The Best Way to Tackle Spring Cleaning

It's springtime, and for many that brings to mind the notion of a single, monolithic event: Spring Cleaning. Always a source of complaints from all those involved with this chore, we at Design Tech Homes have discovered some simple tips to help manage the workload:

• Always start at the top of the room and work your way down.
• Always clean top to bottom. When you dust, start at the top and work down.
• Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room to avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
• Unplug the phone and the turn off the T.V.
• Eliminate clutter. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.
• Clean as you go! It takes a lot less time to remove new dirt than old, and to clean and put away stuff as you use it, than to clean and store the pile-up you can accumulate.
• A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning.
• Keep a big astro-turf mat on the porch to cut down on tracked in dirt.
• Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper, car keys to help with clutter.
• Keep a hamper in every bathroom.Make everyone in charge of making his or her own bed and picking up their stuff.
• Always pickup the T.V. room before bedtime and start the dishwasher.
• Prioritize, if your time is limited decided what is most important.
• Delegate, get the entire family involved.
• Make a checklist, when a job is completed, check it off - you'll feel as though you are really accomplishing something.

Buying Land for Your New Home

Buying land may seem intimidating at first, but it really isn't difficult at all if you plan a course of action and stick to it.

Know Your Budget
Talk with a loan officer to find out how much you can afford. Both down payments and interest rates can be higher for land than for homes, so it's important to get the facts before you go shopping. If you plan to build soon, the loan officer should explain construction loans, including the closing procedures you'll encounter while the house is being built.

Target a Location
If you've already looked at homes in the area, you may know where you want to build.

Your Wants and Needs
Make a list of all features that would exist on the ideal piece of land. Review the list, highlighting your must-haves, such as a great view, privacy, or a waterfront building site.

How Much Land Do You Need?
What's the minimum size lot or tract of land you are willing to consider? Keep in mind that a heavily wooded, 1-acre lot may be more private than a 3-acre lot that's all lawn. Tour a variety of neighborhoods and pay attention to the settings.

Consider Restrictive Covenants
Developments are governed by guidelines called Restrictive Covenants. Some dictate paint colors or have an architectural review committee that must approve your home plans. Study covenants carefully to determine if you can live with them.

Start Your Search

• Look for 'For Sale' signs as you browse the area.
• Search for properties on the Internet.
• If you see interesting tracts of land, note their exact location. A visit to the county tax office is usually all it takes to find the owner.
• Find a real estate agent who likes to work land sales. Talk with the agent about all of the categories above, and any others that might help her locate the perfect tract.

Development of the Lot
When considering a lot make sure that it has good drainage and does not hold water. Check with neighbors, if possible, to see what happens to the lot during long hard rains. Home sites with lots of topography can add to the cost of your home due to differentials in the foundation. It is a good idea to find out if the lot is in a flood plain.

Pool Safety Tips

Drowning accidents are the leading cause of injury/deaths among children under five. More than 80 percent of the drownings occur in residential backyard pools or spas. It can happen quickly, always without warning, without a splash, and without a cry for help. To help avoid such a tragedy, please read the following pool safety tips.

Secure Pool Area
A fence or barrier completely surrounding the pool can prevent many drowning accidents. Most children who drown or nearly drown were last seen in the yard, porch, or patio prior to the accident. Although a fence separating the pool and spa in the single most effective barrier for preventing childhood drownings, not one method alone is totally effective in preventing drowning accidents. Pool owners can take practical steps to make their pools and spas less dangerous by installing "layers of protection".

• Pools should be fenced from the rest of the house. Fences should be five feet high.
• The area adjacent to the outside of the fence must be free of objects which may aid children in climbing over the fence. These include items such as chairs, tables, tree branches, etc.
• Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward away from pool.
• A gate latch should be placed at the top of the gate and be inaccessible from the outside by small children.
• All doors and windows leading to the pool should always be secured and locked at all times.
• Additional "layers of protection" include safety covers, alarms on doors and motion-detection devices.
• Remember pool covers, gates and other layers of protection do not replace adult supervision.
• Assign an adult Water Watcher to supervise the pool/spa area, especially during social gatherings.

Effective Supervision

• Never allow young children to be left alone in and around the pool for a moment. Make sure an adult is always present.
• Babysitters and guardians should always be instructed about potential hazards in and around the pool.
• Never rely on flotation devices or swimming lessons to protect a child. Twenty-five percent of all drowning victims have had swimming lessons.
• Mount flotation devices designed for lifesaving near the pool. Many float-type toys are thought to be lifesavers. They are not! They are only toys and should be used only as toys.
• Look in the pool area first if a child is missing.
• Never keep toys around or in a pool.
• All adults, children and Baby-sitters should learn and practice CPR.
• Keep a telephone outside the pool area. Post the 9-1-1 emergency number on the telephone.

