It used to be, find a weed, douse it with a toxin-laden chemical liquid, and bask in the glory of your pristine, green yard. Just don’t step on the cancer-causing grass.

A few years ago I was weeding a cottage yard—dumb, really; cottages should be rustic-looking—when I noticed the bottle of weed killer had a corrosive symbol. “Don’t touch this stuff!” it seemed to scream, “or your hand will melt away.” Which got me thinking: if it’s this bad, this corrosive, should I really be dousing the yard with it?

Luckily, most of us have climbed out of the Middle Ages when it comes to responsible gardening, helped by a growing number of municipal bylaws banning cosmetic pesticides. For most of us this means not stressing over a few rogue dandelions; for others, it means finding new ways to weed.

Of course, horticulturalists have been weeding for centuries, long before the likes of Roundup and other chemical killers, and they did just fine. Like cooking, the key to organic gardening is understanding your ingredients. For example, lemon juice is an effective killer because of its acidity; same goes for vinegar.

Still on the cooking comparison, organic gardening is as much about method as it is ingredients. Unlike synthetic products, these naturally acidic liquids are non-selective, meaning if you spray wildly, you will likely harm your plants and grass as well as the weeds, so be careful to direct your weeding nozzle at the weeds.

Your mowing method is also important. Forget creating a golfing green; high mowing—cutting off no more than a third of the grass—shades out sun-loving weeds and encourages root development tough enough to withstand summer heat waves. As a general rule, don’t cut any shorter than three inches.

Of course, there are a million green-gardening tips and techniques out there; the key is to find what works for your yard and your region. And really, even if a few weeds pop up here and there, is it so bad? Maybe the key isn’t total lawn domination, but a nice, gentle democracy.

Canadians and Americans are different. For every similarity—our love/hate relationship with Celine Dion; our affinity for televised sports, with regional differences, of course — there are differences that clearly make each country separate. And I’m not just talking about Canada’s love for Clamato and the ongoing love affair Americans have with spray cheese. Gross.

But the real difference between America and Canada, at least as far as this blog is concerned, concerns the White House and 24 Sussex Drive. Don’t know what “24 Sussex Drive” is? That’s my point.

This past weekend, the Canadian media reported on the decrepit state of Prime Minister Steve Harper’s abode, pointing out that the 34-room house, built in 1866, is in desperate need of a reno—to the tune of $10 million.

At stake: who will pay for the renos and where will Steve and his family live during the repairs, which include replacing old windows, removing asbestos and installing a sprinkler system. They’re looking at a 12- to 15-month project, and that’s assuming that the subcontractors show up on time.

I simply cannot imagine the White House undergoing such prolonged and publicly debated scrutiny over when and how the “official residence” will be brought up to date; it’s not that the White House has never been renovated—it has, many times—but that Canadian leaders have historically lacked the political will and wallets to authorize big-budget renovations, let alone the cosmetic changes brought in by U.S. presidents and (likely) future leaders.

Of course, all this pales in comparison to the reno headaches suffered by other world leaders. Former Czech president Václav Havel writes in his memoir, To the Castle and Back, about concerns with the Castle’s garden hose, which needs to be lengthened, and the bat inhabiting the vacuum-cleaner closet, all while trying to run a newly democratic country. Talk about gaining perspective.

Sometimes I think Canada suffers from too much democracy; as in, too much debate over how and when things need to get fixed. It’s why there is an excessive number of elections, and a state house in need of the Holmes treatment. In the States, on the other hand, the chain of command means things get done ASAP, which is good when it comes to renos, but not as good when it comes to foreign policy.

No, we’re not the same. But that’s what makes us friends.

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about yachting season (although, really, boat drinks do deserve a full blog entry of their own). I’m talking about digging in the dirt, the perennial springtime sport of gardeners and deck builders.

Most of us have no idea what’s underneath our lawns and gardens, and unless you’ve dug up a pool or set deep deck posts, why would you? When we need to dig, we dig. Unfortunately, freewheeling digging can leave DIYers knee-deep in more than soil when their shovel accidentally jabs an underground utility line.

