Posts with tag 'Home Hacks'

Love the scent of a real Christmas tree in your home during the holidays? You're not alone! There's something special about having a real tree for Christmas, but that doesn't mean you should just pick any old tree and call it a day. Think of it as a holiday home improvement project. 

Here's your guide to picking the perfect tree for your home this holiday season:

1. Douglas fir

The Douglas fir is a Christmas favorite; these trees are on nearly every lot. The aroma is light but pleasant, while the thick, full tree shape makes it an ideal choice for many families. More needles surround the branches on this variety, and strong, robust branches make the Douglas fir an optimal choice if you plan on hanging an abundance of decorations on your tree this year.

2. Fraser fir

Have you ever had a holiday candle that smells exactly like a certain type of Christmas tree? That's no accident! The Frase...

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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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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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