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American Dream?
Homeownership is the
American Dream and home maintenance can be the American
Nightmare.
Certain areas of a
home need regular monitoring
and attention. Ignoring the basic elements of
a home can be costly.
Don't gamble your investment away through
neglect. Pay attention to your home and do repairs
as needed to save the most money possible.
Remember, if ignored a small problem today usually
leads to a big repair cost tomorrow.
For information on buying or selling east bay
homes, please contact me at 510-429-4800 or send me
a note on the Contact
Joanne form.
Take care,
Joanne
Your San Francisco Bay Area
Real Estate Broker
|
C.A.R.
LAUNCHES GREEN WEB SITE
C.A.R.
has launched "At home with green(tm)," a Green Web site
focusing on the Association's new Green Initiative and
providing information to homeowners, REALTORS(R), and
the general public on how to green their homes, offices,
and lives.
Features of "At home with green(tm)"
include: . "Understanding Green" an index of green
resources, green terminology, and key green
principles. Homeowners and Buyers" provides
current homeowners and home buyers with information
about buying a green home, finding a REALTOR(R) with
green credentials, understanding the incentives for
going green, and greening a home room by room.
Visit the Go Green web
site |
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Recycling codes: What they
mean
According
to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ( http://www.epa.gov ), in 2006,
the U.S. produced more than 251 million tons of garbage
-- approximately 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day.
Of that, recycling diverted 82 million tons of material
away from disposal. In short, Americans are putting
plastics into their recycling bins.
Many of us
recycle without knowing if something is actually
recyclable. Have you ever wondered what those numbers
mean on plastic bottles? Below we explain what the seven
different codes found on plastics mean and what they are
recycled into. Check to see which plastics are accepted
in your city; every city has different curbside
recycling programs.
1. Polyethylene
Terephtalate (PET, PETE): PET is a clear plastic
found in soft drinks, water, juice, sports drinks, and
condiments bottles; food jars for such products as
peanut butter and jelly; and in frozen food packaging.
PET is recycled into fiber for carpets,
clothing, and tote bags. It can also be re-used for food
and beverage bottles. PET is the most common-used
plastic due to its inexpensive and easy-to-recycle
features, and is widely accepted by most curbside
recycling programs.
2. High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is resistant to most
solvents and is used for food products with a shorter
shelf life such as bottled milk. Because it's more
chemical-resistant than PET, it's also used for
household cleaners including laundry detergent, shampoo,
and plastic grocery bags.
HDPE is recycled into
bottling for non-food items, such as motor oil and
antifreeze, plastic lumber, flowerpots, and recycling
bins. It's accepted by most curbside recycling
programs.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC,
Vinyl): You won't find this recycling symbol on
household items. PVC is chemical-resistant so it's used
to make packaging products, shrink-wrap, window frames,
fencing, and decking.
PVC is recycled into pipes,
fencing, decking, floor tiles, traffic cones, garden
hoses, and packaging products. It's not commonly
accepted by curbside recycling programs.
4.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): A tougher and more
flexible plastic, LDPE is used for dry cleaning bags,
newspapers, breads, frozen food, shrink-wrap, container
lids for hot and cold beverages, and toys. It's most
common use is for plastic shopping bags.
LDPE is
recycled into envelopes, garbage can liners, trashcans,
paneling, and floor tile. LPDE is not commonly accepted
by curbside recycling programs, but plastic bags are now
readily accepted at supermarkets.
5.
Polypropylene (PP): PP is also strong and
chemical-resistant, which is good for hot-fill liquids.
It's used for takeout food, yogurts, margarine, and
bottle caps.
PP is recycled into automobile
parts, such as turn signal lights; brooms; bicycle
racks; and trays. Some recycling curbside recycling
programs accept PP.
6. Polystyrene (PS):
PS is more versatile than the other plastics and is
used in many food items such as cutlery, plates, cups,
and containers. It's also used for those pesky packing
peanuts, as well as foam packaging for electronics and
furniture.
PS is recycled into mouldings,
thermometers, and license plate frames. Some recycling
curbside recycling programs accept PS.
7.
Other: An item with this marking means that it is
made with a different resin other than the six listed
above. These items can include oven-baking bags, some
juice and ketchup bottles, and packaging materials. It's
recycled into bottles and plastic lumber and is not
commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs.
For more info: http://www.americanchemistrycouncil.com
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Detox Your Indoor
Air
By: Elyse
Umlauf-Garneau
Some solutions:
When
you’re building a new house or renovating, pay attention
to air quality. Choose formaldehyde-free products and
use low VOC paints, caulks and adhesives. Work with
architects and contractors who understand and can
address IAQ issues and who know how to balance energy
efficiency with proper ventilation.
