Protect your deck this winter

As the leaves start to change color, you may find yourself reminiscing about the hours of enjoyment spent outside on your deck. While warm weather gatherings and summer barbecues are a favorite pastime of the season, the combination of foot traffic, food spills and weather can take its toll on any deck.



Before the chill in the air turns into harsh winter weather, clean and protect your deck to prepare it for the long winter months ahead.



"Smart homeowners recognize that seasonal changes can wreak havoc on decks unless properly maintained," says Fiona Seal, Rust-Oleum Wood Care brand manager. "But with a few simple steps, you can winterize your deck so it survives the onslaught of ice, snow, sleet and moisture that can cause damage during the months ahead."



Here are a few deck survival tips that can keep your deck looking beautiful longer.



* Clean thoroughly: Ground-in dirt and barbecue stains can ruin your deck's appearance and ultimately cause degrading of the wood. Exposure to sun can cause wood to gray and weather and exposure to moisture can create the perfect conditions for the growth of mold, mildew, moss and algae. So it's important to clean your deck thoroughly to remove the remnants of summer and get it ready for winter.



Use a bleach-free cleaner specifically formulated for wood to restore your deck to its natural beauty without the bleaching or yellowing that chlorine bleach can cause. Cleaners like JOMAX Deck Wash loosen and lift dirt, and remove gray weathered wood and stains from mold and mildew to prepare the deck for a new protective coating. And the convenient hose mount applicators make these cleaners easy to use. Just attach to an ordinary garden hose and spray. It's that simple.



If your stained or painted deck has seen better days, consider stripping any faded or deteriorating finish prior to applying a water repellent sealer or stain.



* Apply a protective finish: After cleaning, it's important to apply a water repellent finish to protect your deck against the damaging effects of winter. Moisture such as ice, snow, sleet and rain can penetrate the surface if not protected, which can cause splitting, cracking and warping. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of premium exterior wood finishes that offer protection against the elements, while giving you the opportunity to achieve any look you desire.



For example, if you're looking for a clear water repellent to protect against water damage without changing the color of the wood, choose a product like Rust-Oleum Premium Water Sealer. It will protect your deck against the elements for three years.



Or for maximum protection against water absorption and maximum durability, choose a product like Rust-Oleum Premium Deck and Fence Stain. It's available in both solid and semi-transparent formulas in 22 different colors so you can choose any look you desire. What's more, it's backed by a 10-Year Satisfaction Guarantee so it will keep your deck protected and looking beautiful for years.



Rust-Oleum Premium Deck and Fence Stain also features breakthrough Cool Touch technology, which reflects solar rays to keep surfaces cooler to the touch. It's the perfect preparation for next season's warm summer weather.



For product information or more helpful wood care tips, visit www.rustoleum.com.



Courtesy of BPT

Lower summer energy costs and get a facelift for your home

During summer, many of us look forward to fun-filled days at the pool or beach, but we definitely don't look forward to exorbitantly high cooling bills during the heat of the season.



A typical single-family home shells out $2,200 in annual energy costs, according a recent study by the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. And according to the Laboratory's website, if a house has central air conditioning, even though the system is only used a few months out of the year, it is most likely the single biggest consumer of electricity, driving annual air conditioning costs that can exceed a shocking $1,000.



However, there are a number of ways you can improve the energy-efficient aspects of your home and save on electricity costs.



Seal the deal

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes is to seal and insulate windows and doors. Often, this means replacing old, leaky, sticky, poorly performing windows and doors. A typical home that replaces its single-paned, clear glass windows with energy-efficient windows can realize up to $494 in annual savings, according to the EPA.

"Windows are a wonderful source of natural light, but if they are old, they can act as giant heat lamps in the summer, allowing the sun's heat into a home," says David Harrison, chief marketing office of Champion Windows, one of the nation's leading home improvement companies. "By installing our Comfort 365 Replacement Windows, homeowners can help shrink their cooling bills. Champion's Double hung replacement windows exceed ENERGY STAR rating requirements by an average of 42 percent for Solar Heat Gain, which is the measure of the sun's heat that comes through your window. Champion windows also help keep the cool air in and still let in natural sunlight - without the heat."

For more energy saving window tips check out the U.S. Department of Energy's website or Champion Window's Energy Efficient Replacement Windows.