Luckily, someone has set up a program to help inform people how to create holes in the ground safely. The Safe Digging Month program, which begins this May, provides a website and U.S.-based national phone number to help homeowners get their utility lines marked before breaking ground. To learn more about the program, click here.

Canadian readers, there’s help for you, too. While there’s no national organization or one-stop website, utility line digging resources abound, so simply type “utility line digging” into Google, along with your location (Moosejaw, Halifax, and so on) and you’re good to go.

Alternatively, of course, there’s a tool that will do the work for you. And with that kind of investment, you may just get inspired to go in search of buried treasure.

Ah, springtime. The melting of snow, the sprouting of tulips, the return to life for many of us … and when I say “us,” I’m not just talking human beings. Spring cleaning can unearth unwanted house guests such as termites and carpenter ants that have been sleeping—that is, burrowing, building nests—in your walls and floors.

According to the Termite Institute, termites are a $5 billion problem for homeowners. Perhaps an even bigger problem, ants—not just carpenter but 10 different species that can threaten homes—are capable of infesting and multiplying at rapid rates. You know what I mean if you’ve ever left a can of pop open outside in summertime, or dropped fruit scraps in the kitchen; in mere hours, ants are at the scene like paparazzi on Britney (another unwanted, gross house guest).

Besides entomologists and Gary Larson fans, nobody wants to talk about pests unless you’re already facing an infestation; however, because termites and ants can strike without warning, even the best-kept homes are at risk.

The Termite Institute and the Ant Institute are trying to change all this by speaking out to homeowners about these pesky pests, providing homeowners with identification, prevention and eradication information. Especially interesting, both websites offer live web cameras that vividly simulate what it would be like if either bug moved in.

If you’ve read this far, you’re either worried about infestation or already dealing with one. Horror stories certainly abound across the Web, from those dealing with ongoing struggles that want to share their knowledge, to notification of goings on Down Under, where admittedly, the bugs look a whole lot scarier. For elimination of termites, the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology has a straightforward guide for homeowners, including how to deal with the problem and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

The University has a similar site for ants, again directed right at homeowners. Why so generous, Kentucky? Maybe it’s all that tasty blue grass.

There are many beautiful stone products available to the homeowner today. How the stone looks, the design aesthetic, is arguably the most important factor in choosing which of these you will use. However, a number of other factors also should be considered. Among these are the purpose of the area being resurfaced, the colour, age, and architecture of your home, your project budget, and the level of maintenance that is acceptable to you.

Local limestone, such as Owen Sound or Credit Valley, either in dimensional or flagstone, is the most popular choice, but, by no means the only one. Granite, either native or imported, is very effective, used in cobbles for a more established old country look, or in flamed slabs for a more polished finish, perhaps for a French garden.

Porphyry is a natural stone we very much like for its unique warm reds, browns and greys. Porphyry is imported from Mexico, but is also available from Italy and Brazil in slightly different colouration. Porphyry has some very ancient and famous applications, including the floor of Solomon’s temple. For more contemporary gardens, the concrete-like appearance of Indiana Limestone is very effective, while New England Fieldstone and New York Bluestone provide a more rugged and colourful appearance suitable to country estates.
Many sandstones are also available. Sandstone is generally solid coloured and is a softer stone, less workable but highly satisfactory in many applications, at a slightly lower cost.

If cost is an issue, there are numerous very good quality engineered stone products. Many of these provide a very attractive finish, particularly in combination with natural stone. For driveway and other heavy-wear applications, these often are more suitable than natural stone.

Whatever stone you choose, a quality installer is crucial to a beautiful and durable finished project. Choose a landscape firm or mason who can show you a great portfolio and a list of happy clients!

Article Provided By Dayspring Fine Gardens

www.dayspringfinegardens.com

info@dayspringfinegardens.com

Posted by Nikki Rollins nrollins@homerenovationguide.com

You have probably heard of a thousand different techniques for stain removal - everyone has been taught something different by their mothers, but certain elements will always help when you find yourself with a stain on your rug. The following is a brief and simple tutorial that should cover the majority of common household stains. Using carbonated water in place of normal water in our experience has more beneficial effects and will not harm the material.

