11 Spring Cleaning Tips For The Season

Spring is here, which means it is spring cleaning time once again. Here are some tips to make the process much easier!

1. Start cleaning from high to low. Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures, then counters and appliances, and finally floors. This way dust and dirt won’t get all over a surface you have already cleaned.
2. Clean cabinets and baseboards. It’s something most people overlook, but it makes a huge difference in the perceived cleanliness of a room.
3. Clean the inside of your refrigerator. Take out all food items, remove shelving and storage cabinets, and give everything a wash with hot soapy water. Not only will this prevent odors, it will also help your fridge run more efficiently.
4. An easy way to clean baked-on grease and food spots on your stove and inside your oven is to spray it down with white vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda over it. The two will create a chemical reaction that will break up the food particles, and once it is done bubbling, wipe it clean.
5. Clean out your washing machine. Disinfect it by adding distilled white vinegar to your empty washer, and running it through on the hottest temperature setting. Similarly, you can do this with your dishwasher to disinfect and get rid of smells.
6. To remove stuck on splatters in your microwave, run a cup of water and a cup of lemon juice on high for one minute. The steam from both will help loosen the mess, and make your microwave smell nice.
7. Don’t forget your mattress! Spot clean any stains with oxiclean or carpet spot remover, then sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum (yes, vacuum your mattress!) and run a steam cleaner over it to get it really deep cleaned. Just make sure to let it dry before putting sheets back on or sleeping on it again.
8. Use a windshield squeegee to clean your windows, inside and out, without leaving streaks.
9. Spray furniture polish on your ceiling fan blades to prevent dust from building up.
10. This is also a good time to test and replace batteries in smoke detectors, CO detectors, and make sure fire extinguishers are fully charged.
11. Disinfect your sponges. Between cleaning sessions, rinse out your sponges and get them wet. Then place them in the microwave for 30 seconds each side, and this will get rid of germs. You can also run them through the dishwasher.

 

Selling your house and need a professional home inspector? Call King Home Inspections now! 403-481-8800

Why Hire a Calgary Home Inspector Before You Sell?

Why should you hire a Calgary home inspector before selling your home? Simply put, a home inspection saves you money, protects you, and gives you a powerful bargaining chip when it comes time for negotiations.

A professional home inspector’s job is to look for any hidden defects or flaws in a home, and make recommendations on how to get them repaired. They will go through a checklist of any possible problems a house could face. They will run tests, examine roofs, crawlspaces, wiring, foundations, and report on any possible hazards. As well, a home inspector can help suggest ways to fix problems yourself, and point the way to experts for larger jobs. They can also rank and prioritize what needs to be corrected immediately versus what can wait.

Things a qualified Calgary Home Inspector will look for, while also including in their inspection report are:

• The roof, including tiles, vents, skylights, flashings, and chimneys.
• Water heating systems, pipes, drainage pumps, water shut off valves, and other parts of your plumbing system.
• Exterior portions of the home, including walls, doors, windows, stucco, and trim, as well as exterior structures like driveways, fences, vegetation, decks and porches.
• Electrical systems, such as wiring, breakers, service lines and meter boxes.
• Basements, foundations, and crawlspaces.
• Heating and cooling systems, as well as appliances like stoves and refrigerators.
• Fireplaces, insulation, as well as smoke detectors and CO detectors.

A home inspection report should include a comprehensive guide of all areas inspected, rate how severe any damage they find is, and suggest how these can be fixed. Many will also include how they made these observations (such as if they climbed up on the roof or used binoculars), and the weather and other conditions at the time of observation. Most will also include pictures in their report, pointing out exactly where the problem is.

Having a home inspection done by a qualified Calgary home inspector before listing your house is a smart move. You’ll know ahead of time what things need to be fixed, potentially saving you thousands during negotiations. You’ll be able to improve your home’s appearance and raise the property value significantly. It’ll protect you from liability if there are any safety issues you need to get repaired, as well as give you someone on your side when you can hand over a report showing the functionality of your home.

Easter Events In Calgary

Easter is here again, and the Calgary area offers all kinds of fun events for the whole family. Here’s a few ideas to get you started!

Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt at Banff Norquay

Why not start the day with an Easter Egg hunt for the kids, followed by a delicious brunch for the whole family before a full day of skiing?
Banff Norquay is offering a brunch on March 27th with such servings as french toast, eggs, bacon, muffins, and much more. Only $15 for 6-13 years, $30 for 14 and up, and children 5 and under eat free!
They’re also holding an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10am on the patio of the Cascade Lodge, with tons of chocolate treats hidden all over the snow! This hunt is free for all children.

Bowness Spring Craft Sale & Easter Eggstravaganza

The Bowness Spring Craft Fair is being held Easter weekend this year, which means not only is there plenty of shopping for locally made crafts and treasures, there’s a ton of Easter themed fun for the whole family!
Start off with FREE skating from 11am to 3pm, skates and helmets included.
The Easter Eggstravaganza festivities run from 11am to 3pm, and include crafting fun and an Easter Egg Hunt.
The Spring Craft Fair runs from 10am to 4pm on Saturday March 26th at the Bowness Community Centre.

Telus Spark Spring Sparktacular

For something not only fun but educational as well, come to Telus Spark for their Spring Sparktacular. Events include activities like an egg drop challenge, an indoor spring storm including a fire tornado, a giant collaborative Easter egg canvas to add your flair to, and an epic Atrium chicken dance for everyone to join in! And of course, the Science Bunny will make an appearance for photo opportunities!
The event takes place March 25th and March 26th at Telus Spark, and is free for members, and from $12.95-$19.95 for children to adults.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Calgary Zoo

The Calgary Zoo is holding an event March 25th and March 26th for Easter. Activities include face painting, unny races, cookie decorating, and plenty of sweet treats from Cococochocolatiers! Plus check out the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit, featuring 18 life size animatronic dinosaurs, while it is still here! All activities are free with zoo admission.

15 Must Have Tools For The Home Owner’s Toolbox

Home ownership is a point of pride for many, and you’ll want to take care of your investment as best as you can. Having a well-stocked toolbox will allow you to not only save money by fixing small issues before they become large ones, it will give you even more pride in a job well done.

