Show Notes: Are You Ready For Winter? – On the House
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Show Notes: Are You Ready For Winter?

By on November 22, 2014

 Are you ready to take on the challenges of cold wet weather? With some help from Morris, James and our friends, we will have you warm, safe and much better prepared for the coming winter.

Thank you to Lenny Sciarrino with Granite Gold and Christy Domanski with Lift Master for joining us this week. 

www.granitegold.com

www.liftmaster.com

 

Season, Storm, Supplies

To help homeowners prepare for winter’s worst, consider the “Three S’s”:

  • Seasonal maintenance is critical. Have the heating system serviced on an annual basis, which includes testing to make sure the heat is working throughout the home. It’s also important to insulate any pipes that are susceptible to freezing and unhook hoses from outdoor faucets.
  • Storm preparation tips include moving vehicles off the street and/or away from large tree limbs and having the snow blower serviced. Become familiar with how to trip the manual release on overhead garage door openers and having shovels ready ahead of the storm.
  • Supplies on hand are important in the event of an extended power outage. Have bottled water and non-perishable foods, clothing and blankets, batteries and flashlights. It’s also helpful to have a supply of rock salt, other ice melt or sand, in case the stores run out during a particular storm.

www.thehartford.com

 

Take Preventive Measures to Keep Your Garage and Family Safe

Millions of garage doors lack the latest safety features or may not be operating properly. There is no better time to ensure the heaviest and largest moving object in the home, the garage door, is the safest it can be.

As garage door openers made their way into American homes, laws were enacted to ensure the safety of those using them. For example, legislation was passed requiring all new garage door openers manufactured in 1993 and beyond to possess added safety features. The law mandated that all garage door openers be manufactured and sold with an external protection system otherwise known as infrared sensors or “photo-eyes.”

These sensors are installed near the floor on either side of the garage door opening. Once the invisible laser beam between the two sensors is broken by an obstruction, the door reverses automatically. If your opener lacks a similar safety reversing feature, it’s time to get a new opener.

Openers made prior to 1993 came equipped with force-sensing safety systems that would only reverse the door after having made contact with the object in the door’s path. The vast majority of these older units are not equipped with “photo-eyes,” which means these older systems will only reverse AFTER making contact with the obstruction, person, child or pet standing in the way. And due to the long lifespan of garage door openers, one of these older units could still be lurking in your garage, unless you perform a safety check!

DON’T CHANCE IT. CHECK IT.

Driven to keep U.S. homeowners safe from malfunctioning garage doors, LiftMaster, the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers with more than 4,000 dealers across the country, has introduced the Don’t Chance It. Check It.™Safety Campaign, spreading the word on three simple steps any homeowners can perform in just a few minutes.

The 3-Step Safety Check is as follows:

  1. Check the sides of the garage door for properly installed photo eyes (black sensors) mounted no higher than 6 inches off the floor.

  2. Block the photo eye with an object over 6 inches tall and press the garage door opener’s close button. The door should not close.

  3. Lay a 1.5 inch-high object on the ground in the door’s path and press the close button. The door should reverse off this object.

To see a video on how to do perform this safety check and for more information on garage safety, go to www.liftmaster.com/For-Homes/Garage-Safety.

 

Is Your Deck Ready For Winter?

If you are in “winterizing” mode, don’t forget your deck. Here are some things to take into consideration:

Sweep and clear away debris helps prevent mildew, fungus and algae growth. A good water rinse will remove dirt and grime. If your deck is really grimy, add some elbow grease to a stiff broom along with a mild detergent to remove the final layer of dirt.

If you live in snow country

 Before snow season: Inspect your deck and repair nails or screws protruding from the decking; these can catch a shovel or a foot.

During snow:

The best way to clear snow is with a broom. If the snow is light and not deep, you can sweep it under the rails. Using a broom will not scrape, scratch or gouge your deck. If you have only a couple of inches of light snow, you can use a leaf blower.

