Make 2012 Your Home’s “Year of Style”

Feel like your home is in need of some freshness?  Take some tips in current home styles to help spruce yours up or in looking for a new home altogether!

• Windows – FISHBOWL STYLE. New homes have windows in excess.  Not only are they numerous in number but in size. The upside is that these windows add more natural light and brighten rooms as well as give the exterior more visual appeal. However, it also means that you may have to go to extra lengths to maintain privacy and security. Custom blinds and a good alarm system are necessities, but it’s also important to be aware of the greater possibility that your furnishings can fade sooner and you may have less space for furniture and art.

• Floors – ESPRESSO HARDWOOD. Hardwood has been the rage for years, but the color that is turning heads is espresso.  Even homes built five years ago featured more light colored wood, but brand new homes all have a dark stain on the floor. To freshen up an older home to sell or just to get a more contemporary feel, consider re-staining your floors in this color.

• Ceiling – LAYERS AND BLING.  Contemporary houses have ceilings that are multi-layered. Whether it’s a square layer over the dining room table area or a series of squares made from crown molding and separate layers of drywall, tray ceilings add elegance, flash and sophistication.  Lighting beads can also be hidden within the layers to create a dim shade of color that enhances the effects of the ceiling. In addition, what’s hanging from the ceilings can be equally as stunning.  See through ball chandeliers and hanging multi-lit wired extensions can make for impressive updated twists to a home in need of spunk.

• Furniture – BRIGHT STATEMENT PIECES. Just like clothing is going brighter, so is furniture selection.  A pop of color, like a bright yellow or red couch, fits unexpectedly in with all-white walls to give edge and contemporary polish.  If investing in a transitory style makes you nervous, consider a bright statement accessory, such as an all-white couch accompanied by a boldly colored ottoman.  

• Staircases – SHARP EDGES. In prior years, stair cases had rounded edges with bullnose treads and matching wooden bannisters. Gone are the round edges; stairs these days have hard 90-degree angles with no room for a graceful fall.   Iron and wire bannisters with interesting architectural detail take the place of matching wood for a varietal feel that peaks the viewers’ interest.  Just protect your toes from stubbing and definitely don’t try to slide down like in your youth!

• Sinks and bathtubs – VESSELS.  Seemingly free standing sinks are popping up all over, but this trend is actually a throw-back to Chinese washbasins.  This type of sink can be used with almost any kind of home decorating, and materials can be varied to suit your style. Examples are cast iron, glass and stainless steel. Most commonly seen in bathrooms, these sinks can be used in kitchens as well.

• Walls – ALL WHITE IS AN OPTION.  Gone are the days of the 2008 “accent wall.” The anti-accent wall is now featured in the form of monochromatic rooms. But it’s not just all white; you could go all black with black trim to boot. The key is to add spice through brightly colored art or bright statement pieces (see “Furniture”).

• Kitchen – INTEGRATION. Open floor plans are now all the rage and they extend into the kitchen through the idea of integration. Take an open wall and imagine a big rectangle that covers the length of the room. There you will find cabinets (white is the “in” color, by the way) with what appears to be built-in refrigerators, double-ovens, microwaves, wine cooler and maybe even an industrial espresso maker!

• Television Placement – FLAT AND MOUNTED. This trend is not so new as it is necessary.  If you don’t have a flat and/or mounted television, you are like that friend that still has the boxy computer and still stores data on CD’s. 

• Decks – OUTSIDE MAN CAVES. “Man cave” was voted one of the most overused terms of 2011, and men everywhere now seem to think themselves entitled to any available basement space your home may feature. But this desire now extends to deck space as well. Decks are new natural extensions of man caves; in fact, it is the outside man cave. Wood-burning fireplaces (or synthetic techno-savvy versions) and built-in grilling stations are on-order now for the upcoming summer.  Contemporary outdoor furniture has a darker wicker look with contrastingly light cushions that bodes well to withstand rain and wind. Top it all off with a canopy and hot tub and you are ready for a season-long party!                                                                                        

We're on Pinterest!

We are happy to announce we have joined the wonderful world of Pinterest! The idea of being able to connect with our fans in such a fun way was to intriguing. We have found it is such an easy and fun way to find new DIY projects that will be extremely useful for our fans in their homes. It's also a great way to find ways to freshen up every room in your house in creative and easy ways.

It should definitely help make that To-Do List shorter!

You can follow us here or visit our Facebook page Pinterest tab.

Happy pinning DIYers! 

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.