Happy Halloween

Gardens Home Management Services Wishes Everyone a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Palm Beach County Facebook Page

Gardens Home Management is now following the Palm Beach County Facebook Page.  We believe it is a great page to receive exposure and hopefully generate some business leads!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/PalmBeachCounty

Executive Club Members

Gardens Home Management Services is Proud members of the Executive Club. 

Executive Club, Boca Raton, Florida

The Executive Club has been designed as an influential networking group. The concept behind the Club is to network with successful professionals from Woodfield Country Club along with many other high level executives from the greater Boca Raton area. Each Executive Club candidate will be considered and is subject to approval by the membership committee and applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. Executive Club members receive maximum exposure and a chance to develop new business contacts within Woodfield and the surrounding area. Within the Club, we take great pride in the fact that all members work towards helping one another. One of the most important attributes of the club is its referral system. As business professionals, we realize that word of mouth is one of the strongest and greatest methods of reaching large groups of people. As we like to say, a referral is the greatest compliment we can receive.

Check out Chips Profile: http://www.bocaratonexecutiveclub.com/csollins.html

Matching paint means never having to say... OOPS!

Matching a color is as easy as putting a hole in the wall...

The assumption here is that you need to repair the wall, or maybe the paint has been stained somehow. Though you could borrow or buy a set of paint chips from your local paint store, I have found a quality paint store will do a better matching job than most people will... if you provide them with a small paint sample.
If your walls are drywall, simply cut out a section of the paper only with a utility knife. Cut an oval-shaped, 1"x 2" slot in the wall, piercing only through the surface of the paper... an eighth of an inch deep is plenty. Use the knife to lift a corner of the paper, and then peel it from the wall. Take this sample to the paint store for matching. The cleaner the cut, the easier the patching.
You can also cut out a small section of plaster, though it is somewhat messier.

Don't do touchups in high traffic areas or over repairs... paint the wall instead!

If the walls were painted more than a few years ago, the walls will not touch up well at all (the exception being with stock off whites from the same manufacturer... in other words an exact color match). The effective gloss or sheen of paints from different manufacturers (yes... even flat paints vary in "flatness") will make a touchup show even in the color match is perfect!
This is especially true in high traffic, fingerprints-on-the-walls type areas! Get a quart of closely matching paint, and just paint that wall, corner to corner, being careful not to get any of the new paint on an adjacent wall. You will be amazed how even slightly different colors will blend well at a corner.

Portable Generators Hazard Tips

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Incidents associated with portable generators reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) most commonly involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.

Carbon Monoxide Hazard

NEVER use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces. Generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. When you use a portable generator, remember that you cannot smell or see CO. Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.
If you experience serious symptoms, get medical attention immediately. Inform medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected. If you experienced symptoms while indoors, have someone call the fire department to determine when it is safe to reenter the building.
Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning:

• NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).
• Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.

Mounting a Flat Panel TV Monitor on a Concrete Wall

It seems like everyone has a modern flat screen TV these days. Whether mounted on a wall, displayed on a TV stand or installed above a fireplace, these televisions can add real ambiance and décor to any room in your home. These televisions can be displayed in a variety of places to save room and create a fresh feel.
Mounting a flat screen television over a fireplace has become quite popular. However, certain precautions must be considered to ensure that the TV doesn't get damaged by the heat. Before installation, experiment with thermometers to make sure that the temperatures generated by the fireplace during normal use are within the heat guidelines in the user manual. Anchoring a flat TV above a fireplace is usually harmless with the appropriate distance and proper ventilation.



To read more about how to install a flat screen panel on a concrete wall - check out the natural handymans do-it-yourself article : http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infflatpanel/infflatpanel-concrete.html

