12tomatoes.com

Owning a home is a wonderful thing – and a huge responsibility! At any given moment there are probably at least a dozen little things that need to get fixed around the house. From the toilet that won’t stop running to a hole in the wall, and everything in between. Sometimes making ends meet while paying off the mortgage is hard enough, let alone paying a professional to come in a work on these projects. The good news is, a lot of minor home repairs are easy to do yourself! So grab a friend and get to repairing your home this weekend with this easy list of tips and tricks from the pros!

10. Repair A Hole In The Wall

We’ve all probably gotten a hole in a wall, one way or another. Whether you decided to “toss” a textbook onto the bed only to miss and have it crash into the wall, or your husband got a great idea to move a massive bookshelf to the other room without any help and it inevitably ended up crashing into the wall, or… any other way people get holes in walls, the fact is that the hole is there, and it’s ugly. In this easy to follow tutorial from The DIY Playbook, we learn how simple it is to repair a hole in the wall. You’ll just need a few basic supplies: mesh tape, razor blade, spackle, paint and primer, and a sanding block. The process is pretty simple – a couple layers of mesh tape, followed by spackle and sanding the area down. Then, paint away, and you’re good to go!

9.Fix Chipped Concrete Steps

If you have concrete steps in your front or backyard, you’ll know the ongoing battle of keeping them up! Once that first crack shows, it only gets worse year after year as the water freezes and expands during the winter months, then melts and contracts during the spring and summer. It can be hard to get control of! Plus, usually, things like back porch steps are pretty low on the priority list when it comes to home repairs, but don’t put this one off any longer! Repairing concrete stairs is actually a lot easier and cheaper than you might think. In this step-by-step tutorial from Two Feet First, we see how to repair concrete with some cement, water, a putty knife, and a wire brush.

8. Restore Hardwood Floors In 5 Minutes

One of my first apartments had beautiful hardwood floors that I loved. What I didn’t love? When my roommate brought home a 65-pound dog full of energy and rebellion. After a year of playing run-around-the-apartment-and-scratch-up-the-floors, as well as normal wear and tear (it wasn’t all the dog’s fault, after all), I was sure we would never get the deposit back on the apartment. I tried several different methods of cleaning up the floors and eventually gave up. I wish I would have known about this little trick way back then! According to The Chronicles of Home, all you need is a can of Restor-a-Finish and a roll of paper towels. Simply pour some of the finish on the scratches, then rub it into the scratches with a paper towel. Then use a dry paper towel to pass over the area several times. It won’t make deep scratches disappear, but it will significantly reduce the eyesore of scratched floors! Plus, it really does work wonders on small scratches. See for yourself!

7. Fix A Stuck/Uneven Door

We all have that one door that gets stuck all the time. And if you don’t have an uneven door now, chances are you will at some point, so this is good info for everyone to know. The first place to look for trouble is the screws on the hinges. If the screws are tight, do a visual inspection when the door is closed. If you can see the gap go from wide to narrow, it’s probably due to a hinge that has worn down over time. See how to fix this quite easily with this tutorial from homespothq.com!

6. Caulk Like A Pro

Have you ever taken on a caulking project? Whether it was for a backsplash in the kitchen, redoing the tile in the bathroom, or installing new windows, caulk is definitely one thing the home repair DIYer always has on hand. However, sometimes the caulking ends up looking sloppy, especially if you’re just starting out and haven’t used this product before. A quick and super easy tip from How To Nest For Less tells us to use painter’s tape when caulking. How genius is that?! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that before, but next time I’ll know!

5. Repair Garage Door Dents

Aluminum and steel garage doors have their pros and cons. On one hand, they are relatively maintenance-free, but on the other hand, they can dent easily. Lucky for us, this easy tutorial from hunker.com shows us one easy trick the pros use on dented cars that works just as well on garage doors! First things first – clean the dented area with soap and water and allow to dry for at least an hour. Then, cut a piece of aluminum foil that is big enough to cover the dent. Set the foil over the dent and hold with your hand. Move a lighter back and forth over the dent for a minute, and then take a compressed air canister and flip it upside down and spray the area for 30 seconds. The temperature difference between the lighter and frozen compressed air will force the dent to “pop” out!