1. Basic Safety Equipment – Safety first! Especially if you’re going to be working with some of the more heavy hitters, you’re going to want to invest in some good quality equipment to keep you safe. You’ll want a nice pair of heavy duty thick work gloves, preferably leather. Also a pair of rubber gloves, in case you have to get down and dirty, or forget to shut off the electricity before trying to switch out a new appliance. You’ll also want a pair of safety goggles, to protect your eyes from flying debris. A good quality respirator is also a bonus, but even a pack of disposable safety masks can be had cheaply and will protect your lungs from the hazards of aerosolized paint or dust particles.
2. First Aid Kit – Along with the basic safety equipment, you’ll want to have a good first aid kit for when the inevitable happens. A good first aid kit will include things like plenty of bandages of varying sizes, gauze, medical tape, an antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, sanitizer, burn cream, an elastic bandage, tweezers, and tylenol and ibuprofen. Keep a large one within your home, and a smaller one in your car.
3. Hammer – The number one must-have tool for your toolbox. This is one tool you’ll want to go for the best quality. Find a hammer with a good, sturdy handle, and a claw end for removing nails. You’ll want to make sure that it has a good weight to it, much like a baseball bat, but not so heavy it’ll be cumbersome. Also find one that has a good steady balance to it. Try out a few at the store and find one that feels right in your hand.
4. WD-40 – The quintessential home repair tool. In actuality, WD-40 is a water repellent lubricant. It is excellent for removing sticky buildup or grease, lubricating joints, and loosening items that have been rusted shut. It even protects your tools from developing rust!
5. Duct Tape – If it doesn’t move and should, use WD-40. If it does move and shouldn’t, use duct tape. That’s the old adage, and it’s true that duct tape can be used to fix a wide variety of household repairs, not just duct work but anything that needs a good, solid grip that’s water resistant and flexible.
6. Multi-Tool – You’ll want something of high quality, compact, that fits easily in your pocket and has a variety of tools for your convenience. A classic Leatherman Multi-Tool is known for having the best quality for the best price, and will serve you well for years to come.
7. Pocket Knife – Having a utility knife in your toolbox is one thing, but you can’t go wrong with a good quality pocket knife. This is another area where you get where you pay for, and a sturdy, well made knife will last you for years and will serve so many uses you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one. Aim for one that’s got a sturdy blade, easy to open and close, a sturdy locking mechanism, and a good quality handle. This is another tool where you’ll want to test out a variety to see which feels the best in your hand as far as weight and size goes.
8. Tape Measure – No toolbox would be complete without one. A good quality tape measure can be had for cheap, and won’t rust or catch easily.
9. Flashlight – Never underestimate the necessity of being able to see your work! You’ll want to keep a flashlight in your toolbox so you’ll always have it handy when you need it. LED flashlights are brighter, more efficient, last longer, and tend to be cheaper than traditional lights. A classic Maglite flashlight will last you for years without ever needing to be replaced.
10. Level – Don’t underestimate the importance of a good level! Make sure your projects are even the first time. There are a variety of levels available, including the classic “bubble” levels, laser levels, and even level apps can be found on most smartphones. Find one that allows you to find not only the horizontal, but vertical and 45° angled level as well.
11. Screwdriver – You’ll want at least a few sizes of both flathead and phillips head screwdrivers added to your collection. There are so many applications where you’ll be glad you have them available, and flathead screwdrivers can also be used to pry up stubborn items. If you’re feeling really ambitious (or building some Ikea furniture) you can add a hex key screwdriver set as well.
12. Drill – Definitely go for the cordless. A 12v drill should give you all the power you need, without weighing a ton. Look for one that’s multi-speed and has a reverse function, so you can easily remove your drill bits if you go too far! Another item where you’ll get what you pay for, and it’s worth the investment to pay more for better quality.
13. Wrenches – At the very least, you’ll want a good solid crescent wrench and a socket wrench set. Go for quality, as you don’t want these to break off in the middle of a project, or spend all your energy trying to remove a stubborn bolt when a better tool will make the job easier.
14. Pliers – You’ll want a pair of needlenose pliers for retrieving items from small spaces or gripping and bending wires. Some even come with a wire snip built in. You’ll also want a good quality pair of locking vice grip pliers, which can be used for everything from clamping an item in place to removing a stubborn bolt that just won’t come loose.
15. Saw – When your pocketknife just isn’t enough, look for a saw to get the job done. Find a handsaw with sharp, sturdy metal teeth, and a heavy duty handle. Or go for a powerful chainsaw if you really want to get the job done quick!

When building up your toolbox, quality is of the utmost importance. You don’t want to struggle with trying to cut through a tree limb with a flimsy saw, or have your wrench break off in your hand while securing a bolt. And spending a little more for better quality also ensures you won’t be spending more down the road because your tools have rusted or worn down. You don’t have to build up your toolbox all at once, invest in one tool at a time and you’ll have an excellent set any homeowner would be proud of in no time.

Ants, Or Termites?

You’re standing in your kitchen cooking dinner, when suddenly you notice a bunch of tiny insects marching across your wall. This would freak anyone out! But are they ants, or are they termites? How do you tell?

Signs of Infestations:

Ants:

Long trails of insects in a single file line. Mostly found around cracks in windows, doors, or other points of entry such as electrical outlets or pipe structures. There may also be obvious nests (dirt mounds) outside near the home.

Termites:

Mud-like “tubes” across foundation walls, porch posts, etc. Dry wood that is damaged. Ants will only tunnel through wet, rotted wood to make their nests, termites will chew through all kinds of wood. Wood damage will also be accompanied by bits of dried mud along holes. The tunnels will also be ragged and uneven because of mud, unlike ant tunnels, which tend to have smoother walls.

Appearance:

Ants:

• Antennae are bent
• Obviously segmented body with a thin waist
• Front wings are longer than the back wings
• Worker ants are reddish brown

Termites:

• Antennae are straight
• Body is mostly uniform
• Wings are the same size, and twice as long as the body
• Wings break off easily
• Worker termites are white

Pests can cause real damage and be a pain to deal with no matter what kind they are. But being able to identify the type of pest you are dealing with can make it easier to know what steps you need to take to get rid of and prevent future infestations.