For deeper snow, use a shovel. Be sure you use a plastic shovel with a plastic blade. Metal shovels can scratch or gouge your deck. Be careful if your deck is cedar or redwood. These are soft woods and can be damaged along with composite decking is scratch resistant, they are not scratch proof.

Remember, always shovel parallel to the deck boards eliminating the chance of the front edge of your shovel catching the edge of the deck board and damaging it.

 

Holiday and Anytime Emergency Help!

 Do you know where these are in your home?

 Make sure you know where things that you might need to access during an emergency are in the home:

 Flashlights and batteries

Fire Extinguishers

Phone Numbers for your local utility companies. Especially the “after-hours” hotline (Nothing happens during office hours!)

Know Where Your Valves Are: If you’re having a water leak, shut off your main water valve. If you’re having problem with your gas line, shut that off.

Know where your electrical panel is. 

 

Quick Cleaning Tips

 Dust Your Light Fixtures With A Hairdryer

 Fix Stubborn Carpet Dents With Just An Ice Cube:

First, take an ice cube and place it over the spot. Then, wait until it melts and the dent should be gone. Pat with a cloth and your carpet or rug will be as good as new.

Make You Stainless Sink Shine:

Use flour power to polish your sink by applying dry flour when the look you’re after is a gleaming finish.  Rub the flour in with a soft cloth, and then rinse and dry.

Club soda will do the sparkle trick as well. After placing the stopper in your sink, pour some club soda in and rub with a soft cloth. As always, dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and surface rust.

Add some shine with a few drops of baby oil. Wipe off with paper toweling and repeat for added shine.

http://www.justsinks.com

Clean Your Light Switches:

The light switch is one of the dirtiest places in your home according to Health Line..

Spray regular household cleaner or rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel. Be sure not to apply the solution directly to the plate. Then, whip down the surface. Next, use a Q-tip to clean the actual switch of the fixture. Buff with a cloth to dry.

De-Stink Vacuum And Home

When you change your vacuum bag throw a fresh dryer sheet in, so as you vacuum the house you are making it smell fresh too.

 

Natural Stone Care: The Importance of Sealing Natural Stone

Frequently sealing granite countertops and any other natural stone surface is among Three, Essential Steps to care for your natural stone, whether it’s a countertop, floor, shower wall or vanity.

  • Sealing frequently will maintain maximum surface protection for resistance against staining, etching and soil build-up.
  • How often? Use the water test: Pour water (about 3 inches in diameter) on the surface in several locations and let it sit for 30 minutes. If you see a dark mark or ring, the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal.
  • Can never over-seal natural stone – particularly important to seal prior to holiday celebrations, giving stone additional protection with all the food-preparation and guests in the home.
  • In six simple steps, here’s how to seal granite and all other natural stone for about 10 percent of the cost of having a pro come do it for you or having to dress like your local hazardous waste team:
  1. Make sure you thoroughly clean the surface with a safe-on-stonegranite cleaner.  We, of course, recommend Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®.
  2. Spray Granite Gold Sealer on the surface in a 3-foot section
  3. Immediately wipe into stone with a lint-free cloth.Do not allow sealer to dry on the surface – it will cause hazing
  4. Buff dry with a lint-free cloth
  5. For maximum protection, repeat the process 2-3 times
  6. Wait 24 hours for sealer to cure before using a granite polish such asGranite Gold Polish® to add shine and luster.

 

Website Mentions:

Kohler PureFresh Toilet Seat:

http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purefresh™-elongated-toilet-seat/productDetail/Styles-of-Toilet-Seats/1065579.htm;jsessionid=F821FEB25761ADBA5C822774ED5A1B89.kohlerb-prod2-ecom2?skuId=1065493

MagErad Water Heater Cleaner:

http://www.supplyhouse.com/AO-Smith-9005413105-Mag-Erad-Non-Toxic-Cleaner-1lb-Can

Victor Electronic Rat Trap: http://youtu.be/DEAMT7eU35k

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