Cleaning and Removing Mildew from Exterior Walls and Siding

Moisture, and therefore mildew, can be controlled to a degree by arranging landscaping so that natural breezes can flow near the house and dry the siding if it becomes wet from rain or dew. Keep shrubs awayfrom the walls. Gutters and downspouts, as well as a moderate roof overhang, will help also. Give special attention to air movement patterns on northern exposures where sunlight cannot assist in drying.On sidings which may have a tendency to absorb moisture from rain or dew, a semi-gloss or gloss latex or oil paint with an appropriate primer is recommended. When wood siding is stained or left to weather naturally, use a water-repellent (often combined with a woodpreservative) finish. These products are available in hardware/paint stores.

To remove mildew from siding, follow these steps:

Wood Siding, Hardi-plank or Stucco - Use the following solution:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose laundry detergent
• 1 quart household chlorine bleach (must be fresh)
• 3 quarts warm water
• An alkaline cleaner such as washing soda or a cleaner containing trisodium phosphate can be added for extra cleaning. Follow package directions or use ½ to 2/3 cup.

Scrub the surface with a soft brush. Avoid splashing on shrubs and other plants. Rinse well.

Commercial mildew remover/cleaners are also available. Do wear protective clothing – long sleeves, goggles, rubber gloves.

If your siding needs to be repainted, choose a mildew-resistant paint. The most mildew susceptible paints are latex paints, especially when linseed oil base primer is used. Acrylic gloss and semi-gloss latex paints are less susceptible to mildew than flat latex. Linseed oil base paints are also very susceptible. The least susceptible paints are exterior enamels. Special paints are available that contain a mildewcide.

BRICK- Once a year spray your brick off with the hose and a spray nozzle. A solution of one cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water can be used with a stiff brush to clean this off. Don't use wire brushes or synthetic brushes--they can discolor the brick--use a natural fiber brush. Soak the brick before washing with the bleach solution.

STONE- To clean stone walls, fences or other structures, wash with a mild soap solution. Rinse well with clean water.

Cleaning Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are popular as design features within many areas of today's modern homes. They vary in size, style, color and cost, and are popularly used because of their beauty as well as their ease to clean. Whether used as flooring or on walls, ceramic tiles can be maintained easily if you follow some standard procedures for their upkeep.

Ceramic tiles are made from clay that contain silicates. To produce a tile, this clay mixture is formed and baked at high temperatures. Ceramic tiles can be purchased in two forms: unglazed or glazed. Unglazed tiles typically require more cleaning maintenance because they are not coated with an outer shell. All tiles, however, can, and should be, routinely cleaned using a plain water solution. By wiping down tiles on a daily basis using water, then drying them with a clean cloth or sponge/sponge mop, you can avoid the build-up of dirt, mold, mildew, and hard water stains that can gather on the surface.

What holds ceramic tiles together is a substance called "grout". Grout is a mixture made of cement and fine sand, or comprised of acrylic materials such as silicon, etc. Grout also tends to accumulate mold, mildew and stains that often result from the build-up of hard water and calcium deposits. If you notice that the grout between your tiles has begun to mildly discolor and your tiles have a dull finish, you can make a solution of 1/4 cup of mild detergent added to a one-gallon bucket of water. Take a sponge, dip it into the water, and clean over the areas that are affected by the dirt. Once you have cleaned all the areas thoroughly, rinse down the tiles and grout using plain water.

When cleaning tiles, do not use any harsh abrasives, such as scouring powder, as these cleansers may scratch and damage the tile's surface. Unless a cleanser's label specifically reads that the cleanser is safe for use on tiled surfaces, do not use the product.

For more severely grimy tiles and grout, where mild detergent cleaning does not cleanse thoroughly, you can use a solution made of chlorine bleach and water to remove any dirt present. Before making this solution, be sure that the environment that you will be working in is well ventilated. Additionally, it is advisable that you place strong rubber gloves on your hands especially if you will be cleaning walled surfaces.

To make the solution, take one quart of chlorine bleach and mix it into two-gallons of water in a bucket. Once mixed, let the solution sit for approximately 15-20 minutes. Next, if cleaning walls, take a sponge or, if cleaning floors, a mop or soft bristle brush, and dip the tool into the solution. Take the sponge or mop/brush and rub it all over the dirty areas. Once all of the areas have been covered by the solution, let the solution remain on the surfaces, untouched, for approximately 10-20 minutes depending on the amount of grime present. After the time has elapsed, rinse down the whole area with plain water. Next, use the mild detergent and water solution procedure, explained previously, to remove any remaining traces of chlorine bleach. Finally, rinse down the area again using only plain water. Once all of the detergent solution has been rinsed away, wipe down the tiled surfaces with a clean cloth to dry the area thoroughly.

