Even though we are not officially in the Summer Season, yet, it feels like Summer. Here are some tips to help survive the Summer heat: Use your air conditioner, if you have one. If you do not have an air conditioner, there are a few tricks to cool down the home. Open your windows at night to let the cooler air into the home. When the day begins to heat up, close the windows and close the blinds to keep the sun from shining in and heating up the home. If you have ceiling fans or any portable fans, turn them on. If you have a pet, remember to keep them cool, and indoors. If you have a yard, remember to water the flower beds around the house. It is important to keep the plants around the house watered and green. Green plants around the house can be a barrier to a fire. A soaker hose is very efficient for flower beds. Soaker hoses use less water and all the water is directed to the roots of the plant.
The Garbage Disposal is a hard working appliance in the Kitchen. We often take if for granted it will grind up everything. The disposal has limitations. Do not put the following items down the garbage disposal: Artichokes Egg shells Asparagus Grease Avocado pits Lettuce Bones Onion skins Carrots Pasta Celery Peach pits Coffee grounds Potato peels Corn husks Raw meat with bones
It is so relaxing to spend a evening by candlelight. There can be some annoying side effects, though. The type of candle you use can make the difference. Paraffin candles are petroleum based products. They are full of toxic chemicals and additives, and are unhealthy to breathe. They can leave black soot on the walls and ceiling. They are also bad for your lungs. There is a great alternative, it is a Soy candle. Soy candles are: Biodegradable Non-toxic Burn 30 - 50 % longer Are healthy to breathe They do not leave soot on walls, ceilings, or your lungs Soy beans candles are beautifully crafted and come in a variety of aromas. Enjoy many relaxing evenings.
This is the time of year we think about the fireplace and chimney. At AshBea Property Management LLC we prepare for the Winter by having the wood burning fireplaces inspected annually in the late Summer or early Fall to make sure everything is up to code and safe to use. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires was the failure to clean chimneys. How often should a chimney be inspected? Every year. New wood-burning installations such as fireplaces or wood-burning stoves should be checked midway through the first heating season to confirm everything is working properly. How often should a chimney be cleaned? Cleaning should be done as necessary — normally when there’s a minimum 1/8-inch of deposit in the chimney. An annual inspection will determine if any sweeping or repairs are needed. In some cases, it’s necessary to sweep more than once a year, especially if the operator, the fuel or the venting system are not properly matched. Why get a chimney inspected and cleaned in the first place? The combustion process deposits an acidic material that weakens masonry or metal chimneys, causing them to deteriorate prematurely. Significant buildup of creosote, a flammable material resulting from incomplete combustion, may catch fire and spread to the attic and other areas of the home. If a chimney is used infrequently, critters and birds can collect and nest there, blocking the chimney. Leaves, twigs, pine cones and branches can obstruct the chimney, too. High winds or driving rain can also damage chimneys. CSIA recommends that, as a general rule, a chimney should have a rain cap to keep out animals and water as these are the primary reasons chimneys fail. What should a professional chimney cleaning include? Sweeping the fireplace, checking the firebox, liners, smoke chamber and flue, chimney exterior and inspecting the appliance for proper clearances. Recommendations for proper operation or replacement of equipment and necessary repairs to equipment or structure. A video inspection. It may mean an additional cost, but it could detect hidden damage.
I manage my own properties, I don't need to hire a Property Manager. If this has been working for you then you are beating the odds. Do you know legally how to handle the many situations that may occur? The laws vary by County and City in Oregon. What if: A Tenant dies in your property. A Tenant dies or abandons a property and leaves a pet behind. Domestic violence by a Tenant to a member of the residence. A Tenant leaves a vehicle behind when they move. Collecting money from a former Tenant for damages and/or back rent. Eviction of a Tenant for various reasons. These are only a few of the many scenarios Property Managers handle frequently. You say, "Well that will never happen to me", but it could happen. If you are not handling situations legally with the proper forms and protocol, you could be opening yourself up to a lawsuit. So now, if you are considering hiring a Property Manager, why not hire one of the best in the area? AshBea Property Management LLC.
