Tips On Choosing the Color of Your New Roof

Once you’ve narrowed down your decision to type of shingles and brand. Ask your roofer if they have samples or where you can get sample boards. The sample board will have a few rows of the actual shingles glued to a board. This is a good place to start.

Narrow  your choice down to 3-4 colors you like. Then ask to borrow a sample board of each color. (Local building supply companies usually have several of these on hand. Or ask your roofer to get you some.) Bring those sample boards home and set them up against your house. Look at them from a distance. Ask your friends, neighbors, and family members to weigh in. Sometimes it takes someone else’s top choice to help you realize that you don’t like that one.

Once you think you have it narrowed down to a few colors, ask your roofer for a list of local jobs using those colors. Then do a drive by and accept that you’ll get strange looks as you snap pictures of random strangers’ homes. Seeing the shingles installed on a roof at full scale is truly the best way to color shop.

Some shingle manufacturers have a feature where you can pay to upload your house picture and they will build a mask so you can visualize the different colors on your home. Certainteed has this feature for a price, but it also takes several days for them to process your request.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roofer

Top 4 Things To Know About Lawn Care

With a little TLC, the grass can always be greener in your front yard. Although there are challenges when it comes to creating the perfect lawn, simple steps can make a difference in the appearance and health of your grass. For example, using a grass common to your area results in the healthiest lawn for your region.

Mowing doesn't just make grass look neat and tidy, it's also important to a lawn's health. When mowing, remove no more than one-third of the length of the grass at one time, as overcutting leaves grass susceptible to insects and disease. Longer grass provides shade for soil and minimizes water loss. Mow the lawn with sharp mower blades, as dull ones result in damaged, ragged grass.

A weed-covered, slow-growing and discolored lawn is likely lacking in nutrients and in need of fertilizer. Many nutrients grass require occur naturally in soil, but extra doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are necessary, according to the University of California at Davis. Use a fertilizer appropriate to your lawn's particular variety of grass and water thoroughly the day before applying. Afterward, hose down the lawn just enough to flush fertilizer deep into the soil, where it's needed most.

A beautiful lawn requires water but not too much, as excessive watering leads to thatch, a tangled mess of roots between the grass and ground. Instead of wasteful daily watering, give the lawn a drink only when needed. To tell if the grass is thirsty, look for a bluish tinge or footprints that remain embedded -- both are signs of dehydration. Give the lawn roughly an inch of water; MSNBC recommends placing a tuna can on the ground and watering until it's full.

Over time, foot traffic and other factors may result in compacted soil just beneath the lawn's surface. Not only does this inhibit grass growth and water absorption, it creates prime conditions for weeds. 
Aeration breaks up compacted lawns by removing plugs of soil or creating pores in the soil. The process can be carried out with a hand-held device or a machine rented from a specialty store.

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lawn mower service

Plumbing and Heating Expert Shares Several Suggestions For Your Home Air Conditioning

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares his know-how for central air and window units.

Dirty filters kill your AC's efficiency, so install a new one every month during the cooling season for central and window units (or clean them if you've got the washable type). 
Look for the filter's minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV, which ranges from 1 to 12 for home AC units; the higher the number, the better filtration it provides 
(and the more energy needed to pull air through it, so balance air-quality concerns with energy costs).

Ducts can lose up to 30 percent of airflow through leaks, and window AC units are notoriously tough to seal properly. Find leaks using the old "smoke trick": 
For window units, light a stick of incense and hold it where the unit and the window frame meet; for central AC, hold the stick near duct connections. If the smoke blows around, 
you've got leakage. For ductwork, use foil tape to seal small gaps and duct mastic for larger ones; for window AC units, stuff foam between the device and the window frame, taping as needed.

There's no need to blast the AC at full tilt while you're at work. For central units, install a programmable thermostat that lets you set higher temps when you're gone and cooler temps when you're home. 
Newer window units have built-in timers and adjustable thermostats, or you can buy a timer at any home store for $10 to $20; just make sure it matches your device's voltage. 
Unless you're going on vacation, don't shut off the system; otherwise, the air compressor will need to work harder to cool your house later.

Ducts in hot attics or crawl spaces should be wrapped to keep the air within them cool. You can use spray foam, batt insulation, or rigid-foam insulation. Seal batt and rigid insulation with foil tape (not duct tape). For tight spaces, wraps like Reflectix offer some degree of insulation. 

