Protect Your Throne! National Bath Safety Month Tips

Many people consider their bathroom to be one of the most important and relaxing rooms in their house.  However, it can also be the most dangerous.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that around 370 Americans are injured each day from bathroom-related injuries.  These injuries affect people of all ages and are primarily related to incidents involving the bathtub and shower.  For example, drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury deaths of children under 4 and the second leading cause of death for those 14 and under.  On the opposite end of the age spectrum, older adults fall once every 18 seconds, and every 35 minutes someone in the US dies from these injuries.

As such, January is National Bath Safety Month.  During this month, consumers are reminded to take extra precautions to make sure their bathroom is properly equipped for the young and old. 

Follow these tips to make sure your bathroom is as safe as possible:

• Make sure your bathtub or shower has nonskid mats or strips on the standing area
•  For seniors, consider replacing a bathtub with a comfortable shower that is easily accessible
• Safety glass or plastic should be installed on bathtub or shower doors
•  Install safety grip handles in the shower or sloping safety bar brackets on the tub
•  Keep electrical appliances away from water, such as the bathtub/shower or sink
• Consider installing toilet seat locks so children don’t fall into water or throw in your valuables (or other objects causing plumbing issues)
• Consider elevated toilet seats with armrests so seniors can get up from the toilet if they have problem with knees/legs
•  In case of emergency such as sickness or a hard fall, consider installing a phone line in the bathroom that is easily accessible
• If your bathroom has carpet – get rid of it. The bathroom is the room with the most bacteria, and this one step will help you cut down significantly
• Make sure your bathroom cabinets are childproof – they could contain poisonous substances
• Keep Poison Control stickers in each bathroom in the event of accidental poisoning
• Never leave a baby unattended in the tub, even just for a minute
• Prevent water burns by turning the default max on the hot water heater to 120 degrees
• Space heaters in the bathroom could cause electrical shocks – avoid using them here
• Secure all sharp-edged objects.  Razors in the wrong hands could hurt someone
• If you have a lock, remove it from the inside of the bathroom door for living situations with children or the elderly; you may be unable to assist in the event of an emergency

Keep your ability to live independently and care for those you love in check by abiding by these safety precautions! 

Time to ready your home for Old Man Winter

Tis already the season to be freezing, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to winterize your home if you haven’t already. Not only does battening down the homestead’s hatches mean toasty comfort for you, it also yields increased energy efficiency and protects against wear and tear delivered by the elements.

If you haven’t started winterizing already, follow these tips for some quick catch-up that will save you money and protect your home for years to come.

Heat’s a treat: Nothing’s more important to home warmth and energy savings than an efficient furnace. If you haven’t had an HVAC inspection in two years, call a professional to inspect your furnace. Ensure the technician changes your air filter and, if applicable, your humidifier filter. Also ask if it’s time to have your air ducts cleaned.

Fireplaces aren’t just romantic: Experts say fireplaces account for some of the greatest loss of a home’s heat when not properly used. When not used, chimneys can become nesting sites for rodents and birds—a potentially hazardous situation if a homeowner decides to light a fire. Consider hiring a chimney sweep to inspect the safety and cleanliness of your chimney. And if you’re not using it, ensure it’s thoroughly insulated against heat loss.

If you burn firewood in your chimney, bring inside only the wood you plan to burn so dormant insects, such as termites and ants, aren’t unnaturally awakened in the warmth of your home.

Seal the deal: Energy-efficient vinyl windows are some of the best investments homeowners can make to improve the look and feel of their properties. But if such an expense isn’t in your budget, a similarly effective and less costly tactic is to seal all windows and exterior doors.

Placing weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air entry is simple, as is caulking any gaps around windows. Don’t have the time for the chore? Most handyman services for this are affordable.

Clear the way: Be sure all roof galleys, gutters and downspouts are completely free of debris such as leaves and sticks. Not only does this allow water to flow off your home easily, the release of any water buildup avoids ice accumulation that can damage shingles, gutters and structural components.

A blanket statement: Given that your attic is much cooler in the winter, this season often is the best time to add a layer of insulation up top. Experts say increasing the thickness of attic insulation leads to better heat retention and reduced energy costs. Check with experts in your area of the country for recommended amounts and types of insulation.

Follow the program: The cost of programmable thermostats continues to fall, making their energy-saving value rise rapidly. With a “mind of its own,” the thermostat can be set to reduce your home’s temperature while you’re away at work and the kids are at school, and then increase the heat automatically in anticipation of everyone’s return.

No water outside: To prevent the formation of ice in pipes leading to outside spigots, shut off your outside water from the inside, then open outside spigots to let them drain completely. Also, ensure your hoses are completely drained before storing them inside.

