How do you save thousands of $$$ in wood repair bills on the exterior of you home? How often should I paint the outside of my home? Check around your home for peeling paint, cut away any vegetation up against your dwelling and keep all structures that extend beyond a covered roofline well covered in a good coat of paint. Pressure wash regularly to keep appearances up. Many times homes do not need paint but just some clean up. Make sure you use two coats for the southern exposed areas. Quality painters will use two coats primer and a strong finish coat. This will help seal the structure against the elements.

“It’s a good idea to paint wood every five years and stucco every seven. – Tom Romaneck of Romaneck Painting

When will my roof wear out? Be sure to check your home periodically for roof conditions. I always recommend a routine inspection by a roofing specialist to make sure things are going well up there. Don’t wait until your roof leaks to find out you need it to be replaced.

“A roof is only as good as the tar paper underneath it.” – J. Mortensen of Mortensen Roofing
You can make sure that your tar paper lasts by keeping your attic well ventilated, preventing the tar paper from baking underneath. Eybrow, gable, electric and turbine vents are all excellent ways to keep your attic cooler during summer months. Attic temperatures can get as high as 160 degrees in some areas! This will also cut your energy bills down as your interior dwelling will stay cooler as well.

Don’t forget to clean your dryer vents periodically. Clogged plastic discharge hoses cause thousands of fires per year – even if you are diligent in keeping your lint screen clean. Always use solid sheet metal for lint discharge. If you move into a new home – check this out first. We moved into our home years back and only later found out that our discharge vent hose was some old HVAC ducting that emptied right into the crawl space!

Steps homeowners can take to prevent house fires as seen on MSNBC VIDEO: http://www.delintavent.com/14.html

According to TIME/CNN Magazine:  

“U.S. scientists last week admitted that one war is being lost-this year the 58 U.S. varieties of termites, frail, pale, ¼-inch-long insects, will destroy some $50,000,000 worth of property (by boring into and eating the wooden framework of buildings), and almost nothing can stop them. This equals the annual damage done by rats, mice or weevils, and exceeds that of tornadoes, earthquakes or arsonists.”

It’s a good idea to have a pest inspection every two to three years.  For a nominal cost, a termite inspector will crawl under your home if it has a crawl space, check the attic if accessible, look underneath sinks and basins and walk the perimeter of your home checking for signs of termites or dry rot.

“Water sources and wood scraps are big issues in damage prevention,” says one termite inspector.

Once a pest report is generated, it is divided into two basic categories:  Section I repair items and Section II repair items.  Section I is an active infestation or damage by wood eating organisms (termites, wood boring beetles, etc.).  Section II is a condition that, over time, would likely lead to Section I damage, if not mitigated (plumbing leaks, earth to wood contact of siding, decking, etc.).

I recently viewed a home in Berkeley CA that had $70K worth of termite/dry rot damage.  This was a flat roof home and had years of deferred maintenance.  The roof was not replaced for decades and the rain was allowed to seep into the supporting framework around the perimeter.  In this case, the inspector drilled “test holes” top see if wood remained or it was just shredded wheat.   In this case, an ounce of prevention would have certainly been worth a pound of cure.

Have you ever walked into a room or home and it “just felt” good? Conversely, you may have encountered a space that did not feel right and you just couldn’t put your finger on it. Feng Shui (pronounced fung-SCHWAY) is the ancient art of organizing our physical environments to harmonize with our inner selves, thus creating order, relaxation and ease in our lives. In the practical sense, Feng Shui compels us to look around at our home and work environments to increase the flow of Ch’i (CHEE) or life energy. There are a variety of professional consultants available to fine tune individual spaces. This short article will, by no means act as a substitute for a full consultation by a qualified professional. What it will do, is give a taste of how the average household can improve their performance and quality of life by making a few simple adjustments.

ATTIC & BASEMENTS: Make sure they are well lit, organized and that everything stored has a good home and is easily accessible.

BATHROOMS: Keep all drains closed when not in use. This includes toilet seats in the down position. Ch’i can therefore remain in the home and not go “down the drain”. In addition, Ch’i can be lifted with a fresh coat of paint, new towels, artwork or a small vase with fresh flowers from the garden.

BEDROOMS: Bed and furniture placement are important factors in the bedroom. It is best when lying in bed to be able to see out of the bedroom doorway. Keep art objects serene and sensual. Avoid pictures or paintings with busy cityscapes or chaotic themes. Move exercise equipment, televisions into another room and keep wall colors neutral & calming for maximum “rest & renewal”.

DINING ROOMS: Formal or casual, dining rooms are a sanctuary for enjoyment, nourishment and relaxation. How do the table and chairs interact? Keep chairs comfortable, in good repair and safe. Avoid sharp edges on tables with table cloths or runners. Decorate walls with artwork that tranquil, staying away from large mirrors that tend to over stimulate the environment.

GARAGES: Along with stables and carriage houses, garages were originally designed for the exclusive purpose of transportation and thus detached from the home at the rear of the property. Today, it is oftentimes the first appointment. Our tendency is to (myself included) park cars worth tens of thousands of dollars outside in the elements and store worthless junk in our garages. Keep garages free of clutter and organized. Install shelving or work areas that are easily accessible. If you do park in you garage, keep the garage door open for five minutes after you enter to let fumes dissipate, and so increasing the flow of Ch’i.

KITCHENS: Food is the symbol of health and wealth in Feng Shui, thus the kitchen is a very important element in any home. Keep surfaces and counters uncluttered. Ask yourself the question – Do I use everything on my counters everyday? Store knives out of sight when not in use. Avoid piling mail on your kitchen counters. Keep recycling and trash receptacles out of sight. If you enter your home through the kitchen, consider an alternate entry. First sight of the refrigerator can promote an “external appetite.”

LIVING ROOMS: Place furniture carefully. Position the sofa so you can view the front door. Put televisions and stereo equipment behind closed doors, if possible. Pay attention to sharp corners in metal, glass or wood tables.

MIRRORS: Mirrors are a great way to activate and expand Ch’i throughout your household. Take care not to over activate bedrooms, dining rooms or place of serenity. Place mirrors so that when you walk by, you can see your head with several inches of room to spare. Avoid placing mirrors back to back for the “infinity” look as this disorients people and Chi’i.

FOUNTAINS: Water features are an integral part of Feng Shui. Running water can increase the flow of Ch’i. Bird baths are excellent as well if kept sparkling clean. Keep all pools and hot tubs safely locked or fenced and clean.

Whether doing a quick spiff or hiring a Feng Shui consultant for a complete overhaul, it is important that you feel comfortable in your space. If you feel good, so will others and when marketing your home, you may be surprised at the compliments you may receive from your prospective buyers: “I can’t explain it, but this home just feels right.”