The Home Theater

From simple systems that incorporate television or movies with surround sound to high-end "theater rooms" built specifically for entertainment, the home theater is becoming an increasingly important element of the wired home. With the rollover to mandatory HDTV on all television sets, a "buying boom" is underway, and high-quality HDTVs can be found at great prices.


http://www.hometips.com/home_theater.html

Doors

We pass through doors every day; in, out, and throughout our homes. They allow us free passage, and, when we need, they can be closed for solitude or security. Doors come in many shapes, sizes, and materials and operate in a multitude of ways. It’s easy to overlook the details of our home’s doors as we pass through them. However, our doors (especially front entry doors) and the door hardware we use say a lot about who lives inside.


http://www.hometips.com/home_doors.html

The Cold, Hard facts about Cooler Weather

Here are a few things to know about your heating system now that the cold weather is here. That funny smell when you turn on the heat for the first time usually comes from the burning off of oxidation, which builds up on the electrical heating element. It’s nothing to worry about unless it last more than an hour. 

When the house is cold, set the thermostat to “heat”, the fan switch to “auto” and the temperature to 70 degrees. The chill will dissipate without giving your home a stuffy, overheated feeling. Then adjust the temperature up or down depending on your comfort level. When cold weather is forecast, turn your heating system on before the house becomes chilly. Electric heaters take a much longer time to raise a room’s temperature than the type of furnaces used up North. 

When using your heating system, remember to keep doors and windows tightly closed to prevent the warm air from leaking outdoors. For a 2,000-square foot house, it will cost about $1 per hour (of unit running time) to heat your home. It typically takes an hour to raise the indoor temperature one degree. Once your home is comfortable, your unit will only have to run about 30 minutes of every hour to keep it that way. 

Space heaters can alleviate cold spots but remember that they can be costly to operate, unreliable and occasionally dangerous. As with your air conditioner, be sure your filters are clean and have your heating system maintained twice a year when you’re A/C unit is serviced.

Saul Ginsberg Joins the Gardens Home Management Services Team

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA – November, 22 2011 – Gardens Home Management Services (GHMS), a full-service home management company serving the Palm Beach region of south Florida, recently announced the expansion of its management team to include Saul Ginsberg. Saul will be joining the company as a Managing Partner of the Boca Raton office. 

"We're thrilled to have Saul on board at Gardens Home Management Services. His experience in real estate and residential construction makes him a great addition to our team," said GHMS President & Owner Chip Sollins. "Through Saul’s ability to communicate with clients and team members, we will continue to provide clients with the best possible customer service and extraordinary results." 

Saul was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He is a graduate of Temple University and Temple University School of Dentistry. Upon graduation Saul served as a Dentist in the Army, treating patients at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. After his time of service, he returned to the suburban Philadelphia area where he opened a private practice in Blue Bell, Pa. He built a large successful practice over a twenty-five year period. In 1996 he relocated with his family to Boca Raton, Fl. at which point he became more involved with his long time hobby of real estate and residential construction. Saul is married to Cori Walker Ginsberg, a Doctor of Audiology, who maintains a private practice in Delray Beach. They have five children and eight grandchildren. 

We welcome the addition of Saul to our staff as the “House Doctor”. 

About Gardens Home Management 
Gardens Home Management exists to give customers the peace-of-mind they deserve. We have committed our energies to instilling trust in our customers, vendors, and employees alike by demonstrating uncompromising honesty, quality workmanship and a commitment to excellence in everything that we do. As part of our fundamental mission, we pledge to simplify the lives of our customers through our understanding of their desire for comfort, control, convenience and connection. We pride ourselves in providing the best possible customer service through our unique, custom-tailored home management packages that will help to preserve and protect your home.

How to Save Energy and Money Lighting Your Home

Making energy-efficient light bulb purchases is certainly a major way to trim the fat from your electrical bill, but there are many other techniques you can draw upon. 

1) Turn off lights that aren't being used. This is the simplest, most common-sense solution, which can result in surprisingly significant energy savings. Consider that a 75-watt light bulb left on for a couple hours daily can comprise up to 2 percent of your overall monthly lighting bill. Shut it off when you leave the room. 


2) Be sure to dust. A dusty bulb is an inefficient bulb. Get out the dust rag, and get your money's worth from your lighting. 

3) Use task lighting. Don't flood an entire room with light when all you need is a small reading lamp. Choose lighting that meets your specific functional needs. 

