Category: Post Notes

SMARTER LIVING

Smart Vacation Planning for Your Home

Vacation coming up? While you may monitor a security camera setup remotely, here’s some good advice to give you added peace of mind about your home while you’re away.

• Make your home appear occupied. Schedule lights throughout the house to turn off and on at various times after dark using simple plug-in timers or a smartphone-controlled app.
• Use extra caution when communicating about your vacation dates on Facebook and other social media. Information spreads quickly, and you don’t want it to get into the wrong hands.
• Tell your close friends and trusted neighbors of your travel plans and let them know when you’re expecting to return. Make sure you can be reached in an emergency if necessary.
• Have the post office hold your mail and suspend any newspaper and package deliveries, or ask a neighbor to collect them for you each day.
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway on occasion so it looks like there’s someone at home.
• Arrange to have someone mow the lawn in your absence if you’ll be gone for more than a week.
• Close the window coverings in ground-level rooms so that would-be thieves aren’t tempted by valuables and other items visible from outside.
• If possible, load your vacation gear into the car in the garage so that you’re not announcing to passersby that you’re on your way out of town.
• Lock the garage, gates, and storage structures. Don’t forget to lock any side doors and doors leading into the house from the garage.

Now go ahead enjoy your time away!

HOUSEWISE

Keeping Your Cool

5 easy ways to help keep your home cool this summer.

• Close window coverings on south- and west-facing sides of the house until dusk.
• Change ceiling fans to the summer rotation setting (counter-clockwise) to make the room feel cooler.
• Give the stove a rest and use the microwave and outdoor grill instead.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to raise the AC temperature when you’re not home.
• Take well-deserved breaks with homemade lemonade on ice!

SUMMER LIVING

The Thrill of the Grill

Before firing up the grill, consider these safety tips for trouble-free cooking!

• Never use a grill under a porch, overhang, carport, deck, or in a garage. Make sure the grill rests on a stable surface and can’t be tipped over. If the grill has locking casters, make sure they are engaged.
• Never use a propane or charcoal grill indoors.
• Periodically check hoses and connections on gas grills throughout the grilling season. Replace any cracked or brittle hoses before using the grill. Propane tanks should never be stored in a garage or other structure at any time.
• Start charcoal fires using a chimney starter instead of charcoal lighter fluid. Not only is a chimney starter safer, but your meal will taste better. If fluid is used, never add it to the coals once the fire has been lit.
• To help prevent grease fires, remove accumulated grease and residue from inside the lid of the grill at least every 5-6 uses. Use baking soda to extinguish a grease fire still contained within the grill unit.
• Always keep young children and pets away from the grill during and after cooking. With charcoal grills in particular, the exterior can remain hot long for a long time.

INSPECTION INSIGHT

Repairs and Upgrades: How Much Will They Cost?

During the process of buying or selling a home, your clients often learn about recommended or required repairs and upgrades. This can happen as a result of the home inspection as well as your expert knowledge of your market and comparable homes. Of course, the first thing homeowners want to know is, “How much will that cost?”

Pillar to Post is pleased to offer our popular Residential Construction and Remodeling Estimates cost guide, which provides estimated cost ranges for repair and/ or replacement of the major systems and components in a home. It also includes general guidelines for the life expectancies of those systems.

Request complimentary copies of the cost guide from your local Pillar To Post Home Inspector or download it at pillartopost.com/costguide.

SMARTER LIVING

Get in the Swim

Get the most out of your backyard pool with these practical tips for protecting pool users.

While it’s fun to take a refreshing dip, swim a few laps, or just watch the kids splash around, drownings and pool-related injuries occur each year, affecting thousands of families.

