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