Livingston Reporting - page 348

Landscape Services Made Easy

I do not know many people who love to do yard work and mow their lawns. I for sure am not one that does. I am too cheap to hire landscape services so each spring, summer and fall I moan and groan doing it. I know companies are now doing landscape services for cheaper than ever before because of new faster equipment available to them. I still cannot fork out money for something I know I can do myself though.

In order to make sure I was doing things correctly I employed my own landscape service schedule. It helps me stay on track in the yard and eliminates incorrectly taking care of my lawn and landscaping. I also have several tips that I follow in regards to taking care of my equipment, lawn and landscaping.

Let me begin by telling you about the landscape services I provide each year to my lawn. When mowing I set my mower to two and a half inches. This makes sure that I do not burn the lawn by cutting it to short and the sun baking it and the root. I will not mow in the extreme heat or when the land is wet. I found these conditions are not the best for the grass.

I also sharpen my blade each month. Do not overlook this process. It keeps the cut clean and maintains the color of each blade and eliminates ragged blades of grass. It is also important to properly mow the grass to eliminate the possibility of ruining the grass by burning it. If you mow correctly you will end up with a lush, thick, dense lawn.

Watering is another area where caution should be executed. The best time of day to water is early morning. This allows the lawn to soak in the water and allows the extra to evaporate, with the help of the sun, throughout the day. Make sure your lawn sprinkler system is reaching all areas of the lawn. This makes your lawn consistent in length and color. Water on a regular basis but do not saturate that is the key to a beautiful lawn.

Aeration is important in lawn maintenance. When you thatch the grass is increases activity for the microorganisms that promote a healthy lawn. Thatching can be done with special spiked shoes or a machine that actually pulls the pits of grass out. It allows the nutrients to seep deep into the root system of your lawn.

When it comes to pruning trees and bushes spring is really the season to do this. Accomplish this when you are doing lawn cleaning. Pruning in the spring allows for the new growth to appear. However, maples should be trimmed in the fall to keep sap from flowing through. It is important that your instruments are sharp and that you are using equipment designed for the job of pruning.

When mulching it helps retain moisture around your plants if the mulch is thicker than two inched deep, three is ideal. This will help to keep the roots safe in the winter also. Soil moisture helps prevent damage to landscaping plants and trees. It is also important for winter safety to fertilize the trees and shrubs to sustain health throughout your landscaping.

In keeping up with your landscape services you save yourself time and money. It also increases the value of your home by providing curb appeal to your home. It is important to keep up on home and landscaping maintenance. Happy planting.

Effective Elements in Landscaping Design

It is so exciting to start any landscaping design project. Many home owners begin without a plan and end up dissatisfied with the overall result leaving them with wasted money and time. The planning stage is one of the most important pieces in the landscape design and should be carefully planned out to give your home the best look in regards to landscaping. There are many things to think about when designing the landscaping in your yard. Create the space on paper and let your imagination go before you spend money and time on planting and the creation of the space.

Here are some things to think about before your green thumb gets to work.

1) Accessible: Make sure your yard is still accessible to all areas that might need maintenance further on down the road. When we began landscaping I had to take into account access into our back yard. We have a grinder system that needs to be accessed by the township so it was important that they did not trample my new landscaping. Other things to consider are where your well and septic are contained. You will have your own obstacles to review before you begin your landscaping design project.

2) Focus: It is important that you design your landscaping around a point of focus. Options for a focal point include a larger tree with flowers, a statue or garden art piece or even something as simple as a bench. All it needs to be is something that says look at me and brings the attention to your landscaping design. It needs to stand out not stick out like a sore thumb so plan accordingly.

3) Ditch Formality: When a landscape design is formal it sets up the garden for disaster for the inexperienced landscape designer. For instance if you are trying to keep complete symmetry that will require weekly maintenance and up keep. Also, if you are planting in symmetry and one object dies or is infected it will need to be removed leaving the challenge of finding a replacement of equivalent size.

4) Straight not Curvy: Landscape designs that are overly curvy are not appealing to the eye. Instead of a small garden with lots of curves look into something with subtle curves and more lines.

5) Make it Move: Make sure your garden has elements that move in the wind. Larger grasses or shrubs that move with the wind add interest and leave your garden from becoming stagnant and still. You want slight movement. Plants that attract animals are wonderfully pleasing to the senses as are the creatures they attract. Butterflies and birds bring another degree of movement which is pleasing to most.