4. Fix A Chipped Sink

Chipped enamel on sinks or tubs can be unsightly and so frustrating to deal with. You don’t have to replace the whole thing just because of a few chips – with this helpful tutorial from Family Handyman, see how you can fix it yourself for less than $20! You’ll need an Epoxy repair kit, which can be found in the adhesive section of most hardware stores. There are several color options available and you can mix colors to get the perfect match, if necessary. You’ll also need a small brush and some wet/dry sandpaper, 400 or 600 grit. Start out by scrubbing the area with a sponge and soapy water, and rub the sandpaper over the damaged area to remove dirt. Then, just mix the epoxy according to directions and use a brush to fill in the gap. You’ll need to work in layers, and be respectful of the dry time according to the package.

3. Repair A Sagging Fence

Does this look familiar? I grew up on a farm where some part of the wooden fence was in desrepair. It really feels like a huge undertaking to fix a fence – either that or pay way too much to have someone else come and do it for you. But, as you’ll learn in this awesome tutorial from ehow.com, it’s usually a lot easier than it looks! Instead of going through and replacing each plank of wood, you can usually save the structure of the fence simply by resetting some bolts and hinges, and a few strategically placed reinforcement planks.

2. Fix Torn Drywall Paper

If you’ve ever tried to remove the trim in your house and didn’t score the trim enough (or at all), you’ll find that the paint pulls the paper right off of your drywall, and you’re left with an unfortunate looking wall. Your first instinct might be to just paint over the ripped paper, but wait! It’ll look terrible (trust me). Plus, there’s an easy way to fix the torn drywall paper. First, cut off the loose edges, even if that means cutting off a significant amount of the paper. Then, sand it all down. Prime the area and use a joint compound. Sand again. Repeat the joint compound and sanding steps as much as necessary to build the wall back up, and end with a coat of primer to seal it all in. See the full tutorial at mresdoitherself.com!

1. Popcorn Ceiling Makeover

Pretty much everyone knows the pain of the popcorn ceiling. It’s fine for an apartment or a temporary living situation, but it’s such a hassle to keep clean and after several years of wear and tear it start crumbling and leaving lots of dust around. Not to mention… it’s not very attractive! In this amazing DIY from edithandevelynvintage.com, see how this lady transforms her popcorn ceiling into a gorgeous planked ceiling for under $300! Plus, there’s no need to scrape off the old popcorn texture – win-win!

It should go without saying that your fridge and freezer are most vulnerable in the summer heat. To keep them running smoothly, clean condenser coils—which help the unit stay cool by releasing heat from the compressor—and be sure to remove dirt, pet hair, and any nasty food that’s lodged there.

Shortcuts: Make the job simple by using a vacuum and coil brush, says Chris Granger, vice president of Sears Home Services.

While you’re at it, tackle the door.

“A leaky door gasket can result in your refrigerator trying to cool the entire kitchen,” Granger says.

Clean the gasket with a mild cleaner, and then check the seal integrity with a solution of soapy water—just like you would do with an inflatable mattress, he says. You can also use the dollar bill approach: Close a dollar bill in the door so it’s half in your fridge. If your gasket isn’t tight enough, it won’t hold the bill firmly in place—the dollar bill will fall out or slide down.

Call in the pros: Most appliance repairmen charge by the hour. Depending on the issue, a refrigerator repair could cost anywhere from $100 and $250 an hour.

CA Real Estate Group works with professional service people. Whether it’s refrigerator repair or HVAC tune-ups, we can connect you with the people we work with.

Call Christine or Anaid for a referral!

👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637

👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
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EcoGardeners.com

Pets are a beloved part of many families, and creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for them is important.

Whether you have a dog, cat, or other outdoor pet, there are several steps you can take to make your yard or garden safe for them.

