Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2018-04-23T10:09:00

(BPT) – Years ago, lawn care could hardly be considered an eco-friendly business, but today’s market has changed thanks to new technologies and emission regulations. The result leaves homeowners with the best of both worlds — the ability to create the perfect outdoor space by using tools that are powerful yet eco-friendly and creating low noise, so your neighbors will like you, too.

Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining a yard that will leave your neighbors jealous.

Staying ahead of the curve

While a sustainable lifestyle is a personal choice in many ways, when it comes to your lawn care equipment, investing in such options places you at the forefront of a growing battery revolution that has been sweeping the country.

The foundations of these technological and economical changes date back to 2011, when the Environmental Protection Agency overhauled emissions regulations for lawn care equipment. Since then a steady timeline of new carbon emission regulations has been introduced to further reduce gas equipment emissions and further shift the market toward environmentally friendly, battery-powered lawn care solutions.

While all states are handling these changes in their own ways, California remains at the forefront of the battery-powered movement. The state is reviewing its emission standards policies and plans are in place for a full emissions regulation overhaul to take effect in 2020, further pushing homeowners toward more sustainable lawn care options.

Are you on trend?

In the face of pending change, many homeowners are staying ahead of the curve and already switching to more sustainable, battery-powered tools. A recent survey from Husqvarna showed 48 percent of people say they now mainly use battery-powered outdoor tools today. In addition, 78 percent of respondents said they can see their next lawn care tool purchase being battery-powered.

Supporting the battery revolution, Husqvarna continues to offer a full line of battery-powered lawn care tools, including mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers, along with their robotic lawnmower — the Husqvarna Automower. Each product within Husqvarna’s battery-powered lineup not only eliminates emission concerns, but provides a lighter weight for increased user comfort as well as an overall much quieter solution all without a decrease in performance. An additional benefit is that battery-powered equipment is ready to go by the push of a button and doesn’t need the same level of maintenance gas-powered products do.

The Husqvarna Automower, for example, is a fully automated lawn care experience. It allows homeowners to set the boundaries in their lawn for the Automower while they sit back and the Automower cuts and fertilizes the lawn with the small grass clippings. It gives homeowners more time to do the things they enjoy while providing a better, healthier lawn.

In addition, Automower’s associated app — called Automower Connect — allows you to check the status of your lawn maintenance and control your mower from anywhere, all while enjoying a perfect and eco-friendly cut. Taking it a step even further, Automower will work with Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa, starting later this year. Smart home? How about smart home AND smart lawn?

Move forward with your own sustainability plans

Living a sustainable lifestyle and having a more sustainable yard no longer need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, with the latest technologies, it is perfectly possible for one to complement the other. So, visit Husqvarna.com to learn more about your battery-powered equipment options. You, your lawn and the environment will all be better for it.

2018-04-23T09:17:00

(BPT) – Essential oils, highly concentrated essences of plants, have the power to improve our lives, revive our spaces and boost our mood, whether it’s through diffusing them to add a fresh scent to the kitchen, creating a spa-like oasis in your bathroom or whipping up DIY cleaning products to use all over your home.

“How we care for the everyday spaces we live in impacts our well being,” said Charlynn Avery, an aromatherapist and educator for Aura Cacia, a company that sources and sells essential oils. “It’s all about the power of positive change. Clean, synthetic-free living is good for everyone, and using essential oils in your home is one way to do that.”

Even better news? It’s easy to use essential oils to refresh and revive your living space. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Freshen up your fridge. Most everyone has a box of baking soda tucked on a shelf in their fridge to absorb odors from last week’s leftovers or that questionable carton of milk. Why not make the box do double duty by adding essential oils? Grapefruit, lime, bergamot or lemongrass will give your fridge a fresh scent. Hint: Sprinkle a little of the baking soda mixed with essential oils into your garbage can to freshen it, too.

Brighten your DIY cleaning products. Ditch the chemicals lurking in store-bought cleaning supplies and make your own, infused with intoxicating scents! Once you try it, you’ll never go back to commercial cleaners. And it’s easier than you might think.

Here’s just one recipe: For window cleaner, combine 1 1/2 cups distilled water, 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Aura Cacia Main Squeeze Essential Oil Blend in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Shake well, and voila! You’re ready to tackle your windows. You’ll find more easy recipes for making your own, natural cleaning products at www.auracacia.com.