1) Act immediately.
2) Scrape off any solids or lumps with a table knife or spoon.
3) Do not rub or scrub the stain - this may permanently distort the carpet fibres.
4) Soak up the stain with clean white towels or paper towels by pressing on stain. Keep repeating with a fresh towel surface until there are no more stain transfers to towel.
5) For all water soluble stains such as coffee, wine, soft drinks and food stuffs, use Turco-Persian’s Carpet Stain Remover, or mix 1 tsp of laundry detergent with 8 oz of warm water. Dab solution onto stain and repeat above absorption with towelling. Repeat procedure as long as stain is coming out. Be careful not to oversoak rug.
6) When no more stain is coming onto the towel, get a fresh bath towel, fold it 3-4 times in half and place on stained area. Place a telephone book on top of towel. Leave for 24-36 hours.
7) If any trace of stain remains, wipe gently with a mild solution of white vinegar. (i.e. 1 oz vinegar to 6 oz cold water).

FOR URINE

1) Soak up immediately.
2) Dab on straight solution of white vinegar if stain is still wet to neutralize fresh urine.
3) Repeat folded towel procedure as above.

FOR GUM, GREASE, SHOE POLISH, OILY TYPE STAINS

1) Spot clean with odourless mineral spirits (readily available at hardware stores).
2) Put on towel & wipe the spot.
3) Do not soak rug.

Courtesy of Turco Persian Rug Company Ltd - Unbeatable for over a 100 years.

Ceramic tile requires minimal floor care compared to most other flooring types, but there are a few things you need to do to maintain the beauty of the ceramic tile floor.

Wash Regularly
Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild, diluted household detergent solution. Regular cleaning will help in the prevention of stains and abrasions. After washing with a mild detergent you should thoroughly rinse the floor with clean, warm water every time.

Vacuum Regularly
Sweep, or vacuum your glazed tile regularly. This will help remove larger particles of dirt that could scratch and damage your tiles.

Wipe Spills Immediately
Liquids spills may be wiped up with an all-purpose household cleaner. This will also help the grout joints from becoming discolored from possible stains.

Avoid Ammonia-based Cleaners
Ammonia-based cleaners may discolor some types of colored grout.

Never Wax a Tile
The glazed ceramic finish should never be waxed.

Grout Sealers
Grout joints should be treated with a silicone grout sealer twice a year to help preserve the grout color and to prevent discoloration from spills.

Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Taking care of your new flooring will keep it looking new for years. It is so important to take proper care of it. Please refer to the below guide which will help you.

Ceramic Tile & Sheet Vinyl
Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt & grit.
Wash floor with suitable mild cleaner.
(Do not use vinegar or bleach).
Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth or mop.

Carpet

Regular carpet maintenance can enhance indoor air quality and prevent premature deterioration.

Vacuum and spot clean daily.
Implement a preventative maintenance program.
Steam clean when necessary.

Hardwood & Laminate Flooring

Control and monitor indoor humidity.
Use felt pads on furniture.
Vacuum and sweep regularly.
Only use hardwood and laminate floor cleaners.

Chris Paulsen

People who choose to have their heating ducts cleaned tend to do so because their children or other family members are suffering from breathing problems. Air and furnace ducts, when uncleaned, breed mold and mildew and lead to poor air quality. Furnace duct cleaning will also improve the efficiency of your furnace.

Duct cleaning requires not only of the ducts themselves, but of the entire furnace system: the blower, heat exchangers, cooling coils, and condensate pan. When these parts are clean, air flows efficiently through the entire system.

If you or someone in your household is experiencing health problems, and you suspect your furnace air ducts might be the problem, call a duct cleaning company. They can inspect your furnace ducts, and will most likely use robotic video equipment to show you how dirty the ducts actually are. If the video surveillance reveals mold anywhere in the duct system, it’s time to clean your furnace ducts.