A central AC system's air compressor and condenser are usually located outside the house, close to your foundation. It works best when there's about 24 inches of clear space in all directions, so get rid of nearby shrubs, tall grass, leaves, and hanging branches.

"Install condensers or window units on the north or east side of your house, or build a screen to shield them from the sun. Putting them in direct sunlight reduces their efficiency by as much as 10 percent."

Extend the life of your AC system by keeping blinds or shades down during the day; you can also install awnings to shield south-facing windows from intense sun. Consider running the AC in conjunction with floor or ceiling fans to circulate cooled air more effectively.

The dealer who installed your central AC (or one you find locally) should put you on a yearly cleaning schedule that goes beyond just cleaning the filters. Schedule this checkup before the cooling season starts (or do it now if you didn't do it earlier this year), and make sure it includes the following tasks: cleaning and inspecting coils; cleaning or replacing filters; adjusting and replacing fan belts; 
lubricating motors and bearings; cleaning and checking blowers and fans; inspecting controls and safeties; checking refrigerant and pressures; and verifying operating temperatures.

Shutting too many interior doors causes central AC systems to go out of balance, meaning there's less airflow in the entire house. If you want some privacy, keep doors slightly ajar instead. 

Federal laws require AC units to be a lot more efficient than they were just 10 years ago. For central AC, look for the seasonal energy-efficiency ratio, or SEER; for window units, the measure is simply 
called the energy-efficiency ratio, or EER. The standards mandate a SEER of 13 and an EER of 8, but devices with higher numbers will cost less to operate.

Energy tax credits may provide extra financial incentives. Look for available rebates from utility companies, manufacturers of AC/Heating and plumbing products, and the US government. Your local power company is a good place to start and can usually point you to the latest info on credits, rebates and other incentives in your area.

Once You Own An Extraordinary Oriental Rug, You Must Keep It Well-Maintained

Oriental rugs are an exotic and sophisticated touch to any home or apartment. The addition of an Oriental rug to a room significantly alters the feel and character of your living space.
Oriental rugs, despite their name, describe meticulously crafted rugs from Iran, Turkey, India, Southeast Asia and elsewhere in the Middle East. Originally, these rugs were only available by import. 
Today, though, one can purchase high-quality handmade Oriental rugs from reputable manufacturers in the United States, too. 

1. Respond immediately to stains. You can save yourself a lot of future trouble and headaches by cleaning stains immediately after they occur. By never letting a stain set, you can avoid having your Oriental rug permanently damaged and in need of a costly professional clean. You want to clean your rug once a month; regardless of how clean you think it may be, rugs pick up a lot of dirt every day from regular use. Flip your rug regularly so that no area side sustains more damage from the sun or everyday use than another.

2. Vacuum both sides. The first thing you want to do when routinely cleaning your Oriental rug is to get all the loose dirt, dust and grime off the rug. Pick one corner of your rug off the ground and give it a small kick or knock it with your fist. If you see a cloud of dirt or dust explode off the surface, your rug is in desperate need of a clean. Thoroughly vacuum the top of the rug before flipping it over and vacuuming the bottom.

3. Concoct a cold-water and white-vinegar solution.
Mix three parts water and one part vinegar. You don't want to overpower the smell with vinegar. You never want to use soap or other harsh chemicals on the Oriental rug. Most Oriental rugs are made with vegetable dyes (natural dyes) which can easily run or discolor. Harsh chemicals will encourage discoloration. You do not want to use soap because there is no way to remove it 100% without rinsing it with a hose which will cause color runs and it will become sticky with residue which will cause black stains. Vinegar is an old remedy to naturally clean and freshen Oriental rugs, the colors will become more vibrant and it will provide a natural clean.

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4. Mix the concoction in a spray bottle and lightly spray the rug evenly, allow to dry.

5. Use the same solution for the fringes of the rug. You can use a light brush and work it through the fringes as if you are brushing hair. If the fringes are pure white, which can mean cotton, apply less vinegar and place a fan on the fringes to dry it faster. Cotton fringes are known to turn brown from the cotton fibers.

6. Place a floor fan on the rug to dry it faster. You do not want the Oriental rug to sit wet on your hard floors, the longer it sits wet, the better chance it has to mildew. Do not hang the Oriental rug when it's wet (still dripping) this will cause color runs. You can hang the rug while it's damp.

rug cleaning

Real Life Questions And Answers About Roofing Concerns

Question: How do you know when an asphalt shingle roof needs replacement? Are there clues to look for before telltale water stains appear on our plaster ceilings? 