Banish food odors. Is the smell of the bacon you fried for breakfast still lingering in the kitchen at dinner? Pop a pan of warm water on the stove and add essential oils like cinnamon or citrus and simmer. It’s a quick, low-cost way to diffuse oils for instant aromatherapy while getting rid of lingering cooking odors.

Make the most of your open house. Realtors will tell you that bad smells make a bad impression, and good smells make a positive impression. It’s important to clean your home from top to bottom to neutralize pet odors, your teen’s room full of gym clothes and other sources of bad smells.

Essential oils don’t just cover up odors, they can enhance your mood. Try citrus oils like lime in a room spray, grapefruit in a diffuser or sweet orange simmering on the stove to promote positive feelings in potential buyers.

Becalm your bathrooms. Set a diffuser on the counter and add lemon, grapefruit or orange for a fresh scent, or try lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree to create a garden-like oasis.

Revitalize your carpets. Pets, kids and general foot traffic can do a number on the way your carpets smell, and that odor can permeate the whole room. Add the essential oil of your choice, like bergamot, to a box of new baking soda. Sprinkle it on your carpet, let it sit for 15 minutes or so and vacuum it up. Hint: Pop a cotton ball doused with essential oil into your vacuum bag or filter to spread fresh scent every time you vacuum.

For more information about essential oils, including recipes for DIY products and more ways to use them, visit Aura Cacia.

2018-04-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re working on a spring home improvement project or a summer task, this is the time of year when you focus on improving your home both inside and out. As you look for ways to make your home even better, nothing beats a good DIY project.

DIY home improvement projects are popular each year, and they can be as big or small, short or long and expensive or inexpensive as you desire. Whether you are an advanced builder or a novice home improver, the options are wide open, but remember the one thing every DIYer can agree on: Eliminating unnecessary difficulties and the chance of having to redo a task is always a plus.

A recent Post-it Brand study conducted by Wakefield Research found nearly 40 percent of workers have to redo a project or task at least once a week specifically because of poor communication. Even professionals run into hurdles along the way, but avoid situations such as this with a few easy tips.

To make your next DIY project go as smoothly as possible, here are four ways you can iron out potential difficulties before they become a problem. After all, a smooth project isn’t just more fun and rewarding, it saves you time.

* Capitalize on subject matter expertise. A little experience goes a long way, and you’ll understandably have an easier time tackling a DIY project you’ve done before. In many cases, however, this isn’t possible, so look to your friends and family to see if any of them have ever completed a similar project. Ask them your questions and learn from their experiences and you’ll gain valuable insight about what to do — and what not to do — before your project even gets started.

* Keep accurate, durable notes. Throughout the course of your project, you’ll take notes regarding processes, punch lists, measurements and the materials you need. However, even a slight miscommunication or lost note can compromise the project, even for a professional. Post-it Extreme Notes are an innovative new product designed to facilitate communication and ensure important notes stick securely, whether on a job site in construction, manufacturing or foodservice or at home in a freezer, garage, boiler room or bathroom. They stick to textured, rough and curved surfaces, including those involved in home improvement projects such as raw wood, brick exteriors, tile bathrooms, cement garages and more. Made with ultra-strong Dura-Hold Paper and Adhesive, Post-it Extreme Notes withstand harsh conditions indoors and outdoors, like moisture, wind and extreme temperatures. These durable, water-resistant notes help keep track of important information to get the job done no matter what the task is.

* Explore your options to find the right tool for the job. How many times have you tried to tackle a DIY project with the wrong tools simply because you didn’t want to spend the money on the right tool for a one-time use? If this has ever happened to you, consider renting the items you need instead of buying them. Tools like paint sprayers, jackhammers and brush cutters can all be rented for a fraction of the price you would pay to buy them, and doing so ensures you have the right tool for the job from the very beginning, allowing your project to go more smoothly.

* Plan out as much as you can. The adage of measure twice, cut once still holds true for today’s DIY projects, and your possibilities to “measure twice” are magnified thanks to modern technology. If you’re planning to paint a room, for example, many paint companies offer a simulator where you can see how the paint will look in a digital environment. There are also other virtual tools to help you get accurate measurements, test layouts and reduce mistakes in your DIY projects. Once you’ve found the answers you need, record them on a durable note like Post-it Extreme Notes and write down measurements, jot down step-by-step directions and map out furniture and paint placement throughout the process.