On the side

Another great way to cut costs is to increase insulation by installing energy-efficient siding. Vinyl siding and energy-efficient underlayment can increase a home's R-value, a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. By increasing the R-value, homeowners can save more than 20 percent on their electricity bills, according to energysavers.gov.

"Installing an energy-efficient siding system, including ENERGY STAR rated insulation board, can help insulate your home against the heat, reduce the amount of air flow into your house, making it easier to keep cool air in during the summer," says Harrison. "At Champion, our customers have told us they were pleasantly surprised to see a decrease in their energy bills after their siding installation."

Other ways to improve energy efficiency and lower summer electric bills include:

* Increasing insulation in attics

* Making sure you have proper roof ventilation

* Sealing air conditioner ducts

* Keeping your blinds closed when the sun is shining in

* Using a programmable thermostat

By making a few of these changes, you won't cringe when you open those utility bills, and you might even be able to reap benefits beyond the summer.

"If homes are not properly insulated or sealed, cool air is leaking out and homeowners are throwing money out of the window," says Harrison. "By making a few energy-efficient changes to your home, you can help keep electric bills in check and even increase the value of your home."

Courtesy of BPT

Lower summer energy costs and get a facelift for your home

During summer, many of us look forward to fun-filled days at the pool or beach, but we definitely don't look forward to exorbitantly high cooling bills during the heat of the season.



A typical single-family home shells out $2,200 in annual energy costs, according a recent study by the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. And according to the Laboratory's website, if a house has central air conditioning, even though the system is only used a few months out of the year, it is most likely the single biggest consumer of electricity, driving annual air conditioning costs that can exceed a shocking $1,000.



However, there are a number of ways you can improve the energy-efficient aspects of your home and save on electricity costs.



Seal the deal

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes is to seal and insulate windows and doors. Often, this means replacing old, leaky, sticky, poorly performing windows and doors. A typical home that replaces its single-paned, clear glass windows with energy-efficient windows can realize up to $494 in annual savings, according to the EPA.

"Windows are a wonderful source of natural light, but if they are old, they can act as giant heat lamps in the summer, allowing the sun's heat into a home," says David Harrison, chief marketing office of Champion Windows, one of the nation's leading home improvement companies. "By installing our Comfort 365 Replacement Windows, homeowners can help shrink their cooling bills. Champion's Double hung replacement windows exceed ENERGY STAR rating requirements by an average of 42 percent for Solar Heat Gain, which is the measure of the sun's heat that comes through your window. Champion windows also help keep the cool air in and still let in natural sunlight - without the heat."

For more energy saving window tips check out the U.S. Department of Energy's website or Champion Window's Energy Efficient Replacement Windows.

On the side

Another great way to cut costs is to increase insulation by installing energy-efficient siding. Vinyl siding and energy-efficient underlayment can increase a home's R-value, a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. By increasing the R-value, homeowners can save more than 20 percent on their electricity bills, according to energysavers.gov.

"Installing an energy-efficient siding system, including ENERGY STAR rated insulation board, can help insulate your home against the heat, reduce the amount of air flow into your house, making it easier to keep cool air in during the summer," says Harrison. "At Champion, our customers have told us they were pleasantly surprised to see a decrease in their energy bills after their siding installation."

Other ways to improve energy efficiency and lower summer electric bills include:

* Increasing insulation in attics

* Making sure you have proper roof ventilation

* Sealing air conditioner ducts

* Keeping your blinds closed when the sun is shining in

* Using a programmable thermostat

By making a few of these changes, you won't cringe when you open those utility bills, and you might even be able to reap benefits beyond the summer.

"If homes are not properly insulated or sealed, cool air is leaking out and homeowners are throwing money out of the window," says Harrison. "By making a few energy-efficient changes to your home, you can help keep electric bills in check and even increase the value of your home."

Courtesy of BPT

Be patient while looking for deals with best mortgage rates

Mortgaging is kind of like a collectivized loan that can affect you and your family for a long time if it is not worked out properly. People generally fall for deceptive advertisements boasting about best mortgage rates, so you need to be cautious.



