Tips to Exterior Home Maintenance for Summer

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Roof

The roof should be checked regularly; especially if the roof is older than five years and if the area has had a significant dose of adverse weather within recent years.

• Keep track of the recommended time for which the roof tiles are rated. This can be done by checking the warranty. Usually a roof will need to be replaced once the warranty wears out.
• If the roof needs to be replaced, consider an upgrade especially if it needs to be replaced sooner than expected.
• Research roof tiles and recommended amounts of insulation that can be placed underneath if planning a full replacement.
• Always check for loose or damaged shingles that can be replaced one by one without replacing the entire roof.

Garage

There are many projects that can be done to the garage from cleaning to organizing to finding new uses.

• Begin the season by going through and cleaning the garage.
• Apply a fresh coat of sealant to the flooring if needed.
• Think about whether the walls or floor could be painted or freshened with a new coat.
• There are many inventive ways to add shelving and other types of organizations systems to garages.
• If the homeowners anticipate converting the home to a universal design, a handicap ramp accessible from the inside of the garage may be a unique way to access the first floor from street level.
• Bike tires will last longer if the bike is hung on a rack or hook.
• Rather than thinking about eliminating storage from the garage, think about it as a creative storage area.
• An extra freezer or other appliances can fit nicely into a garage, especially if shelving accompanies the unit.
   
  
  

Power Washer Details

 There are so many useful ways that a power washer comes in handy for the home.

• It is recommended that the driveway is cleaned yearly with a power washer prior to fixing cracks and to providing a fresh coat of sealant.
• The garage floor is another surface that can greatly benefit from a through cleansing.
• The sidewalks surrounding the home would also need to be cleaned prior to fixing cracks.
• Concrete porches can accumulate more stains and dirt than one might think. Use a power washer to clean the surface.

Siding

Different types of siding need different maintenance schedules.

• Regardless of the type, all siding needs to be cleaned yearly. Most types can be cleaned with a power washer, but thin vinyl would need a garden hose with an attachment and a cleaning solution designed for vinyl.
• If there has been some damage to the siding during the year, repair each piece. Hopefully your home came with extra pieces of siding. If not, when new pieces are purchased, plan ahead for the next set of repairs.
• If the siding is a natural wood or a painted wood, consider restaining and repainting respectively.
• There are many new types of siding on the market today. If your siding is in disrepair or if it has been high maintenance for the past several years, explore options and plan to replace it. Trim, house colors, and other decorative ideas could be updated at the same time. 

Fences

Privacy and decorative fences are beautiful assets to the landscaping and are always on the radar for home maintenance project lists.

• Begin to inspect the fence by making a judgement about the
  
  solidity of the post structures. If it needs to be secured, dig around the base down three and a half feet and fill with concrete.
• Inspect the gate latches and make sure they work seamlessly. If the posts have moved, make an adjustment to the latch. If a repair is not possible or if the latch is too old, replace it.
• Check to see if the gates open and close smoothly. The gate, along with the latching system, may need to be replaced.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

 

Doors and Windows

Windows and doors must stand up to the weather and to a lot of wear and tear.

• The summer is the most ideal time to repaint wooden windows & trims. Begin by scraping, applying a primer, and then painting the units.
• Consider replacing the doors and windows with energy efficient alternatives that can save the environment, the budget, and taxes.

 

 

 

 

 

Air Conditioners

As the season begins to warm, make sure the air conditioner is working properly well in advance.

• Have the unit inspected at the beginning of the season yearly.
  
  Many homeowners experience the air conditioning going out in the summer months when it is the hottest season and the maintenance repairmen are few and far between.
• Maintain the shrubbery from around the outdoor unit. Remove shrubs and foliage from within two feet around the unit.
• Make sure to clean and replace filters when it is recommended by the manufacturer.

 

 

 

 

Lawn Equipment

During the growing season, lawn equipment is at the height of its usage and need.

• Regularly sharpen the mower blades; mid-season if needed.
• If the lawn mower is older than 5 years, make sure it has been serviced before the grass needs regular cutting.
• Like every other tool and appliance today, consider purchasing a high efficiency mower.

 

 

 

Repair Cracks!

Begin to inspect cracks in the foundation by walking around the perimeter of your home.

• Repair the cracks with a recommended grout.
• Inspect and repair cracks within the basement walls.

Prolong the lifespan of the driveway by with yearly maintenance.

• Begin with the first steps by fixing the cracks with the type of filler recommended for concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers.
• If years of cracks have been repaired and the driveway is outdated, resurface the driveway with tar / asphalt.
• Consider redesigning the driveway to complement your home and landscape design. Stone and concrete imprinted design are two trends.