6) Accents: Do not allow the landscape design to overkill your homes design but also don’t let it completely over shadow the home either. It is important to keep things in proportion and to soften any flaws in the home.

7) Delete: Instead of designing the landscape around elements that you dislike remove them. If you dislike that oak taking up the entire back yard remove it. It may give you a new motivation in your design and you will be making it a space you love instead of one you can just deal with.

8) Follow Direction: It is important to make sure you plant items where they will thrive. If you have shade don’t plant items that are in need of full sun. They will not thrive and you will be wasting funds. It is important for you to review what the plants need before you make purchases to make sure your environment is one in which will allow the landscape design to flourish.

It is best not to walk into a landscaping center without a budget and a plan. Without those two items you can end up throwing valuable resources down the drain. Lack of planning will end up costing you money that could be used elsewhere in your landscape design. It is important to also remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and that a landscape design can be added as you continue to live in your home.

Purchasing Kids Toys That are Personalized

Spring seems to be the season for birthday parties. We have five close birthdays within the months of May, June and July. I went to the store to find some presents and realized that nothing really stood out. Nothing was the type of personalized kid’s toys that I remember getting when I was younger. So I set to find something that could be played with outside that I could take home and personalize.

I found the cutest little watering cans that I knew my nieces would love. I bought them and took them home. I knew I wanted to get them swimsuits too so I went in and found two that I thought were adorable. When I got home I got out the paint and went to town designing the watering cans with the same design that was on each of the girl’s swimsuits. I know the girls are going to love their gifts.

Now I was on a mission to personalize toys for the other three birthday parties we have to go to. My niece who is turning two is a bit tricky for me. I decided that a step stool would be nice. This is the year of independence and she is going to be learning to potty train, help in the kitchen and start to want to reach her toys on her own. I purchased a sturdy wood stool from our local handyman. I happened to know that this is a special design he makes strictly for smaller children for sturdiness. It is perfect. It has two steps and is extremely stable and light enough for her to carry around on her own.

To personalize if I took the colors from her new big girl bed spread and started to paint it. As I was painting it I thought of all of the adventures she likes to have. Her parents are avid hikers so I made sure to include some girlie hiking boots. She loves to get her nails done so I painted her getting a manicure. I wanted to make sure it was something she could use as she got older so I decided not to paint cartoons and princess which she might like today but not tomorrow. I finished the project with several coats of gloss and added non slip tape to the steps and voila a beautiful personalized children’s birthday gift.

So as I was feeling creative to start I lost my mo-jo when it came to the last two parties we were to attend. I searched the web and found a website dedicated to selling personalized kid’s toys and accessories. My nephew that is in martial arts mentioned that he did not have a place to display his belts so I decided upon the KidKraft personalized martial arts belt holder. Complete with his name and the date he started martial arts on it. He is going to love it!

Last but not least was my best friend’s son. I have lost all motivation for buying birthday presents but knew I loved this personalized gift giving idea. I went back to the site where I located the martial arts belt holder. I found the perfect item for him. He is into hiding his stuff from his four sisters. I purchased a KidKraft personalized locker. It will sit perfectly by his bedside and his personalized with his name. I know when he gets it he will love it. I can already see him locking up his Lego’s and books.

This year I know the gifts we will give will be favorites. I know my kid’s favorite toys are the ones that have a personalized touch. I would recommend if you are looking for a kid’s toys that you search the internet and look for a personalized toy or item. The kid is your life will treasure it forever.

Restoration Services: A Guide for Fire Restoration

When you are in need of restoration services is not on a calm, sunny beautiful Sunday afternoon. Most times when we are in need of restoration services are when our lives have just been thoroughly turned upside down by some devastation be it a natural occurrence such as a storm or something accidental like a fire. It is important when finding a company that offers restoration services that you speak with people they have helped in the past to really determine if this company is the best one to be helping you in your time of need.

This might take a day or two on your part but can save you months of anxiety later on down the road. It is important to find a company with a solid reputation to help with your restoration services. Here are some restoration tips to keep in mind before you are able to hire a restoration service company after a fire.