Many people who have fallen into the trap of companies offering the best mortgage rates have experienced problems down the road. It is very important to go through each and every piece of the mortgage deal that you are making. Do not get carried away by those deceptive advertisements that would make your life a disaster. A small mistake, or one wrong signature, and you could end up paying installments for your mortgaged property for the rest of your life.



A thorough study of the entire plan, and all its terms and conditions, is necessary if you want to go for a safe mortgage plan with the best mortgage rates. Buying a home is the biggest investment that you will make in your life, and you would not want anyone to fiddle around with it. Mortgaging is an option for people who cannot afford to pay entire amount in a single go, and thus they look for deals with mortgage rates suitable for their pockets.



Always try to understand the power of credit limits that you can impose on yourself. There have been many examples from the market where people have actually gotten deals with great mortgage rates, but due to their negligence and insufficient funds, they have created traps for themselves and fallen in.



If your relations with your bank are good, then they would also offer you some interesting deals with a good mortgage rate. If you are one of their privileged clients, then you might be entitled for special discounts on mortgage rates. If you go into your loan search with a high credit score and a clean credit record, you would also have better bargaining power.



If you have stains on your record, you should try to get them cleaned up before going into negotiations. If you can afford to, hire a financial advisor who can help you out with the deal, making the best possible negotiation for you with the mortgaging company, credit union, Investment Company or banks with which you are dealing. Each person should play carefully in the mortgaging business, even if he is getting the best mortgage rates for his deal.



Always prefer fixed mortgage rates for your deals. This will be beneficial and score great mortgage rates with no regrets. Interest rates can bounce around, but if your deal has a fixed rates, then it is one less thing for you to worry about. Proceed in your deal with sound mind and alert eyes and nothing will go wrong.

Ten must-have apps to help you survive a storm

Use these smartphone apps to help you get prepared, remain connected and stay safe during bad weather:



StopDisaster - This iPhone app walks you through preparedness checklists for hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards and other disasters.



Dropbox - Install the program on your PC or Mac, upload files to your folder, and they are instantly available on all your other computers.



MotionX GPS Drive - MotionX GPS Drive is the cheapest and most popular way to guide you out of town on an unfamiliar route.



Flashlight by Rik for iPhone and Brightest Flashlight - These apps turn your phones into flashlights.



Hurricane Tracker - This hurricane-tracking app is for serious weather junkies and people who want to be better-informed.



Life360 - The family GPS tracking system can help you find your loved ones anywhere.



5-0 Radio Police Scanner Lite - Pick up police band radio.



USAA - Report or view the status of an auto or property claim, submit photos, schedule an appraisal through one of USAA's approved repair shops, or reserve a rental vehicle.



GasBuddy - Uses your GPS to display up-to-the-minute gas prices near you, so you can avoid price gouging.



Hands-Only CPR - App walks you through the two-step checklist: call 911, start chest compressions.



Courtesy of BPT

Ten must-have apps to help you survive a storm

Use these smartphone apps to help you get prepared, remain connected and stay safe during bad weather:



StopDisaster - This iPhone app walks you through preparedness checklists for hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards and other disasters.



Dropbox - Install the program on your PC or Mac, upload files to your folder, and they are instantly available on all your other computers.



MotionX GPS Drive - MotionX GPS Drive is the cheapest and most popular way to guide you out of town on an unfamiliar route.



Flashlight by Rik for iPhone and Brightest Flashlight - These apps turn your phones into flashlights.



Hurricane Tracker - This hurricane-tracking app is for serious weather junkies and people who want to be better-informed.



Life360 - The family GPS tracking system can help you find your loved ones anywhere.



5-0 Radio Police Scanner Lite - Pick up police band radio.



USAA - Report or view the status of an auto or property claim, submit photos, schedule an appraisal through one of USAA's approved repair shops, or reserve a rental vehicle.



GasBuddy - Uses your GPS to display up-to-the-minute gas prices near you, so you can avoid price gouging.



Hands-Only CPR - App walks you through the two-step checklist: call 911, start chest compressions.



Courtesy of BPT

It's high time to upgrade your faucets and toilets

When considering your home's plumbing, you might be thinking of that old adage "why fix something if it ain't broke?" But did you know that old and inefficient plumbing might actually mean that you are literally pouring your money down the drain every month? A call to your plumber might really save you money in the end if you upgrade the plumbing in your home.