  1. Check for poisonous plants: Many common plants are toxic to pets and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Before planting anything in your yard or garden, research the plants to ensure they are safe for pets. Some common poisonous plants include lilies, tulips, azaleas, and oleander.
  2. Install fencing: Fencing your yard can help to keep your pets safe and prevent them from wandering off. Make sure the fencing is secure and tall enough to prevent your pets from jumping over it.
  3. Avoid toxic chemicals: Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides can be toxic to pets if ingested. Try to avoid using these chemicals in your yard or garden, and if you must use them, keep your pets away from the area until the chemicals have dried.
  4. Create shade: Providing shade in your yard or garden can help to keep your pets cool and prevent heatstroke. Consider planting trees or installing a shade structure to provide shade in your outdoor space.
  5. Provide water: Make sure your pets have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider installing a pet fountain or automatic waterer to ensure they always have access to water.
  6. Keep your yard clean: Regularly cleaning up your yard can help to prevent your pets from getting into harmful materials, such as chemicals or sharp objects. Additionally, keeping your yard clean can help to prevent the spread of disease and parasites.
  7. Provide toys and play areas: Providing toys and play areas in your yard can help to keep your pets entertained and prevent them from getting into trouble. Consider installing a sandbox or playhouse for your pets to enjoy.

 

Creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for your pets requires some extra effort, but it is well worth it. By following these steps, you can help to ensure that your pets stay safe and happy in your yard or garden. Remember to check for poisonous plants, install fencing, avoid toxic chemicals, create shade, provide water, keep your yard clean, and provide toys and play areas.

EcoGardeners.com

Maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California can be a challenging task due to the hot and dry climate, but with proper lawn care tips, it is possible to have a lush and healthy lawn all year round.

Here are some lawn care tips that can help you achieve a beautiful lawn in Southern California:

  1. Choose the right grass type: Choosing the right type of grass is essential for maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are well-suited to the region’s hot and dry climate.
  2. Water deeply and infrequently: In Southern California, it is important to water your lawn deeply and infrequently rather than frequently and shallowly. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper, which helps the grass to withstand drought conditions. It is recommended to water the lawn two to three times a week during the hot summer months, depending on the grass type.
  3. Mow regularly: Mowing your lawn regularly helps to keep it healthy and looking its best. The height of the grass should be adjusted according to the grass type. For example, Bermuda grass should be cut at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches, while St. Augustine grass should be cut at a height of 2 to 3 inches.
  4. Fertilize regularly: Fertilizing your lawn regularly can help to promote healthy growth and improve its overall appearance. It is recommended to fertilize warm-season grasses during the spring and summer months, and cool-season grasses during the fall and winter months.
  5. Control weeds: Weeds can be a nuisance in any lawn, but they can be particularly problematic in Southern California. It is important to control weeds as soon as they appear to prevent them from spreading. Hand weeding or using herbicides can be effective in controlling weeds.
  6. Aerate the soil: Aeration is the process of creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the grass. Aeration is especially important in areas with heavy foot traffic or compacted soil. It is recommended to aerate your lawn at least once a year.
  7. Use mulch: Mulching can help to conserve water and improve the overall health of your lawn. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for watering. It also helps to regulate soil temperature and provides nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

Realtor.com

We’ve been fantasizing about it for months, and finally warmer weather has arrived. We know: You just want to fire up the grill and start working on your tan—we do, too! But before you can kick back in your hammock (or in your pool on your giant patriotic bald eagle float, if that’s your thing), there are a few tasks you’ll need to tackle.

And you can bet they’re all outside.

“The old adage ‘April showers bring May flowers’ rings true and makes May prime time for landscaping and lawn care in most of the country,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

But it goes beyond gardening and yard work. Now’s the last chance to take care of all that winter wear and tear and transform your home’s outdoor space into something worthy of the host with the most.