Often
correcting IAQ problems is simple. Golden points out
that bag-less vacuum cleaners may suck microscopic
contaminants and blow them right back into the air. Just
switching to a vacuum with a HEPA filter could eliminate
many irritants. And though cutting off the heat in an
unused room may save energy, you could inadvertently be
creating a mold problem. Needless to say, smoking
cigarettes indoors is taboo.
Swap
chemically-based household cleaners for non-toxic ones
made from natural materials. They’re readily available
at stores and online. Find them at http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm.
Better yet, save money and make your own with
easy-to-find products like vinegar and baking soda. Find
some recipes at http://greenlivingideas.com/housecleaning/natural-cleaning-recipes.html#Surface.
Additional resources:
-Learn
about improving IAQ during wildfires at www.allergyconsumerreview.com/improve-indoor-air-quality.html.
-The sites, www.healthyhouseinstitute.com
and www.healthhouse.org/ provide
guidance on all aspects of creating a healthy home.
-Find healthy household furnishings and building
supplies at www.greenfusiondesigncenter.com/index.htm.
-The California Air Resources Board www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/indoor.htm
features IAQ guidelines and fact sheets.
Reproduced with permission from the California
Association of REALTORS® and copyright 2008 California
Association of REALTORS®
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Home Maintence
Checklist
Annual Maintenace Tips
Appliance
Maintenance Tips
|
Weekly
Check
sprinklers for broken heads, etc. repair as
needed
Complete yard maintenance including
weeding, pruning,
mowing. |
Monthly
Check
trash bins, recycle bins, and yard clipping bins
for odors and slime. Wash thoroughly. Pour
in 1 to 2 cups bleach into each bin.
Check
faucets and hose bibs for leakage. Replace
washers as needed. |
Quarterly
Check
shrubry. If necessary prune trees and
shrubs away from gutters and neighbors'
houses. |
Semi-annually
Change
batteries in smoke dectectors
Check
screens for tears and deterioation, repair or
replace. |
|
Annually
Check the roof
and gutters for needed repairs.
Change filters
in furnace
Have central air conditioner
serviced
Check caulk around windows
and doors, replace if needed.
Check for the beginning of
peeling paint and repair accordingly
Check for cracks in
concrete driveways and walkways and fill with
appropriate material
Drain and refill water
heater to remove sludge that accumulates at
bottom of tank. This will greatly lengthen
the life of the water heater.
Fall Lawn and Garden
Tips |
|
Every 2 to 5
years
Have a
complete pest control inspection and do
necessary repairs
Check
fencing for stability. Replace any boards and
re-sturdy fence and paint or
stain. |
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Air Conditioning
Maintenance
With good maintenance and proper care,
your air conditioning unit should run efficiently
for up to 15 years! Try these easy tips for getting the
most out of your AC this summer.
- Don't short cycle the cooling
system.
Make sure that
when you turn the unit off you then wait 10 minutes
before turning it on again. This will allow the
pressure in the conditioning system to equalize again
which will prolong the life of your AC.
Clean the
area around your AC. Dirt and debris on your
outdoor condenser coils can block the air flow through
the unit, causing your cooling system to work harder
and increasing your bill. Allow for adequate air flow
to your unit by cleaning the area around the condenser
coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage.
NEVER use water
to clean your air conditioning system. A
thoroughly cleaned AC unit will operate at top
efficiency. However, do not attempt to clean your own
unit with water because of the very serious risk of
electrical shock and possible shorting of electrical
components. If your cooling system is in need of deep
cleaning seek professional help.
Clean your air
filter regularly. During cooling season you should
clean your filter once a month and replace it when it
develops holes or appears worn.
Don't cool the
air outside, too. To ensure that your cooling
system is working most efficiently, check for holes or
separated joints in your AC ducts. Also, add
insulation around ducts in attics, crawl spaces and
garages. Check the settings on the system and close
the “fresh air” vent.
Trouble spots to look
for:
- Leaky ductwork. Leakage
from areas such as ductwork joints, elbows, and
connections can be substantial, up to 20% - 30%! This
is especially costly if the ducts travel through
unheated or uncooled spaces such as attics, basements,
or crawl spaces. Use duct tape or caulk to seal
ductwork.
- Thermostat placement. Do
not place lamps or TV sets near your AC
thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these
appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run
longer than necessary.
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Liberty Floor
Covering.
