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

Jeff Bridges May Start a Country Band With Colin Farrell and More From The Dude in the Oscars Press Room!

Molly — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:40:00 -0800

Jeff Bridges took home his Oscar at tonight's show, winning best actor for his role in Crazy Heart. After giving a sweet speech up on stage, he stepped back to the press room. The Big Lebowski came up more than once, and Jeff Bridges showed that he still has a lot of The Dude in him. He also gushed about his wife of 33 years and two daughters. Here's highlights:

On his whole career as an actor: "Well, you know, ups and downs, what does the Dude say? Strikes and gutters, man. That's about it. That's about it."
On what he has in common with Bad Blake: "The music, that's what I most identified with Bad. I have been writing music, playing music since I was a kid. Unlike Bad, I have - you know, I didn't think he had great parents. He had four, probably, great wives that he got rid of, you know. But I have a very strong marriage. Bad didn't have that. There's a lot of stuff he didn't have."
On forming a country band with Colin Farrell: "Sounds like a good idea. I'll talk with those guys, maybe"
On his key to success: "Oh, well, first thing that pops into my mind is my wife, my support, you know. She holds that kite string. Lets me go way out there, and then it's so sweet being reeled back in. I love coming home. She pointed out the other day, we've been apart 11 of the last 14 months. So I went, whoo, really far out there. But my wife and my girls, I guess the girls are the tail of the kite, keep me centered like that. My girl, my daughters."

View 5 Photos ›

To see more of what Jeff had to say just read more.

On what he hopes this movie means in his life: "Yeah. Well, certainly, the music, that's going to bloom for me. That's something that I've been doing for a long time. And this is going to help me continue that. But also, you know, there's upsides and downsides of things. The downsides, you lose some of your anonymity, and for an actor, that's kind of tough. But the upside is, you know, hopefully, this award will help bring peace and understanding and prosperity to our world, you know. I think, because, really, movies are more than just entertainment, they are connecting us, you know. And music is the same way. We have, you know, a movie about music here, but music and movies are a common link for all of us. I am hoping that this will kind of raise my profile, and I am all about getting us, you know, getting us all together, getting the world healthy. Sometimes I'll think of movies as a great example for the way the world can work. You have all these, you know, different opinions, and all these different ways we can work together. And we can make the most beautiful movie we can make, and we have the opportunity to make this the most beautiful world too. So I hope that furthers that idea."
On the legacy of The Big Lebowski: "I'm digging the Dude. You know, I love him. That's wonderful. You know, the success that he's had. I was a little disappointed, when it first came out, it didn't do much. But now we have Lebowski fests and all kinds of things."

View 5 Photos ›

House Rundown, "5 to 9"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:02:50 -0800

This week's House is all about Cuddy! The show follows the harried single mom through a particularly stressful day at Princeton Plainsboro, and as such, we see the entire series of events from her perspective for a change a la the "Wilson" episode. My verdict: the woman is majorly ruthless. I knew it took big brass ones to deal with House, but she uses that same tenacity to negotiate with an insurance company and a thieving employee.

Not only did I enjoy the switch from the usual patient diagnosis formula, but it also raises a few interesting thoughts. Let's go over some key highlights when you read more.

I had no idea that Cuddy did so much work! We usually see her putting out fires with House, but this time around, we realize that she's having to keep the peace with everyone. I don't know how she does her job and puts up with House's juvenile antics. Did this episode give you a new appreciation for her?
What did you think about the single, multitasking mom angle? Props to the show for depicting a woman trying to "have it all," but somehow it seems borderline cliche - especially when she's taking care of her sick child in a ridiculously low-cut shirt.
I didn't believe for one second that Cuddy was actually going to quit the teaching hospital, did you? Still, it makes you wonder if they are trying to set her up for a spinoff.
Favorite House line of the night: "Ever notice how many porn sites have 'Mom' in the main domain name?" Oh, House, is your mind ever not in the gutter? Another great moment, courtesy of the doc: the massage station.
I would've loved to have seen more from the pharmacy tech Gail who stole $50,000 worth of drugs. What a nutjob!
Lucas kind of got on my nerves this week. He tells House about their sex life (!), he shows up for a quickie with Cuddy even though she's been running around all morning, and he can't even remember to turn the phone back on after a nap. She's just too mature for him (though he did come in handy for that flower microphone). Do you agree, or do you still like them together?
Did we really need that overly dramatized "yes!" scream after Cuddy got her 12 percent? I'm happy for her (come on, we knew she would succeed), but that was over the top.