The good news? We’re here to make it as quick and easy on you as possible—with our handy checklist of home maintenance chores, you can knock them out and get back to that pool float ASAP. We’ve provided tips for doing each task faster and easier—or with the help of a pro.

Inspect patios and walkways

Task: Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hardscape surfaces made of loose (unmortared) brick, stone, and concrete paving materials. Check to see if frost heave and erosion have caused pavers to shift, rise, or sink. You’ll want to fix any unevenness for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.

Shortcuts: Repair hardscape surfaces using a wheelbarrow filled with playground sand and a sturdy trowel. Pry up displaced pavers, smooth and even out the bed with fresh sand, and replace the paver.

Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. Expect to pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.

Feed your lawn

Task: After a wet spring, your lawn might be looking quite rich and lush. Since Mother Nature did the hard work, you can sit back and relax, right? Not so fast. Grass loves nutrients, so now’s the time to add high-nitrogen fertilizer to help suppress weeds and keep your lawn looking great all summer.

Shortcuts: A push-powered broadcast spreader makes quick work of fertilizing your lawn. You’ll find spreaders suitable for an average suburban lawn for $35 to $100. If you have a cooking compost pile, you can substitute home-grown compost for commercial fertilizers.

Call in the pros: A lawn care company will spray on a chemical fertilizer for about $40 an application.

Repair fences and gates

Task: Cycles of cold and wet weather cause wood to move, twist, and warp. That can make garden gates fall out of alignment, and can cause fence pickets to loosen or fall off. Check for signs of loose fencing, and fix sagging gates.

Shortcuts: A cordless battery-powered nail gun ($250) makes quick work of refastening pickets and fence supports. Use only galvanized nails for outdoor work. Use a power drill fitted with a screw tip or a hex driver to remove or tighten loose screws and bolts in gates.

Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. You’ll pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.

Mulch flower and vegetable beds

Task: Prevent evaporation and help keep weeds in check by insulating planting beds with 2 to 4 inches of mulch.

Shortcuts: Set aside a mulching day, and have a landscaping service deliver bulk mulch and dump it where you can get to it easily (like your driveway). Plan on 1 cubic yard of mulch to cover 100 square feet, with mulch 3 inches deep.

Call in the pros: A landscaping service will put in the mulch, but it’ll cost you—to the tune of $300 to $600 for 500 square feet, depending on your location.

Wash windows

Task: As your yard takes shape and your gardens come into full bloom, you’ll want to see everything clearly. It’s time to wash away winter’s dirt and grime from your windows.

Shortcuts: Have a partner clean the outside while you do the inside of the same window. That way, you can identify which side of the glass contains lingering streaks and smudges, and get rid of them on the spot. Plus, who wants to clean alone?

Call in the pros: In addition to cleaning the glass, a professional window washer will remove and clean screens and remove accumulated dirt from sliding tracks for $2 to $7 per window.

Service your grill

Task: Nobody wants a rack of ribs with last year’s grill gunk on them. Before you fire up the ol’ barbecue, make sure your grill is clean and that any gas hoses and connections are secure.

Shortcuts: No matter what kind of grill you have, invest in a grill brush or other coarse cleaning brush, remove the grates and metal plates beneath them, and soak them in hot soapy water for five to 10 minutes. Then scrub hard. To rinse, spray them with the hose.

Cover the area where the grates usually go with foil, and use a stiff grill brush to clean grime from the hood and inside walls. Use a cleaner specifically designed for your grill’s surface (e.g., stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parts.

Call in the pros: There are professional grill cleaners who will take your barbecue from slimy to spotless, but it will cost you the equivalent of a few porterhouse steaks. This Denver cleaning service offers quotes from $185 to $279.

Check your AC

Task: Now’s your last chance to double-check your air-conditioning unit and make sure it’s in good working order before the mercury starts to rise.

Shortcuts: Hook up a garden hose and spray the outside of the condenser to remove any dust that’s settled on the unit and connections. (Yes, dust can affect your AC’s effectiveness.) Don’t use a brush, and be careful if pressure washing—you could damage or bend the fins. Make sure to change the filter, too.

Call in the pros: Having a pro service your AC system costs a few hundred dollars and includes cleaning the condenser and lubricating the fan motor.

Apr 15, 2024

In the spirit of tax day today, we’re posting this handy infographic guide to print and pin-up by your desk. This guide helps you determine what tax records to save, how long to store them, and the best ways to keep your records secure. To start 2024 off on a good foot, follow this guide to help you organize and store your tax files properly for years to come.
 
If you need to securely shred your outdated tax documents, we’re hosting a free paper shred event this month!  See details here:  Free Paper Shred Event

 

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happyhiller.com | Mar 18, 2024

While it may be easy to track down smells coming from your garbage can or garbage disposal, other smells require a keener nose.

In order to help you find all of the bad smells in your home, here are some common smells and where you can find the source:

Rotten Eggs

The smell of sulfur or rotten eggs is never a good sign. You either have some old eggs sitting around from a couple Easters ago, or you have a serious gas leak or electrical problem.

The two most common sources for rotten egg smell in the home are electrical components (inside of outlets for example) or a natural gas leak.

Natural gas manufacturers are required to add a chemical, called mercaptan, to their gas in order to make it easier to detect a leak. Without this additive, you wouldn’t be able to see, smell, or taste natural gas (much like carbon monoxide).

If you smell rotten eggs in the home, call the gas company to make sure you don’t have a gas leak.

If there is no gas leak in the home, you may have a problem with your electrical system. If you smell the rotten egg smell near an outlet, that’s probably where it is coming from. When the plastic components behind your outlet plate burn, it can smell like rotten eggs. This smell indicates that there is a dangerous arcing situation happening within the interior of your outlet that could cause a home fire.

We recommend turning off power at the circuit breaker to cut off electricity to the room with the smelling outlet.

One other possible cause of a rotten egg smell in your home is when you run the hot water. You may experience a rotten egg smell when the hot water is running due to an old anode rod.

Anode rods in hot water heaters should be replaced every 5 years or so. Replacing your anode rod will reduce corrosion in your water heater and may even be able to double its lifespan.

Call your local plumber to find out which kind of anode you should replace your old one with.

Sewage Smell

If you smell raw sewage in your home, you may have a dried out P-trap. The P-trap is the little curved section of piping that helps create a seal from the sewer gas that lurks behind it. The only problem is that the curved “P” section needs to be filled with water in order to create the necessary blockage.

If you haven’t used one or more of your sinks in a while the water that normally creates a seal in the “P” section has evaporated and dried out.

In order to prevent sewer gases from rising up through your pipes and into your home, it’s important to run water in all of your drains periodically. If you have a sink in your garage or another part of the home that rarely gets use, make sure you run the water in those sinks at least once a month to refresh the water in the P-trap.

If running water in your sinks doesn’t solve the problems, you may have a more serious plumbing problem. Speak with a professional plumber to discuss your options.

Fish Smell

Something smells fishy… and it’s not fish. Well, likely not. If you smell fish with no fish in sight, you could have an overheating electrical component somewhere.

Sometimes, burning plastic, wiring, and other electrical components smell like rotten eggs or sulfur to some people. Other people notice a distinctive fishy smell. Whether you get a whiff of fish or rotten eggs, it’s important to investigate the situation. You may have a dangerous arcing situation behind one of your outlets or switches that can cause a house fire.

Again, if you can locate the electrical source of the smell and It seems to be coming from one of your outlets or switches, turn off power at the breaker box and call an electrician right away!

Stale Air

If you frequently pick up a stale smell in your home, it may be because of air leaks around the home. Recessed lights that are often connected to the attic are notoriously leaky. If you notice the stale air smell around any of your recessed lights, you will have to go into the attic to seal the air leak.

Read our Attic Insulation Guide for tips on sealing your recessed lights, flue, and other common leaky areas in your attic.

