Furnaces in homes throughout North America are cranking up for a long winter season. It is especially important to have furnaces inspected and maintained to ensure that they run efficiently and safely now that the colder months are here.
SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY
By some accounts, home heating, especially gas furnaces, can represent half of a typical home’s winter utilities bill. Efficient operation means lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. For example, programmable thermostats can be used to automatically turn heat up or down at specified times, so that the temperature is lowered overnight or while no one is at home. Thermostats should be calibrated occasionally to avoid “off cycle” heat loss; a properly calibrated thermostat will result in more even heating between the on/off cycles, which is both more efficient and comfortable.
SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE
Safety is an important factor in furnace operation. Gas furnaces can be a source of carbon monoxide if there are leaks or cracks that go unnoticed or unrepaired. The furnace flame should be steady and burn blue; if not, this should be addressed immediately. A qualified contractor or inspector can detect these types of problems and recommend needed action.
Yearly furnace inspections are strongly recommended. A heating service and repair company can clean and inspect all components of a forced air furnace, including the blower motor, belts, heat exchanger and filter, and check the flue for obstructions.
Simple furnace maintenance includes checking and replacing disposable air filters and cleaning permanent-type filters, as well as keeping dust, hair, and lint away from the burner compartment and air intake. A dirty furnace costs more to run and takes longer to heat the home. No matter what type it is, a well-maintained furnace will not only last longer, but can save energy, money, and help a home’s overall air quality and comfort.
CONSIDERING A NEW FURNACE?
If a new furnace is necessary, it is a good opportunity to evaluate the various types of furnaces now available and how well they might meet a home’s specific situation. Furnaces are defined as conventional efficiency, mid efficiency, and high efficiency. There are advantages and drawbacks to each type, and some are better suited to older homes, for example, and cost may be a factor in considering various types of systems. However, the ability of some new furnaces to reduce off cycle heat loss, eliminate the need for an always-on pilot light, etc. make replacing a furnace worth considering if a current system is in bad repair functioning poorly. Your local Pillar To Post office can provide you with additional information on various types of furnaces.
More and more homeowners are considering radon detection a "must" - and with good reason. Health officials have warned that exposure to unsafe levels of radon can cause an increased risk of cancer. In fact radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in North America, yet it is easily preventable. The Environmental Protection Agency has dubbed January "Radon Awareness Month." Read below to learn more about testing radon levels in your home and protecting your family.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF RADON?
Radon is naturally occurring odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is formed by the ongoing decay of uranium in soil, rocks, sediments, and even well or ground water. While radon that escapes into the atmosphere is not harmful, dangerously high concentrations can build up indoors, exposing residents to possible health risks.
HOW RADON ENTERS THE HOME
Radon gas can migrate into the home in several ways. Openings or cracks in basement walls or floors are common avenues. Sumps, basement drains, and spaces between gas or water fittings can also allow radon into the structure.
HOW CAN MY CLIENTS FIND OUT ABOUT RADON IN A HOME THEY ARE CONSIDERING FOR PURCHASE?
A Pillar To Post Home Inspector can conduct a Radon test as either part of the home inspection process or on its own. An inspector will set up the testing equipment and report on the results once the proper measurement procedure is complete. If an elevated level of radon is detected, steps can be taken to lessen the concentration inside the home.
REDUCING THE LEVELS OF RADON IN THE HOME
Radon mitigation methods can include sealing likely entry points, improving ventilation, and a process called soil depressurization, which vents air from the house back into the surrounding soil, reducing the level of radon that can enter the home. Professional mitigation services are recommended to provide recommendations for a home's specific conditions.
Pillar To Post welcomes your comments and concerns. You can contact us: Click Here
Through coaching hundreds of people, both in my life coaching practice and as a professional organizer, I’ve discovered the one thing that seems to hold many people back from getting what they want: their thoughts. Is “stinking thinking” holding you hostage? Stinking thinking can be defined as a bad way of thinking that makes you believe you will fail, that bad things will happen to you, or that you are not a deserving person. It stems from the beliefs that were programmed into our minds years ago.
Are the following statements true or false?
What’s your image of perfection? And how is that working for you? It’s impossible to satisfy the inner judge, that critical voice inside your head that expects you to live up to its unrealistic image of perfection. It tells you all the things you should be, and when you don’t measure up, you feel that you’re not good enough. Our inner critic creates expectations neither others nor we could ever meet, so inevitably we end up feeling disappointed with ourselves; this can lead to feelings of failure and unworthiness.
