​A greenhouse is important for many keen gardeners, however, for a greenhouse to function properly it benefits from regular maintenance and care. With that in mind here are a few helpful suggestions:
 
To start with, it’s advisable to keep your greenhouse locked when not in use, especially in households with young children. Many potentially dangerous items are often kept in a greenhouse, like gardening tools and pesticides, etc. so it's important to keep them out of harm's way.
 
A greenhouse is designed so that it can retain heat and light, creating the ideal environment for plant growth. One of the keys to maintaining this environment is good ventilation, otherwise, air will become stagnant and humid which will allow fungi to grow. A lack of ventilation will also cause the greenhouse to become too hot and this will kill plants.
 
In the winter months, it is usually necessary to provide extra heat in a greenhouse by way of an electric heater. To minimize the risk of fire it is very important to only use a heater that is intended for greenhouses. You also want to keep this in mind when using other electrical items by only using those that are suitable for outdoor use. Keep them unplugged when you are not using them.
 
It is not uncommon for the greenhouse to develop a leak from time to time. If you notice a leak, fix it immediately to prevent too much moisture from accumulating and to stop mold or other pathogens from growing. Doing this will also keep insects away.
 
It's clear to see the need for regular greenhouse maintenance so that it is a safe environment for plants to flourish.

​As October is now upon us and fall is here, it is time to start preparing for those cold winter months.  While it’s not the most pleasant thought, now is the best time to plan our home winterization.  So, how do we do this?  Here are a few suggestions:
 
Now is a good time to test your heating system, before its really needed.  One way you can do this is by turning up the thermostat.  How does it respond?  If it is very slow to respond, it may need some attention.  Another good idea is to change the air filter and, if you use propane or oil, have the tank filled and ready.  If you have a fireplace, it would be good to have it inspected and make sure it is in good working order, ready for use.
 
Have gutters and downspouts cleaned out so that you prevent any debris left in them from freezing, which can weigh down guttering and damage it.  This is also a good time to put a coat of sealer on decking and cover over outdoor furniture.   Drain sprinkler systems of all water and air so that they do not crack during cold temperatures.
 
One area which can create a lot of damage to a home during winter is the homes plumbing system.  Pipes lead to all areas of the home, including areas that are not occupied or heated such as the attic and crawlspace.  Use fiberglass insulation or foam to cover the pipes in these areas.  It's also a good idea to maintain the homes temperature at a high enough level so that pipes in these unheated areas don’t freeze either.
 
So, while the thought of freezing temperatures is not always pleasant to many of us, preparing your home now will ensure a warm and problem free winter at home. 

​If you are thinking about investing in an old home to renovate, its very important to do your research regarding what type of building materials were used years ago, as well as any hazards that are associated with them, so that you can prepare yourself for what you may encounter.  Asbestos is one such material that was used in construction up until the 1970’s. While you may know that it is a health hazard, you may not know why or what materials it is found in. 
 
Asbestos is a mineral fiber.  It was added to construction materials because of its ability to insulate and to provide fire resistance and also to give added strength.  Its clear to see why people thought it was a good idea to use, before too much was known of the dangers.  So, what are the dangers connected to asbestos?
 
The mineral fibers found in asbestos are extremely small and, when inhaled, tend to stay in the lungs for a long time.  Many of those that have been exposed to asbestos for prolonged periods of time have suffered from some very serious health problems such as Asbestosis which is a scarring of the lungs and a form of lung cancer known as Mesothelioma. 
 
How might a person become exposed to asbestos when fixing up an older home?  If asbestos is found in an old home the general handling of it, scraping and sanding or disturbing it in some other way can cause the small fibers to be released into the air, increasing your chance of breathing them in and having them stay in your lungs.  As we can see from our discussion, this is not something you want to be exposed to so what should you do if you are worried asbestos is in the home?  Have asbestos testing performed before you start to do any work on it.  This way if asbestos is found, you can make sure you hire someone who is qualified to safely remove it and dispose of it for you.  

​Years ago, lead was used in a variety of building materials but the realization that it is harmful to health has only become more apparent in modern times.  This is more of a danger for small children and babies, even those still in the womb could be at risk if the mother is being exposed to lead.  So, if you are looking to purchase a property that is older than 40 years, where might you encounter lead materials?
 