DO’s and DON’TS:

1) Take an air compressor and blow the soot off of upholstery, curtains and carpet. You can also use an upholstery vacuum attachment and remove the soot as best as possible.

2) Cover all flooring areas with old blankets to prevent further damage from traffic and falling debris. Do not attempt to clean them yourself. A professional will make sure they are cleaned without further damaging them.

3) All food should be thrown out. Dispose of food that was in cupboards and the refrigerator. Pantries should be completely cleaned out. Do not restock the food supply until given the okay. Refrigerators should be aired out and thoroughly cleansed. Do not eat anything that has been involved in a fire.

4) Turn off the electricity and water if it has not already been done by the fire department. Do not turn the electricity on yourself. A professional should be called in to do an inspection before the electricity is turned on.

5) Items that have been damaged by smoke, that can be laundered, should be sent out for a professional service to take care of. Don’t think that a normal washing machine will get the job done. The professionals have special cleansers and techniques they employ to thoroughly clean your items.

6) All surfaces that can be cleansed should be. Especially the hardware on sinks that can easily tarnish and be ruined. If you are not sure of the proper techniques call in a professional who will walk you through the steps.

7) House plants should be moved to another area while clean up is being done. It is important to wipe the leaves of any soot.

8) Change out all air filters before turning on the furnace or air conditioning units. You will prevent further damage to your heating and cooling systems and duct work. Don’t use these units without asking the professionals if it is okay.

9) The house should be opened up as much as the weather allows for. If it is nice out, open all the windows and doors. Air circulation is a must to remove smells and smoke residue. Turn fans on only after given the okay and the electricity has been returned to normal.

These restoration service tips are what homeowners should take into consideration after a fire. Each and every restoration job requires something uniquely different. Make sure that after a fire the first call you make is to your insurance company to help find a restoration company to help with your restoration services need.

Search Engine Placement: Tips on Getting Your Site Recognized

So many factors go into search engine placement in order for it to be effective. In many cases professional search engine placement services are employed to give you the best online results possible. It is important to take into consideration many different elements when examining the best route to accomplish search engine placement for your online business.

The following are some tips to help in the quest for optimal search engine placement for your website.

1) It is important that you use the key words that you are focusing on in the title of the article or information you are presenting. A good title is one in which brings a search engine to the information you are presenting. It is important to use the target key words in the Meta title of the website also.

2) The anchor text should also be used to promote the site key words. If possible they should ultimately link back to the website. Anchor text should be chosen to target the keywords you are after for the search engines to recognize.

3) Another area is the popularity of your site in regards to other sites that are linking in to yours. Every time you write a blog entry or have information represented on another site that links to your site what tells a search engine that your site is okay. It is almost as bad as a middle school popularity contest. The more links that like your site the more likable your site is. That is basically how search engines look at it.

4) Of course the longer your site has been on the web the better also. Keep updating information to make it relevant. After time your patience will pay off.

5) Link the pages within your site back to your home page. This also helps with search engine placement.

6) Make sure that the pages in your site are relevant to your keywords when linking them back to the home page. The homepage should also focus on the same keywords you want recognized by the search engines.

7) Make sure that when using other sites to link to yours that you are using sites that are well liked within the web. It is the popularity of the sites linking to yours also that will have search engines recognize you.

8) It is important that your keyword is used in the text. How often and when also is relevant. Make sure your keyword is used and that the text is relevant to the key words you want recognized by major search engines.

As you can tell there is a lot that goes into search engine placement. Your ranking within these search engines is what will get visitors to your site. If you rank within the first page of a search engine it is more likely that people will click on your site before one on the second, third or fifth. That is the goal in search engine placement is to get your site on the first page of the search engine. Follow the steps above and you should be well set on your way to increased search engine placement.

Storm Damage: Tips to Making it Through a Storm

We have been having some major storms lately. Tornados, hurricanes and torrential rains have been wreaking havoc throughout the United States. It is important to be as prepared as possible if a storm is coming your way. This means different things depending on the areas in which you live. Also, storm damage varies from location to location. Weather extremes make storm damage nearly impossible to predict. Lightning, wind, ice, floods, rain, extreme cold and heat can cause all types of damage to your home.

When a storm hits it is best to be prepared. Here are some tips to help you maximize safety and minimize the inconvenience storms and storm damage can bring to your life.

