Easy Summertime Chores
May 25, 2016
When summer rays are shining, it is tempting to grab your book and relax in the hammock. But before you do, take some time during a cooler summer morning to walk around your home and inspect it with a keen eye – to ensure that there isn’t anything that needs your attention.
Keep Your Gutters Free from Debris
Inspect your gutters and remove any debris. Here in Lancaster County, flash thunderstorms are common, and your house can suffer from water damage as a result of debris and water accumulating in your gutters
Clean Your Garage
Summer is a great time to organize your garage and get rid of the clutter. Also keep in mind that in the summer, temperatures can rise to new highs every day. Heat-sensitive materials such as paints and solvents should be stored in a cool, dry place or, if no longer needed, disposed of properly.
Examine for Pests and Insects
Inspect your deck and other wooden areas for termites. For humid climates, like ours, watch for puddles around your yard and other standing water – which is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes (and the West Nile virus). Check your lawn for holes created by moles, chipmunks or other furry creatures. Finally, examine the eaves around your home for hornets’ nests. Depending on the type of insect or pest, you may want to consult a professional for extermination.
By pinpointing problems early, you can usually avoid larger repair headaches (and bills) down the road – and have more time to relax in the summer sun.
May Home Checklist
May 18, 2016
- Decks: seal, clean, repair, check bolts, and check any lighting that is attached. Consider replacing or fixing any issues from the wood to the lights.
- Plant annuals & perennials to add a bit of color around your home.
- HVAC – clear any tall foliage or dirt buildup around the base and consider having a professional do a check-up on the freon and more.
- Trim trees, bushes and shrubs. Spring brings more growth to your trees, bushes and shrubs so take a moment to trim them back. By doing so wards off pests.
- Outdoor Lights – Lights provide a level of safety and security for your home, so if the lights are no longer working, repair or replace them. Check the light bulbs by your front and back door, and don’t forget those ‘runway lights’ along walkways. Make sure none are broken or the bulbs aren’t burnt out.
- Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. This can never be done enough. Either replacing batteries or purchase new units.
- Clean our the garbage disposal. Here is an easy combination that most of us already have in our home: ice, baking soda and citrus rinds. Pour into garbage disposal and turn on. The ice keeps the blade sharp and the baking soda and rinds freshens it up.
- Clean the range hood of grease and grime.
- Check the pressure gauge on your fire extinguisher. If the needle is in the green, it’s still functional. If not, then it is time to replace. If you do not have a gauge, consider having a professional check it. If your extinguisher is a non-rechargeable, retire your unit every 12 years. For rechargeable, it is recommended you replace it every 6 years.
Emergency Preparedness for Extreme Weather
May 11, 2016
No matter what the season, Lancaster County sees its fair share of extreme weather. With shifting temperatures in the spring and early summer, this time of the year seems to be one of the most volatile for extreme weather. Thunderstorms, hail and driving winds all can appear rather quickly, which is why it is important to be prepared just in case the power goes out.
J.K. Mechanical put together this handy info-graphic on extreme weather emergency essentials (see below). With these tips you can prepare your family and your home for any situation in any kind weather.
Tip #1: Standby Generator
A standby generator will help keep the most essential items running when the power goes out (refrigerator, freezer, cell phone charger, medical equipment, etc.). If you live in a neighborhood where your experience frequent and long power outages, a generator should be a top purchase consideration.
Tip #2: Adequate Food and Water
If there was a local disaster (ice storm, flood or tornado), would you have adequate food and water for your family? Make sure you store one gallon of water per person per day (3 days is recommended) and store enough non-perishable food (and a way to cook it – think camping) for your family, too.
Tip #3: Prepare Your Home
There are some things you can do around your house to prepare it against extreme weather. Check the roof, caulk windows and doors, insulate, keep gutters clean and bring your pets inside.
Remember, by taking the time to plan ahead, you can ensure the safety of your family.