 

Garage Doors

If the automatic garage door has shown unusual habits of opening and closing only halfway, opening again after it has been closed, or making loud screeching noises, it can be both maintained and repaired.

• Yearly, the garage door can be oiled. This job can be done easily by the homeowner.
• For doors that are not closing and opening as they should regularly, consider having it inspected and repaired.
• The springs could be close to the end of their lifespan and will need to be replaced. Do not ever attempt to service the springs; always hire a professional.

 

 

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House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada    

 House Smart Home Improvements
Phone: 604 581 1904 / Fax: 604 581 1985
Email: info@housesmarthomeimprovements.com

Showroom: #110 15387-104 Ave Surrey BC V3R 1N5

Save Water with Low Flow Shower Heads

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Wash that water waste right out of your hair

We all love a good hot shower. It can wake us up after a long night’s sleep, or invigorate us after a hard day’s work. In fact, hot water usage accounts for about 25 per cent of total energy use in our homes.* The only thing we use more energy for is space heating. Think about how you use hot water. I bet you bathing and showering takes up a good portion.

By switching to a low-flow showerhead you can save water, energy and money. But do you fear that by switching you’ll never get the shampoo out? Or maybe you think the one you’ve already got is low flow.

When big hair and high flow was the norm

 If you were alive in the 80s you remember it was the decade of big. Big hair, big shoulders and water-gushing showerheads that flowed faster than the Cyclone at West Edmonton Mall’s World Waterpark. Some had flow rates as high as 16 or 20 litres per minute (LPM). But in 1992, a US federal standard of 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) or 9.5 LPM was mandated. So you’re thinking, if showerheads have been low flow since as early as 1992, why am I getting all this grief for not switching mine out? Ask yourself. What year was your house built? Do you know the last time the showerhead was replaced? Yup. You could unknowingly be harbouring a water waster in your bathroom, and I’m not talking about your teenager.

Find out your showerhead’s flow rate

If you’re not sure if your showerhead is low flow, try this simple test. Turn it on at the volume you’d normally use to shower. Hold a bucket under the showerhead for exactly 10 seconds. Measure the volume of the water you collect with a measuring cup and times it by six to determine the flow rate for one minute. If the number you get is higher than 9.5 litres, you may want to consider replacing your showerhead.

 

 

 

 

You could save what!?

A friend, who refuses to switch to low flow, agreed to let me test the flow rate of her showerhead for this story, on the promise she’d remain anonymous. After all, who wants to publically admit to wasting water? Her home was built in the late 80s. The bathroom she showers in is original to the house, and by the looks of it, the showerhead is as well. My test revealed her showerhead uses almost 17 LPM! I would say my friend has a lot of potential for savings if she’d switch to a low-flow model. In fact, a month of five minute daily showers with a 6.5 LPM showerhead would save 1,620 litres of water. And with about 65 per cent of that water being hot, switching would save her about $47 a year on her natural gas bill.**

So many showerheads, so many questions

You’ve decided to shrink your environmental footprint a little (maybe even your energy bill) and invest in a low-flow showerhead. But you hit the plumbing aisle at the hardware store and are awash in a sea of confusion. This one feels like spring rain. That one has pulsating jets. Over there the outside of the package has a WaterSense® logo. Another has an EcoFlow logo. How come you can’t find one with an ENERGY STAR® logo? And why is this one $5 and that one $300?  How can you tell if a product is low flow, or any good for that matter?
Let’s recap. As of 1992 the maximum flow rate of a showerhead was regulated to a new standard of 2.5 GPM or 9.5 LPM. Since many of the showerheads we buy are manufactured in the US, and the BC Building Code mandated a maximum standard flow rate of 9.5 LPM in 2006, models that use less than 9.5 LPM or 2.5 GPM are considered low flow.
WaterSense, a partnership program from the US Environmental Protection Agency (of which the BC Ministry of Environment is a partner) works to protect water supplies by offering ways for consumers to use less. Its label is used to identify low-flow models similar to how the ENERGY STAR label identifies the most efficient appliances. If you find a showerhead bearing the WaterSense label, it uses at least 20 per cent less water than a standard model.
You can find other terms on showerhead packaging, such as EcoSense, EcoFlow and EcoRain, but those are mostly marketing terms made up by the manufacturers.