Ready to make some changes? Use the 3-D formula: 1. Detect: We’ve been under the influence of our thoughts for so long that we don’t even realize we can take control of them. The good news is that we can. But before we can take charge and change things, we have to become aware of the ridiculous things our inner voice is telling us (detect). One way to bring them to light is to keep a journal. Another way of capturing them is to record them on your phone as you notice them.
2. Dispute: How true are these beliefs? Expectations of our inner judge are unrealistic and set us up for failure. Once we have exposed these thoughts for what they are, we can stop believing them (dispute). Let go of these false beliefs. Release any criticism and blame you may be directing at yourself.
3. Devise: Come up with a new way of thinking (devise). Shift your point of view and see yourself differently. Think as if you had your own best interests in mind. That means rephrasing those bullying thoughts to something more forgiving. Instead of harsh, judgemental self-talk, speak to yourself with respect. Use phrases such as “everyone makes mistakes” and “I did the best I could.” Choose praise over criticism.
Quiet the voice inside your head to make space for love and joy to enter your life instead. “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Letting go of false beliefs in your mind creates more space in your life for peace and happiness. Change your beliefs and you can change your thoughts. Change your thoughts and you will change your feelings. Change your feelings and you will change your behavior. Changes in your behavior can lead to you improving your life and your relationships.
Ultimately, your thoughts become your destiny.
A Certified Professional Organizer®, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. visit www.WeOrganizeU.com or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com
Spring is upon us and it seems that runny noses, watery eyes, coughs and headaches often abound. If your doctor has not found the cause of your suffering, it may be time to consider a third possibility: mold.
More than 100 types of household molds thrive in damp conditions, making after spring showers prime time for mold to appear in floors, walls and ceilings damaged by leaky pipes or foundation walls, soaked wood, plasterboard, or even newspapers.
Molds give off tiny spores that can get into respiratory tracts and cause allergic reactions. For most people, this results in an irritating but harmless problem. But in young children, it can be more serious.
Fortunately, you may be able to protect your family by taking these three steps:
1. Regularly check areas where mold thrives, including damp basements, bathrooms, air conditioners and anywhere that ceilings or walls may have suffered water damage. Peeling wallpaper often signals moist conditions, so check these spots carefully. Always quickly repair plumbing leaks.
2. Clean mold growth with a solution of one cup bleach to three cups water. Wear a mask and rubber gloves beforehand. If the area is larger than two square feet, hire a professional to get rid of the mold without spreading spores.
3. Prevent re-growth by using a dehumidifier in basements during wet weather. If you eliminate the moisture, then mold should never be too much of a recurring problem.
Consult your Pillar To Post® Inspector if you have concerns about mold.
Bathrooms are a good place to invest in for more enjoyment and to add future home value. Here are just a few expert “do or don’t” suggestions to help you renovate.
DO CHOOSE QUALITY, elegant fixtures in a classic style, as they will last longer and be more resistant to shifting trends.
DO SELECT DURABLE, water-resistant flooring such as ceramic, marble, or stone tile. For more warmth underfoot, consider installing subfloor heating coils or choose well-sealed hardwood flooring.
DO USE FOUND SPACE. Install a recessed storage cabinet at least three inches deep in the wall between the studs to maximize vertical storage while saving floor space.
DON’T OVERCROWD by adding too many accessories, or by installing overlarge fixtures. A 35-square-foot bathroom only has space for an average size tub/shower, toilet, and a single-sink vanity.
DON’T NEGLECT to vent. A 50-cfm fan is sufficient for venting a bathroom 50 square feet or less, but for spaces larger than 100 square feet, two fans - one for the shower and another near the toilet are better.
Germs can flourish on plastic or wood cutting boards. Keep them as clean as possible.
1. Disinfect with a salad staple: white vinegar. Use a clean sponge or paper towel to rub white vinegar over the board, and rinse with warm water. Vinegar destroys food-borne bacteria on contact.
2. Refresh with a squeeze of citrus. Cut a lemon in half, rub the pulpy side over the cutting board, and rinse with warm water. Fruit’s citric acid kills germs and odors.
3. Clean a wooden board with salt. Place it in the sink, sprinkle salt over the surface, then pour a cup of hot water over the board. Scrub the salt into stains and rinse. Your board will be spot-free, and salt will remove any ground-in flavors
4. No time to scrub your glass or plastic cutting boards? Clean the easy way. Put them in the dishwasher. The high heat will sanitize the surface.