Start planning your project today

Big or small, your project is as unique as you — but it won’t be completed until you start. Apply the tips above and your project will be done before you know it.

Data statistics about communication are results from a Post-it Brand survey conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S. workers, ages 18+, who work in non-office settings, with statistically significant data among the following industries: trades/construction, manufacturing and culinary, using an email invitation and an online survey.

2018-04-17T10:01:00

(BPT) – The backyard. It’s your oasis. Your happy place. Your second living room. It’s the place to go not only for “me” time — but quality time with friends and family.

This National Barbecue Month, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association wants to help you make your backyard the best backyard it can be.

Think sheds. No, not your grandparents’ tattered shed filled with a dusty mower and 30-year-old paint brushes. We’re talking highly personalized sheds. Intimate covered spaces that keep the sun’s rays out but bring the summer in.

Outdoor sheds come in all shapes and sizes and can be personalized to fit within all types of lifestyles. From fun-filled tapsheds where friends gather for a margarita and grilled salmon to an intimate she shed stocked with wine and cheese or even a hobby shed for the family to play board games while munching on braised ribs and root beer, sheds can do it all.

Building a personalized shed can be a daunting task. Consider these five tips to help you create your ideal outdoor oasis just in time for summer:

1. Have a plan: Are you starting from scratch or cleaning out an existing old shed? What’s the theme? What’s the budget? What’s the goal? How much room do you have to work with? Before you start building your shed, make sure you have a plan in place. You may be eager to jump right in but it’s much easier to follow a well-laid plan than to make decisions on the fly.

2. Stick to a theme: A craft shed, a relaxation shed, a party shed — there are so many options when it comes to creating your perfect shed. Choose one theme and tailor all decisions around your theme of choice. For example, if you decide to go with a relaxation shed, choose calming colors and peaceful decorations.

3. Utilize your resources: Your shed is a part of your outdoor space and you should utilize all the free beauty that nature has to offer when it comes to decorating your shed. Build your shed under your favorite tree to offer natural shade or decorate your shed with dried flowers or vines.

4. Less is more: When designing an outdoor shed, it is easy to go overboard. Remember to keep it simple and that you want to have enough room to entertain guests and to hang out in your shed. Keeping things minimal will also ensure you stay within your budget.

5. Remember the exterior: One easy way to customize your shed is with a coat of paint. Choose a paint color that goes with your theme. Then invite friends and family over for a day of painting fun in the sun.

For more tips on making the most of your backyard, visit www.hpba.org.

2018-04-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – The federal government considers floods the nation’s most common natural disaster. They strike every state and leave homeowners with huge repair costs. Why? Because typical homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.

Those policies may provide protection for water damage when it comes through a hole in the roof or from wind-driven rain. But coverage doesn’t extend to damage caused by water from a storm-swollen river, torrential rainfall or other flood-inducing conditions.

Homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance if they have a federally backed mortgage and live in a high-risk flood area as identified by the National Flood Insurance Program.

For others, though, it’s optional.

With premiums starting as low as $171 a year for a home and its contents, it’s coverage homeowners should highly consider.

“Floods can occur anywhere,” says Corise Morrison, executive director of residual markets for USAA. “Low risk does not mean no risk.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes flood-risk ratings for areas based on hydrologic studies and other data. In high-risk areas, a 1 in 4 chance of flooding exists over a 30-year mortgage. In moderate- to low-risk zones, the chance of flooding is reduced but still present.

More than 20 percent of the NFIP’s claims come from people with property outside of high-risk areas, according to federal estimates.

USAA sells and services coverage under the NFIP. The program’s maximum coverage is $250,000 for a home and $100,000 for its contents, but USAA can refer members to a broker if additional coverage is needed. The program also provides coverage to condo owners and renters.

Homeowners can assess their risk for natural disasters plus get tips on how to minimize them and protect their personal property with USAA’s Property Risk Assessment Tool.

But don’t wait until an extreme storm is approaching to act. Normally, flood coverage won’t begin until 30 days after purchase.

Get a quote for flood insurance at USAA.com.