4) Place lamps in corners. Doing so allows light to bounce off two wall surfaces, meaning you will need fewer lights overall. 

5) Choose light colors when painting your walls. Light reflects off pale tones more easily than it does off dark shades, allowing you to use lower-wattage light bulbs in your home. Where glare isn't a problem, consider paints that have high reflective values. 

6) Use daylighting techniques. This is the practice of using natural light for illumination. Enhancing your home's daylighting can mean everything from simply moving your desks and work surfaces closer to sunny windows to installing new skylights. See Daylighting Techniques for more on these methods. 

7) Use automatic timers and/or dimmers. Timers, which regulate electrical usage by turning on and shutting off lighting sources at set times, and dimmers, which allow you to modulate the brightness of a lighting source, can contribute greatly to energy savings. For more on these, see Light Switch Options and Lighting Dimmer Switches. 

8) Don't neglect outdoor lighting. Outside lights are often left on unnecessarily. Using things such as timers, motion or photoelectric sensors, or solar power with your exterior lighting setup can be helpful. For more, see Energy-Efficient Outdoor Lighting. 


http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/save-energy-money-lighting-home.html

Homeowner Newsletter: Novmber 2011

Homeowner Newsletter: Novmber 2011

Message From The President

Gardens Home Management Services hopes everyone had a safe and fun Halloween! Below you can read about some of the services the GHMS team can help you with this season! Also, check out the video below about "Healthy Homes". As always, if there is anything at all that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

How Healthy is Your Home?

We are bombarded with toxins and dangerous chemicals every day. And our own home is likely the most dangerous place of all. Everyday products and behaviors of any modern family pose surprising health risks. Duct and vent cleaning have health advantages, and can even reduce your energy bills and extend the life of your forced air system. Contact Us Today to schedule an appointment. + Contact Us

Professional Interior Cleaning

Maid Service: One of our most popular services! Our housekeeping & interior home care services are provided by fully trained, licensed, bonded & insured caretakers. Our standard detail or freshen-up programs are designed to keep your house maintained to your requirements and budget level. 

High Cleaning: Have trouble reaching your fans or high mirrors? GHMS offers a professional High Cleaning service to clean those hard to reach areas!

Carpet Cleaning: GHMS can make your carpets look and smell like new! We offer great pricing and guarantee our service! + Read More

Winter Flowers

Is your home due for a landscape upgrade? Let Gardens Home give your home a landscape makeover. By adding annuals or giving your lawn an ornamental treatment, your yard can outshine your neighbors. We are offering 20% OFF on all winter flowers offered for your home. + Contact Us

Get Your “Honey Do” List Complete

Gardens Home Handyman services can take care of your to do list. We offer a variety of services from complex installations to routine service installations. GHMS takes pride in keeping its homeowners homes in pristine condition. Our services will keep your home looking above and beyond your standards.

Carpet Care

Regular care is essential for maintaining the appearance and wear life of your carpet. The amount of cleaning required depends on how much traffic the area receives, where the carpet is located, and environmental conditions. Routine vacuuming, responding quickly to spills and stains, shampooing and professional cleaning periodically are necessary for maintaining your carpet.

http://www.homecarepro.com/home-care-tips/Carpet-Care

Healthy Lawns

Keeping your yard healthy does not have to be at the expense of the community or planet if you take the green path to greenery. With a little bit of effort, education, and commitment, your yard can be a healthy tool to not only conserving natural resources but also improving the state of the environment.
http://www.hometips.com/ecologically_smart_yard_garden.html

Pool Sanitization

The traditional method of sanitization is the use of chlorine, which not only eliminates bacteria but is also able to break down organic debris through oxidation.

Chlorine comes in liquid form, though this is not commonly used for home pools; granular form, which is dissolved before being added to pool water; and tablet form, which is placed in a floating feeder that slowly dissolves and then releases the chlorine into the pool. The chlorine, in reaction with the pool water, produces hypochlorous acid, or what is called “free chlorine,” which is actually what sanitizes the water. But, free chlorine degrades rapidly in sunlight, so cyanuric acid, which stabilizes the compound, is added with the chlorine.