Do It Yourself Home Soundproofing With continued urban sprawl, homes are being built closer together and space is becoming more of a commodity. Neighborhoods are now being built close to noise polluting airports, under popular flight paths, near railroad tracks and other places that are not as peaceful and quiet as we wish them to be. Dampening or eliminating the noise is now easier with do-it-yourself (DIY) kits offered by soundproof foam manufacturers. A variety of products are now on the market, including convoluted and non-convoluted foam, faced acoustical foam, polyimide foam, 100% fireproof melamine foam and closed cell acoustical foam. In addition to considering soundproofing foam for your home, you should take the following important considerations to mind: Windows are the path of least resistance for noise entering or leaving your home. In terms of windows, the most sound porous are single glass pains and wooden window frames. Using double pane glass alone can quickly reduce noise by as much as 20%, with vinyl flames reducing sound up to 50%.   If your home is older, your attic may lack insulation. Not only will adding insulation help reduce your energy bills; it can also help in your endeavor to soundproof your home. If you have an asphalt roof, adding extra layers of roofing material is an additional way to help dampen or eliminate noise, especially where aircraft is ever-present.   To prevent sound traveling within your home, your hallways should be built so that doorways are never across from one another. Since air is what enables sound to travel, drafts between rooms carries noise through open doors. In recent years, DIY soundproofing kits have become more popular as families build home theaters. For just a few hundred dollars, you can purchase all of the material necessary to complete soundproof your room, with direct results being more brilliant and better sound. With 4' X 8' sheets of foam panel, you can quickly adhere the panels to your existing walls using Velcro dots that are easily removable without damage. Some other helpful tips for soundproofing your home include: Each room in your home should have at least 25% of some type of absorbent material such as carpeting, furniture or draperies. Meeting this minimum will reduce noise generated by footsteps, televisions, instruments, stereos, pets and other noise producers. To further dampen noise in your home, you can add a second layer of drywall. For rooms racing streets, double drywall will greatly reduce the noise entering most homes. Rooms over living areas should have some form of padding or carpeting for soundproofing. In closing, there is one important thing to remember about soundproofing: you cannot overdo it! About the author:  Jesse Barron is a team member of American Micro Industries, Inc. (AMI). Since 1995, AMI has been manufacturing and globally distributing a variety of quality soundproof foams. For more information on soundproofing or to purchase, visit our online markeplace at http://www.soundprooffoam.com .

Warm Season Grasses

In some ways, growing and maintaining a good-looking lawn in the South is more involved than in the North. Choosing grass varieties is trickier. Some grass varieties do much better when started as plugs or sod than from seed, as is usually done in the North.

Good soil is critically important for growing a low maintenance lawn in this region. Most all warm weather grasses will turn brown when cooler temperatures arrive. Some southern gardeners seed their existing lawns with ryegrass each fall to maintain green color during the winter months. This is called “winter overseeding.”

Maintaining ideal growing conditions for your particular grass type is critical, otherwise unwanted grass varieties will start popping up and will be extremely difficult to remove. For example, St. Augustine grass being invaded by Bermuda grass and vice versa.

There are two major types of grass used for lawns in the South: warm-season grass and evergreen grass.

Warm-Season grasses are of tropical origin and thrive during the scorching summer heat. They are tough and form a dense lawn cover that thickens as they age. The are not green during the cold spells of winter. Their leaves turn brown in late fall and don't green up again until warm weather returns. In general they are green a little over half the year. Warm-season grasses are best suited for lower and middle South regions which includes the Coastal areas from Virginia south to Georgia and west through Alabama to Texas. Zoysia grass and more cold-tolerant grasses such as Bermuda can be grown in the upper South which includes the mountainous regions from Virginia and North Carolina west through northern Tennessee and Arkansas.

Evergreen grasses grow best in the South during the fall and spring. During the winter months their growth slows, but they remain green for most of the winter. During the hot summer months they will struggle to survive and require considerable care to handle the extremes common to the heat. Evergreen grasses are best for upper and middle South regions. In most situations, evergreen grasses should not be considered as a general-purpose lawn grass for the lower South and Coastal areas.

Choosing and Using Dehumidifiers

What is a dehumidifier and how does it work?

A dehumidifier is essentially a refrigerator that forgot to get fully dressed. Really. The basic mechanical function of a dehumidifier is the same as a refrigerator. Compression and expansion of a gas is used to lower the temperature of metal coils to freezing temperatures.

However, instead of the cooling action being directed into a closed box, a dehumidifier is designed to blow warm moist room air over these cold coils. The moisture in the room air condenses on the coils to become liquid water. The water then drips into a drip collection pan, or to a drain. The room air, now freed of much of its moisture, returns to the room slightly warmer than it was. Dehumidifiers are controlled by a device known as a humidistat. This is an adjustable rotary switch which detects moisture in the room's air. It automatically turns the dehumidifier on or off as it is needed, based on the setting you choose. If you wish, you can set the dehumidifier to the maximum setting for continuous operation.

Why would I want to purchase one?

