Have you created your fall to-do list yet? It seems that the day you get everything on your spring-cleaning to-do list completed, the first leaf falls from the trees and it's time to start preparing the home for fall and winter. Here, you'll find a few things that you can get a jump-start on to get ahead of the game this season.
Start with the Chimney
Since summer will be over sooner than most want, you can start with the chimney and not have to worry about getting it done right before the snow begins to fall and everyone else is scurrying about trying to get their chimneys cleaned for the year.
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If you are selling a higher-end home, your real estate agent may recommend that you hire a home staging service to prepare the home for showings and open houses. You're probably vaguely familiar with what home stagers do — they make a home look more presentable and appealing — but what exact services can you expect these professionals to carry out?
Extreme Cleaning
If you are dreading having to clean under the fridge or vacuum the carpet in the storage room, have no fear.
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Your home and your gardens outside are great hiding places for bugs, rodents, and other pests, but a little preventive maintenance, you can keep the critters out.
Keeping the Pests Out of the House
Insects, spiders, and rodents are not something you want in your home. There are a lot of options that you can try to keep them out, but the most effective is to have a professional pest control company come and treat your home for you.
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Mold is, unfortunately, a common problem in many residential homes. Mold occurs because of uncontrolled home moisture, and it can ruin some of the interior finishes and even the structures in your home. Homeowners can make the mistake of underestimating mold in their home. Don't buy into these common mold myths -- protect your house against mold.
Myth: Mold only occurs in areas with high environmental humidity.
Mold can be more common in areas that have higher moisture in the air, but home mold can occur even in dry, desert-like conditions.
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Handcrafted picture frames have so much more character than the mass-manufactured ones sold in big box stores. And ultimately, don't you want to frame your pictures in something unique and beautiful? However, as with all goods, handcrafted picture frames are not all created equal. Here are some things to look for in a high-quality, handcrafted frame.
Dovetailed Corners
One can make a picture frame simply by gluing four pieces of wood together, but that's not the sturdiest construction.
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