Caution: Avoid cross contamination. Designate one board for raw meat and fish and another for everything else. This eliminates the accidental transfer of bacteria onto your veggies.
There are no perfect houses. Whether you have a new home or one that's a hundred years old, houses have cracks. Houses shift and settle into position after construction. Houses will have cracks in either the cosmetic finishes or structural components. Most of these cracks have no structural significance. Some are significant and Pillar To Post® inspectors use every technique to help their clients figure out the difference.
Shrinkage Cracks A newly poured, concrete foundation may contain small cracks because concrete shrinks as it cures. Fortunately, a shrinkage crack in a foundation wall is not structurally significant. Here’s how to recognize a shrinkage crack in a poured, concrete foundation:
The crack will be small, less than 1/8th of an inch wide.
The crack will be vertical.
The crack will not extend up through the structure. The crack is in the foundation only.
Shrinkage cracks usually occur in the middle third of the length of the foundation wall. If the crack is located towards the end of the length of the foundation wall, it’s probably not a shrinkage crack.
Horizontal Cracks In a Basement Foundation Wall This discussion relates to cracks in the concrete foundation wall in a house with a basement; this is not relevant to slabs on grade or to cracks in walls above grade level. A below-grade, horizontal crack in a foundation wall, which runs the length of the basement, is likely to be a sign that the foundation is failing under the weight of the surrounding soil. The soil outside the foundation walls exerts an enormous pressure on all the foundation walls. Foundation walls are designed to be strong enough to resist this load. Occasionally, unanticipated, additional loads exert pressure and the foundation begins to fail, resulting in a horizontal crack in the foundation wall.
Settlement Cracks Foundation settlement cracks are vertical, extending up through the structure. For a brick home, you may see cracks following the mortar joints in the brick wall. In most cases, the settlement crack itself has no structural significance; the concern is that the house may continue to settle over time.
Settlement Crack Size A larger settlement crack is more likely to be due to ongoing movement than a smaller settlement crack is. While there are no hard and fast rules, a settlement crack or series of settlement cracks that have a sum total opening of less than 1/4 inch are probably not because of ongoing settlement.
Direction of Movement A typical settlement crack is vertical, starting from where the crack opens up. The bumps and crevices line up and fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. If the crack face has moved in any other direction, such as a shear crack, the quarter-inch rule described above does not apply. This can be a significant structural concern.
Repaired and Re-cracked A settlement crack that has been repaired and has re-cracked (not just a hairline crack) could also indicate ongoing movement.
Lights, camera, - snacking! Your favorite movie snack is closely associated with the emotions you experience at the cinema. It may reveal anything from your sociability to creativity.
Jujubes or Twizzlers: You are a decisive doer with strong leadership skills.
Raisinets or M&M’s: You are a thoughtful classicist, contemplative and also quiet yet sophisticated.
Popcorn: You are a generous ladder-climber, sharing, charitable yet goal-oriented and successful.
Nachos: You are always prepared and a perfectionist, welcoming any challenge with a methodical approach.
That little can of WD-40 has more uses than you originally thought.
1. Keep silver shining. Remove tarnish from your silver jewelry or platters with a few sprays of WD-40. It helps to prevent tarnish build up by sealing out moisture.
2. Get rid of gum. If gum is stuck to carpet, spray over the spot, wait 10 minutes and you should be able to wipe away the sticky mess with a clean cloth.
3. Bye-bye scuff marks. Make those pesky black marks disappear from your tile or wood floor in a flash. Just spray WD-40, and then rub with a clean cloth until the area is no longer slippery.
4. Loosen zippers. Get a zipper to slide easily again by spraying WD-40 on it, then pull it up and down a few times. Remove excess with a paper towel.
Most settlement cracks are the result of short-term settlement. Ongoing settlement is unlikely and uncommon. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to identify ongoing settlement from a one-time visit to the home.
Since making multiple visits to the home over a few years is not compatible with a real estate transaction, we have to use our experience to read the cracks and take an educated guess as to whether ongoing settlement is likely.
Pillar To Post welcomes your comments and concerns. You can contact us: Click Here
It’s time to dispel some organizing myths that may be keeping you stuck and getting in your way of a more organized life. I’ve focused on the five most common beliefs about organizing, so you can discover what works for you and what doesn’t. Once we bust the myths, you’ll be on your way to organizing like a pro.
Are the following statements true or false?
1. Containers will always get you organized. FALSE. Containers alone are not the answer to your organizing dilemmas. In fact, they can become part of the problem. Here’s one example. Nancy purchased several large plastic containers to organize all of her craft supplies and memorabilia. But she still couldn’t find what she was looking for when she needed it.
