Homeowner Tips
AVOID BASEMENT FLOODS
If your basement tends to flood and you live in an area where thunderstorms, floods or blackouts tend to knock-out the power, consider buying a sump pump that will operate on its own power. Most of these are intended to be auxiliary pumps used in tandem with the primary pump. They kick- in if the main pump fails. One type runs on a 12-volt battery. Another is hooked up to the house’s water system and operates by water pressure.
DRINK THE CLEANEST WATER
Consider investing in a 5-stage water purifier which reduces mineral content of water by 96% and removes chlorine and other bad tastes to provide high quality drinking water right at your kitchen sink. No need to purchase bottled water which takes up a lot of room in your refrigerator!
STONE COUNTERTOP MAINTAINANCE
Have your stone countertops sealed by a professional stone care specialist at least once or twice a year (depending on use) to maintain clean and stain-free surfaces. You can seal the stone counters yourself with the application of a stone cleaner and then sealer available at W.D. Virtue Tile in Summit, NJ 908 273 6936 www.virtuetile.com. Stone counters, including granite are porous and sealing the stone reduces the ability for water and oil to penetrate into the surface.
LIGHT DIMMERS
By shedding the right amount and quality of light on a given space, dimmer switches reduce wasted electricity and heat build-up, saving you money. They also help you sculpt spaces with light to create warm, inviting interiors. A dimmer switch allows you to adjust the desired light level for various room activities.
CARING FOR YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Have your hardwood floors screened and recoated every 3 – 5 years (depending on use) to prolong the life of the floor. This also reduces the need to perform heavy sandings which create clouds of dust and are significantly more costly.
REDUCE BATHROOM MILDEW
Turning on the ventilation fan in your bathroom after every shower significantly reduces unsightly mildew build-up in the shower and on the walls and ceiling of your entire bath. Small bathroom ceilings should be painted with a mold resistant paint. Also make sure the fan is cleaned regularly to remove dust build-up to allow for maximum ventilation.
AVOID WATER DAMAGE
Investing in a Watts IntelliFlow shut-off valve will prevent unfortunate water damage by shutting off water in your washing machine after the washing cycle is complete. It senses the lack of current and closes the water inlet valves until the machine is used again. The newest IntelliFlow also provides an additional level of security should a hose burst while the washing machine is in operation!
HVAC MAINTAINANCE
Arrange to be placed on your HVAC contractor’s service agreement so that you are scheduled to have your air conditioning system serviced in April and your heating unit serviced in September to avoid prime heating and cooling months. Waiting for the first hot day or first freeze will decrease your contractor’s availability!
CLOSING WOOD DOORS IN THE SUMMER
Interior and exterior wood doors tend to swell in the summer and shrink in the winter. Make sure all edges including the top and the bottom of all wood doors are sealed with 3 coats of finish (paint or clear coat) to prevent further swelling.
EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING MANTAINANCE
Schedule your painter to touch-up areas on the exterior of your home on an as-needed basis to avoid wood rotting and scaling of paint. Ongoing maintenance of the exterior of your home will save you money in the long run.
STAINING YOUR CEDAR DECK
Allow a minimum of 6 months before staining a cedar deck to allow for proper weathering. Also, remember to power wash the deck to remove all dirt and debris before staining.