Dust and mold can appear to be similar on a scan of the ducts. If the furnace cleaning professionals are unsure, touch a piece of tape to the inside of a furnace duct, and have a lab analyze it for you.

Methods of Cleaning Furnace Ducts

There are several ways to clean furnace ducts. One way is to use an extremely powerful vacuum, which remains in a truck outside. A long hose runs to the furnace area and attaches to the furnace ducts. From the rooms, mechanical brushes, air jet brushes or air snakes pull the dust loose within the furnace ducts.

Another way to clean furnace ducts is with a smaller vacuum unit located inside your house, in the vicinity of the furnace. This vacuum should contain a HEPA exhaust filter to ensure that the dust from the furnace ducts does not fill the air in the room.

A third way of cleaning furnace ducts is to run a rotating brush that is attached to a vacuum nozzle through the furnace ducts.

When selecting methods and services for your furnace duct cleaning, look for quality over cost. A poor quality furnace cleaning job can leave you worse off than before, as it can pull the dust off the furnace duct walls without sucking it all in.

Remember, furnace duct cleaning costs money, so before you sign a service contract, ensure that the company has given you sufficient visual evidence that furnace duct cleaning is necessary. Also, make sure your furnace duct cleaning provider can explain to you in detail how he/she will clean the entire system, not just the ducts. If one component of the system is left uncleaned, it may recontaminate the entire system, defeating the purpose of having put out the cash for the cleaning in the first place. Ask that your furnace duct cleaning provider give you a full duct-length visual inspection after the cleaning is complete, preferably with a camera inside the ducts.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Maintenance and Care

Annual maintenance will improve the efficiency and prolong the life of your equipment, and is often required to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty. Your equipment should only be serviced by a qualified service technician.

Caution: Do not perform any maintenance without turning OFF the power to the equipment.

Gas Furnaces

1. Permanent or disposable air filters should be cleaned and changed every two months during the heating and cooling seasons.
Note: For new homes, it is advisable to wash permanent filters once per month for the first year.
2. Check unit operation annually. Do not wait until you need heating! Annual maintenance is required to maintain the warranty.

Air Conditioners

1. After turning the power to the unit off, rinse outdoor coil annually with garden hose to remove dust, grass cuttings, etc.
2. Check unit operation annually. Do not wait until you need cool air! Annual maintenance is recommended.
Notes:
A. It is recommended that the thermostat be set no lower than 21ºC (70ºF) for cooling. Below this temperature, ice could form on the indoor coil, possibly resulting in damage to the equipment.
B. If ice forms on the connectors going into the indoor coil or outdoor unit, turn equipment off and call for service immediately!
C. In cooling mode, do not lower temperature setting on the thermostat unless the outdoor unit has been off for five minutes. The breaker will probably trip or a fuse may blow if you turn it on too soon.

Humidifiers

1. Turn humidistat to OFF position, then turn water supply off, and close humidifier damper every spring.
2. Turn water supply on, then turn humidistat to ON position, and open humidifier damper every fall.
3. Empty water reservoir on drum type every spring.
Notes:
A. Only operates when the furnace fan is running, and the humidistat is calling for humidity.
B. Acceptable humidity levels vary dependent upon outside temperature but they usually range between 30% and 50%.
C. Place conditioning tablets in water reservoir to prevent bacteria buildup.

Electronic Air Cleaners

1. Gently clean the electronic air plates every two months. Use approved cleaner.
2. Clean pre-filters every two months
Caution: To avoid improper operation, be careful not to bend plates

Media Air Cleaners

1. Replace or clean filters every two months. Some systems require the filter to be replaced more often, depending on environmental conditions. Filters may need to be changed more frequently in newly constructed homes, homes under renovation, or homes where several pets live. Call us for filter media.