Here are some “musts” for enjoying a safe swim:

• Anyone using the pool should know how to swim. An experienced swimmer should always be present if anyone is still learning to swim.
• The pool should be enclosed with fencing a minimum of 4’ high. Gates should self-close and self-latch, with the latch inaccessible to small children. Homeowners should check local requirements for pool enclosures, as they may be stricter and/or provide additional specifications. If you have recently added or renovated a pool, an inspection may be required to approve the pool for use.
• An adult must always be present when children are in or around the pool. For younger children, the adult should be at the poolside. It is not enough to simply look out a window or door to check on them.
• Diving should be limited to in-ground pools. If there is a diving board, it must have sufficiently deep water beneath it. Always dive hands first, and jump feet first.
• To avoid possible injury, keep children away from pool filters and drains. Make sure pool surrounds and decking are free of toys and other objects that could be stepped on. And walk, don’t run, near the pool to avoid slips and falls.
• Keep rescue equipment nearby and easily accessible. For added peace of mind, consider having family members learn CPR skills.

Ground fault circuit interrupter red reset and black test button to prevent electric shock.

HOUSEWORKS

GFCI / AFCI Explained

GFCI and AFCI are specialized electrical safety devices with very different purposes. Let’s take a look at how each is used in the home as well as how they work.

A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is a device designed to protect people from electrical shock in the home. GFCI receptacles should be installed in any area with potential risk for electrical shock and a direct path to the ground, especially areas with plumbing. These are generally installed in bathrooms, along kitchen counters, in garages, unfinished basements, outdoor outlets and near swimming pools and spas. A GFCI monitors the electrical current leaving from and returning to the receptacle. If there is a mismatch in the currents, the GFCI will shut off the receptacle immediately to protect people from serious electrical shock.

An arc fault circuit interrupter, or AFCI, is designed to prevent electrical fires. This relatively new type of circuit breaker detects arcing in an electrical circuit, shutting down the affected circuit before it can cause a fire. Arcing is possible if an electrical cable is punctured or cut by something as simple as hammering a nail into a wall. Other potential causes of arcing include frayed extension cords, loose electrical connections, and old and/or cracked insulation on electrical wires and cables.

An AFCI breaker fits into the electrical panel in place of a standard circuit breaker. AFCI breakers are much larger than standard breakers and have a test button. They may not be available for older electrical panels, so retrofitting with AFCI breakers is not always possible. In addition, old wiring may have been subjected to years of poorly executed modifications, which AFCIs may or may not compensate for. It’s always best to have a qualified electrician assess the panel and electrical components before making the decision to install AFCI breakers.

Imagine your life without stress. As ideal as it sounds, a stress-free life would be a life without change and boring indeed. One way of defining stress is simply any change to which we have to adapt.If you have been juggling the complexities of working in or running a business, maintaining important relationships and trying to have some leisure time enjoyment, you are very familiar with the tug of war that stress plays in our daily routines. Because stress cannot be eliminated from our lives, it is useful to be aware of ways that we can use stress positively or reduce some of its negative impact. Here are some suggestions to begin the process.You may want to start by making a personal appraisal of your stress level. Major life changes such as a move, job change or divorce are by nature stressful and often result in a sense of limited control over our time, our relationships and our personal priorities.

You probably already have many useful techniques at your disposal but here are some ideas that I have found personally helpful and which I recommend to those wanting to improve their stress coping skills.

1. Physical Activity. While regular exercise helps to reduce the negative effects of stress, a short walk break during a harried day offers immense benefits as well.

2. Removing yourself from a stressful environment allows you to regroup both emotionally and mentally.

3. Prioritize. Write down and review what is most important each day. Check off and congratulate yourself on your accomplishments rather than berating yourself for what you were not able to do.

4. Be Good to Yourself: Get appropriate sleep and nutrition. Nurture yourself through your relationships with others and through your spiritual life.

5. Laughter and fun are great stress relievers.

6. Allow yourself to share your stress with others.

7. Would You Rather Be Happy or Right? Heated disagreements with others can raise our stress levels and accomplish little. Look for compromises, take a time-out from confrontations and recognize that things eventually do work out.