2018-04-13T13:11:01

(BPT) – The real estate market is heating up, and if you’re planning to sell your home in the future, you want it to sell quickly and for as high of a price as possible. By taking proactive action now, you can make a few strategic home improvements that can help you achieve both your goals.

To boost your home sale and reduce time on the market, consider these top home improvement ideas to catch buyers’ eyes.

Garage door: When potential buyers visit your property, you want to make the best first impression before they even come inside. That’s why it’s wise to replace your garage door. It takes up a significant amount of exterior visual real estate and helps define the home’s aesthetic. What’s more, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value report, a garage door replacement recoups an astonishing 98.3 percent of cost upon resale.

Bathroom addition: More bathrooms typically mean you can charge more for your home. Think you’re limited based on existing construction? Think again. With Saniflo, you can add a complete bathroom where no drainage existed before thanks to above-floor plumbing features like a macerating toilet and drain pumps. The Saniaccess3 is a smart choice for full baths, and the Saniaccess2 is ideal for powder rooms.

Kitchen upgrade: A complete kitchen remodel is costly, but a few smart upgrades can make the heart of the home shine. Consider replacing worn laminate countertops and updating hardware for a fresh look. For extra ‘wow factor,’ add an island and use Saniflo Sanivite technology to add a sink to the space for additional functionality. Learn more at go.saniflo.com.

Fresh flooring: You don’t have to replace all your flooring, but focal areas like the kitchen or family room, as well as areas that tend to experience higher wear, such as the entryway, can benefit from a new floor. Forget expensive tile or hardwood replacements. Vinyl wood flooring looks incredibly similar to real wood, and modern luxury vinyl tile mimics the gorgeous look of stone or ceramic tile but is more durable and affordable. You may be able to simply add new flooring on top of old, making it a much easier DIY project.

Neutral paint: Don’t ever underestimate the value of a fresh coat of paint throughout your home. Walls get dingy and colors get dated. Repaint rooms with modern, neutral tones. As much as you love plum, buyers may not, so stick with whites, creams and grays whenever possible. Visit your local paint store and you’ll see there are many neutral options to add excitement to interior spaces. Don’t forget the ceiling, too! A fresh coat of white can do wonders.

These five projects will enhance your listing so you get more attention and book more showings. You may even start a bidding war with enough interest, and that can really drive up the price. Take action now and these home improvement efforts are sure to make an impact.

2018-04-12T09:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to buying new locks for your home, it’s not one size fits all. Before you buy new hardware, be sure to ask yourself these three important questions.

2018-01-29T12:01:00

Opossums (commonly referred to as “possums”) typically adapt to cold temperatures. However, if given the opportunity, it is possible for opossums to venture indoors. Leaving uncontained food, such as garbage, pet food or bird seed, outside your home may attract them. As part of an intimidation display opossums will show their teeth and hiss. They will also play dead as part of their defensive strategy. If you do encounter one in your home, close all doors to adjacent rooms and call a pest-management professional to assist.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles were first imported into North America as early as 1916 and can be beneficial to help control pests. However, unlike the native ladybug, multicolored Asian lady beetles seek refuge inside during colder months. Generally measuring 7 mm long and 5.5 mm wide as adults, they don’t inflict serious damage but do emit an unpleasant foul-smelling odor when disturbed. These beetles also bite, which can be painful and cause reactions for some. Seal up small cracks in your home to prevent infestations.

During the harsh winter months, mice and rats enjoy a warm home. Homeowner watch-outs include: easily accessible food (including open trash can lids), cracks and holes on the exterior of the home. A strong deterrent to mice and rats is to reduce food scraps. Inspect the exterior of your home and repair any holes larger than a dime, clean regularly, make sure trash lids are tight and ensure all food is put away and sealed.

The notion that spiders crawl into your home in the winter is actually a common myth. The reality is, most common household spiders found in your home during the winter months have actually lived there all year long. Outdoor spiders develop their own overwintering strategies that may include antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and finding shelter in rock or wood piles where they go through a slowdown state called diapause. The exception is the Brown Recluse Spider. These spiders seek clutter and dark, underused spaces in your home. The best method to help avoid spiders is to consistently vacuum and keep all spaces clutter-free.