The low down on flow

 

Flow rate standards	​LPM	​GPM
​Prior to 1992	​17-20	​5-8
​1992 US standard	​9.5 maximum	​2.5 maximum
​2006 BC Building Code standard	​9.5 maximum	​
​WaterSense labelled models	​7.5 or lower	​2.0 or lower

Testing the waters

To quell the undying rumour that I’ll never get the shampoo out of my hair with a low-flow showerhead, I decided to take one for the team and try out a couple. You can buy a standard flow model for as little as $5 or an ultra-low flow for as much as $300. For the purposes of this article I’ve set the upper limit at $60.
The $5 showerhead was no bargain. At 9.5 LPM it was the maximum flow you can buy, but the trickle it produced was not even worthy of watering my plants. The $60 model was WaterSense labelled and even with the lower flow of 7.5 LPM, it provided a variety of settings with enough pressure for a satisfying shower.

Not handy? Not a problem

You’ve decided to plunge into the deep and cut back on your water use with a new low-flow showerhead. But you think now you’ll have to call a plumber, so any hot water savings you see will go towards paying the plumber’s bill. Have you ever screwed a garden hose onto a hose bib? If the answer is yes—heck, even if the answer is no—you can install a showerhead. We even have a how-to video that will show you how. All you need is a wrench, some plumber’s Teflon tape (Most showerheads will come with a little roll, if not just ask the sales clerk at the hardware store.) and your new showerhead.

Waste not, save more

As for my friend, she’s singing in the rain with her new low-flow rain showerhead. She says she can’t believe she didn’t switch years ago. How about you? Ready to take the plunge into saving water?



This information from the Fortis BC Website



House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada  

SAVE ENERGY WHEN WASHING / DRYING CLOTHES

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

CLOTHES WASHING:

If all the households in the U.S. switched from hot-hot cycle to warm-cold, we could save the energy comparable to 100,000 barrels of oil a day.
Even if you wash on hot and rinse on warm, you’re going to use an average of 4.5 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.68.
On the other hand, if you wash on cold and rinse on cold, you’re going to use an average of 0.3 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.04.
The numbers are clear: if you wash on hot, you’re dumping water down the drain.

Of course, there are a lot of counter-arguments for this.
The chief argument for using hot water is that hot water is the best route for getting your clothes as clean as possible. The high temperature of the water is most likely to kill bacteria and also to cause more movement of the water, causing more soiling and germs to be removed from the clothes.
However, hot water also does the most damage to clothes, causing them to shrink, wrinkle, and fade more than other temperatures.
Most of the time, our clothes simply aren’t dirty enough to warrant the rough treatment that a hot water washing would give them.

What about warm water? 

You may want to use warm water for stains or particularly dirty clothes. But it is still not necessary for everyday washing.
Washing your clothes on warm and rinsing on warm will cost you $0.53 per load, and washing your clothes on warm and rinsing on cold will cost you $0.29 per load.

Cold water washing is also the gentlest choice for your clothes, extending their life. There’s less garment wear on a cold water washing as well as fewer wrinkles (meaning less ironing) and less shrinkage.

  

CLOTHES DRYING - 9 REASONS TO LINE-DRY:

1. Save Money

Most households which abandon their clothes dryer save more than $100 per year off electric or gas bills. A new clothesline is much less expensive than a new clothes dryer.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Energy Conservation

Line drying laundry conserves energy and helps to protect the environment by saving precious fossil fuels. It is the pinnacle of green laundry!

3. Freshness

Clothes and sheets smell fresh without additional chemical laundry fresheners. This is particularly important for those sensitive to perfumes and dyes used in detergents and dryer products.

4. Gentle on Clothing

Tossing and tumbling in a dryer can cause wear and strain on clothing seams and buttons. Line drying is more gentle to fibers.

5. Physical Activity

Hanging up laundry is a physical activity which you can do inside or outside. Learn how to do it correctly.

6. Good Rays

Sunlight helps to bleach and disinfect laundry. This is particularly beneficial for sheets, towels and diapers. However, for dark clothes it can cause harm - keep them in the shade.

7. Winter Humidity

Indoor racks can humidify the air in dry winter weather. (Ok we'll skip this one for people in the lower mainland - our winters are moist enough!)

8. Prevent Fire Risks

Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually. The yearly costs in the United States for fire loss due to clothes dryer fires is estimated at $99 million.

9. Peacefulness

Taking time to enjoy the weather, the feel and smell of clean laundry can offer an outdoor experience that is meditative.

Finally:

If you really want to dry your clothes in the dryer, use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. They can be rubber with little stubby spikes, or they can be all-natural made of felted wool. Basically, they bounce around in your laundry load, separating the clothes and fluffing them up, so that you don’t need to reduce static cling chemically.