Answer: There are several clues, and the biggest one is age. If your roof is more than 20 years old, there's a good chance it's due for replacement. But younger roofs can fail too, 
so it's a good idea to inspect a roof at least once a year. Don't use a ladder, though. Binoculars are easier and a lot safer, and you can spot most problems from the ground.Here's 
what to look for: numerous shingles that are lifting up, cracked or missing, with curled edges, or with smooth dark areas, which indicate that the protective granules have worn off. 
Also, go into the attic on a sunny day and, with the lights off, check the underside of the chimney and the stack vent. If you see little pinhole spots of light, the flashing is shot—another 
indication that the roofing might not be in good shape.

While you're in the attic, scan the underside of the roof sheathing for any new signs of water staining since the last inspection, as well as any soft or moist spots, which tend to show up after a heavy rain. If these problems are widespread, it's a sure sign that you need to call a roofer.

Question: Everything being equal (ventilation, shingle type, climate, etc.), which roof will last longer: one with a steep pitch or one with a shallow pitch? Seems to me a steep hillside erodes more quickly than a low slope, so I'd think that roof shingles would wear out more quickly on a steeply sloped roof. 

Answer: It's difficult to say. On one hand, a steep roof is less likely to collect leaves and other debris that hold moisture against the shingles and invite the growth of moss and algae. On the other hand, that same roof in an unshaded area facing due south will take the full brunt of the sun, which is hard on any roof. Actually, factors other than pitch have a greater effect on shingle durability. The side facing your worst weather typically fares worse than the leeward side. Likewise, a roof system that isn't vented properly and allows heat to build up beneath the roofing has a shorter life than one that is vented.

Question: We have a major leakage problem and are getting a new roof. What is the best underlayment to protect the valleys in my roof from leaking: ice and shield guard, metal flashing, or double rolled shingles? 

Home Depot Roofing Materials

Answer: First, your roofers should lay down an ice and water shield over the entire roof. Made of polyethylene and rubberized asphalt, this membrane prevents water that has slipped under shingles from penetrating to ceilings below. The valleys should then be covered with metal flashing or weaving. I would also recommend two layers of the ice and water shield on the lower section of the roof (along the eaves), around chimneys and beside the dormers.

Question: My friend has a new 9,000-square-foot home and has had problems with the roof leaking. The roofing man and two painting guys have told her that the caulk on her roof(http://roofingpensacola.us/ may also be of interest) was the source of the problem. They told her that she should have it checked every six months for cracking and possible replacement because the caulk doesn't last long. I have never heard of this before and was wondering if they are pulling her leg or if this is a real problem? 

Answer: I've got to tell you, it sounds like they're pulling your leg. You shouldn't need any caulking on a roof with proper flashing. You need a second opinion.

Question: A friend recently mentioned in passing he thought some of the "flashing" on my roof looked as if it were in rough shape. Can you explain exactly what roof flashing is? 

Answer: Flashing is just material—usually aluminum or galvanized steel—that's used over joints in roof and wall construction to prevent water seeping in and causing damage. Depending on the style of your house's roof, you probably have it in the valleys, around the chimney and pipes, and around any dormer windows or skylights. Most damage shows up either in flashing that's deteriorating due to weathering and oxidizing, or in flashing that has come loose.

How To Ready Your House For A Professional Carpet Cleaner

for more information http://www.iicrc.org/consumers/care/carpet-cleaning/

Having your carpet, upholstery and/or hard surface cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company? Here are some suggestions for you to prepare that will help both of you and them:

1. Please remove any small items such as dining room chairs, magazine racks, floor plants, etc. from any areas that are going to be cleaned.
2. Please remove all breakable items from furniture which will have to be temporarily moved, cleaned under, and placed back.
3. Please pin up any full-length draperies so that they will be at least 6 inches off the floor.
4. Please pin up any skirts on upholstered furniture, which may be touching the carpet.
5. Computer equipment, china cabinets, sectional sofas, entertainment centers, antique and fragile furniture cannot be moved. However, carpet underneath such items can be cleaned where sufficient room is available, or we can edge right around the base.
6. During the pre-inspection walk-through with your technicians, please advise them of any special requirements to follow when moving your furniture such as weak legs, loose tops or previous repairs.
7. Also, call attention to any spots or stains which may require special techniques.
8. Please put your pets in a safe, quiet place where the crew and the cleaning process won't disturb them.