(BPT) –

2018-02-12T16:49:00

(BPT) – February is the season of flowers, chocolates and new relationship statuses. Like us, there are many love bugs that are “in a relationship, but it’s complicated.” Different bug species across the planet engage in peculiar behaviors to satisfy both hunger and reproductive needs — with qualities that sound less than desirable to humans. Terminix is excited to share the buggiest, most bizarre mating-ritual behaviors that will make you think twice the next time you say, “She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

1. Praying mantis: Love bites

Praying mantises are known for their expert predatory skills. However, mantis females have earned quite the reputation for their occasional odd and cannibalistic mating behavior. Sometimes females will selectively bite the heads off of their male mating partners, devouring them for nourishment — talk about risky business.

2. Bed bugs: More than butterflies in your stomach

We’ve all heard the phrase, “having a strong stomach.” Well, bedbugs take this concept to the next level. Mating is no game for the common household male bed bug, who will literally stab his reproductive organ into the abdomen of his female mate for reproduction. Somehow, female bed bugs have adapted to recover from this traumatic behavior if the male stabs the right side of her body correctly. As if these itchy pests weren’t bad enough already!

3. Fireflies: Fool me once …

Catching fireflies is a staple of American summer pastimes. The pretty, flickering light that fireflies generate is more than just a show for us, it’s actually a communication tool. The light is a signal for fireflies, saying, “Here I am.” Some females play hard to get by mimicking the light signal of another type of male firefly species to lure him over. The catch? She has no intention of mating but rather is looking for a tasty meal!

4. Black widow: Dangerous love

It’s no shocker that this fierce spider made the “don’t date” list. Although the black widow spider’s bite is rarely fatal to humans, it can be a long and painful experience. Some species of black widows earned their name for their likelihood of killing their male counterparts when mating. A male must position himself between the female’s pincers for successful intercourse, oftentimes resulting in death afterwards. Some call it tough love.

5. Bees: Hail to the drama queen

You would think that bee romance would be as sweet as honey, but unfortunately for male bees, any sort of “love” is very short-lived. The queen bee is the mother of the colony and plays a specific role in laying eggs for the growth and sustenance of the colony. Male bees play the sad but important role of hero parents by sacrificing themselves for reproduction, dying shortly after mating.

2018-02-28T09:01:00

(BPT) – Frigid temperatures, freezing rain and heavy snow can have a crippling effect on much of the country each winter. However, with spring right around the corner, many of those winter problems will disappear as quickly as the snow thaws and the temperatures rise, with one significant exception — concrete. Concrete is like a rigid sponge that snow and other precipitation penetrates, freezes, expands and eventually thaws with those repeated cycles causing unsightly cracking, flaking and spalling. In addition, concrete surfaces are battered every winter by salt, de-icers, sand and heavy snow-moving equipment that leave ugly stains and damage to driveways, patios and sidewalks around the home.

The good news is that winter damage generally leaves homeowners with structurally sound concrete that is really just in need of a face-lift. Traditionally most homeowners would remove the old, broken concrete and pour a new slab, which can be very expensive. However, an attractive alternative for renewing the surface at a fraction of the cost is Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer. In fact, removing and pouring a new slab of concrete costs $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot compared to approximately 25 cents per square foot with a resurfacing product. Not only is it cost efficient, but the concrete resurfacer also provides strength and durability to the renewed concrete surface.

Steps for resurfacing concrete

When working with cement-based products, always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves, then follow these steps:

* First, rigorously clean the concrete with a 3,500 PSI pressure washer to remove all dirt and debris from the concrete surface.

* Repair any deep cracks and spalled areas in the concrete with concrete resurfacer and allow to harden.

* Completely saturate the surface with water and then remove any standing water with a squeegee.

* Place weather stripping over concrete joints.

* Mix one 40-pound bag of Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer with water in a five-gallon bucket for about five minutes until a pancake batter consistency is achieved.

* Pour the concrete resurfacer onto the concrete in 1-foot-wide strips.

* Scrub the material into the concrete surface using a long-handled squeegee.

* Evenly spread the concrete resurfacer back and forth onto the concrete surface.

* Apply a non-slip finish using a concrete broom after about five minutes.

For temperatures exceeding 90 degrees F, moist cure with a fine water mist for 24 to 48 hours.

For more tips, directions and information, including a how-to video on Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer, visit www.quikrete.com or look for Quikrete on social media.