8. Recognize you can’t handle every situation perfectly and may not have all of the answers.

At times, the assistance of a mental health professional is useful when the changes in our lives are too overwhelming. However, a few simple changes can often turn stress into a positive force in our lives.

3. Kidding Around - Set aside some toys and games for the kids and schedule some playdates and local outings so you can escape the construction zone chaos.

4. Plan Ahead - Pre-prep some freezer meals for quick and easy dinners. Also, take this opportunity to donate unwanted items to charity so your newly renovated home won’t be full of clutter.

5. Stay in the Loop - Misunderstandings between contractors and spouses are one of the biggest causes of stress during a renovation. Open communication is essential so schedule regular progress reports.

Watching your home transform into something new is a very exciting experience but it is also a major inconvenience. The secret to making sure everything goes smoothly is to remain calm throughout the process and plan ahead for surprises. If you keep that in mind, your dream home will be a reality before you know it!

Part of settling into a new home is figuring out what noises are normal. Most are nothing to worry about but some could signal a deeper issue. Here are a few that you should pay attention to:

1. Furnace Noises - A humming noise is normal but loud pops, scraping, grinding or squealing sounds should be checked out professionally.

2. Running Water - Check for leaks and water damage around the home. If you can’t figure it out quickly, call a plumber as it could mean a broken pipe.

3. Gurgling Toilet - Gurgling noises coming from the toilet could signal a blockage in the toilet or drain, a blockage in the vent stack or a main sewer drain.

4. Noisy Fridge - Some whirring and clicking is normal but if your fridge is cracking or popping, it could be a compressor or a temperature regulation issue.

You can expect to hear some noises coming from your home. Just keep an ear out for anything unusual and don’t hesitate to call a professional if in doubt!

It’s that time of year when homeowners are thinking about revamping and refreshing their space. Here are a few of the latest trends and styles that are gaining steam:

1. Ziggity-Zag - Geometric patterns are making a comeback! It could be as simple as adding a few accent pillows or for a bolder statement, consider some patterned wallpaper.

2. Sleep Easy - Embrace minimalist bedrooms this year with soothing neutrals and plain furniture pieces. Keeping the space simple will help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

3. The Heart of the Home - Homeowners are injecting warmer, brighter tones on their kitchen walls and cabinets. Sinks made with materials like stone, copper, concrete or granite will also steal the spotlight in 2018.

If you’re thinking about breathing some new life into your home with a makeover, be sure to take the latest trends into account during the planning stage. Hopefully these ideas have given you inspiration to inject some new style into your home.

People are drawn to areas with natural light. What’s more, there is something special about natural light from above, bringing the sky indoors. Skylights can make a dark room bright, provide ventilation and add architectural appeal.

A skylight can be a problem solver, bringing natural light where it would be difficult or impossible to add a window. Here are some examples:
• Inside wall area of a duplex (semi-detached) or a home on a zero lot line.
• Natural illumination of a stairway.
• Natural lighting where privacy is required such as a bathroom.
• Small lots where windows would be looking directly onto a neighbor’s home.
• Where an attic has been renovated into a living area. Some skylights are manufactured to satisfy attic egress requirements of building codes as well.

As Ventilation
Skylights can be of fixed design or openable. The openable type can provide natural ventilation. There are also fixed skylights that have a venting option. In these, there is a vent flap that can be opened. Openable skylights are either manual or automatic.

Light Shaft
Skylights on cathedral ceilings bring light directly through the roof plane into the living area. Homes with an attic are a little more complicated. You have to punch a hole through a large area. The hole through the attic area is called the light shaft.

The simplest light shaft is a channel that extends straight down from the skylight above. This is the easiest to frame as it interferes the least with existing framing, but is also the least interesting architecturally and brings in the least amount of light. A more interesting design is to flare the light shaft out to bring in more light, but these can often be disruptive to the framing.

Heat
One of the most important things to consider for warm climates is that skylights will add considerably to the heat gain and thus the air conditioning load. In hot climates, care should be given to the orientation of the skylight.