One place it is commonly found is in paint.  Years ago, lead was used in paint so its very possible you will encounter it in an older home.  This will start to become a health concern if it has started to deteriorate as it will chip or turn to dust, which will then spread and settle throughout the home.  Children are more likely to be exposed to lead paint dust or chips as they play and run around, making them vulnerable to the effects of lead.  If lead paint was used on the exterior of the home you may find that soil in the surrounding area contains lead as well.  Lead was also used in pipes year ago which may have an affect on drinking water.
 
If you live in a modern home, does that mean lead will not be a problem? Not necessarily.  If the homes occupants enjoy older furniture there is also a chance that it contains lead or lead based paint.  This is another area where children could be exposed so, before purchasing antique items, check to see if there is the possibility that lead was used on it.

​Did you know that the homes indoor air quality can often be worse than air quality outdoors?  That’s scary to think considering we spend so much of our time inside.  One way to improve your homes air quality is by changing your HVAC filter regularly.  As a general rule, depending on use, every 3 months is good to replace the filter, however, there are some circumstances when it is a good idea to replace it even more frequently than that.  Let’s look at a few of them:
 
Firstly, if you have noticed the filter is damp, wet or damaged in some other way, then it should be replaced immediately.  Harmful mold spores or other toxins could be released into the air creating an unsafe environment. 
 
Another example of the need to change the filter more often than 3 months is in homes with large households and pets.  This is because the larger the household the more dirt, dust and pet dander tends to accumulate.  Also, homes where family members suffer with allergies or that smoke indoors benefit from frequent changing of the filter.
 
The homes location and surroundings will also have an impact on how often a HVAC filter should be changed.  If there is construction going on around you or if you live in area of agriculture, it would be a good idea to replace filters as much as once a month.  If there have been wildfires in the area, this can also affect indoor air.
 
So, as we can see, your homes HVAC filter does a lot to improve indoor air quality so, think about your household and surroundings to determine how frequently it should be changed.

​Home cooling costs can become an expensive necessity when outside temperatures are high, leaving many homeowners to look for ways of saving on their energy bills.  One, unexpected, way this can be done is with landscape design.  How is that? You may ask.  By planting trees and shrubs in specific locations so that they will provide shade to parts of the home that see a lot of heat from the sun during the summer months.  This method, known as landscape shading, could reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees. 
 
In order for landscape shading to work well a lot of planning needs to go into the landscapes design.  Trees need to be planted in just the right location so that they shade the home at the time it is needed most.  You will also need to consider the type of trees to plant.  Remember, the denser the tree, the more shade your home will get.  If you want shade in the summer but would like the suns heat to warm the home during cooler months it is best to choose deciduous trees which will lose their leaves in winter, allowing for the sun to reach the home.
 
There are a few points to think about with landscape shading, however.  Trees will take some time to reach their full height so its unlikely you will see immediate energy saving results.  If you are looking for more rapid results then vines are a good choice.  Try growing them to wrap around a fence or trellis in the area you require shade.  You can also plant shrubs which are ideal for shading pathways or driveways. 
 
To summarize, landscape shading is an environmentally friendly way of helping to cool your home during the hot months.

​There is nothing more irritating than a stubborn odor.  If you have recently moved to a new home whose previous occupant was a smoker, perhaps you’re having a difficult time getting rid of the nicotine.  So, let’s look at some of the ways to eliminate such an obnoxious smell:
 
Nicotine leaves an unpleasant oily residue.  This residue will gather on anything, even light bulbs.  When the light bulbs become warm they will start to diffuse the nicotine odor into the air.  A simple suggestion is to either clean the light bulbs thoroughly or replace them all.  Next, go through the home and replace or clean all HVAC filters. 
 
If you want to remove the odor from hard surfaces it’s a good idea to use cleaners which contain ammonia.  However, this type of acidic cleaner should not be used on surfaces such a wood.
 
Trying to remove tobacco odor from a carpet is extremely difficult.  It would be best to remove any carpeting and replace it.  Be sure to clean the floor underneath very well though, before putting a new carpet down.
 
If the home came with window blinds that you would like to keep, take them down and soak them in a bathtub, then give them a good scrub and let them hang dry.  Any curtains that you want to keep would benefit from being cleaned professionally.
 