A special note about odors:

1. The carpet cleaning technicians will do everything possible to reduce or eliminate pet odors. However, due to the depth of contamination, 100% success may not be attained. Also, for several days after cleaning you may notice an elevated odor due to higher humidity levels.
2. For safety sake, be sure to keep an extra close eye on your curious little ones.

Special After Care Information:

1. Please leave your plastic "tabs" and "blocks" under your furniture for 48 hours after cleaning.
2. As a safety precaution please do not let your children or pets crawl or lie down on the carpet until they are completely dry.
3. Please use extreme caution when walking from the damp carpet to any hard surface area.

Check Out These Interesting Questions About Landscaping Design

Question: How do you decide which professional is best for your project? 

Answer: The best way is to check them out. Ask for references, and contact them. Ask to see some of their work; if you cannot see it in person, then at least ask to see their portfolios.  Keep an eye open for successful projects and find out who is responsible.  Of course, a reference from a friend is helpful. You can arrange a site visit with a professional and find out if they provide consulting services.  Whether or not a professional will charge for a visit depends on the company.  If their time is paid for, they are likely to share all of the ideas they come up with while speaking with you. You can decide for yourself whether or not those ideas are to your way of thinking.

Question: Why should I work with a landscape designer? 

Answer: Because a professional landscape designer spends their life thinking about the subject, they come to your garden filled with knowledge, creative ideas and imagination to develop a custom design that is uniquely suited to your home, lifestyle and personal preferences. Landscape design is challenging from an artistic, environmental, architectural, engineering and horticultural viewpoint. 

Unlike other art forms, a garden is not a static creation, but a dynamic, evolving ecosystem that requires continued inputs and energy over time. Its creation requires careful thought on different levels: botanically (which plants to choose), spatially (where to put what), seasonally (how will it look year-round?) and temporally (what will it look like in ten years?). A landscape designer factors all these things in and then adds an element of style that provides the spirit of the garden. By spending time with a landscape designer to work through the design details during the planning phase, you will save money and time as it is less costly to consider the alternatives and change your mind on paper than it is during installation or after completion. 

Landscape design consists of a process that culminates in the creation of a set of documents that become your blueprint and information source for the project. These documents will assist you in obtaining comparable bids from landscape contractors to fully develop your site either in a single project or in phases over time. A landscape designer will work with you to create this master plan, selecting the most appropriate materials & plants for your site and budget, developing solutions for specific problems on your property (i.e. privacy, noise, etc.), and finding the best people in the landscape industry to help bring the vision for your garden to reality. 

Additional benefits of working with a landscape designer include assistance with quality control/site observation during installation, the opportunity to purchase plants at considerable savings from retail prices, and formation of a relationship with someone who can provide ongoing consultation as the garden changes and matures.

Question: I have lots of ideas. How will I be involved in the design process? 

Answer: The objective is to help you take your ideas and grow them into the landscape of your dreams. To do so a designer works collaboratively to determine which services best suit your needs, budget and timetable, based on your goals for outdoor living space.

Question: What is the difference between a landscape designer, a landscape architect and a design-build landscaper? 

Answer: Landscape design and landscape architecture are similar art forms. The ideal designer for your landscape will be the person most compatible with your taste, lifestyle and budget. In general, landscape design involves the design of residential or small commercial landscapes and gardens that require aesthetic and horticultural skills. Because training and expertise vary widely, it is important to look for a designer whose practice conforms to The Standards of Practice of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). 

Landscape architecture involves the application of more complex architecture and engineering solutions. Landscape architects have a degree in landscape architecture that typically includes limited horticulture education. They are licensed by the state and are qualified to develop construction-ready plans with construction details for complex retaining walls, decks, water features and drainage. The fees for their services are much higher than those for landscape designers. 

Design-build landscape contractors typically implement the plans of landscape designers and architects. They may or may not have staff members with design or horticulture training.

Question: How much should I spend on landscaping?
Answer: Quality landscaping offers an excellent return on investment, ranking as one of the top home improvements. According to MONEY magazine story on home renovations, landscaping has a 
recovery value of 100% to 200% if it is well done and harmonizes with foliage nearby. With housing values dropping in many areas, homeowners are seeking to enhance their home’s value with attractive, well-planned landscaping. According to a Michigan State University study, high quality landscaping adds 5 to 11% to the home’s price.

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