Different orientations have different light characteristics as well. North facing skylights have steady light levels throughout the day and the light is very soft. East and west facing skylights have varying light levels throughout the day. South facing skylights gives the most light but the light is also very hot and harsh.

The centerpiece of so much daily life, your sofa says a lot about you.

If you have a . . .

Sleeper Sofa: You can be counted on. You are always prepared and on top of things. Sleeper can be opened at a moment’s notice for a friend to crash on. You can be counted on.

Love Seat: You’re an authentic friend. You’d rather spend time with a few close friends than entertain a crowd. While you like comfort, you don’t spend time lounging.

Recliner: You’re an adaptable multi-tasker. You are flexible. On any given day, you are likely to be found on your recliner doing two things at once.

Sectional: You’re warm and laid-back. Your sociability makes you an excellent host. Everyone knows there is plenty of room for them on your spacious sofa - warm and inviting.

Allergy season is upon us. Here are a few ideas to reduce the negative effects and stay healthier.

1. Wipe surfaces. Use a damp cloth to dust window sills, bookshelves and knickknacks. Any allergens will cling to the moist rag instead of spreading into the air.

2. Vacuum this. When you strip your bed, run the vacuum over the top and sides of your mattress to remove any dust mites.

3. Check the dryer vent. The dryer produces moist air that can cause mold to form. Make sure the vent is securely attached, sending the air outside and away from the house.

4. Shift furniture. Moving furniture just an inch away from air vents will allow air to flow freely, stopping the buildup of dust particles.

Once a skylight is installed, it may be difficult to recognize if the original installation was done properly. Here are a few signs that there could be trouble.

• Mastic or sealant (roofing tar) has been used to seal the skylight. Good skylight flashing should shed water and does not require mastic. Mastic on the flashing is a sign of trouble.

• If a skylight is installed too close to a plumbing stack or some other roof penetration or intersection (less than 18 inches) it is very difficult to flash properly. Room is needed around the skylight for the flashing components.

• Moisture or stains on the inside could be evidence of a leak or could be condensation. Sometimes it’s very hard to determine what you are looking at.

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Expansive soils are soils that are sensitive to moisture. Expanding or shrinking soil can cause structural components to move including footings, foundation walls and floor slabs. Although the soils are called expansive, we are concerned about expanding and shrinking soils.

Spending time in a garden is therapeutic and proven to slash stress. With so many mind/body benefits, it’s no wonder your favorite “garden style” reveals a lot about you.

If you prefer a . . .

Rose or Flower Garden: You’re a sunny charmer. You have a sunny personality and bring others what a bouquet of cut flowers brings to your home - a sense of joy.

Container Garden: You’re a visionary. You see the greater potential in all things. Where others see limitations, you see opportunities for growth.

Vegetable or Herb Garden: You’re a creative caretaker. It is a smart strategy to grow some of your own food, one that reflects your down-to-earth mentality.

Water Garden: You’re a can-do dreamer. Water is capable of shaping its surroundings. You are up to sculpting your own future with optimism and hard work.

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Think about the word Evolution - the gradual development of something. Current senses stem from a notion of “opening out” and “unfolding” giving a rise to a general sense of development. Now with the word Evolution (remember, we only tweaked 2 letters) there’s a more forward motion to it, more of a sense of “Ok, for where I am now and for how I’ve developed now and what I want in my life now, this is what I want in 2018”.

Try putting down 5 New Year’s “Evolutions” for yourself and before you do, take a moment with these 5 steps to think about how you are “opening out”, “unfolding” and “developing”.

1. Think about how your life was 2 years ago - at the beginning of 2016 - then think about what’s going on now and how things have evolved for you.

2. What are the major changes that have happened? It’s one of the few things we can guarantee in life, that things change. We choose how we respond to those changes.

3. Next, consider what’s happening in each of these areas of your life - home / work / relationships / career / finances and ask yourself “what do I want to have more of and less of in these areas now?”

