Video Blog

Rainwater is pure gold that falls from the sky. Harvesting this clean and clear resource can trim your utility bills and minimize your environmental impact while reducing strain on regional water treatment facilities. When properly designed and installed, a rainwater collection system is an investment whose dividends benefit the entire community. The following are seven tips that will help you squeeze every last drop of value from your rainwater collection strategy.

1. Determine Consumption & Availability
   Rainfall is variable, and the amount of rain that falls in your area may not be sufficient to meet your needs. You must calculate the water consumed by your lifestyle and landscaping needs. For example, water consumed by dishwashers, toilets, showers, sprinklers, etc. Next, you will want to determine whether regional rainfall is sufficient to meet these needs. As a general rule, you can expect annual rainfall to meet about 50% of your water n...

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Winter has arrived again and brought darker, colder days with it.  Those gloomy days may make your home, and its surroundings feel drab as well. Before you let winter get the best of you, try some of these easy home improvement tips for brightening up your home.

1. Declutter and Redecorate
   A cluttered home gives an oppressive and unwelcome vibe. Begin by removing any unused furniture since an open space appears not only cleaner but brighter and happier. Rearrange the furniture, so it highlights your windows, lighting, and mirrors.  Avoid placing furniture near windows or the door wall. Consider adding some reflective mirrors because they will let in even more sunlight.
2. Let More Natural Light In
   Improving your windows is the number one way to brighten up your home. Sometimes, that's as easy as washing them and removing the winter grime that's blocking the sunlight. Clean them at least once a month during the winter to ke...

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This winter season may be the perfect time to list your home for sale. Some shoppers may be motivated to buy before year's end.  Making your home appealing to prospective buyers is key to catching their attention and sealing the deal. Using these six tips to get your home ready for the market and let this winter be a season be your selling success story.

1. Make a Statement With Curb Appeal
   The first thing buyers will see when viewing your home is its exterior. Ensure that your walkway is in good condition and clear of snow, ice, and debris. Tidy up the front porch by replacing old or broken containers and cleaning the windows and doors.
2. Make Your Home More Inviting
   During the colder months, buyers will likely spend more time assessing your home's interior than looking around outside. You'll want to be sure that your house is super clean, giving attention to corners, nooks and crannies and closets. Get rid of the clutte...

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Winter is well on its way, and let's face it, there are some home improvement projects that no one wants to tackle when the weather is frigid. Whether you're an optimistic do-it-yourself champion or prefer leaving the work to pros, these home improvement ventures can make a big difference in your home's comfort, efficiency, and safety.

1. Revamp Your Roof
   If you've noticed missing or damaged shingles or any other visible signs of extreme wear on your roof, now's the time to take care of the problem, and a small leak when it rains only means there is a problem overhead which will get much worse over time. You may not need to replace your entire roof, and addressing damaged areas now will ensure that the added weight of ice and snow this winter won't compound the problem.
   
   
2. Check Your Deck
   Just like your roof, your deck is under pressure to perform, especially when winter weather strikes. Areas that are already distre...

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Old Man Winter is just getting started.

Winter weather can be hard on your whole house.  Stay warm, save money and protect your home from winter's worst using these simple steps. 

• Roof and Attic 
  It may seem counterintuitive, but making sure your attic is well-ventilated is important to fighting the cold weather winter brings. Keeping vents clear and adding them where necessary, keeps the temperature in your attic close to the temperature outside. Cold air below the roof keeps ice dams from forming on the roof. Ice dams are dangerous because they force draining water under the roof. From there, water can enter your attic or even your home's walls.
  
  One sure sign of ice dams forming are icicles dangling from your roof edge. Skip taking pictures, however, and get them taken care of immediately. In addition to blocking proper water drainage, they can also lead to snow build-up and a lot of extra weight that your roof isn...

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