1) Have flashlights with spare batteries in a location that is easy to access. Avoid candles if at all possible. It is easier than many homeowners think to leave a candle lit and have fire ravage through your house. Storm damage creates a mess but fire damage creates an environment where the effects are long lasting.

2) Purchase extra bottled water and canned foods. This will create less havoc for you encase of a long lasting power outage. It is important that you have extra water to cook with as well as to drink.

3) Use surge protectors on all major appliances. They will help eliminate the surge from entering these valuable pieces of equipment rendering them useless. If you do not have surge protection and you have fair warning a storm is headed your way unplug all major appliances and electronics.

4) Make sure you have a battery operated radio. It should be on and tuned in to a local station for regular updates.

5) If you go out after a storm has hit you area make sure to avoid down power lines. They are still full of energy and will shock you.

6) If your lights blow during a storm double check your fuse breaker box make sure that you have not just blown the fuses by asking neighbors if their power is out also. If it is the power call the electric company to make sure they are aware of the outage.

7) It is important if your power is out to conserve the energy left in your freezer and refrigerator. You can do this by limiting the times you open and close them. Dry ice is also available for purchase at local groceries if you are able to get out.

8) Of course if the power outage comes at a time of extreme cold you can store food in a cooler outside.

9) In cold weather you will want to make sure that you leave the water dripping to avoid pipes from freezing.

10) Warm clothes should be worn. Use caution with fireplaces and never use flammable liquids to start a fire. It is also important that you never use a gas stove to heat your home. This practice is unsafe and can result in more damage.

11) It is important that if storm damage occurs and you are without power that you use care and caution in running generators.

It is important to note that after a storm you should immediately restock your emergency supplies. It is likely that the season of storms is upon you and that it won’t be the last one through your area. Storm damage cannot be prevented but it can be managed. Your reaction in the situation will likely determine how well you cope with the difficulties that come along with the aftermath of storm damage.

Water Restoration: Tips for Urgent Water Restoration

It never fails here in Michigan we always get one day in the spring when we get a torrential down pour. It seems as if that is always the day the power goes out and the sump pump fails. Water restoration is a large part of restoration services provided by companies. Many homeowners think that they can clean it up themselves without thinking about how the dampness will affect the area. What many people don’t understand is that water can stick around and create mildew and mold. Even after it feels dry to the touch areas can still be damp. When not thoroughly dried through water restoration techniques damage can occur.

If your home or business is affected by water damage the best first step is to call your insurance company and have a water restoration company come out and assess the damage. Here are some tips to help you as a homeowner to help in the restoration of your home.

DO’S and DON’TS
1) The first step is to dehumidify the area. As long as the area is no longer submerged in water and has been cleared to be safe by an electrician you may start running dehumidifiers.

2) Open up the house and have fans circulating the dry air.

3) It is important to soak up as much water as you can. Use a mop or old towels to sop up as much water as you can. Blotting carpet is also an effective way to remove large quantities of water.

4) All furniture pieces should be dried off. Wood and fabric both should be thoroughly dried. Items such as cushions and knick knacks removed and safely stored until a professional has checked the furniture to make sure it has thoroughly dried. Remember the touch test does not work. Often furniture will feel dry to the touch because the surface is dry. This does not mean the inner parts are completely dry.

5) Wood blocks should be made that will be used to prop up furniture while it is drying. If you wrap the blocks in aluminum foil this prevents staining on carpet.

6) All floor coverings that are loose should be removed taken to a professional to be cleaned and dried. Bacteria will find a host in these areas and should be cleaned properly to prevent any bacteria from the flood water to grow and reproduce in your rugs.

7) All drapery should be lifted from the floor. If it has become wet it is best to take it down and allow a professional to clean them.

8) All furniture, cupboards and drawers that can be opened should be. It is important to let those areas thoroughly dry out by removing all the contents and letting them air out.

9) Books can be dried out by laying them out open and making sure the air is circulating in the area that they are drying in.

10) It is important not to use a normal household vacuum to remove the water. You will ruin your unit. It is best to leave the water extraction to the professionals. If you need to remove a small bit of standing water and it cannot be done with a mop or towel and wet/dry shop vacuum is the best tool for the job.

11) Electrical units should not be plugged in any area that is still wet or that has standing water.