No freezing inside: If you have an older home whose pipes might not be well insulated, it never hurts to add a layer of insulation (pipe-specific wraps are available at most hardware stores). Anywhere where hot water pipes are exposed, insulate them. The less your water heater has to work to keep the temperature correct, the more money you’ll save on running it.

A shift in the wind: Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans in the winter time in order to blow warm air—trapped against each room’s ceiling—downward gently to circulate heat effectively.

Methods of detection: With the use of fossil-fuel burning furnaces, there is always the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Good furnace maintenance should ensure safe operation, but since your doors and windows will be closed for a few months and the house will not benefit from natural air circulation, it’s wise to consider installing carbon monoxide detectors outside each bedroom. And of course, it never hurts to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors during this process.

If you need any help with any of these suggestions, give your local House Doctor a call!

Mold in your home, how serious is it?

Learning that mold is present in your home can be scary, but before you panic there are some things that you should know.

Mold (fungi) is present everywhere - indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. and are found in moist or damp areas, as all molds need water to grow.

Mold is  often confused with another fungus, mildew.  Mildew is the black residue on your shower curtains and the funny smell coming from clothes that sat too long in the washer.  Mold is the fuzzy or slimy stuff that sometimes grows on your counter fruit.  It also appears as irregularly shaped spots of black or gray on a wall or ceiling, which is much harder to throw away than a rotting orange!

Just like mold on fruit, mold growing in a house gets its energy from organic matter.  Like mildew, it is attracted to moisture and breeds in damp environments.  Therefore, if a home has been exposed to any sort of water damage, it may have hidden mold.  Common areas where mold hides include:

• Backsides of dry wall
• Wallpaper or paneling
• Top side of ceiling tiles
• Underside of carpets and carpet pads
• Inside walls around pipes
• Surface of walls behind furniture
• Inside ductwork
•  Roof materials above ceiling tiles

Most types of mold that are routinely encountered are not hazardous to healthy individuals, however there are household molds that are toxic and can cause neurological problems.   Common symptoms in individuals living in a house with mold are:

• Itchy and watering eyes
• Chronic coughing
• Headaches or migraines
• Difficulty breathing
• Rashes
• Fatigue
• Sinus problems
• Nasal blockage
• Frequent sneezing
• Depending on the amount of exposure and a person's individual vulnerability, more serious health effects - such as fevers and breathing problems - can occur but are unusual.

Mold should be cleaned as soon as it appears. Persons cleaning mold should be free of symptoms and allergies and need to wear gloves during cleaning. Small areas of mold can be cleaned using a detergent/soapy solution or an appropriate household cleaner. Once the area is cleaned, it then needs to be thoroughly dried and any sponges or rags used need to be disposed. 

If a house has a severe mold problem, more likely than not that there will be a musty scent in the affected area.  Some surfaces may look smudged or blotched and should not be touched.

If you suspect that your home or potential home is contaminated with mold call a professional in to inspect and test the house for mold.  If the home tests positive for mold, caution should be taken.  Even in the event that mold can be cleaned up, purchasing mold insurance would be a wise investment to minimize financial and personal harm that could occur if mold does not get properly cleaned up.  

Weatherize Your Home for Winter

Last winter, we got some of the worst winter weather the country had seen in a while. The snow and cold were almost unbearable and another cold and snowy winter is sure to come again this year. Advance preparations can save money, energy, increase safety and allow for an easy transition into the winter months. Here are some great tips to check into before winter hits.

• Winterize to Keep Your Home Energy-Tight
• Use caulk on your home's exterior to seal out moisture and outside air; at the same time, it helps keep heat indoors. Caulk creates a tight moisture barrier which prevents rain and snow from seeping into gaps and joints, causing wood to rot and paint to blister.
• Place a dollar bill between the door and the jamb or the window sash and sill. With the door or window closed, attempt to remove the bill. If it slides out easily, you're losing energy.

• Clear Downspouts and Gutters
• Avoid basement flooding and deterioration of the foundation by cleaning the gutter channels and clearing downspouts of debris. Replace deteriorating or broken gutters and downspouts.

• Crank the Heat!
• Turn on your furnace and give it a test-run
• Change the air filter. This will enable your heating system to run at maximum efficiency which can even help save money on heating costs.
• If your home has gas heat, check the pilot light, burner and chimney flue. If not vented properly, you could have carbon monoxide building up in the house.

• Prevent Trouble Down Below
• There may also be things that need attending to beneath your property. For example, flush underground sprinkler systems before the cold sets in by blowing air into pipes to displace leftover water. This is important because water lines are typically only 6 to 8 inches below ground -- and prone to freezing. If they freeze and then burst, you could have a costly repair situation on your hands.

• Check the Septic
• Homeowners with septic tanks should also think about pumping them now -- before the ground freezes and snow buries your yard. Septic tanks should be checked once every year and cleaned no less than every three years.