2437 Tripaldi Way,
Hayward, CA 94545 - Phone: 510-786-0119
Browse their web
site
|
|
Energy Saving
Tips
While you can't exactly
print dollar bills from your AC unit, you can do the
equivalent by saving money on how efficiently
your conditioning system operates. With the proper
maintenance (follow the tips above) and these energy
saving tactics you'll find yourself with money to spare
this summer!
Buy a programmable
thermostat. You can program this thermostat to
automatically lower or raise your conditioning system
in order to avoid cooling your house when you are not
around. A normal temperature for your cooling system
is 72 degrees F for the summer. If you have central
air conditioning keep the thermostat at 78 degrees F.
If you leave your home for an extended period of time,
do not go below 55 degrees F or your pipes might
freeze.
Ceiling fans are your best
friend. A ceiling fan can make a room feel 6 - 7
degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan
costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on
for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you
to raise your thermostat setting and save on
air-conditioning costs.
Your
windows matter. Buy white window shades, blinds or
drapes to reflect heat away from the house. Depending
on the severity of the heat where you live, you also
can use sun-control or other reflective films on
south-facing windows and mount awnings over
them.
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Extension Cord
Safety
Always Use the
Right Extension Cord for the Job
 Power
requirements vary for different tool applications. Using
the wrong extension cord can damage a tool or create a
fire hazard.
Cords differ in the number and
thickness of the wires, the type of plug, and the length
of the cord.
- Wire thickness determines the
amount of power that will be delivered to the tool.
Common sizes, or gauges, are 18, 16, 14, and 10.
Oddly, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the
wire is. So, of these, the 10 gauge is thickest and
will deliver the most power.
- You can always use a thicker cord
than the one called for in tool instructions, but not
a lighter one. When in doubt, chose the heaviest
three-prong cord available.
- Length of the cord can cause
problems. Don't use a cord that is far longer than
what you need, especially if you leave the excess cord
coiled. Leaving coils in the cord allows heat to build
up in the wires which can get hot enough to melt the
insulation. Always uncoil a cord fully before using
it.
- Never hook a three-prong cord to
a two-prong cord. It can be done with some two-prong
cords, but it's very dangerous.
- When working outdoors, choose a
cord with an outdoor rating. They usually bear the
designation "W-A." And don't let the cord lie in the
sun for extended periods. The sun's ultraviolet rays
can cause insulation to deteriorate.
- Occasionally, a good cord can get
cut or damaged in the middle. Never try to salvage it
by taping the wires together. Instead, make two
smaller cords out of it by adding a socket to one and
a plug to the other.
- Always unplug extension cords
when they are not in use.
Three
Important Reasons to Check Your Cords
Today
by SixWise.com
Most people don’t give much thought
to the extension cords running under their couches,
connecting lamps to faraway sockets or allowing five
plugs to fit into one electrical outlet—until something
goes wrong. Please don’t make that mistake!
Every year, an estimated 4,000
injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms,
according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), and 13 percent of those injuries involve young
children aged 5 years or less.
Three
Major Extension Cord Risks
1. Tripping
How many
extension cords are running across your floors, in
heavily trafficked, common areas, right now? This
accident waiting to happen is the reason why, according
to the CPSC, about half of extension-cord-related
injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or
sprains from people tripping over extension cords. The
elderly are most at risk, as a fall can easily break
bones or result in the need for surgery.
The solution: Place extension cords
with extreme care, in areas that are not normally walked
over. Run cords along baseboards or walls or thread them
behind tables or other furniture where they are out of
the way. (DO NOT put them under rugs or heavy furniture,
or behind radiators or heaters, as this is a fire
hazard)
2. Fires
The CPSC
estimates that extension cords cause
about 3,300 residential fires each year, killing
50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most
frequent causes of extension cord fires?
- Short circuits
- Using old, damaged cords
- Overloading cords, which leads to
overheating
- Misuse
The solution: Delaware’s Assistant
State Fire Marshal Richard Ward said homeowners can
reduce their risk of extension cord fires by investing
in heavier gauge extension cords and avoiding “bargain
cords.”
"You get what you pay for," Ward
said. "If you pay more money, you're going to get a
better extension cord.” Other tips include:
- Replace cords that are cracked or
frayed.
- Don’t overload cords or sockets.
- Don’t run cords under rugs or
near heaters or radiators.
- Only use exterior extension cords
for outside use. Firefighters in Phoenix, AZ said they
see several fires each year caused solely by people
using interior extension cords outside.