In between using these methods to clean your tiles, it is also recommended that you use a commercial mildew retardant spray on your tiles to prevent germs from accumulating on them. If you use these procedures on a routine basis, you will extend the life of your tiles and keep them looking good as new.

How You Can Save Water

In a country where limitless clean water is available at the turn of a tap, it’s hard to believe that many parts of the world are at the losing end of a life and death struggle over water. Every year, drought and water-related diseases kill 5 million people around the globe. Blessedly, that’s not the case in the United States or in our communities. Water conservation saves you money and makes an important contribution to a better future.

Here’s how to get started:

Stop leaks. Check appliances and outdoor systems such as Sprinklers for leaks. Get to know your water meter; it provides important information about consumption and leaks. Common leaks waste 10% of the water used in many homes.

Replace old toilets. Toilet-flushing is the top water user in the home. If you haven’t replaced your toilets in 10 years or more, you’ll benefit from the new high-efficiency models.

Buy an efficient clothes washer. Washers are the second-largest water user in the home. New “Energy Star” certified models may use 50% less water and energy per load.

Visit www.h2ouse.org for an array of water-saving tips…from the EPA and California Urban Water Conservation Council that can be applied anywhere in the U.S. and even in your neighborhood.

Keeping Your Home Safe From Pests

Sometimes the pests you see may seem worse than the ones you don't. Whether you're pestered by disgusting cockroaches, annoying ants, spiders lurking in every corner or most any kind of troublesome pest, there are several things a homeowner can do which can help prevent the complaints that come with pest infestations. To help keep your home safe from pests, Design Tech Homes advises you to take these precautions:

• Seal cracks in your home's exterior to keep pests like ants, spiders and cockroaches from getting inside.
• Be sure all doors and windows are properly sealed with tight-fitting screens and weather stripping.
• Don't leave uncovered food sitting out. It will attract flies that will land on it and spread harmful bacteria.
• Consider storing clothing in plastic boxes or pouches to prevent fabric pests from getting to them.
• Ensure the attic and crawlspace have sufficient ventilation. Research has shown that proper ventilation creates an environment unsuitable for cockroaches and other pests. It also improves the heating and cooling efficiency of the home.
• Do not allow pet food to sit out overnight, inside or outside.
• Remove any piles of debris, stones, bricks, etc., around your home. They serve as a safe harbor for pests, especially rodents.

Helpful Tips on Air Conditioning Maintenance

With hot weather just around the corner, we're happy to present some tips to help keep your air conditioning system running flawlessly -- and to help keep your hot-weather complaints down.

An air conditioner requires regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.

Filters
The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. Most people recommend changing your air filter once a month during the hottest time of the year and every other month in cooler weather.

Condensation Line
One of the most frequent air conditioner maintenance problems is a clogged condensation line. Often, mold or bacterial growth clogs the line. To keep this line flowing freely, pour a 1:9 mixture of household bleach and water through the line every month or so during the cooling season. The condensation line is found on the inside part of your air conditioning unit.

Other A/C Maintenance Items
There are other types of maintenance items that should be performed on your A/C unit, but these should be done by a professional air conditioning service. NEVER open your air conditioning unit. Opening the unit can be hazardous and even fatal without the proper knowledge of the hazards. You may call any air conditioning service to have yearly maintenance done. Consult your owner's manual supplied by your builder for more information.

As always, when in doubt, call a professional.

Protecting Your Wood Floor

The Wood Floor Manufacturers Association states that wood floors are the easiest of all floor types to keep clean and looking new. In order to accomplish this and keep complaints down, several items must be taken into consideration. These include keeping dirt and grit off the floor, keeping water off the floor, and maintaining the surface finish.

Cleaning
Clean weekly with a dust mop or vacuum. A damp mop may be used for spills, but never for general cleaning. The water can get into crevices in the wood and result in damage to the floor. Do not ever use a dripping mop.

Keep dirt and grit off the floor to prevent scratches. Putting mats or carpets at the doors will reduce the amount of dirt tracked into the room. Dirt and grit cause damage to all types of flooring, including carpet as well as wood.

Put small rugs in areas where spills are likely, for example in front of the kitchen sink and stove. Use a rug that you can easily throw in the washer when it needs cleaning.


Protecting Your Floor
Even the hardest wood flooring will show indentations under certain conditions. Avoid walking on the floor with golf shoes, cleats, or narrow high heeled shoes without a good cap on the heel. Also, if you have pets keep their nails clipped so that they don't scratch the floor.

Felt protectors should be placed on legs of your furniture to prevent scratches. If you move heavy furniture across the floor, be sure to place a pad or mat on the floor under the furniture to prevent scratches.


If you follow these simple steps, you can dramatically improve the life -- and looks -- of your wood floor.