Now that you’ve tackled last week’s yard maintenance items, this is a great time of year to think ahead to hardscaping projects you want to put in place as the weather warms up. We all want to make the most of our outdoor living space, and a creative design or updating worn out or dated hardscaping materials can spruce up the yard and add value to your property.   ...read more

As summer draws to a close we may not be spending as much time out by the pool, but it’s important to remember that throughout the year, pools are a potential hazard for homeowners and should be protected with the proper fencing and other safety equipment. Local building codes include very specific requirements for pool safety in terms of fencing, gates, and door alarms in an attempt eliminate drowning incidents.   ...read more

Now is a good time to check your electrical system. 

• Trip and reset circuit breakers.
• Check all light bulbs to ensure they don't exceed the recommended wattage for the lamp or fixture.
• Consider using CFL bulbs whenever possible to increase your energy savings.
• Check electrical outlets and switches for loose hardware.   ...read more

As the weather begins to warm up, don't get too far ahead in your spring gardening - we may still have frost, so be prepared to cover tender plants. Trees, shrubs and vines can be fertilized at this time. Fertilize trees away from the trunk; you want to reach the active roots under the outer part of the tree canopy. Wait to prune any frost-damaged plants after you begin to see new growth. You can clean out dead wood and remove suckers on trees in your yard.   ...read more

It’s never too early in the season to think about pool safety. In Arizona, local building codes include very specific requirements for pool safety in terms of fencing, gates, and door alarms in an attempt eliminate drowning incidents. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in Arizona, and is the second-leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children under the age of 15.   ...read more

Everyone’s talking about energy efficiency these days – how to save on energy costs while preserving the environment. But do you really know why you spend what you do on energy? One way to find out is to have a home energy audit performed. A home energy audit is a great way to gather and analyze information to determine where you can save money on your energy costs.   ...read more

Living in the desert presents some unique challenges when it comes to our water supply. Water in Arizona contains large amounts hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium, resulting in water that is two to three times harder than water in other parts of the country. Hard water is a problem for a number of reasons, but mostly because it is “hard” on appliances, systems, our bodies and our wallets.   ...read more