The first thing to do is purge. Only when you know exactly what it is you need to store, how much there is of it, and where the most suitable location is to store it - should you go out and purchase containers. Measure first. The wrong size containers simply create more clutter.
2. Multitasking is always productive. FALSE. Although useful in some situations, multitasking can cause you to lose your focus and make costly and time consuming mistakes. When working on important tasks, multitasking is probably not a good idea. Some things require your undivided attention.
Multitasking distracts us from being in the moment, which can drain our energy and leave us feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. Next time you are participating in an activity, be with that activity. Resist the temptation to do two things at once.
3. Being messy automatically means you are disorganized. FALSE. Organizing is not about how it looks; it’s about how it works. Visual, creative types need to have things out where they can see them, because out-of-sight is out-of-mind for them. But visual types lose focus when there is too much to look at, so they need to find containers that will allow them to control the visual clutter.
4. You have to toss everything to get organized. FALSE. I often hear people say to say “There’s no way I could get organized because I am too sentimental - I don’t want to get rid of everything.” Although you shouldn’t keep things you don’t like or will never use, there’s always a way to either display or store the things that matter. For example, shadow boxes or display cases allow you to protect as well as showcase the possessions that truly mean something special to you.
5. If you write it on a to-do list, it will get done. FALSE. I had a client who was so proud of her to-do list: it was prioritized, color-coded and categorized - yet she was frustrated and overwhelmed at how many things on the list were not getting done. To get anything accomplished, you have to actually schedule time to do the things on your list. Simply putting a task on a list is not a commitment - blocking time on your calendar to do it is.
A Certified Professional Organizer®, life coach, TV host and owner of We Organize U. Visit www.WeOrganizeU.com or e-mail info@WeOrganizeU.com
As we contend with the cold winter season, it’s a great time to refresh our memories about using our fireplaces safely. Winter is the worst time of year for home fires.
Here are some tips for fireplace safety:
1. Make sure the damper is open before you light the fire, and don’t close it until the ashes are cool to the touch.
2. Never leave the house or go to sleep with a fire burning.
3. Keep combustible materials such as wood and paper a safe distance from the fireplace.
4. Use a fireplace screen to protect children, pets, and your carpet from hot embers.
5. Supervise children at all times around fireplaces.
6. Use a small amount of dry, well-seasoned firewood. Never overload. If you use artificial logs, follow the instructions on the package.
7. Have your chimney cleaned and serviced on a regular basis.
8. Never use gasoline or starter fluid close to or in your fireplace.
9. Place ashes in a metal container and take them outdoors.
10. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and remember that adequate ventilation is key to keeping your fireplace safe.
In addition to following safe practices with your fireplace, you should have safeguards in place in the event something goes amiss. In addition to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, consider investing in fire extinguishers and a sprinkler system. They can make your home safer and often earn you discounts on your home insurance premiums.
Perhaps the kitchen in your home is less than ideal, but you are not ready or able to undertake a full-blown renovation. There are many ways you can improve your existing kitchen without spending a fortune. Here are just a few expert ideas to help you.
• PAINT: If the cabinets are in decent condition but just tired, give them a new high-gloss color. Don’t skimp on surface preparation, including removing all traces of grease and grime, or the results will disappoint.
• CHROME: Replace the hardware, faucet, or sink all are relatively easy do-it-yourself jobs.
• CABINETS: For a little more investment, you can have the cabinet door fronts replaced or refaced and then remounted on the same boxes.
• BACKSPLASH: Many high-end tile stores have outlet centers or bargain sections where you can score tile remnants at a fraction of the original cost. Or cover an old, ugly backsplash with self-stick mirror tile or a ready-to-install backsplash.
• COUNTERTOP: If you’re working with a small budget, consider laminate, which offers true-to-life reproductions of more expensive wood and stone. A new laminate counter costs a few hundred dollars, including installation and can last for years.
Plants bring vibrant life to a home and purify the air. And even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can have greenery that thrives. The trick is to choose one of the following plants, which is practically guaranteed to survive.
• JADE is one of the easiest house plants to care for, and it needs water only once a month.
• PILEA tolerates neglect.
• LACE ALGAE can be placed where it might be temporarily forgotten.
• FERNS Dare great for bathrooms. They enjoy the humidity and don’t need much light.
• PAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP PLANTS last almost forever and are good for tabletops because they grow low.
