1/07/2014

Winter Home Maintenance






 

 

 

 

 

Fall home preparation.
Flush hot water heater, clean out vents. This prolongs the life of the heater and helps with efficiency as well. In Orange County we have terrible corrosive water. Checking the water heater is vital. There are also service companies that will clean your air ducts. After any construction, remodel or in dusty areas you might consider getting all that junk out every other year. 

Winterize air conditioning systems. Remove and store window units. If you have central air, cover the outside unit with a tarp or plastic sheeting and secure with bungee cords. Clean out leaves or debris.
Get heating system ready. Add insulation to windows or doors that leak air. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture. Get furnace serviced/inspected at least every other year, preferably annually. As with the AC, this shouldn’t be a huge expense. Don’t forget about fireplaces if you have them. Hire a professional to sweep the chimney, and inspect the brick, flue and caps.
Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets. Also flush hoses and store them. Winterize sprinkler systems as well. (this not necessary in warmer climates such as Orange County where I live J
Check driveway for cracks. Make sure to have re-sealed before winter; water can freeze and expand in the cracks, causing more damage. Have a pro grind down any entry walk that lifts as to trip someone.
Buy gear that is off season.   Purchase summer goods in the Fall when they are on sale. In September shade umbrellas, cushions, garden tools and pool equipment is discounted to make room for Christmas decorations.
Check foundation of your home.  Take a very long flat head screw driver and go around the perimeter looking for dry rot or mud tubes in the soil up to wood. Termite granules purchased a a hardware store won’t kill all the infestation, but will slow the buggers down. I am a huge proponent of organic and not using chemicals, as I love to have vegetables and herbs to eat but orange oil doesn’t work. Check where rain gutters or water settles. Removing water sources will make the next colony go elsewhere. They are mostly in kitchens and bathrooms.
Paint Once a family owns a home painting is the most overlooked tool. Paint seals the home and needs to be freshened up indoors and out. Check laundry room, where your dogs sleep and bathrooms all these are a Saturday project to freshen up this winter.
Bleach and water solution of one cup bleach and two cups water – wash under all sinks, around base of toilets and caulking. If you have black or red discolored grout take a toothbrush (open all the windows) and apply bleach not diluted. Leave it on for an hour and rinse a couple times with water. A half a cup of bleach can scrub a whole bathroom. Don’t pour a quart and leave it open the fumes are not good.

Oil and lubricate doors, locks, and anything metal.

Check and change light bulbs and batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Get the whole family on a chore day together!

 

 

 
 

1/02/2014

Hand made presents





 
This Christmas I made stockings from recycled fabrics, buttons and beads.
 
These are photographs of works in progress.
 
Why do crafts on Pinterest look so easy?
 
Why do craft projects seem to take over my whole house?
 
If I dare post the finished products you might be surprised how pretty they turned out
But the road to success was littered with scraps of fails
Fun post for the after the holiday blues.

Bird houses

Birdhouses
Birdhouses above  by Artist Ibriham Abumsihar
Photograph of birdhouse by Wayne Riner

A variety of birdhouses that I think are beautiful.
Happy New Year from Orange County California ( I'm back from Wyoming )

This bird house is pretty humorous
 Bird condo in Turkey



Photograph by Harrold Jerrell


 
Loans for your big or little home.
Communities in Orange County California where I can meet with you in the comfort of your home same day. Also available throughout California
 
Orange County Cities and Areas where we can close mortgage loans in less than 20 days:
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Atwood. Brea, Buena Park, Capistrano Beach, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, East Irvine, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, LA Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake  Forest, Los Alamitos, Midway Coty, Mission Viejo, Modjeska Canyon,  Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Mission Viejo,  Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach,  Silverado, Silverado Canyon, Stanton Sunset Beach, Surfside, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda
NMLS# 324982  Caroline Gerardo / C. G. Barbeau
 
 

12/20/2013

New Year's Resolutions

It may be time before New Year's to make financial resolutions. 
Call me to discuss a lower payment. 
Together we can come up with a plan to save more money.
perhaps your insurance needs a tune up or there is deffered maintenance on the house that needs some attention?