Fresh Air Ventilation Systems

1. Check intake and exhaust filters monthly. If required, vacuum the filters, or rinse under a water tap. Mild detergents may be used, but do not use solvent cleaners.
2. Check the core every six months for dirt accumulation. If required, slide the core carefully out of the case. Clean the core with water and mild detergents only. Do not use solvents or other cleaning agents; the water temperature must not exceed 65ºC (150ºF). Do not use a high-pressure hose, and be sure to replace the core carefully. It must be properly aligned with the service instructions facing outward and the arrow up.
3. The drain pans should be wiped clean with water and mild detergents. Avoid solvent-based cleaners!
4. Set dehumidification control to summer setting or winter setting dependent on applicable season.
5. Check outside hood to make sure it is free and clear of debris.

Thermostats

Conventional type: This type of thermostat does not require any maintenance. Note: If the room is dark, a small blue flash may be noticed when heating or air conditioning comes on. This is normal.
Programmable / Electronic types: Annual replacement of batteries is necessary for proper operation where applicable.
Notes
A. This type of thermostat normally maintains the temperature within half of 1ºC, unlike conventional thermostats, which may vary up to 3ºC. The furnace or air conditioner may cycle more rapidly, especially under low load conditions. This is a normal operating condition.
B. Programmable thermostats can conserve energy and save you money.
C. Do not set back your temperature more than 3ºC. A temperature difference of more than 3ºC will not provide any savings.
Downloads
1f80-261 Programmable Electronic Digital Thermostat installation and operation instructions Download (204KB, PDF)
1f90-371 Thermostat ManualDownload (320KB, PDF)

Continuous Fan Operation

Definite advantages can be obtained by providing continuous fan operation, particularly with the use of fresh air ventilation systems, energy efficient air cleaners and power humidifiers. Today’s new and efficient motors can save you hundreds of dollars while providing better indoor air quality.

Home Comfort Products

Call us for home comfort products: Arpi’s Industries in Calgary 1-403-236-2444

STAY WARM - ENERGY EFFICIENT GAS FURNACES
Natural gas furnaces are up to 96% fuel efficient. They can save you a bundle and are also environmentally friendly, reducing the global greenhouse effect. Two stage firing and variable speed blowers are energy-saving features available on certain models.

STAY COOL - ENERGY EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONERS
Use less fuel with a high efficiency air conditioner. The lower the decibel ratings, the quieter the equipment operates to conform to noise pollution regulations. Warm weather dehumidification! Energy Efficient! Dependable! Environment Savings!

STAY COMFORTABLE - HUMIDIFIERS
Proper humidity greatly lessens the instance and severity of respiratory infections and can reduce excessive heating due to improved comfort levels. Cut down your energy consumption with environmentally friendly controls. The acceptable humidity range is between 30% to 50%.
Recommended Relative Humidity should be 35%
Sahara Desert 25%
Death Valley 23%
Average Heated Home 13 to 16%

BREATHE EASIER - ENERGY EFFICIENT AIR CLEANERS
Help to decrease the effects of allergies and reduce illness by removing airborne dust, dirt, pollen and allergens from the air you breathe. Your high efficiency air cleaner will control your indoor environment and will continue to assist your ventilation system in providing cleaner, healthier air quality.

BREATHE CLEAN - QUALITY FRESH AIR SYSTEMS
Using the latest technology, HEPA filters help rid your home of stale, stuffy air and polluting particles. A true HEPA filter is 99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns, and can trap dust, dander and smoke particles to clean the air you breathe. A HEPA filter can also help eliminate contaminants released by household chemicals, building materials, carpets and furniture. A quality fresh air system is essential for healthy air because today’s homes are built relatively air tight. They are also important for removing excessive humidity and preventing potentially damaging condensation.

STAY SAFE - CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Guard against carbon monoxide (CO), a potentially hazardous chemical. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced when any fuel is incompletely burned. A properly working CO detector can provide an early warning to you and your family before this potentially deadly gas builds up to a dangerous level. A CO detector is an inexpensive way to help insure your family’s safety and well being. CO detectors can be used as backup but not as replacement for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances.

**Article courtesy of Arpi’s Industries Ltd. - your Calgary Home Comfort, heating, cooling, air conditioning and furnace specialist.