- Pay attention to cord quality and
purpose—don’t use a light-duty extension cord for a
job that really needs a heavy-duty variety, such as
air conditioners or freezers.
- Feel the temperature of the cords
when they are in use. If they are hot to the touch,
unplug them immediately. Replace the extension cord
with one that has No. 16 or heavier gauge wire (the
lower the number, the heavier the wire and the more
electrical current the cord can safely carry).
3. Electrical
Burns
Electrical burns to the
mouth accounted for half the extension-cord-related
injuries to young children, according to the
CPSC. They reported one incident in which a 15-month-old
girl put an extension cord in her mouth and suffered an
electrical burn that required surgery.
The solution: Keep all
extension cords out of the reach of children. Plugs,
outlets and cords can be irresistible to young children
who don’t realize their dangers.
Play it safe and avoid
using them if you have small children, or ensure that
your child cannot get access to the cord. Some of the
worst places to put them are dangling over counters or
tabletops where they can be pulled down. If you do use
one, be sure it has a safety closure to cover any unused
outlets.
Other Tips For Safe
Extension Cord Use
Extension cords are handy
tools and necessities in many homes, so follow these
other tips to help you use extension cords in the safest
manner:
- Make sure new cords are listed by
a recognized national testing laboratory
- Only use extension cords when
they’re absolutely necessary
- Use polarized extension cords
with polarized appliances
- Don’t leave prongs exposed, even
partly, when the cord is in use
- Pull the plug, not the cord, when
disconnecting it from the socket
- Special “angle extension cords”
can be used where furniture or beds may push against
the plug
- Don’t use staples or nails to
attach extension cords to any surface
- Don’t exceed the total wattage
listed on the cord by plugging in too many
appliances
- Try not to use them for long-term
purposes
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For information on buying or selling east
bay homes, please contact me at 510-429-4800 or
send me a note on the Contact
Joanne form. Sign up for email
alerts
Thank you,
Joanne
P.S. Be sure to add us to your
favorite places.
~
Joanne L. Gardiner, Broker, e-PRO
Realtor
Advantage Realty
Advantage Mortgage
Associates
3205 Whipple Road - Union City, California
94587
(510) 429-4800
San Francisco Bay
Area ~ San Francisco East Bay Real
Estate
web site: http://www.joannegardiner.com
Contact
Joanne
 Our primary realty
service areas in the San
Francisco Bay Area: Hayward, Castro
Valley, Fremont, Newark, Niles, San
Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Sunol,
Oakland, Foster City, Burlingame, and San
Mateo.
The
types of real estate in which we specialize
are: single family homes, detached homes, attached
homes, duets, condominiums, townhomes, garden
homes, PUDs, manufactured homes, mobile
homes, income property, investment property,
tri-plexes, four-plexes, apartment
property, and special use properties such as
churches for
sale. | |
|
Moulding Masters
Serving the San Francisco
East Bay
Click here
|
|
Economically Priced
Quality
Constructed Cabinets
At a fraction of
the price of home improvement centers,
etc.
KWW
Kitchen Cabinets & Bath
2955 Merced
Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 351-8830
Map
236 Balboa St
San
Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 668-6333
Map
1090 N 7th
St
San Jose, CA 95112
(408)
289-8838
Map |
|
Don't throw it
out,
get it fixed
at...
Also, New &
Refurbished
Small Appliances
840 Folsom
Street.
San Francisco CA USA
94107
1-800-424-6783
In San
Francisco (415)777-5144
Map
|
|
Deep Discounted
High-End
Appliances
33 Hegenberger
Court
Oakland, CA 94621
510-635-5100
Map
|
|
Leaks Equal
Money Down The
Drain!
These simple
tips can significantly decrease water waste and help you
save over $600 per year on your water
bills!
Check and
repair leaky faucets and toilets: A dripping faucet can
waste 20 gallons of water a month and cost you over $100
each year. Silent toilet leaks can account for hundreds
of gallons a week of lost water and can cost you over
$500 each year.
Dripping
faucets are relatively easy to notice, but silent toilet
leaks can continue to drain water virtually undetected.
To check for a silent toilet leak, remove the toilet
tank lid, place ten drops of food coloring in the tank,
do not flush, and check the bowl water color in 15
minutes. If the water is colored, you’ve got a
leak.