If you store anything of value in your basement, or if you use your basement as living space, it is important to keep the moisture level low. Unlike the rest of your home, the parts of your foundation that are below ground level, or "grade", is constantly in contact with moisture from the earth outside. Though some homes have adequate vapor and water barriers installed outside their foundations, many older homes have none.
This moisture can cause mildew growth and damage to furniture of all types, photos, carpets, and virtually anything except the dog. It is a sad fact that every year people unknowingly destroy their valuable possessions by not taking steps to lower the level of moisture in their basement's air.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Thank you everyone who has viewed our Blog.  Leave us any comments or suggestions regarding information you would like to know about our company or any home care tips your are looking for.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Control of Nuisance Ants

Use baits, not sprays. Unfortunately, many of us grab a can of Raid at the first sign of ants and just spray away. STOP DOING THIS. Aerosol sprays have their uses but nuisance ant control is not one of them. Sprays are very difficult to use correctly and may end up being messy and ineffective. The best and safest way to control nuisance ants is with baits. While baiting is not the easiest method, it works and is relatively inexpensive. Ants need protein, fats and sugar (carbohydrate) to sustain colony growth. The idea is to attract ants to a bait that they carry back to their colony feeding it to nestmates and the queen. Baits must be attractive to foraging workers and must not be so acutely toxic that workers don't have time to carry it back to the nest and feed it to colony members.
Most of the time baits that contain sugar work best but sometimes fats and protein will be needed for maximum attractiveness. Poison baits consist of two main parts - the bait part (sugar, protein, fat) and the poison or toxicant. One of most effective and safest toxicants is sodium borate or boric acid. Borates exhibit relatively low human toxicity while being highly toxic to insects. Check labels and look for borate or boric acid as the active ingredient.
The trick with baiting is to be certain that the bait you use is acceptable to the ants you are trying to control. This sounds obvious but too often bait stations are put out and never checked for activity. If the ants are ignoring the bait, replace it with another. If the first is sugar-based try one that is fat-based. If your ants are ignoring your homemade bait stations (see below) try one of the pre-packaged bait stations. You can also mix a little vegetable oil with the sugar-based borate baits. The point is to FIND A BAIT YOUR ANTS ACCEPT.
Finally, poison baiting may take awhile to work. Give it a couple of weeks. Continue baiting until you see no more ant activity at your stations. Replace baits if they dry out.

Electrical Safety Tips

Outlets

Check for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire. Replace any missing or broken wall plates. Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.

Cords

Make sure cords are in good condition—not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to another object. Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.

Extension Cords

Check to see that cords are not overloaded. Additionally, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring. Make sure extension cords have safety closures to help prevent young children from shock hazards and mouth burn injuries.

Welcome To Sunny Florida

Gardens Home Management Services Uses Welcome to Sunny Florida as their Professional Marketing team.  Check out the website to learn more about Welcome to Sunny Florida and how it can help you!

If you are looking for an all inclusive marketing company in Florida - look no further than Welcome To Sunny Florida!  We look for ways to cut your costs, introduce you to new ideas and educate you on the importance of a well rounded marketing campaign. The bottom line is - we partner with you to give you a customized product with an unparalleled level of customer service. 


Check out Welcome To Sunny Florida http://welcometosunnyflorida.com/

Real Estate Purchasing, Ownership and Investment

1)  First impressions are everything... you want to make an impression on the buyer... and the realtor.
2)  Be prepared for your home inspection by tying up all the loose ends and, if possible, unfinished projects!
3)  Always tell the truth about your home's pluses AND minuses to the buyers... or face the consequences!

The fact is, even if you're NOT selling your castle, getting it "showroom-ready" (even if just on a monthly basis) will result in a more pleasant and smoother-working or playing space.  By letting the clutter collect and the projects fester, discomfort and unease grow where we should feel most comfortable an at ease... in our homes.

A message from the President & Owner: Chip Sollins

 Click Here to View our YouTube Video!

Please Visit our website and view our other videos!

Check out our website and view our other videos!

Increase Safety In Your Home

Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. This is the easiest way to increase your safety with the least effort. There are a few different types. Some are battery-operated and may be installed anywhere.  Others are plugged into wall outlets or hard-wired into your homes electrical supply. Since CO rises, locating a detector in an electrical outlet near the floor is not necessarily the ideal location.

Home Care Tip

Home Care Tip: Existing mildew on most surfaces can be killed with a mixture of 50%household chlorine bleach with 50% water. Use a hand sprayer to apply it to the surface, allow it to remain for a few minutes or until the blackish, dirty-looking mildew color disappears and then rinse thoroughly with water.

Water is our most Precious Resource

Water is our most precious resource and we must protect it. Water is
important as a nutrient, for bathing, cooking, irrigating crops, and for
many forms of recreation. It is extremely important to have your water tested! 

Let Jupiter Pump and Well / Hydro Solutions test your water. 

www.jupiterpumpandwell.com - www.myhydrosolutions.com