 House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada 

Stay Cool / Save Energy This Summer

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 Now that the temperature's rising, it's time to get your home ready to enjoy in warm weather! 

 

 But before you crank up the air conditioning and turn on the sprinklers, make sure you've inspected the house - giving things a tune-up can help you save on energy costs and avoid expensive repairs. Here are a few tips that will help you summer-ize your home!

 
1. Tune up your air conditioner

Get a professional tune-up on your air conditioning unit(s) at least once a year. The last thing you want is for your A/C to go out when high temps hit. A professional can check for damage or leaks and make sure your equipment is running as efficiently as possible. 






2. Clean and adjust fans
 
Clean your ceiling and portable fans for maximum efficiency and minimum dust. Turn off your fans when they're not in use and when you leave the house.







3. Check air filters

Make sure clean filters are installed in your heating or cooling systems. Washable home furnace/HVAC system filers can be cleaned and reused. They only require replacement every few years, saving you money in the long run. Don't skimp on the quality, though, and follow the directions for proper cleaning and drying. 






4. Rethink your appliance use
 
Skip the oven, which can create heat in your home and make it more difficult to cool down. Instead, start using the BBQ more often. Running appliances, like your dishwasher and washer/dryer, at night will save energy and money. The humidity created from the dishwasher can compete with the cooling effects of A/C, and energy prices may be slightly lower on off-peak hours, such as bedtime.






5. Create shade
 
Replace heavy curtains with a lighter material. Consider window tinting or plantings that can create more shade in areas that get the most sun. 

 







6. Clean windows
 

Keep the cool air in and the hot air out! Clean windows inside and out and check for any damage to glass. Rinse window screens and check for damage. Replace weather stripping if necessary. 

 








7. Adjust your thermostat
 

Install a programmable thermostat, if you don't already have one. Benefits: increased comfort, more control, big savings! By ensuring that your cooling system isn't running all day or night, a programmable thermostat can help lower energy costs. 





 House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada

Home Maintenance - 5 Things Every Home Owner or Renter Should Know

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

When you buy a home, you’re signing up for a certain amount of maintenance and care. Little things are easy to fix, like loose trim or a squeaky hinge.

When you can do some maintenance task yourself, you can do them around your schedule, instead of having to deal with someone else’s priorities. Some knowledge could even be valuable to renters. For instance, if your toilet gets clogged at 2:15 AM, you can have it fixed by 2:20 AM, instead of having to wait for a plumber to come by – and if you’re a homeowner, you’d also be considering a plumber’s fee.
With that in mind, here are five DIY home maintenance tasks that everyone should know:

1) Painting. 

Painting is relatively easy, but professional painters can charge a hefty fee. If you learn how to paint, all it will cost you is the price of the paint, the tools, the tarps, and your time. That’s actually the real clincher, the amount of time it takes, especially if you have to apply multiple coats. But imagine the color possibilities for your walls if you could paint them whatever, whenever the mood strikes you? If you’re renting, you may want to get the okay from your landlord before you do any painting. They may want you to paint it back before you move out. 


2) Caulking. 

You might immediately just think of caulking around the bathtub or the toilet, but those aren’t the only important places where knowing how to use caulk would be beneficial. There is often caulking around windows and doors to keep out the wind. With a well sealed house, you can save on heating and cooling bills. Though caulk can be used for a variety of sealing purposes, it can also used for decoration to attach tiles, glass, mirrors and more.









3) Toilets. 

Knowing how a toilet works can save a lot of money on plumber bills. It’s actually pretty basic: There’s a tank, a flap, a balloon, a bowl and some pipes. They work using basic physics of gravity pulling water downwards. If you know how to fix issues in the tank, you can reduce your water bills from various types of leaks. If you also know how to use a plunger and a drain snake, you have most of your toilet issues covered. And if you know how to use drain cleaner, you have a good chunk of your sink issues covered, as well.








4) Faucets. 

Which brings me to faucets. Many leaks can be stopped with a few turns of a wrench. Yes, there are handles on faucets that turn water off an on, but there’s also usually another set of handles under the cabinet below the sink where you can shut the water off to make repairs or even replace the faucet. With more knowledge on faucets, you can also easily install faucet-mounted water filters, aerators or even a fancy touch-activated faucet.




5) Air systems. 