Although painting walls is a good way to get rid of stubborn tobacco smell, this is not always foolproof as the odor could still come through. 
 
You can also try burning ‘smoker candles’ which are designed to neutralize tobacco odors.
 
Following these simple suggestions will go a long way to removing those lingering tobacco odors and help you breathe a little easier in your new home.

It is a big decision to purchase a home so its very important that you find the right people to help you with the process.  Perhaps you’ve started to be inundated with real estate agents who want to find the best property for you but, are all realtors the same? How can you be sure you’re finding the right one?
 
Firstly, find out all you can about the real estate agents that you are considering.  What are their credentials? How much experience do they have etc.? It might be helpful to write a list of questions ahead of time, this way you can have them ready to ask and wont miss anything out.  View this as a job interview where you are looking for the right candidate to do the job.  Just because a realtor has many years of experience doesn’t mean they can meet your needs, for example, you wouldn’t want to hire someone who is only experienced at selling multi-million dollar homes if you’re looking for a low-priced fixer upper or vice versa.  
 
Ask your potential new real estate agent what gives them the edge over other agents?  Ask them to give specific examples and experiences instead of generic answer like; because I have so many years of experience.  You could also ask them if they own property themselves as this shows they are familiar with entire home buying and owning process.  Find out if they work full time or part time in this field.  Someone who works as a full-time real estate agent is more likely to be up to date with the local market and updated laws etc.
 
Yes, there are many great realtors out there but its important to find the right one for your specific requirements.  Don’t settle for second best.

​Pests in the home present a big challenge.  In many homes and apartments, cockroaches are a huge problem.  These are a very resilient pest that can live on little food, produce alarming amounts of offspring and can even live submerged in water for periods of up to 30 minutes.  If this isn’t bad enough, cockroaches are known to spread diseases like dysentery and salmonella and cause asthma and other allergies.  So, lets look at some ways to prevent cockroaches from establishing themselves in our homes.
 
Make sure the homes environment is not appealing to cockroaches.  They thrive in dirty, greasy places that contain a lot of moisture.  The kitchen often provides this perfect environment.  Regularly give the kitchen a thorough clean.  This should include behind and underneath appliances, even the larger ones like the refrigerator and dishwasher.  Clean kitchen cabinets and under the sink and try to keep the sink as clean and dry as you can.  Keep a tight lid on the trash can and keep food in sealed containers.  If possible, don’t leave out pet food.  Cockroaches also shy away from light so you might want to consider leaving a light on at night.
 
Its not just the kitchen that attracts cockroaches.  You can also find them in crawlspaces and bathrooms as well as other places throughout the home.  Keep these areas clean and dry.  Fix leaking pipes and dripping taps right away and, if you notice possible points of entry, seal them up.
 
Sometimes a cockroach infestation is too bad to tackle on your own and you will need to call in a professional pest control company to treat the issue effectively.  Afterwards, however, boric acid placed in areas where cockroaches were previously active, will help control the situation.

​If you are planning to buy a home in the near future and will be applying for a loan there are some things to prepare for ahead of time.  One of those things is working to improve your credit.  Why is that important?  Well, a lender usually requires a credit report to check if you are someone with a good history of paying bills on time or if you have a lot of debt.  Your loan could be approved or denied based on your credit report, so we can see it’s an important issue.  How, then, can you improve your credit report?
 
Do you have multiple credit cards?  Perhaps you have some you no longer use.  If this is the case, it’s a good idea to call the company and cancel the card.  Having a lot of open credit card accounts can give a lender the idea that you allow yourself too much available credit which might put you in economic danger.  It’s a good idea to hold on to your older credit cards, though, because this shows a longer history of credit. 
 
Never miss credit card payments.  You do not want late payments to be noted on your credit report and, you will avoid the fees that go with it.  If you have difficulty remembering to pay, why not set up an automatic payment plan that will at least cover the minimum amount due.
 
Did you know you are entitled to a free copy of your credit every 12 months?  Take advantage of this so that you can see your credit report before a lender does.  This way you can be prepared in advance.  At times, the report might contain an error, if you have seen the report, you can fix the error before applying for the loan.
 
We know what a big decision buying a home is and you want to give yourself the best chance to be approved for a loan.  Working to improve your credit report will help.