• ENGLISH IVY is happy in a hanging basket with water every other week.
• CAST-IRON PLANTS are almost indestructible.
Our clients often ask us about adding a wood burning fireplace to an existing home. Because it involves foundation construction and a masonry chimney, adding a fireplace can be expensive. zero-clearance wood burning fireplace, can be installed in almost any location in any home, and if existing floor structures and a prefabricated chimney are used, much of that cost can be minimized.
Zero-Clearance refers to a prefabricated fireplace that can be installed almost directly against combustible surfaces, such as walls or floors. A prefabricated chimney is then run up the inside or outside of the house. The following questions should be taken into consideration before purchasing a zero-clearance fireplace:
1. Where would you like to put it?
2. Is the purpose ambiance only or do you want to generate some heat for the house? Most wood burning fireplaces do not actually heat the house. In fact, many cause overall heat loss because they heat the room they are in, but send the hot air from the rest of the house racing up the chimney.
Get a Good Installer This is not a do-it-yourself project. Enlist the help of an expert from the beginning; ideally, someone trained in installing the type of system you select. The specific expertise is important because all the components must be manufacturer approved. Also, despite what the name suggests, zero-clearance fireplaces must still observe minimum clearances for safety reasons. And once installed, it is difficult to inspect the installation details – another great reason to have an expert do the job.
Glass Doors Most zero-clearance fireplaces feature glass doors. With some models, the glass doors may be closed while the fire is lit while others require the glass doors to open. For example, high efficiency units are designed to operate when the glass doors are closed. Many conventional zero-clearance units have glass doors to reduce heat loss when there is no fire, but the doors should be left open when the fire is lit.
Inspection Requirements Because zero-clearance fireplaces leave less room for error due to the proximity of combustible material, they require yearly inspection.
Many zero-clearance fireplaces are installed with a prefabricated chimney pipe enclosed in a chimney chase (enclosure running up the outside of the house). If animals get through the chimney chase, they can build nests in direct contact with the pipe. Under the right conditions, a fire could start in the chimney chase. Creosote is a combustible deposit that builds up on the inside of a chimney flue. It must be cleaned out regularly to avoid a chimney fire. A good inspection is your best defense against chimney or house fires. The chimney and fireplace inspection industry is unlicensed and unregulated in most states and provinces. Fortunately, excellent organizations of professionals do exist. In the United States, the National Chimney Sweep Guild created a certification organization called the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Look for an inspector who is CSIA certified. In Canada, look for an inspector certified by Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT).
Nursing a grudge is bad for your health. But you can learn to forgive anyone effortlessly with this six-step plan.
1: Ask yourself, “What’s in it for me?” Living well is the best revenge.
2: Vent. Release negative emotions. Get a fresh perspective. Move on.
3: Unplug the stress. Take three deep breaths while picturing loved ones.
4: Lower your expectations. Accept the fact that none of us is perfect.
5: Don’t necessarily forget. Forgive but keep the offender at a safe distance.
6: Pat yourself on the back. Feel confident in your ability to put resentment behind you.
Modern decorating tricks can also help make your home look super-clean and less cluttered. May we suggest:
• choosing clear, pure colors, such as lemon yellow, instead of muddy ones like mustard;
• replacing yellowed lamp shades with pure white ones, and ordinary light bulbs with Reveal bulbs (by GE), which produce bright white, rather than yellowish light;
• leaving lots of bare floor, with only a few area rugs for softness and
• paring down your accessories, choosing a few good-sized pieces rather than many small ones.
• Burn only seasoned hardwood. Do not burn scraps of wood and paper.
• Load the logs near the back of the fireplace.
• Use the spark screen.
• Do not leave a fire unattended.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning.
• Never restrict air flow to the fireplace.
• Do not operate the fireplace with the glass doors closed without verifying if it is certified for such operation.
• Keep the hearth area clear.
• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned yearly.
There are no inspections available with this FBO within +/- 4 days of your preferred inspection date. Please pick another inspection date, or contact us.
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As we contend with the cold winter season, it’s a great time to refresh our memories about using our fireplaces safely. Winter is the worst time of year for home fires.
Our clients often ask us about adding a wood burning fireplace to an existing home. Because it involves foundation construction and a masonry chimney, adding a fireplace can be expensive. zero-clearance wood burning fireplace, can be installed in almost any location in any home, and if existing floor structures and a prefabricated chimney are used, much of that cost can be minimized.
Modern decorating tricks can also help make your home look super-clean and less cluttered. May we suggest:
