CasaSugar

How-To: Clean Out Your Gutters

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:48 -0700

Hopefully, you've already begun your Spring cleaning and downloaded my Spring cleaning checklist. While you're at it, don't forget to give the exterior of your home a scrub down, in addition to the interior. One place that's always unkempt after a long Winter is your rain gutters. Luckily, getting them into tip-top shape is not so hard. You could hire a cleaning service, but that can cost you upwards of $100. So, to learn how to clean them yourself, read more.

First things first. You'll need a sturdy ladder to get up there. A step ladder is ideal if you have a tall one, but you can use an extension ladder as well. Have someone spot you while you're working.
Put on a pair of work gloves and goggles.
Cut open a trash bag and lay it, or a tarp, on the ground to catch debris.
Starting from the low end of the gutter where the outlet is, start scooping out the debris away from the outlet and tossing it onto your tarp. Work your way all the way to the other end of the gutter.
Attach a spray nozzle to your garden hose.
From that far end of the gutter, spray the length of the gutter, washing it toward the outlet. This will be muddy, so make sure you're dressed appropriately.
If the gutter remains dirty, you can use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to loosen the dirt. But be careful to keep your balance on the ladder.
If the water is trapped in the drainpipe, there may be debris caught in it. You can use a plumber's snake to pull it out from the bottom of the pipe.

Source

How-To: Patch a Gutter Leak

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:00:38 -0700

Unless you live in a perpetually dry desert where it never rains, I bet you enjoy an occasional rainstorm pounding on your house. It's all fun and games and cozy on a Friday night, when you've got nothing to do but watch a scary movie. That is, unless you've got a leaky gutter that leaves your house with water damage. If that's the case, you'd better pull your ladder out of the garage and plug that leak. Then, get back to your Netflix. You'll need just a few supplies, including a ladder (high enough to reach the gutter), some steel wool, metal flashing, asphalt flashing cement or gutter patch, caulk, and disposable plastic gloves.
To be home schooled on how to seal up your gutter, read more.

Here's how, from Barbara K!:

First things first. Make sure your ladder is secure, and ask someone to spot you if you can.
Then, clean out the gutter of leaves, twigs, and other debris. A small broom or scrub brush should do the trick.
To prepare the gutter to be patched, you'll want to scrub the inside of it surrounding the leak with your steel wool.
Then, trim the metal flashing a little larger than the area you need to patch.
Put your disposable gloves on.
Now, to patch the leak, coat the back of the metal flashing with asphalt flashing cement or gutter patch using a putty knife, and press it into place firmly.
Smooth off any excess adhesive using your finger (still wearing gloves).
Test the patch by pouring water onto where the leak was. It should be fixed. If not, run through the steps again, and make sure you're not missing any other leaks.

Source

Casa Quickie: A Softening Rain Chain

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:35 -0700

Danny Seo recently shared a wonderful tip on his blog to keep water from rushing out of your gutters too quickly, and I had to share. "Just connect a chain to the downspout of your gutters and let the rain slowly and gently trickle all the way down the chain," he says. The softening rain chain creates a beautiful sound when the rain dances down the chain, adding a sweet musical element to your home. Much nicer than the harsh pounding of gutter water hitting the ground. If you've got plants to water though, you may want to just set a barrel beneath the downspout of your gutter to collect rain for watering.
Source

Open House: Least Favorite Fall Chores

CasaSugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:30:04 -0700

Once the season turns, it's time to compile, and check off, all of those necessary Fall chores. From sweeping out gutters to raking up leaves, there's no end to the tasks that need attending to. My least favorite Fall chore is actually scheduling appointments with handymen and carpenters.

I don't have a problem with doing chores myself; it's the time spent waiting for service professionals, and taking time off of work to let people in and out of the house, that's difficult for me to manage. Plenty of my friends dread the Fall cleanup though, and often hire neighborhood kids to rake their leaves or clean around their homes. What's your least favorite Fall chore?

Source: Flickr User Sugarfrizz

How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:24 -0700

Grow a gutter garden.- AT:SF
Check out British stylist Sara Emslie.- Desire to Inspire
Invest in colorful, cool organic pillows.- Re-Nest
It may look like wallpaper, but it's really tile.- Shelterrific
Discover the homeowner perks in the stimulus package.- This Old House
Learn a little about art investments.- PointClickHome

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:30:00 -0700

Take a tour of Danny Seo's green and chic home.
Meet noted designer couple Charles and Ray Eames.
Learn how to curb water use when it counts.
Find out where you can get a pool table like Jennie Garth's.
Here's a few ways you can shop green at the grocery store.
Be inspired by Chanel's dimensional blooms.
Get to work and clean your gutters.
Decorate your home like Lady GaGa's wild costumes.

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:00:47 -0800

You'll flip over this fabulous dining room.- Sfgirlbybay
Create your own custom holiday card with Dwell.- Design Milk
Parsons is offering an MFA program in Interior Design.- UnBeige
John Robshaw is having a NYC sample sale this weekend.- Style Court
Find a perfect pie pan for your Thanksgiving party.- YumSugar
Hey boozehound! Need a bar stool? Here's a few dozen.- Design*Sponge
It's almost 2009. What you need is a wall calendar to blissfully live with.- Shelterrific
When it rains it pours. Make sure you know how to repair and install your gutter.- Charles and Hudson

Source

How-To: Protect Your Family and Home From a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:30:12 -0700

As most of you probably know, California has been ravaged by fires this Summer. As I write this, one of my friends awaits evacuation notice at her Southern California home, and several others are keeping a close watch on fire patterns in their area. Fire scares me - it is erratic and unpredictable and frighteningly fast. And while I can understand why some homeowners are reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Here are some smart pointers from the City of Napa, California's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Source

Casa Verde: Collect Your Rainwater

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:15:59 -0800

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we've been deluged with rain all Winter long. Most of this rain simply spills across the pavement and gutters and gets funneled back into the sewers. However, smart homeowners in this area put all of this water to work for them by saving it in rain barrels. Since the Bay Area has crazy amounts of rain in the Winter and hardly a drop in the Summer, water becomes a precious commodity come July (just when gardens are popping with life and demanding more irrigation). Instead of stressing the local municipality's water service, folks with rain barrels can simply irrigate their backyard gardens and lawns with the rain saved in their rain barrels.

To find out how to make your own rain barrel out of recycled materials, just read more.

Source and Source