Upgrading Your Bathroom

Today's bathrooms have become beautiful, efficient, luxurious spaces that are key to the comfort, style, and value of our homes. When it comes to identifying the areas of homes that warrant the cost of remodeling or improvement, bathrooms often top the list.

http://www.hometips.com/bathrooms.html

Faux Finishes

Color washing, sponge painting, rag rolling—these are just three of the many available paint application techniques that can give a home’s interior walls stunning color, tone, and texture.
Light, bright, animated, subdued, aged— whatever mood you want for a room, you can use paint and decorative techniques to help create it. These effects can be subtle, with translucent color layered over a similar shade of opaque paint, or bold and brassy, thanks to new metallic paints.
And fabulous walls don’t have to require expensive materials or application by custom artists. All it takes is a little expert guidance to help you with the step-by-step techniques, which is what you’ll find in this section of HomeTips.

Choosing a reliable contractor

Choosing a reliable contractor can mean everything to your home and your project you wish to have completed. Gardens Home Management Services has provided a few tips to help you find a reputable, reliable contractor to perform the work. 

• Contractor needs to provide a written estimate on company letterhead 
• Ask for the company guarantee 
• Make sure the company is licensed, bonded and insured 
• Do not work with the contractor if they accept cash only 
• Ask for a legitimate business card 
• Request proof of third-party property and injury insurance 
• Research the contractors testimonials 
• See if the company is members of Chambers of Commerce 
• Check how long the company has been in business 

These types of questions will ensure that you are dealing with a quality contractor and give you the peace of mind you deserve!

Cleaning Your Driveway

If a good cleaning is in the cards for your concrete or brick driveway, plan to rent or buy a power washer. After a thorough cleaning, you can remove any deeper stains, seal cracks, and then coat your driveway with a translucent masonry sealer.

http://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/driveways-cleaning-concrete.html

Mold Control

Moisture control is the key to mold control. The following tips will help prevent moisture, condensation, and water problems throughout the house:


* When water leaks or spills occur, act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

* Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
* Make sure the ground slopes away from your home’s foundation so that water does not enter or collect around it.

* Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.


* Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep relative humidity below 60 percent, and ideally between 30 and 50 percent. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter—a small, inexpensive ($10–$50) instrument available at many hardware stores.
* If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls, or pipes, immediately dry the wet surface and remedy the moisture/water source.

* Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible.

* Employ air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers when needed to reduce humidity. Increase the air temperature to reduce condensation.

* Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking, running the dishwasher, or washing dishes.

* Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.

L'shanah Tovah

The Gardens Home Management Services team would like to take this time to wish those of you who celebrate the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah a Happy and Healthy New Year. We hope you have a year filled with health and happiness for you and your family.

Could Your Dryer Catch On Fire?

Could Your Dryer Catch On Fire Or Could your washing machine hoses burst

Clothes dryer fires are one of the most common causes of household fires. Each year there are over 15,000 dryer fires, costing over $90,000,000 in damages. Lint buildup is the most the most common cause of fires. The average homeowner cleans the inside of the lint trap, but most do not think about cleaning the lint ducts. The average home or condo has more than 20 feet of ducts that run through the house to the outside access. Lint and debris build up over time restricting airflow. Vent system blockages cause the dryer motor to work harder and possibly overheat. The excessive heat can result in the ignition of trapped lint resulting in fires. Higher energy bills are also the result of inefficient working dryers due to lint accumulation. One of the first signs of lint accumulation is the clothes take more than one cycle to dry. Often this is the first sign of a problem with a dryer venting system.

Important Dryer Safety Tips Include:

Clean lint trap after every load of laundry.

Never leave your home or sleep while the dryer is running.

At least annually have your dryer vent ducts cleaned and inspected by a professional. Only a professional can clean the lint accumulated inside the ducts.

Another important aspect to look at is your rubber washing machine hoses. The rubber on these hoses gets old and can burst causing a flood in your home. To alleviate this issue you can install metal washing machine hoses That will not break and ensure you will not have a flood.

Home Security

Would you like to make your home more secure against burglary or fire? Or would you like to enable an aging parent to get help in a hurry if needed? An electronic security system can offer both protection and peace of mind.

http://www.hometips.com/home_alarms_security_systems.html

Testing For Hard Water

Whether or not your home is a strong candidate for a water softener depends on the hardness of your water, measured in parts per million (PPM) of dissolved hardness minerals. Water with less than 59 PPM is considered relatively soft. Water with more than 180 PPM is considered quite hard.

http://www.hometips.com/water_softeners.html

Volume XXII, Homeowner Newsletter: September 2011

Volume XXII, Homeowner Newsletter: September 2011

Message From The President

Gardens Home Management Services is looking forward to everyone's return to their Florida homes! GHMS can help you prepare your home for this upcoming season and your arrival! Whether you need a quick fix before you arrive or a cleaning to freshen up your home, do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment. As always, if there is anything at all that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Prepare Your Home For Season