Disasters and emergencies take many forms, from severe weather to acts of terrorism. responding is easier if you prepare. I found this pamphlet the other day and found it very informative. If you are interested, please visit the American Red Cross at www.ready.gov Here are a few of the highlighted areas: 1) Make a plan, just in case. Make sure each family member knows what to do in an emergency. Review the family emergency plan every 6 months to see if changes need to be made. 2) Decide where to meet after a disaster or emergency. Choose a location outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency like a fire. 3) Prepare your home. Make a list of important numbers and keep the list by the phone, or put it into your smart phone. Plan escape routes to get out of the home. Stock up on emergency supplies. Make sure every family member knows where the emergency supplies are stored. 4) Have a disaster kit ready. Keep three days worth of water , food, medications, and any other essential supplies. Replenish and refresh emergency supplies every 6 months. 5) Connect with neighbors and community. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together during an emergency. 6) Take action if disaster strikes. Follow the advice of local emergency officials. Remember to stay calm. Being prepared can help you get through emergencies and disasters. I am not trying to scare anyone, but I realized how unprepared I am in case of emergency, so I am going to implement these steps in my home.
We should all have a fire extinguisher in our kitchen, and other areas of the house. This is information from Safety Seal Net that helped me when I was looking on information on fire extinguishers. I thought it was worth sharing: When to Replace a Fire Extinguisher: Even if there's no expiration date, it won't last forever. Manufacturers say most extinguishers should work for 5 - 15 years, but you might not know if you got yours three years ago or 13. So how can you be sure it will fire away? Atlanta fir chief Dennis L Rubin recommends checking the pressure gauge monthly. " If the needle is in the green area, it's functional, If it falls anywhere else, the extinguisher is unreliable and should be serviced or replaced." For an older model without a gauge, have it checked by a professional annually. Replace or service an extinguisher right away if it's been used or if you notice any of the following: 1) The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or blocked with debris. 2) The licking pin on the handle is missing or unsealed. 3) The handle is wobbly or broken. 4) The inspection sticker or hang tag, with a record of checkups and maintenance, is missing. Hope this information will help you as much as it did me.
First of all, sugar ants are attracted to easily accessible food. They can move from neighboring houses, and they can be brought in with stuff, furniture, and products. To avoid the appearance of sugar ants in the house, you must observe several basic rules: 1) Eat only in the kitchen or dining room, wipe away spilled food and sweet drinks (scout ants can find food and bring their relatives). 2) Store sweet foode (candies, cookies, jam) in a closed container or in a refrigerator. 3) seal all cracks and holes in windows and doors. 4) Don't leave dirty dishes overnight. 5) Treat the sink with vinegar to deter the insects from the water source. 6) Ants are omnivorous, so you need to deprive them of food. Make your food products inaccessible to the sugar ants. 7) Treat the outside foundation of the house with pesticide. It is much easier to prevent the appearance of pests than fighting them with chemicals and home remidies.
Hello: This year has flown by. It is hard to believe Fall is quickly coming upon us, again! Weatherizing your single family home, condo, townhome, or multiplex home is smart living. Quality insulation is one of the most cost effective ways to protect your home from the heat of the Summer, and the cold of the Winter. The better the insulation, the less your heating and cooling system needs to work to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. This saves money and can add life to the heating and cooling systems. Energy Trust of Oregon has property tax incentives for property owners. Contact Energy Trust of Oregon directly, or have your Property Manager contact them for details. Enjoy the rest of 2019!
I attended a meeting with an Officer of the Police Department. Three tips that were given I am trying to pass on to everyone. 1) Place a "Beware of Dog" sign on any access to the backyard of the property. It is cheap and effective deterrent to prowlers. 2) The Officer also suggested leaving on lights that can be seen from the street and leaving the radio or television on if you are not home. Burglars prefer to rob places that are not occupied and look easy. 3) The Officer also recommended that you always lock your dead bolt, even when you are home. Some of the people in the meeting have had strangers walk up to their front door in the middle of the day and try it to see if it is locked. This is very scary! Hope you enjoy these tips and have a safe future!