When were your current plumbing fixtures installed? Did they come with the house when you bought it? Old toilets use up a lot of water with each flush, which is bad for both the environment and for your wallet. Are you putting off having that leaky faucet repaired because you just don't want to spend the money right now? The average faucet leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water per year. If it's a hot water faucet that's leaking, you are losing money both with the wasted water and with the wasted electricity or gas that is heating that water.



Or what if your problem is slow drains? You might decide to take the easy step of pouring liquid corrosives down the drain to clear out the blockage. This is actually a bad idea. The corrosive chemicals in drain cleaner will harm your sewer pipes, perhaps necessitating an extremely expensive repair in the future. In addition, the environmental impact of pouring such chemicals down the drain and into the water supply can have serious ramifications for the future of our planet.



If you've been putting off plumbing repairs or upgrades, you really might want to consider having a professional technician visit your home. Plumbers can let you know if repairs are needed or if there are upgrades available to your current plumbing that can actually save you money. There are many options, such as low flow or dual flush toilets that can help you stop wasting water and upgrade your home.



Having your new toilet installed by a plumber will ensure that your system is up to code and works efficiently and properly. A plumber can also help you to repair your leaky faucets, or assist you by installing water saving devices such as low flow faucets or aerators on your sinks. They can also help by providing professional sewer cleaning that will fix your slow drains without causing serious corrosion to the pipes in your home and damage to the environment.



These days, everyone is looking to save money where they can. By having a professional plumber inspect your pipes and see what upgrades and repairs can be done in your home, you can save yourself money on wasted water and utility bills. In addition you'll be adding to the value of one of your most important investments, your home.



by: Nick Messe

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6553.shtml

A guide for getting through emergency home repairs

A surprise can be fun on some occasions, like your birthday. But when it comes to home repair emergencies, a surprise is the last thing you want.



Unfortunately, this is a situation all too many homeowners find themselves in after a home emergency. Often they discover that a repair they assumed would be covered by their home insurance or local utility is actually their responsibility to fix.



From water and drainage systems to electrical and heating/cooling configurations, your home is a complex network of pipes, wires and electrical components that could require an emergency repair at any time.



An outside water pipe breaking or a sewer line collapsing can easily rank as a homeowners' worst nightmare; however, when an emergency occurs, most homeowners are not aware of who is responsible for the damage. In fact, less than 50 percent of the homeowners in a recent national survey, conducted by GfK Roper Custom Research, knew that they were responsible for repairs to the water line between their house and the street.



This is where companies that offer emergency home repair plans, such as HomeServe, can make the difference between peace of mind and an expensive and time-consuming repair.



"According the results of the survey, one third of all homeowners responding assumed that their local utility was responsible for the cost of a burst water line between their house and the street, when this is usually not the case," says Tom Rusin, chief executive officer of HomeServe. "One of the challenges of home ownership is that the potential for expensive repairs is always out there. In fact, repairing a water service line can cost more than $2,000 and simply clearing a blocked drain can cost upwards of $350."



Rusin suggests that all homeowners do the following things to minimize the potential financial liability and hassle associated with home repair emergencies:



1. Speak to your homeowners insurance agent to get a clear understanding of which areas of your home are covered by your insurance policy and which ones are not. Potential trouble spots include interior and exterior electrical wiring, outside water service and sewer lines, inside plumbing and gas piping, central heating and air conditioning systems, and the water heater.



2. Similarly, speak to your local electric, gas, and water utilities to determine equipment that you may be responsible for. As mentioned earlier, the water and sewer lines that run underneath the lawn are the responsibility of the homeowner in the vast majority of cases.



3. Proper maintenance of home components greatly minimizes the chance of an unexpected emergency. For example, check the air filter on your central heating or cooling system regularly and change it about once every three months during the season. Protect water pipes from freezing with proper insulation or draining them prior to winter. And fix leaky faucets and toilets to save water and prevent bigger problems.



4. Consider a home emergency protection plan that can relieve you of not only the financial burden of a home emergency, but also the uncertainty involved in looking for a repair person on a Sunday afternoon.



"The more prepared homeowners are for a home repair emergency, the more peace of mind they'll have and the more time they can spend enjoying their house with their families," says Rusin.



Courtesy of BPT