The GHMS Team is here to help prepare your home for this upcoming season! Prior to your arrival, GHMS will perform a detailed inspection to point out any repairs or recommendations for your home. Our handyman can provide your home with a quick fix or we can provide a cleaning to freshen up your home before your arrival. + Contact Us Today

Choose The Right Contractors

Granting a contractor access to your home is a major decision and one that requires much thought. While we are all looking for a quick fix, make sure that you are using a contractor that is licensed, bonded, and insured. I can assure you that the extra time spent doing the research will benefit you immensely and could, in the event of an accident or a catastrophe, protect your home and your assets. Choose the right contractors and you can rest assured that your home will be taken care of.

Pressure Cleaning & Window Washing

Harsh climates can present unique requirements for the proper care of the exterior of your home. Pressure cleaning is one of the most effective and affordable cleaning methods that can make your home look like new. Not only can this service drastically improve the look of your home, it can also remove unwanted contaminates including mold from your home. Contact us today and receive a free estimate for your property. + Contact Us Today

Give Your Home Curb Appeal

Is your home due for a landscape upgrade? Let Gardens Home give your home a landscape makeover. By adding annuals or giving your lawn an ornamental treatment, your yard can outshine your neighbors. We are offering 20% OFF on all winter flowers offered for your home. + Contact Us

Pup Crawl Sponsorship

West Palm Beach Pup Crawl: Saturday, October 8 Bring Your Dog: Eat - Drink - Socialize. The entire 200 block of clematis street is for this fundraising event! Meet new friends and other pet owners. To enjoy this relaxing fun event with your dog, you must be registered. Register online at www.paws2help.org. Gardens Home Management Services is a proud sponsor of this event!

GHMS Is Prepared

Gardens Home Management services is constantly checking the weather to see if there are any hurricanes or tropical storms on our horizon. We will notify you in any case of emergency. All of our licensed contractors are on standby and are aware of our commitment to you and your home. It is important to keep your hurricane shutters lubed as time becomes delicate once a hurricane warning is issued. Gardens Home Management can help you get your home ready for the dreaded storm. + Tropical Weather Outlook

Nuisance Ant Control

Use baits, not sprays. Unfortunately, many of us grab a can of R*** 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.

Home Care Tips

Check out Gardens Home Management Services Home Care Tips. We are constantly updating our page for you!

http://www.homecarepro.com/home-care-tips

Welcome Back Bags

Gardens Home Management Services Welcomes all Florida Residents who are returning to their homes. We have prepared a nice goody bag with snacks and other gadgets made for you. We hope you enjoy them!

DIY Hanging American Flag

Flags fly in America as an expression of support and patriotism. Let’s take a look at the proper etiquette for hanging or displaying the United States flag so we can give Old Glory the respect she deserves.

Standards for handling and displaying the American flag are set forth by the United States Code, written into law by Congress in 1942. This federal code does not impose penalties for improper handling or misuse of the flag, but states do have laws regarding this, and most of our fellow citizens expect the flag to be treated with respect.


http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/flying-american-flag.html

Hurricane Watch

GHMS is still keeping a close eye on the Atlantic.  We will keep you updated with any storm headed our way!

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Preparing Homes For Arrival

Gardens Home Management Services is preparing our clients homes for their arrivals. We are looking forward to everyone's return! 

Our clients will have a bag filled with treats, water bottles and a letter from the GHMS team in their home awaiting their arrival. If there is anything at all that we can do, please do not hesitate to contact us. Whether you need our cleaning service to do a freshen up or a handyman to do a quick fix before you arrive, GHMS is here for you! 

Green Improvements: Compact fluorescent lamps

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are one of the brightest new technologies for the homeowner since batt insulation. Because CFLs use up to 80 percent less energy than typical incandescent bulbs, they are less expensive to operate, and with a lamp life that is about five times that of incandescent lighting there is also savings on cost.

http://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/light-bulbs-compact-fluorescent.html

Window Improvements

Windows today are designed and built to withstand severe storm conditions like hurricanes, protect carpet and furniture from harmful UV rays, and of course insulate better than ever. But understanding the new terminology around the science of solar heat gain, visible light transmittance, and glazing can be a challenge.

http://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/windows-high-performance.html

High-efficiency toilets (HETs)

High-efficiency toilets (HETs) have been defined by the plumbing industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as those that use an average of 20% less water per flush than the industry standard of 1.6 gallons.