4. Here’s where your “New Year’s Evolutions” start to form. From where you are now, for the person you are now, for what you’re doing now.

5. Put down the following words. Then finish this sentence at least 5 times “For what I want now, in 2018 I will…”

So, with two letters tweaked your Resolutions have become your “2018 Evolutions”. May you keep evolving.

Article reproduced with permission of Kay White.

3. Lighten Up - Keep window areas clear of heavy drapes to expand wall area and let the sun shine in as it helps a space feel larger.

4. Mirror Mirror - Strategically placed mirrors will create the illusion of added space and they’ll also reflect light into adjoining rooms.

5. Cut a Rug - Having the same type of flooring throughout your home will make it feel more spacious, so avoid using too many area rugs.

6. Cut the Clutter - Have a place for everything so that the surfaces in your home don’t get cluttered. Storage baskets for example are great for hiding remotes and magazines.

7. Open Up - Arrange your furniture so you can see as much of the floor as possible. Rooms with blocked views can feel cramped so move furniture away from entrances.

Whether you’re getting ready to put your home on the market or you just want to create more space for yourself, these easy and inexpensive tips will help give you a little extra breathing room. By thinking big and getting creative, you’ll comfortably live large in even the smallest of spaces.

2. Can I photograph it? Have something big and unwieldy that you hang on to? A photo will take less room and spark the same happy memories as the thing itself.

3. Can I scan it? Certificates, child’s drawings, old letters scanning them into a computer saves you room and also keeps them safe and secure forever.

4. Do I have two? Keep the best and donate the rest. Ask “Which one do I like the most?”

5. Who could I make happy with this? You get extra space and donating to a good cause delivers a happiness boost that can last weeks.

3. The Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderana) simply stands in water and has been used by the Chinese for centuries in the art of feng shui to create harmony in the home.

Accidental drowning is a leading cause of death for houseplants. Water them thoroughly but make sure there are drainage holes so excess water can escape, as you don’t want your plants to be sitting in water.

Improper lighting is another reason why promising young plants become statistics. It’s important to match the lighting needs of plants with the amount of light you have to offer.

There is nothing like the ambiance of a wood burning fireplace. But like any heating system, wood burning fireplaces require yearly maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Old Unlined Chimneys
Fireplaces in old homes may not have clay flue liners. It is particularly important to seek the advice of an expert for these old chimneys. Unlined brick chimneys come in two varieties: single thickness (four inches of brick), and double thickness (eight inches of brick). There is little debate that a four inch thick, unlined chimney is not acceptable. This chimney should either have a liner added, or the fireplace decommissioned. Consider hiring an expert who does not offer a chimney lining service. This will give you an unbiased opinion on whether a liner is needed.

Glass Doors
Glass doors across fireplace openings reduce heat loss when the fireplace is not running. Most glass door systems added to an existing fireplace are not designed to be closed when the fire is lit. On the other hand, some high efficiency zero-clearance fireplaces are designed for operation with the doors closed. If you are not sure, ask the technician who cleans and inspects your fireplace and flue.

Wood Stove
A wood stove is more efficient than a fireplace. Modern wood stoves burn cleanly and efficiently. Like fireplaces, the wood stove must be cleaned and inspected annually.

Zero-Clearance
Today, a fireplace can be added to almost any home. A zero-clearance fireplace can be installed directly against an existing wall.

Mac ‘n Cheese: You’re a think-ahead nurturer.
You are an all-around complete person with the stamina that always carries you to the finish line.

Mashed Potatoes: You’re pressure-proof.
You feel in touch with your roots and therefore secure. You have confidence to think on your feet and always have great solutions.

Chocolate: You’re a go-getting gormand.
You like to be on the go. When things slow down, you love the good things in life - and you’re willing to work hard to achieve them.

Absorb Fridge Odors. Put used tea bags in a shallow bowl and place in the back of the fridge. They will absorb odors just like baking soda.

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