12) Leave carpet that is tacked down in place. Professionals have equipment that can clean and dry your carpet thoroughly.

Damage can occur through water and bacteria settling in to your household items. Do not wait to call water restoration professionals in to your home to begin working on getting your home restored and functioning normal. Bacteria starts forming within minutes so it is important to call your insurance company and have them send someone out immediately to get your home dry. Water restoration professionals can ensure bacteria, mildew and mold do not grow and fester.

Wheelchair Ramps and Society

People throughout our society are depending upon wheelchairs and electric scooters to get around more than ever before. Most likely this comes from the fact that people are living longer. Another reason is that people with debilitating diseases are living longer thanks to medical miracles. All of these reasons have made it necessary for society to adjust building access for wheelchairs and motorized handicap vehicles. The American with Disabilities Act governs that public, commercial, state and local government facilities must accommodate for the use of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Think about the last time you traveled with young stroller bound children. Do you remember how difficult it was to maneuver? Think about going through life facing these challenges when trying to get in and out of facilities. What about your own home. Wheelchair ramps are what make access available to homes and public facilities.

Laws protecting the disabled are set in place to ensure equality. There are many things besides the law that need to be also taken into consideration when building or attaching a ramp for handicap use. When looking into a home wheelchair verse public access the things to consider are purpose, dimensions and style.

Purpose – It is pretty straight forward that the purpose of a handicap ramp at your home is to ease mobility in and out. Handicap ramps are used for many different purposes. Walkers, wheelchairs, electric scooters and disabilities are the number one reasons people look to install a handicap ramps. It is important to note that any building that has stairs as a main access should also have an assisted access.

Dimensions – The dimensions that are used to build ramps vary. Although standards exist and the guidelines of the ADA should be followed the size of the ramp should take into consideration the people who will be using it and the mode by which they might be entering and exiting. It is suggested that for every foot of ramp one inch of incline for entering buildings and for homes that every foot of ramp two inches of incline. You want to make the access as easy as possible. Think about climbing Mount Everest each and every time you leave a building. This is not ideal for anyone using a wheel chair or motorized device.

Style – There are many different styles of handicapped ramps to look at. Determine if you need something permanent or temporary. For instance are you taking in an elderly parent, this case might call for a temporary ramp. Metal ramps can often be rented or grants provided to purchase them. Wood ramps are often meant for more permanent situations such as elderly parents aging in place. Also, make sure you look into your community guidelines.

It is important to look into the rights of those who are disabled or elderly. Making sure that they are not restricted helps improve the quality of life they lead. The ADA guidelines help make this possible with laws such as the one enacted for the use of wheelchairs. It is also important for society to remember that independence is something we all wish for. If it eases life for a senior citizen in your life and they stay in their home a little longer than a handicap ramp is such a huge deal. Local, licensed contractors are available who have been trained to properly install handicap ramps to homes and businesses. When hiring an individual to install a ramp make sure the specifications they are using match your expectations and the laws governing wheelchair ramps.

Windows with Blinds Between the Glass: A Better Choice in Replacement Windows

Shopping for anything is fun in my opinion. So when my spouse and I set out to find replacement windows for our home I was excited and up for the challenge. I never thought we would be in for so many different choices. I did however think it would be much simpler than it turned out. The choices were endless. It was crazy. Double hung, sliders, windows with blinds between the glass the option are truly endless.

I decided since I have children and pets that I would really only focus on the windows with blinds between the glass. It just seems like a no brainer. I will end up saving money in the long run because I will never have to replace the curtains or blinds again. I cannot tell you how many times my cats have climbed the curtains and ruined them. I replaced them last year because they were so tattered. So that at least narrowed down one major decision. So this is when I began to relax a bit. Little did I know that the options that came next for the blinds between the glass were just as overwhelming.

I know that my decision is the right one for our family though so I will do it. There are so many reasons homeowners should consider windows with blinds between the glass. Anyone with activity going on in their home knows that shade, blinds and curtains get destroyed quickly.

Think about mini blinds. I am sure we have all lived in a home or apartment that had them when we were just starting out. How gross was it to see all the dust, animal dander and built up dirt on the blinds. Then when you would go to wipe it off it just made it worse. Now you had build up starting on your blinds and they would never return to the bright white you originally purchased.