Source: JKMechanical.com
Home Tip: Ideas for Keeping Your Bathroom Clean and Fresh
May 10, 2016
A bathroom can be one of the most relaxing places in the home, yet it is also a room that is one of the hardest to keep clean and sanitized. Here are a few ideas for keeping your bathroom clean and fresh:
- To remove soap scum, lime scale and dirt from your shower and other bathroom surfaces, use a mixture of dishwashing liquid, ammonia and vinegar. Having said that, if you have marble in your bathroom, be sure NOT to use vinegar, as it will break down the marble.
- White vinegar can also be used to remove soap scum from glass showers. Just put it in a dollar-store spray bottle to use. Vinegar can also be poured into toilets to keep them sparkling.
- Use a razor blade to scrape lime scale around faucets. Just be super careful as you scrape that you don’t cut yourself.
- Keep a bottle of soap scum remover in your shower caddie, and every few days, spray it after your shower. It keeps the scum from building up and significantly decreases the time and elbow grease needed to clean your shower.
- Don’t use fabric softener when washing towels, as this will create a coating on them – making them less absorbent. Instead, use white vinegar to keep them fluffy and soft.
Creating Your Perfect Retreat: 7 Bathroom Design Trends to Watch in 2016
In our fast-paced, hurried lives, the bathroom has become our sanctuary – our place to unwind and find our center of balance once more.
Why are bathrooms such an ideal escape spot? There are a number of reasons, but for many of us, it is the element of water coupled with a degree of privacy. We can soak away the day’s stress in a warm bath, or allow the water from the shower to beat away our tired, aching muscles – and within that time period when we are alone, our minds begin to quiet and our bodies come to a state of rest.
When it comes to remodeling projects in 2016, the bathroom – particularly the master bathroom – has overtaken the kitchen as the number one project planned by homeowners, according to the 2016 Houzz and Home Survey.
Thoughtful bathroom design isn’t just important in renovations, as new home builders and designers are putting much more care and attention into the master bath to provide their buyers with the retreat they want in that space.
With this in mind, we put together our list of seven bathroom trends to watch in 2016 – to inspire you to pull together your perfect bathroom retreat.
Large Showers & Exterior Tubs
Larger master bathroom showers are still quite desirable, and two types continue to be popular – frameless showers and walk-in showers. Inside, homeowners want amenities like double shower heads, oversized rain heads, a bench and built-in cubbies to hold products.
Exterior tubs also continue to be a sought-after design element, as more interesting and decorative options come to market, such as matte-painted clay tubs with a polished porcelain finish.
Embrace Mother Earth
The integration of natural, earthy materials in the bathroom continues to be a design trend – as many ideas are gleaned from the day-spa environment. River rocks and natural stone have been go-to selection options for a few years, but wood-like floors have emerged as a viable flooring choice now that several products on the market imitate wood, such as wood-look tile flooring. This trend can create the desired look without the headache of natural wood upkeep.
Other ways that Mother Earth is being integrated into our bathrooms include designing with more natural lighting considerations (skylights and transom lighting), accenting with leafy natural plants and installing beautiful wooden cabinetry.
The New White
We aren’t convinced that it actually ever left, but white is definitely back in a new, softer way, thanks in part to the material used to create some of the key elements found in a bathroom. Many freestanding tubs and pedestal sinks are made with resin-based composite material which gives them a softer, matte white finish.
Additionally, white tiles have evolved with new shapes, sizes (think long profile) and textures – all of which can create a fresh, clean and sophisticated space.
Large Format Tiles
These oversized tiles are just as popular as the itty-bitty mosaic tiles from a few years go, but these come with the added benefit of creating a seamless look, which often makes a room look bigger than its actual dimensions. And because there are less grout lines between tiles, it makes them much easier to keep clean.
Artisan Tiles
The beauty lies in the imperfection of these beautiful hand-crafted tiles. Adding a few thoughtfully selected artisan tiles to a bathroom can create visual appeal – acting almost like artwork – and provide rich texture to the space.
Functionality
Bathroom space planning has taken on a bigger priority as homeowners yearn for a place that is truly a retreat from life’s hustle and clutter. Adequate storage and furniture-like cabinetry continue to be important aspects of bathroom design.