• Protect Your Pipes
• Frozen or burst pipes are among a homeowner's worst nightmares. For a preventative measure, add insulation to pipes in unheated areas, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes.
• Install a freeze-proof outdoor faucet which will eliminate the problem of a frozen or broken spigot. These faucets employ a long stem that shuts the water off about a foot back in the house preventing the pipe from freezing.

• Conduct a Water Heater Check-Up

• There may also be things that need attending to beneath your property. For example, flush underground sprinkler systems before the cold sets in by blowing air into pipes to displace leftover water. This is important because water lines are typically only 6 to 8 inches below ground -- and prone to freezing. If they freeze and then burst, you could have a costly repair situation on your hands.

Prepare your House and Your Family for Hurricane Season

Storm season is certainly upon us and hurricane season is about to come into full swing.  Over the past several years, hurricane damage has made the news again and again, devastating lives, people, cities and nations.  Every year it’s a good idea to remind yourself of how to prepare for a hurricane should you encounter this terrorizing storm.  Fortunately, meteorologists are able to track hurricanes before they hit home; however, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place to quickly put into action. 

With over 15 years of experience in repairing storm damage, House Doctors Professional Handyman Service is knowledgeable in key ways to prepare your home for storms.  Here are a few top tips:

1. Protect windows and sliding doors with plywood that fits the area of the window or door.  Taping a window or a door is an ineffective method to protect windows or doors.  With high speed winds, tape is not going to hold the most damaging materials out.  The best case is to have impact-resistant glass installed, but if that isn’t an option, drilling in plywood is the second best solution. To be prepared for the storm, have the plywood already made to fit the windows and sliding doors because you aren’t going to be able to run to The Home Depot during a hurricane.
2.  Remove weak or dead trees from your yard.  Dead foliage cannot withstand 100 MPH wind and can easily come through a window during a hurricane.  Be sure to remove any dead or weak shrubbery from your yard each year.
3. Have a generator in case your home loses power.
4. Determine a “safe” room.  This should be an interior room or closet in the middle of the first floor without windows.

In the event your home is affected by a hurricane, be sure to get a storm assessment.  This will tell you what areas of your home need repair.  A storm assessment should be a comprehensive verbal and written report detailing the storm damage.  House Doctors recommends having a storm assessment performed by an independent third party to receive the most accurate information on the damage to your home.

Ways to Keep Your House Cool This Summer

As a leading property repair and maintenance company, House Doctors has delivered high standards of customer service, reliability and customer workmanship to home owners and commercial property owners for over 12 years. In attempt to help home owners battle increasing temperatures and electricity bills, House Doctors suggests implementing the following environmentally-friendly tips to keep their homes cool – and electricity bill cooler:

•  Invest in fans and ceiling fans. Fans give you the opportunity to raise your thermostat setting while allowing you to save on air-conditioning costs.
• Install white window shades, blinds and drapes. White blinds reflect heat away from your home, rather than attracting heat and trapping it inside.
• Close shades, blinds and drapes facing the sun. By closing your blinds (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon), you’ll be able to keep heat out and cool air in. 
• Close unused vents. There’s no need in cooling dead space, so close vents that aren’t being used. This will allow more air to flow from opened vents. 
• Be aware of internal heat. Lighting, appliances and electronic devices are some of the most common sources of internal heat within your home. Make sure to turn them off when not in use and keep them away from your thermostat, as heat will cause the air conditioner to run for longer periods of time.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units. A unit operating in the shade uses less power. 

There’s no reason to make your summer even hotter, so use these environmentally-friendly alternatives to cool your home more efficiently. For more tips or to find out what House Doctors can do for you, visit www.housedoctors.com.

How To Green Your Home

Now more than ever consumers are looking for ways to save energy in their homes. Greener homes are not only more environmentally friendly but can also greatly reduce utility bills. The average household spends about $2,200 on energy bills, but with a few simple adjustments, consumers can lessen their impact on the environment and save themselves some green as well!

• Seal your home! Use caulk and weather stripping to seal in air so that cool air cannot escape and heat stays inside.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
• Take steps to save water. By installing aerators on your faucets, you can cut your annual water consumption in half.
• Use energy efficient lighting. LED light bulbs use up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.
• Solar, wind or even hydroelectric power can reduce greenhouse emissions and harness the capabilities of renewable fuels.
• Completely unplug off your appliances! 75 percent of energy used to power an appliance is consumed while the appliance is turned off. Use a power strip to make unplugging easier.
• Spray-foam insulation can benefit older homes by cutting heating bills in half. Spraying open areas like attics or crawlspaces can also reduce mold growth and even prevent some pests from entering your home.

For more tips on how to make your home green or what House Doctors can do for you, visit www.housedoctors.com