Windows with blinds between the glass are also nice in regards that there are no loose cords. They are completely safe for use within a children’s bedroom. You will not have to worry about strangulation from cords. The blinds are installed inside the windows. This alleviates the issues of cords and heads getting stuck between blinds trying to look outside. I wish we had these when my children were smaller. They are so safe and convenient. Many times I would sneak in at nap time to see my son out of his bed peering out into the yard. I am so thankful we never had an accident with our blinds.

Windows with blinds between the glass also provide better insulation form the elements. They also keep the air, be it heat or air conditioning, in your home better than conventional windows with blinds or curtains. This leads to an energy tax credit making windows with blinds between the glass a more economical choice.

I mentioned the dust build up on mini blinds however curtains are also retainers of dust and allergens. Windows with blinds between the glass help to reduce the amount of allergens within the home environment. People with allergies and asthma are perfect candidates for replacement windows that have the blinds installed between the glass.

Last but not least of course is the benefit of having the latest trend in replacement windows. They are incredibly stylish and can be designed for any home contemporary, modern or rustic. Windows with blinds between the glass are more affordable than ever. I am so pleased with our purchase and am looking forward to not having to replace windows or window treatments for a very long time.

Handyman Services: The Importance in Maintaining Your Home

Maintenance is good for everything we all know that. We are told to maintain a healthy weight, to keep red meat to a minimum to maintain our heart health, to change our oil every 3,000 miles to maintain the engine, it is everywhere. Maintenance keeps things running at their best. The same goes for our homes. Handyman services are used to prevent major issues with your home and will help avoid an outlandish amount of maintenance to tackle later on. It is super easy to hand this over to a handyman that offers handyman services but if you insist I will give you a schedule to follow.

Let us start in the spring since that is the season we are enjoying in Michigan right now. The spring season should bring an inspection of your roof. It is important to look for any signs of wear and tear that comes with changing climates. Broken, torn, missing and bowed shingles should be replaced or repaired. It is also important to inspect gutters, downspouts, flashing around chimneys and vents. Make sure they are in good condition.

Another spring maintenance tip is to repair torn screens. It is super easy and inexpensive fix. Screens on sliding glass doors are often damaged and need replacing. Basically you purchase new screen cut the size you need and install it with a special tool that helps put the screen and rubber molding back in place. Most handymen will offer to provide this service if you are leery of trying it on your own.

It is also important to do some maintenance on your deck. Handyman services often include anything from power washing and staining to minor clean up and touch ups. Mildew will need to be treated properly to bring a deck back to life. It is also important to remove loose nails and screws and replace them with new ones. Sometimes it might even be necessary to replace a rotted board.

Summer maintenance starts with the outside of your home. Take a good look at the siding. Thoroughly clean the siding and remove any mildew that has built up in the shady spots of your home. It is also important to remove and repair any vinyl that has been damaged by the weather conditions. If you have a home what has brick, wood or stone simply look over the exterior and replace any areas that look like they are starting to fail. Catching a problem before it becomes urgent will help prevent bigger problems down the road.

Summer is also the time to fix fences and gates. Each year my spouse, who supplies our handyman services, has to replace parts to our split rail fence. They wear out and become moss covered leaving a much desired look to the fence. Each summer we review the fence pieces and replace any that look have issues. This is the best way for us to keep up with the fence so that we don’t end up with a multi-thousand dollar project on our hands. The same goes for aluminum, plastic and metal fencing.

The winter/fall season is the time in which the handyman services reach the inside of homes. This is when we repair grout and caulk. We also look at all of our heating and cooling systems and have them tuned up for optimal use. In the fall my spouse always has a painting project for me to do to keep the colors of the house fresh and modern. I would rather maintain by painting one room each year verse a whole house anytime. It is also the time when I have the service men out to clean out the washer and dryer to prevent any disasters that are created by built up lint or lost toys that have worked their way into the components of the machine. This has happened believe it or not. We do run chemicals in the sinks and toilets to loosen any clogs that may be starting in the fall also.

As you can see there is a lot that goes into maintaining a home. This is why so many people prefer to hire a handyman service company that schedules regular visits to your home to take care of these issues. Many companies offer quarterly rates for these services. It is something worth investing in because as I see it regular maintenance costs less than one major disaster.