Metallics
For the last few years, we’ve seen metal as a rising interior trend, and in 2016 we expect it only to grow – and that includes in our bathrooms. Bright and polished fixtures are being replaced with matte/satin finishes. Brushed stainless steel and brass (yes, brass!) are back in a big way for 2016. For a small splash of metal, look at fixtures, drawer pulls, mirrors, accent pieces and decorative drains, but if it is a larger metallic splash you seek, elect a copper tub or vessel sink.
New Home Available Near Ephrata
May 4, 2016
71 Clay School Road, Ephrata
This new two-story home will be ready for occupancy late summer 2016. There’s still time to choose your interior colors! It features an open floor plan with 2,040 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths. Public water, sewer and natural gas. Located in the Ephrata Area School District.
We have two additional lots along Clay School Road as well. For more information on the house listed above or to discuss building your dream home on one of these other lots, please call us at (717) 687-6302.
Protect Your Home from Rainstorm Damage
April 27, 2016
Summer is here, and the change of the season brings many severe thunderstorms to the Susquehanna Valley. They move in fast and furious and can often produce several inches of rain in a matter of minutes.
These rainstorms are also brutal on our homes, but there are steps you can take to minimize the potential damage:
- Make sure the dirt around your home is graded away from your foundation. If you find places where water can pool, fill them. Water nestled against the foundation can cause major issues to your home.
- Keep downspouts and gutters clear of debris. Also make sure that your downspouts are long enough that they don’t dispense water too close to your home’s foundation.
- Check sump pumps regularly to make sure that they work properly. To do so, fill the sump well with water until it triggers the pump. Additionally, just like downspouts, make sure your sump pump pipe releases water far enough away from the home and that it is free of debris. Also, be sure your sump pump is not discharging into the septic or sewer pipes. This could result in a failed septic system or higher sewer costs.
- After a rain, wind or hailstorm, check your roof for damage. If you suspect any damage, call a professional roofing company to inspect it.
- If you frequently lose power, you may want to invest in a generator. These come in a wide range of types and costs. You can get a small one for just your sump pump, or you can invest in a larger generator that can keep a few items running, such as your refrigerator and cell phone chargers, until power is restored.
Project Spotlight: A Charming Craftsman Cottage Home
April 20, 2016
Chad and Lindsay liked their current home and location but it was no longer meeting the needs of their growing family. With another child on the way and an available plot of land near some of their family, they decided it was time to contact a builder.
Through some family connections, Chad and Lindsay reached out to us at Metzler Home Builders to partner with them on their custom home project. When they initially met with us, they already had a completed design in-hand, which was absolutely fine and started us a little further ahead in the design/build process.
As we were working through pricing-out the home, we were introduced to several contractors that Chad and Lindsay (and their family) had previous connections to. While we do have our own preferred vendors and sub-contractors at Metzler Home Builders, we are also open to working with others who are qualified and in the construction trades. In this case, it allowed our customers to get the home of their dreams while still using some contractors that they had existing relationships with.
As construction got underway, it was evident this would be a one-of-a-kind custom home. The beautiful craftsman exterior, custom kitchen, large mud/laundry room and master suite were some of the highlights of this home. Chad and Lindsay also incorporated a few great outdoor living spaces into the project with a beautiful screened porch and a concrete basketball court area in the back yard.
Enjoy the pictures and be inspired for your own custom home or addition / renovation project.
Choosing the Right Home Builder
April 6, 2016
- Create a list of potential home builders by reaching out the your local Home Builders Association.
- Looking thru the ad section of your local newspaper you can find and learn more about which builders are currently building in your area along with the types of homes being built and prices.
- Reach out to local real estate agents who can assist you in your search.
- Friends and relatives are great for asking for recommendations.
- Conduct an interview with a list of questions you have
- Visit some of the builder’s recently built homes. When visiting homes that are recently occupied by the new homeowner and they are outside approach them letting them know you are considering buying a home from the builder and ask for their experience with the builder. Consider visiting several to get a few opinions. Ask questions like: Are they pleased with their new home? Have you had any problems with the builder coming back to fixing any issues and were they promptly taken care of? Would you buy another home from this builder?
- Look at the quality of the construction; carpentry, carpeting, flooring, trimwork and paint.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, get specific, and take notes. Never hesitate to ask questions.
Universal Design in the Kitchen
March 30, 2016
