The Importance of Changing Your Air Filter!

YOUR AIR FILTER IS YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL!!!  We all know that fresh clean air is important to our health. We should also know that our home air filters need to be kept clean, not only for our health, but also to protect the air conditioning and heating equipment.  Because of our network of interstate highways and vast, on-going construction projects, it is imperative that air filters be changed monthly.

Compared to an inefficient and dirty air system, a clean system can potentially save you enough money to make the majority of your house payment after about twelve months. That’s why you should change your filter at least every 30 days.  If you are changing your filters as you should, your old filter will still look brand new. Remember, we’re filtering micro-organisms (things that can’t be seen by the naked eye), so clean air in your home, also means clean air in your lungs.

By maintaining a good filter maintenance schedule, we protect our health and our heating and cooling equipment.

Foundation Water Maintenance Tips

Due to the high clay content of soils found in North Texas, it is very important that your foundation be consistently watered to help stabilize your foundation.  That’s right. If you live in North Texas, you have to “water your slab”.  Clay bases soils are very expansive, meaning, when they’re wet, they expand.  When they’re dry, they contract. This can be noted by the large cracks commonly seen in playgrounds, parks, pastures and even the soil directly in contact with your homes foundation.  Here are some tips on how to achieve consistent water content to the foundation of your home.  The photos at the bottom of the page are illustrations of a good way to effectively water your foundation in an affordable manner.

 

Since we can’t control the rain, we use a watering program to regulate water content during the dry periods, whether it be in the winter of summer months.  A consistent watering program will keep the soil damp approximately four feet deep. Bare in mind, flower beds (areas with plants) will require more water because the plants are thirsty too.

 

With a few items bought at the local hardware store, and a couple hours of your time, you can construct a simple automatic watering system that will efficiently maintain acceptable water content. 

 

A good way to water your foundation is with the use of soaker hoses and electric timers.  In order for the watering system to be effective, the soaker hose should be placed 15-18in away from the foundation, and run the necessary amount of time.

 

  

Most neighborhoods do not have enough water pressure to run the soaker hoses from one hose bib to the other.  Therefore, it is necessary for the soaker hoses to be split with the use of a “Y” connection, and run in opposite directions of a distance that will allow equal water flow all the way around the house. 

 

 DO NOT place soaker hoses next to the foundation, as this can erode the soil at the base of the foundation parameter.  The necessary amount of time depends on the amount of rainfall…and don’t forget about the plants.  In other words, the hotter, drier, windier and sunnier it is, the more you need to water. The cooler, wetter and cloudier it is, the less you need to water. 

 

 Do not determine the amount of water needed by the wetness of the soil at the surface.  A good way to determine soil wetness is to use a plumber’s probe.  A plumber’s probe is made of fiber glass, with a “T” handle, and is approximately 4 ½ ft long.  If your soils are too wet, the probe can be pushed with little or no effort.  If you cant push the probe at all without banging on it, the soils are too dry.  Indications of good water content can be seen when the probe can be pushed 3-4ft by leaning heavily on the handle.  Never use metal probes, as electrical lines are often buried near the house.  Accidental penetration could cause you to be electrocuted.

Natural Gas Fireplaces

Natural Gas provides detailed information on Natural Gas, Natural Gas Generators, Natural Gas Prices, Natural Gas Production and more. Natural Gas is affiliated with Current Oil Prices.

Plumbing Maintenance

Operating under the New York State Plumbing Code regulations, Plumbers New York will do their utmost to ensure that your plumbing predicament is nothing but water under the bridge. NYC Plumbers are an expert team operating in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx, set to provide you with the best and most professional plumbing solutions for any water-related emergency. New York City Plumber provides every home plumbing service you need, from fixing your sewage system and pipeline in case of water problems, to installing boilers in your shower for your convenience. Equipped with professional plumbing tools, New York plumbers tackle both residential and commercial plumbing challenges.

The 4-Week Packing Plan

It helps to break the packing and moving ordeal into stages that can be got through with less fuss than a 24-hour grind. You’ll be less stressed, things will be more organized and moving day will go a lot smoother.

Week 4:

• Get packing materials together – boxes, tape, labels, etc
• Get rid of all clutter that you don’t want. Sell it at a garage sale, give it away to friends, drop it off at the local thrift store or take it to the local recycling center. Be ruthless!
• Label every box as it is filled and sealed, so if you need something or want to make sure the box goes to a particular area of the new home, identification is made easy. Consider taping a list to boxes filled with small-but-important items.
• If you have firearms, make sure that you have all permits to transport them legally. Also familiarize yourself with any transport and declaration rules.

Week 3:

• Pack the stuff you don’t need right now. Examples include: seasonal items, items that you don’t need around right now, memorabilia and guest room furniture

Week 2:

• Confirm the moving time and date with your movers, whether they are professionals or friends. Don’t leave anything to chance or a general email asking for help. It is often the case that people who send out mass emails asking for help with their move have people who figure that “everyone else is going to be there so I don’t have to”. It’s much better to ask your friends individually.
• Make sure that you have the transportation for your pets and family arranged.

Week 1:

• Pack everything else that is going with you. Pretend you’re on a demented camping trip with your family and have decided to “rough it” with one set of utensils for each person and a minimum of cooking equipment.
• Make sure firearms are unloaded and properly stored for transport. Keep the registration and other paperwork in the vehicle carrying the weapon(s), so you don’t have to scrabble around looking for it if you need to present documentation in a hurry.
• Ensure that your cleaning supplies and other equipment are not packed up, as you will need them for cleaning your former residence later (unless you have engaged a cleaning service).
• Start clearing out your food from the pantry/cupboards/refrigerator/freezer. Throw out anything that is past its due date and try to use up the food you have on hand.
• Make sure most of your packing is DONE by the end of the week before you move.

Day before moving day:

• Pack clothing for a couple of days, toiletries, games, toys for the trip to your new home.
• Make sure as much food as possible is cleared out of the pantry/cupboards/refrigerator/freezer.
• Break down as much furniture as possible.
• See that all of your packed/disassembled property is arranged so movers/helpers have clear access to what needs to be packed into the moving van first, second, third… etc.

Moving Day!

• Send your pets and very young children to a sitter or friend for the packing time. They will only be underfoot and possibly distressed about the changes to their environment.
• Make sure all your things are clearly labeled as to where they go and what they are.
• It’s helpful if there is a party at the other end of your journey to make sure the home is open.
• Make sure you pack the things you will need for the first day/night in your new home last, so they will be the first things out of the truck.
• Try not to get too stressed out. Moving is stressful and it helps if you expect some delays and things not going quite as planned.

Marci McFarland is a Sarasota real estate agent with a broad professional approach. Her unique insight into the various lifestyle requirements of her clients, combined with an intimate knowledge of her service area including Palmer Ranch Sarasota real estate, make her an ideal choice for families and investors alike.