For a family of four, that can mean a savings of almost 9,000 gallons of water each year. That’s not only green, but it also makes sense, especially in an age where public water prices are on the rise and aquifers are being depleted.


The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) highlights four styles of HETs on its list:


* The gravity-fed single flush toilet operates like a traditional toilet but can use as little as 1.1 gallons per flush.


* For households who want more than one option when flushing, the dual-flush toilet allows you to choose between one mega flush, which uses up to 1.6 gallons of water, or the more modest light flush, which rinses with only .8 gallon of water. These toilets average out to use about 1.2 gallons per flush over the course of a year.

Disaster & Recovery

If you are in a storm-ravaged area, heed the following important advice from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. If you have the ability to print and distribute this advice to people who don’t have computers or power, please help.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced by many types of equipment and is poisonous to breathe.

Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-fueled appliance inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Don’t run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house...

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/disaster-hurricane-recovery-health.html

Dishwasher Complaints

Many dishwasher complaints come down to the dishwasher simply not doing a good job of cleaning. Before blaming your dishwasher, make sure the water temperature gets hot enough and that you are using the proper amount of detergent. For more specific problems, click on the link below:

http://www.hometips.com/repair​-fix/dishwasher.html

Hurricane Tips

A hurricane is nothing to be treated lightly. Torrential rain, cutting winds, and surges that can tear down the strongest of buildings require preparation. Review the following hurricane safety tips checklist and be prepared. It may help you and your loved ones survive a potentially deadly hurricane season.

http://hurricanetips.org/

Hurricane Don?

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Don’s maximum sustained winds early Friday are near 50 mph (85 kph) with only slight strengthening expected before it reaches the coast of Texas late Friday or early Saturday.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com​/eyeonthestorm/2011/07/29/trop​ical-storm-don-moving-closer-t​o-se-texas/

Central Vacuum System

Though vacuuming floors, carpets, and furniture isn’t exactly a good time for most people, one home appliance can help you complete this chore with a minimum of dust, noise, and hassle— a built-in central vacuum system.

http://www.hometips.com/central_vacuum_systems.html

Learn How Boynton Beach Residents are saving money!

No air conditioning in Boynton Beach? For some residents, it's no sweat... Learn how boynton residents are saving on their electricity bills!

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/n​ews/no-air-conditioning-in-boy​nton-beach-for-some-1646605.ht​ml

Central Air Conditioning

If your home has a central air conditioner that is not working properly, it pays to do some troubleshooting on your own before calling a professional to repair the problems. An air conditioner that doesn't cool very well may just need a little basic maintenance.

Hurricane Watch

Gardens Home Management Services is keeping a close eye on the Atlantic this summer!

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.​shtml?epac

Pool Filter Maintenance

Pool Filter Maintenance
No matter which type of filter you have in your pool or spa--cartridge, sand, or diatomaceous earth--it will need periodic cleaning to keep the water clear. Depending on the type of filter and how heavily you use your pool or spa, filter cleaning frequency can range anywhere from once a month to three or four times each year.

Swimming Pool Maintenance

Just like a pool or spa’s shell, the mechanical equipment that keeps everything running efficiently will benefit from regular maintenance. Most of these chores are simple, and if you perform them regularly--and understand the basic workings of the equipment--you’ll be able to spot and handle small problems before they turn into big ones.

http://www.hometips.com/repair​-fix/swimming-pool-equipment-m​aintenance.html

Partner Relationships

We've built strong partner relationships in order to bring the right solution to the right place at the right time.

http://www.homecarepro.com/about-the-company/partners

July Newsletter

Click Here

Fires In The Kitchen

Your hungry family is home, and all the ingredients are on the kitchen countertop. All that’s left to do is cook the meal. But before you light the burner or preheat the oven, remind yourself that the kitchen is where most fires in the home start. Remember the following tips so your kitchen stays free of fire hazards.

http://learningcenter.statefar​m.com/residence/safety-1/kitch​en-fire-safety/

Protect Your Roof

Wind, rain, sun, heat and cold – every day your roof is exposed to the elements, and their damaging effects can diminish your home’s value and impact your family’s quality of life. Performing an annual roof inspection will help keep your home and property well protected all year long.

http://learningcenter.statefar​m.com/residence/maintenance/ev​aluating-the-condition-of-your​-roof/

Prevent Water Damage In Your Home

Keep roof, valleys, gutters and downspouts free from buildup of laves, twigs and other litter preventing proper drainage. Proper roof and eave ventilation may help extend the life of the roof by reducing the buildup of heat and moisture in the attic.

