 1 1/2 – 1¾ inches of water per week. By watering your lawn wisely, you can conserve a precious resource and save money on your water bill.  Did you know that nighttime or early in the morning are the most effective times to water.  This will promote deeper root growth, which encourages your lawn to be more water efficient.  When you water your grass during the day, you are wasting water because it is instantly evaporating and your precious, hard-earned dollars are going up into the sky and not helping your grass.  ]]>

Oh dear, your sink stinks.  It’s a nuisance, we know, but it also could be dangerous.   The stench could be coming from a few different places. In many cases, food or particles are stuck in the drainpipe.  Bacteria can collect in the pipe and cause the odor.  If you think this may be the culprit, try run baking soda or vinegar in your sink. This helps kill the bacteria and eliminate the stench. The good news is that this remedy works well for another potential location of the problem—your pesky garbage disposal. Food particles and grease can build up in between the teeth of the grinder.  In some cases, pouring hot water in the disposal can loosen up the grease and solve the problem.  If that doesn’t do the trick, vinegar or baking soda can be effective here as well. If you intend to look into the disposal any time during this process, be sure to unplug the power cable from the outlet as a safety precaution. After you have looked into the drain and the garbage disposal, there’s one last check. Your stench might be coming from the vent, which can get clogged. The best way to tackle this one is with the help of a plumber. They can run a snake and unclog the vent.]]>

Did you know that the majority of home maintenance issues happen when the homeowner is away from home? Unfortunately, vacations tend to be a prime time for systems and appliances to act up. Picture this—it’s August and you’ve escaped the Valley’s heat for a vacation. After enjoying a refreshing time away, you return home, quickly learning your air conditioning isn’t running as it should be. The culprit? A filter overdue for a change, which overheated the unit. That isn’t a pretty picture. The last thing you want to do when you return is face new maintenance problems. To help you keep your systems and appliances running smoothly while you’re away, we’ve compiled a few tips. 1. Change your air filters. Air filters get dirty, especially here in the dusty desert.  It’s a good idea to change your filters before you go on a trip.       2. Adjust your thermostats Electricity isn’t cheap, particularly not in the summer.  Adjust your thermostats so that the temperature in your home is a little warmer while you are away.  This simple action will save you money on your energy bill and will help prevent your air conditioning from overheating while you are away.       3. Unplug major electronics Another easy action worth taking is to protect your electronics from a possible power surge. Unplug your favorite electronics to avoid any damage while you are away.]]>