So did you enjoy the deviation from the usual House episode? Has Cuddy proven herself worthy of her own show? Share your thoughts in the comments, or head over to the House! group to talk more.

Photos courtesy of Fox

Consumer Reports: How to Make Pricey Appliances Last

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00:28 -0800

The cost of maintaining a home and appliances is often a major deterrent for those debating whether to rent or purchase a home. The unexpected expense of fixing leaky gutters and broken dishwashers can be budget breaking if it comes at the wrong time of month. Not to mention it's a huge pain. Consumer Reports has put together a great guide for how to extend the useful life of appliances and pricey goodies. Obviously, the key is maintenance and keeping a watchful eye on appliances so they don't break down unexpectedly and leave you in a pricey pinch. Consumer Reports suggests:

Cell phones
Don't stow in your car's glove compartment during the summer. Otherwise, batteries may overheat, possibly ruining the phone. If you've been known to drop your cell phone, treat it to a protective case.

Clothes dryers
Clean the lint filter after each use and the entire air duct yearly. If your dryer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable new model. But don't expect much gain in performance or efficiency, since dryer technology hasn't changed much.

Clothes washers
Don't overload. If your washer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable model. If you're replacing, consider a high-efficiency washer, which should save money over time. Also consider a front-loader, which is less punishing to clothes than a top-loader.

Dishwashers
Check the filter regularly and remove any debris.

To see additional suggestions and reminders, read more.

Hardwood floors
Dust mop or vacuum weekly. Wipe up wet spills pronto.

Kitchen knives
Keep them out of the dishwasher and store them in a wooden knife block or individual plastic shields.

Laptop computers
Set them on a hard, flat surface rather than a soft one such as a bed or carpet, which can block airflow and cause them to overheat.

LCD TVs
Clean the screen gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, ideally a microfiber one. Avoid commercial cleaners and paper towels, which can scratch the screen.

Mattresses
Rotate periodically. Try not to sit on the edge. Buy a washable, protective cover. And pull back the sheets and blankets to let the bed air out for 20 minutes or so each morning.

Visit the Consumer Reports website for more tips on making your pricey goods last.

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.

4 Universally Flattering Makeup Colors to Try Now!

BellaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman is the kind of guy you want to take home with you. Get your mind out of the gutter, there. I'm referring to the fact that he's a wealth of knowledge, and his understanding of all things makeup is so comprehensive, it boggles the mind. Since Freedman had so much to share with me in our recent interview, I can't help but share more of his amazing tips with you. (Check out some more good stuff here.) While standing in the drugstore aisle or department store counter searching for the perfect shade, are you a bit baffled by all the offerings? Fret not, because Freedman has delivered once again. To discover some of his recommendations for universally flattering lip, cheek, and shadow shades, keep reading.

Daily Tech: Posterous Posts iPhone 3GS Videos to Social Sites

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:15:15 -0700

Upload your iPhone 3GS videos to Twitter and Facebook with Posterous. - Mashable
Rain gutters are an ingenious way to hide cables and cords near your computer. - Lifehacker
Seagate has debuted some new external drives for Mac users. - CrunchGear
Memphis hospital confirms that Steve Jobs had a liver transplant. - The Silicon Alley Insider
The latest Gmail mobile version for the iPhone offers swipe gestering to archive messages.- TechCrunch
ThisMoment.com is a new service that allows people to share meaningful moments in their lives and put them into a timeline. - All Things Digital