Prevent Water Damage In Your Home

The first signs of water damage might seem trivial: a drip here, a drop there, nothing that can’t be dried with a towel. But warnings like water stains on the ceilings or a leak under the kitchen sink can lead to real problems like a weakened roof or rotten floorboards. A burst pipe can damage your furniture and other personal possessions, and flooding can very quickly lead to problems with mold.

http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/residence/maintenance/preventing-water-damage-in-your-home/

Find Air Leaks & Drafts

Find Air Leaks & Drafts: Doors and windows are the most likely sources of air leaks. To find them, wait for a windy day, then slowly move a lighted candle, smoke pencil, or incense stick around window and door frames.

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/drafts-air-leaks-finding.html

Home Care Tips

Check Out Gardens Home Management Services Home Care Tips Section of our website!

http://www.homecarepro.com/home-care-tips

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation used to be the most common method of allowing fresh outdoor air to replace indoor air in a home. Today, it’s usually not the best ventilation strategy, especially for homes that are properly air sealed for energy efficiency.

http://www.hometips.com/how-it-works/ventilation-home-natural.html

Ventilation and Fans

Proper ventilation inside a house is important for any number of reasons. The most obvious is comfort. On a hot summer’s day, ventilation can offer cooling breezes without the expense of air conditioning. But even more important than comfort, ventilation plays a key role in the health of a house and its inhabitants.

http://www.hometips.com/home_ventilation.html

June Newsletter

Our June Newsletter is available for review on our website!

http://www.homecarepro.com/about-the-company/newsletters

Watering Efficiently

When is it time to water? The first few warm days of summer does not automatically mean to water lawns. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting.

Read More: http://www.homecarepro.com/home-care-tips/Watering-Efficiently

Ventilation

Proper ventilation inside a house is important for any number of reasons. The most obvious is comfort. On a hot summer’s day, ventilation can offer cooling breezes without the expense of air conditioning.

http://www.hometips.com/home_ventilation.html

Get ready for summer heat!

Get ready for summer heat!

Today’s window and room air conditioners are quiet-operating marvels of design that can meet most any cooling demand, regardless of a room’s size or function. There are many energy-efficient models with a range of features, from digital thermostats to remote controls and variable fan speeds.

http://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/air-conditioners-room.html

Tropical Storm Preparedness

How To Evacuate

Since flooding and high winds can occur many hours before a Tropical Storm or hurricane makes landfall, it is critical evacuees leave their homes immediately if instructed to do so by emergency officials. Evacuees are encouraged to seek shelter with friends or family or outside evacuation zones when possible.

To avoid being trapped by flooded roads, washed-out bridges or disruptions to mass transportation, evacuees should plan their mode of transportation with special care.

Plan to use mass transit as much as possible, as it offers the fastest way to reach your destination. Using mass transit reduces the volume of evacuees on the roadways, reducing the risk of dangerous and time-consuming traffic delays.

Listen carefully to your local news media, which will broadcast reports about weather and transportation conditions.

Evacuations from at-risk zones will be phased to encourage residents in coastal areas to leave their homes before inland residents and to help ensure an orderly evacuation process.

Leave early. Evacuations will need to be completed before winds and flooding become a threat, because wind and heavy rain could force the early closure of key transportation routes, like bridges and tunnels.

The City advises against car travel during an evacuation. The City will be working hard to keep roads clear, but traffic is unavoidable in any evacuation. Driving will increase your risk of becoming stranded on a roadway during an evacuation.

IF YOU MUST TAKE A CAR: Be ready for a long, slow trip. Be aware the City will deploy public safety personnel along major transportation routes to help vehicular traffic flow as smoothly as possible. Have a full gas tank before you go.

Stay tuned to local media for information about road and bridge closures.

Evacuation Centers are the ONLY places where people may park vehicles. Many evacuation centers do NOT have parking available. Tune in to local media for instructions.

Large vehicles may be prohibited in windy conditions. This could apply to trailers, trucks, boats and other vehicles with a higher wind profile than a car or SUV.

In any significant rainstorm, avoid driving through standing water if you cannot tell how deep it is.

If you must go to an evacuation center, it is important to carefully select what you take with you. Do not bring more than you can carry, but be sure to bring your go bag with you.