Uncategorized

All your hard work in creating a beautiful, lush lawn, can quickly go to waste in times of excessive heat and dryness. If you keep just a few simple things in mind, however, you can help ensure your grass holds up when conditions get tough.

1. Dont walk on dry grass. Well-watered blades of grass will bounce back when you walk on them. Dry grass, however, will stay tamped down when trodden upon. So when you’re in a dry stretch, try to avoid walking on your lawn. Keep in mind, too much foot traffic is also a problem when the grass is wet as it can cause the soil to become compacted, which prevents air from getting to grass roots.

2. Check your mower blade. If your lawn mower blade is dull, it will shred the grass, causing it to lose moisture. Shredded tips will also turn an unsightly brown. Make sure your blade is sharp so you can get a clean cut, and keep it at one of the highest settings to maintain taller grass. Tall grass means deep roots that can reach moisture hiding further down in the soil.

3. Water in the morning. The ideal time to water your lawn is between 6 am – 10 am. Watering during this time frame prevents water from evaporating too quickly (like it would in the middle of the day) and gives your lawn a chance to dry before nightfall. Watering at night makes your lawn prone to disease.

4. Time your fertilization. If you have a stressed, dried-out lawn on your hands, avoid feeding. Fertilize before the peak of your hot season, then again once things cool off and the rain returns.

Source: Scotts

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

You may think you have all the bases covered when it comes to fire safety at home, but have you considered your clothes dryer?

Clothes dryers are responsible for nearly 15,000 house fires each year, and according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading cause of dryer fires is a build-up of lint in the system. While you may be vigilant about cleaning your dryers lint trap, its also critical to take care of your dryers vent system as well. Heres how to do it in 10 steps, courtesy of Erie Insurance:

1. Buy a dryer cleaning kit. You can typically purchase a dryer cleaning kit from a home improvement store for under $50. The price will go up depending on the quality of the kit’s materials and the length of the cleaning rods. If you have the proper attachments, a household vacuum may work, too.

2. Unplug the dryer. When working on any appliance, be sure to unplug it first for maximum safety. Either unplug your dryer or shut it off via the electrical panel before starting the cleaning process.

3. Pull the dryer away from the wall. You will need plenty of room to access the dryer vent, so pull the dryer as far away from the wall as the hose will allow.

4. Detach the dryer vent hose. Remove any clamps or screws attaching the hose to the wall or dryer. This could be difficult depending on the length of the hose and where it leads.

5. Clean the moisture sensors. Wipe down the sensors inside your dryer with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Do this each time you clean the dryer vent or when cycles become inefficient.

6. Clean the hose. Use a vacuum to suction lint from both ends of the hose. Then, use the brush from your cleaning kit to clear out any trapped lint. Keep a wire hanger nearby to snake out debris if necessary. Just be careful to not damage the hose in the process.

7. Reattach the hose. Put the hose back in its place and reattach any clamps or screws. Slide the dryer back against the wall.

8. Clean the exterior vent. Now that the hose is clear, head outside to take care of your home’s exterior vent. Remove the vent cover and clean any excess lint to make sure the vent pipe has no obstructions

9. Run the dryer. Turn the power back on and run the machine empty for 20 minutes, using the air-dry setting. Check for air and lint blowing out of the exterior vent. Then, turn off the dryer and put the cover back on once the vent is clear.

10. Consider a pro. Dont hesitate to call a professional if something doesnt look right or you feel the job is more than you can handle. A pro can help uncover underlying problems and will know if its time for a new dryer altogether.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Follow these tips to design the ultimate pool house…

Connected to Nature

Consider large doors that open to the pool area and easily transition in and out.

Keep It Consistent

Consistent style between the main house and pool house provides a sense of fluidity.

Changing Room

A changing room is essential, as is storage space for towels, pool toys, and more.

Kitchenette

A kitchenette with a few key appliances makes it easy to prepare refreshments by the pool.

Covered BBQ Area

A well-designed grill station next to the pool is perfect for entertaining.

Guest Room

A separate structure gives visitors privacy, while acting as their own private guesthouse.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Water heaters are a household appliance that many homeowners dont think about until its too late. This is a mistake, because like many vital home features, your water heaters life and effectiveness are directly related to how actively you perform basic maintenance. Unfortunately, there will always be a reason to replace your water heater entirely. Heres what to look out for so you dont find yourself wading through a leak.

Your Water Heater is Too Old
Most water heaters last between eight to 12 years depending on the manufacturer, type and how well they have been cared for. Check on the front of your water heater to find its rating plate; this will reveal important information. The serial number contains the year the water heater was manufactured and the model number will tell your water heaters size. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, you should start thinking about a replacement.

Strange Noises
If you hear a hissing or sizzling noise coming from your water heater, you likely have sediment build-up that must be addressed. If you havent maintained your water heater properly, the sediment could have caused damage by slowly overheating the bottom of your tank.

Leaks
Leaks are the most obvious sign that your water heater is past its prime, but it is still worth mentioning. It might be tempting to ignore a small leak, but this is highly unsafe. Its vital that you replace your water heater immediately upon discovering a leak. Since leaks are likely the result of pressure built up in your tank, neglecting a leak can lead to a tank explosion.

Rusty Brown Water
If your water supply suddenly looks murky, rusty or brown, you could be facing a problem with your water heater. This problem could mean one of two things: the anode rod within your tank is rusted or your tank is facing corrosion and is itself beginning to rust. Youll need to replace a corroded tank as soon as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.