If you detect any of these odors in your home, make sure it isn’t a serious electrical or natural gas problem. Sulfur, “rotten egg” smells are a big warning sign. For help dealing with odors in your home, contact experts in plumbing, heating, cooling and/or electrical.

CA Real Estate Group works with trusted experts in all fields.  Contact one of our agents for a referral anytime!

CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate Group

👩🏻 Christine Almarines @christine_almarines or @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
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👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
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A Florida man has become a TikTok star after amassing million of followers who watch his home repair videos.

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Choice Home Warranty | Jan 15, 2016

Valentine’s Day is a great day to show your appreciation for the one you love. Often, it’s through greeting cards, romantic dates, flowers, and gifts. But for some couples, the key to a loved one’s heart just might be in a few framed wedding photos around your home or a new fireplace for a cozy night. And better yet, your Valentine home improvement projects can be enjoyed for years rather than just a few moments or days. Start now on these home improvement projects to show you care for Valentine’s Day.

  1. Add a couple rocking chairs to your porch: Whether you have space on your front porch or out back, make your outdoor areas more couple friendly with a pair of chairs you can enjoy together.
  2. Update your lighting: Swap out harsh lighting for something softer and more flattering. Install dimmer switches to set the mood, update outdated fixtures with a new, more romantic design, and put in new bulbs with softer light.
  3. Install a wine fridge: Love to share wine together? Enjoy an even better experience with a new wine fridge for your kitchen.
  4. Hang an outdoor swing: Get ready for the spring and summer seasons with a cozy outdoor swing or hammock that you can enjoy together.
  5. Frame your bathroom mirror: Update the look of your bathroom quickly — and remind your loved one of your hard work and caring in completing this projct every morning when they look in the mirror. Reveal your finished project with a love note on the mirror.
  6. Organize kitchen cabinets: It hardly sounds romantic, but ask any harried home chef with messy cabinets, and they’ll tell you this gesture would win their hearts over. Invest in organizational tools such as divided storage, hangers, and even drawers for cabinets, and wow your loved one with kitchen storage they’ll enjoy using.
  7. Build a piece of furniture: Nothing says love more than spending the time to create a quality handcrafted piece of furniture made with the recipient in mind. Build a bookshelf for a book lover, a jewelry hanger, or even a practical storage solution for your entryway.
  8. Hang photos on your walls: Chances are, you have plenty of photos of you and your significant other together. But do you have them framed and hung in a place of honor? Show your loved one that you care and cherish your relationship by taking the time to print, frame, and hang photos of them or the both of you together on your walls at home. Need ideas? Look for photos from your wedding day, honeymoon, favorite vacation, or early days in your relationship to make them (and you) feel nostalgic.
  9. Upgrade bath fixtures: Turn your master bathroom into a more romantic haven with updated fixtures. Add a new fixture for faucets and put in new fixtures in your shower and tub for a new, more inviting look. Then plan a big reveal with a bubble bath.
  10. Plant a flower garden: Cut flowers are a nice gesture, but in the right climate, a garden of flowers that will last for weeks or months is a more enduring reminder of your love. Or, plant rose bushes for something more permanent. Plus, you can select flowers from your garden or rose bush for a home made bouquet.
  11. Buy new bedding: Refresh your bedroom and make your bed more enticing with fresh, new sheets. Take it a step further with a new bedspread or even a new headboard.
  12. Put in a fireplace: Nothing says cozy and romantic like a fireplace at home. But even if your home doesn’t already have one, it is possible to get one installed. Freestanding units can be purchased and enjoyed within moments, and local installers can add one to your home as well. Rather take it outside? An outdoor fire pit is romantic, too.
  13. Carve out a ladies’ retreat or man cave: Have a space in your home that you’re not really using? Clear out the junk and make it a place for your loved one to enjoy instead. Add furniture and touches that you know they’ll enjoy, such as wall paint in their favorite color, or the perfect storage solution for their favorite collection.
  14. Just fix it: Practically every couple has a project or two on their honey do list that gets overlooked. Think about the project that your loved one has been wanting to see done and make it happen.

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