We take our air filters, central air, air conditioners and furnaces for granted. They keep the air in our homes the temperature that we’d like them to be, but they’re more than that. Often they are a line of defense for air quality within the home. If you know how to change out air filters, scrub grates and clean out air ducts, you can reduce breakdowns, increase efficiency, eliminate musty smells and extend the lives of your air and furnace units.

That’s it! It’s a pretty simple list, but knowing how to take care of the DIY maintenance tasks mentioned above could save a lot of time and money. You can use your time for more productive endeavors and with the money you save, you can be more prepared financially in case something more serious happens.

- by Kurt Jacobson - RentFinder

 

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020. Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada 

Home Finance for Home Improvements - Snap Home Finance

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

Introducing SNAP Home Finance Corp. by HOUSE SMART HOME IMPROVEMENTS.....

 

SNAP is the fast, flexible, easy way to pay for your heating, cooling and indoor air quality needs without having to wait. It’s the consumer-friendly financial program endorsed by your local dealer.
Why go to the bank when you can simply click on the pre-approved logo below and complete our secure credit application. With SNAP, credit decisions take just minutes!



With SNAP you will enjoy:

• Up to 100% financing for all your home comfort needs

• No down payment necessary
• Variety of financing offers including:

• No Interest No Payment programs
• Low Monthly Payment Programs
• Open Loan – Pay off the entire loan at anytime without penalties
• Personal and Confidential
• Easy deductions from your bank account
• Take up to 12 years to pay.  

Start Saving Money NOW!

There’s no need to putting off a more Energy Efficient, Cost Effective home comfort system.
We make it simple – start saving money now – CLICK below to get started! http://housesmarthomeimprovements.com/snap/




House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada

10 Principles on How to Save Energy!

Posted by: Sound Marketing for House Smart Home Improvements

 A Large Amount of the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the World Comes from Domestic Energy Use.


To reduce our impact on the environment, we must think about the lifestyle changes we can make, using a little technology where necessary. Small changes can make a big difference, so here are our top 10 ways to save energy, helping the environment, along with your pocketbook.


1) Switch off.

Always switch off lights when you leave a room. Turn off and unplug computers, games, consoles, mobile phone chargers, etc. when not in use. Do not leave them on standby!

Also, turn off taps when you are not using them. While you are brushing your teeth or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing.









2) Turn it Down

Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1 degree could cut your heating bills by 10 percent. If you are still feeling cold, then put on an extra jumper! Reduce temperatures in any unused rooms to a minimum. If you have a programmer, set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time.






3) Insulate / Draft Proof

Install wall and loft / attic insulation and draft proof your home. Install weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows and fix drafts from doors, windows, letterboxes, keyholes, etc. Close curtains to keep heat in at night. Put an insulating jacket around your hot water tank.







4) Watch Your Washing

Fill up your washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher: one full load uses less energy than two half loads. Use cooler settings to wash your clothes and dishes. Modern washing powders work just as well at lower temperatures and most clothes can be washed successfully at 30 degrees C. Whenever you can, turn off your tumble dryer and hang your clothes outside to dry.





5) Boil Only What You Need

Only boil as much water as you need in a kettle. Jug kettles tend to be more efficient. Cover pans when boiling water to speed up the process and reduce heat wastage.











6) Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Consider energy efficient models when you next have to change or buy a home appliance. Consider installing a tankless water heater, they heat water on demand so no stored water needs to be continuously heated. Avoid products that come with excess packaging especially molded plastic and other products that can't be recycled.







7) Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs

They last 10 times longer than regular bulbs. Using more energy efficient light bulbs reduces the amount of energy used by the light bulbs, saving you A LOT on your electric bill in the long run. The LED method of producing light loses far less energy to heat than do other lighting technologies.









8) Stop Drips and Use Less Water

Fix leaky taps and make sure they are fully turned off. Have a shower instead of a bath and try to stick to 5 minutes in the shower. Having a shower not only saves on water but it saves on the energy used to heat the water.










9) Use the Natural Resources

Let the sun be your guide. In winter or during cooler weather during the day open drapes and blinds to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to avoid any chill from the cold windows. In summer or during warm weather, close drapes or blinds to keep it cooler.





10) Think Quirky!

Utilize ceiling fans. Running fans in reverse very slowly in the winter will circulate warm air down around a room. Check the arrangement of your furniture over vents or a baseboard radiator, which decrease the efficiency of the units.

House Smart Home Improvements are experienced professionals with an  A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. When it’s time to replace your windows, doors or  furnaces and heat pumps, or to install  insulation, and other energy-efficient home upgrades,  Give us a call. 604-585-2020
Right now, save 100 per window for a limited time if you live in the lower mainland, BC Canada