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Improve The Air Quality In Your Home With These Ideas

June 22, 2011 By

 Many homeowners today are concerned about the quality of air in their homes, since we spend so much time indoors. Here are some ways that you can achieve superior air quality while improving your family’s respiratory health. This is what you can do, moving from room to room.

  • Basement: Since the furnace is in this space, you must have it inspected and cleaned yearly to avoid leakage of dangerous gases. Also, many basements can be damp and therefore may grow mold. You must make sure your gutters are doing their job of keeping water runoff away from your home. Installing a dehumidifier or air conditioner can keep even the most moist basement dry.
  • Garage: Install a weatherproof door between this room and the rest of your home. It will keep gasoline odors where they belong. Your lungs will thank you.
  • Kitchen: If you have a gas range, you should have a hood fan that exhausts outdoor air. Turning on that fan, or simply opening a window while cooking will remove gas fumes. All fuel burning appliances must be professionally inspected yearly to prevent possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Family/Living Room: Dust accumulation can be simply eliminated with the reduction of clutter. Keeping toys, books and other items nicely stored away in closets is the way to go.
  • Bedrooms: Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Dust mites and allergens are also greatly reduced by washing bedding in hot water. Choose area rugs that are easy to wash.
  • Bathrooms: Ventilation is so important in this well-used room. Exhaust fans work to remove moisture and chemicals that you clean with. Change your cleaning products to ones that have no pesticides or toxic ingredients. See www.grist.org for a list of green bathroom cleaners.
  • Attic: Have your duct work inspected if it runs through an uninsulated attic. Why? Because humid air condenses and can cause mold and rust. Consider having your attic insulated.

Throughout your home always leave doors between rooms open for better air circulation Opening windows from time to time is a no-brain er, but some forget to do it.

Filed Under: Home Maintenance, Misc.

Home Ownership Basic Maintenance

March 17, 2011 By

Home ownership requires basic home maintenance.  Buying real estate is one of the biggest investments that most people make over a lifetime, taking care of it once you buy it is merely taking care of your investment.  No homeowner likes to be caught off guard by bursting pipes, failing heating systems or a hole in the roof.  While not all catastrophes can be avoided, most can be averted by routine maintenance. 

A checklist of exterior home items:

  • Roof Check for missing roof tiles, holes, or any leaks and make necessary repairs to avoid total replacement.
  • Siding Check for cracks, chipping paint, any repairs that need to be made.
  • Gutters Clear your gutters at least once a year to avoid clogging that could lead to roof issues.
  • Exterior Water Faucets Disconnect hoses before Winter to avoid frozen, burst pipes.
  • Chimney  Have your chimney cleaned annually.

A checklist of interior home items:

  • Heating System/Air Conditioning  Have an annual service completed to avoid being caught off guard by problems with your system.
  • Windows and Doors  Check for broken seals and draftiness, especially before Winter arrives.
  • Hot Water Heater For a longer, healthier life of your water heater drain it once a year and remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Keeping on top of regular maintenance can save a great deal of money in the long run.  The better you take care of your home, the better you take care of your investment.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance Tagged With:

Well Maintenance Tips

February 12, 2011 By

Nothing beats the exhilaration of finding the perfect home. Your mind rushes through color schemes, decorating ideas and envisioning uses for each room is a breeze. You can just see the dogs and kids playing in the yard or the quiet evenings by the fireplace. Yet, there’s one hang-up: your dream home has a well! If you don’t know the first thing about wells, then this could be a real deal-breaker. On one hand, you won’t have monthly water bills to deal with, but on the other hand, there is some maintenance involved.

Here are some well maintenance tips to help you decide if a home with well water is for you:

  • Test your water annually. You may send samples to:

The State Lab of Hygiene

2601 Agriculture Drive, Box 7996

Madison, WI 53707

  • Keep a record of who constructed your well and when. You may call:

Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

608-262-7430 for an information request form.

  • Your records should also include: age & depth of your well, the length of its casing pipe, and the types of soil/bedrock/water supply problems in your area.
  • Make sure the top of your well casing is 18 inches or more above ground level.
  • Grade your lot, if necessary, to ensure surface water runs away from the well.
  • Check that your well cap or seal is secure (to keep insects & vermin out!)
  • Replace an old well seal with a two-part cap containing a rubber seal.
  • Do not use gasoline, pesticides, animal waste or lawn chemicals near the well.
  • Avoid piling snow or leaves near the well and do not plant trees nearby.
  • Be careful mowing / working near your well to avoid damaging the casing.
  • If you want your well sealed up or suspect that it may require repairs, you can get assistance through the Wisconsin Well Compensation Grant Program.

 

Source: Cooperative Extension
Source: Wisconsin Dept. Health Services
Source: Gallatin Local Water Quality District

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Wisconsin