Free online videos
to repair
your faucet and
toilet:
How
to repair your faucet
How
to repair your toilet
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Schedule of Normal Life
By: Freddie
Mac
Appliances
Life Estimate in
Years
Dishwashers 5 to 12
Disposals 5 to 12
Washers and dryers 8 to
12
Water heaters 8 to 12
Refrigerators 15
to 20
Stoves 15 to 20
Heating and Air Conditioning Life
Estimate in Years
Warm air
furnace 8 to 12
Heat pumps 8 to 12
Air
conditioning compressors 8 to 15
Gas chillers
8 to 15
Hot water boilers 30 to 50
Roofs
Life Estimate in Years
Selvage or
asphalt roll 12 to 20
Wood shake and shingle
15 to 20
Asphalt 15 to 20
Fiberglass
15 to 20
Asbestos shingle 30-50
Slate 40-75
Plumbing
Life Estimate in Years
Gas hot water
heater 8 to 12
Electric hot water heater
10-15
Private disposal systems (septic)
15 to 25
Galvanized water pipes 30 to 50
Gutters and Downspouts
Life Estimate in Years
Galvanized 15
to 20
Copper Life of home if well-maintained
(c) 1995
Freddie Mac. All rights reserved. Reproduced with
permission from Freddie
Mac.
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Remodeling that pays off
 One of the smartest
things you can do with your home's equity is to put it
right back into your home. It's a clear win-win: You
enjoy the benefit of an improved living environment and
tangibly enhance your home's value at the same
time.
But not every
project will increase the resale value of your home.
It's best to stick with the ones that will give you the
biggest return.
Here's how
Remodeling Magazine rates top jobs in terms of one-year
return on investment (ROI):
|
Project |
ROI |
Remodeling
Costs:
Average
Price Tag |
Minor
kitchen remodel
|
88% |
$8,655 |
Second-story addition
|
83% |
$73,553 |
Bathroom
remodel
|
81% |
$9,135 |
Bathroom
addition
|
81% |
$13,918 |
Family
room addition
|
75% |
$30,960 |
Major
kitchen remodel
|
71% |
$31,090 |
| Deck |
55% |
$8,022 |
Home Improvement Tips:
Don't over improve. It's
difficult to recover the investment in a home that is
already more valuable than most others in the
neighborhood.
Keep whimsy in check.
Eclectic tastes likely won't appeal to mainstream
homebuyer.
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Remodeling Done Right
Going from a one-story
to a two-story
and having the result look
good.
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How Much Do I need?
These calculators will
help you buy enough, but not too much.
Various HGTV Calculators
Drywall Calculator
Fences
Grass Seed
Paint Estimator
Tile
Estimator
Tile
Pattern Designer
Wallpaper Estimator
Window Planner
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Tree Stumps
When they
don't complement the landscape, get rid of
them.
Here's
how...
HGTV's Paul James
Tip
If
you don't want to go through the trouble of having a
stump ground up, drill holes in its surface. The holes
will allow more rainwater to enter, thus hastening
decomposition.
Stumps and
Roots
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Helpful Links
Save
Money on Energy Useage - This website, which is
sponsored by the EPA and the DOE, shows how to save
money on energy bills with their energy efficiency
suggestions.
This
Old House - Learn how to repair most anything inside
and outside of your home.
HGTVPro for building and remodeling help
including online "how
to" videos
Online tools: draw house plans, sheeting
calculator, estimate concrete, rafter length calculator,
cost sheet and more.
Bob
Vila: Online and on the job site, home
improvement pro Bob Vila helps homeowners build their
dreams. Bob Vila's TV
Schedule
The Lazy Homeowner offers tip and
tricks to save you time in doing the chores that have to
get done whether you like to do them or
not.
The Old House
Web - Ideas, products and advice for restoring
old houses.
Home and Garden
TV
Do-It-Yourself Network
Fine
Living
How
Stuff Works
Vintage
Woodworks |
|
Before you sign...
Check out the contractor before you sign a
contract or pay him/her any
money.
Contractors State
License Board
Protect Yourself. Play
Detective.
After verifying
that the person has a contractors license, check him/her
out on the internet. Google his/her name
or company name. Search
Google
There are 128 BBB offices in the
U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Each office maintains
files on businesses headquartered in its service area,
which may extend as far as a 200 mile radius. BBBs
have the most current information on businesses from
their complaint files, plus additional information
gathered from various area sources such as local, state
and federal government agencies. BBBs also carry reports
on national businesses. The good news is - you no
longer have to call us for information. Every BBB
in the U.S. and Canada posts its reliability reports on
the web, and you can locate a report via our central lookup
screen. In addition, BBB representatives
are available to assist you on the phones during normal
business hours.
Find the
BBB office nearest you.
Visit the BBB web
site
| |
