On the Wire - Winter Getaway
A getaway is a great way to beat those winter blues, especially once the holidays have passed and all the festivities are over. So, you're packing and planning for your trip... but make sure you get your house prepped before you leave. Freezing temperatures can really do a number on your home if it's not ready.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing account for approximately 17 percent of all homeowners insurance claims, with the average claim amounting to over $5,000. So, taking a little time to prepare your home before you pull out of the driveway can mean big savings and the avoidance of a miserable cleanup and repair headache. Here are a few of the main areas that need attention:
Plumbing System: During prolonged absences from your home, shut off the water inside and out - there's no need for it to be on while you're away - and you'll greatly reduce the chances of damage resulting from cold-weather pipe breaks. Locate and turn off the main water valve, which is usually found on the front, street-facing side of a home's lower level (it may be located in the crawl space; if it's difficult to get to, a plumber can add an extension to put it within reach). While you're out and about, make sure all hose bibs are turned off at their inside valves, and leave faucets open to drain away any lingering water that could freeze and break the fixture later. Inside your home, drain all toilets and tanks, and pour a small amount of non-toxic marine antifreeze into toilet bowls and drains to prevent frost breaks.
Electrical System: While you are away, fires can develop in electrical circuits as well as from appliances, even if they are not turned on. To prevent trouble, identify and carefully mark all non-essential (anything other than your heating system, security system, and outdoor lighting) circuit breakers in your home's electrical box. Tip: You can use small colored dot stickers to mark the breakers. Then, using these carefully marked non-essential breakers as a guide, turn them off before you go away. Also unplug appliances large and small, and adjust the heat to a minimum of 62 degrees to maintain proper interior humidity and prevent the development of molds and mildew.
Security System: For further damage prevention, consult your home security provider regarding system add-ons such as freeze alarms and leak alarms, as well as carbon monoxide, heat and moisture detectors that can alert you to unexpected developments.
Just as every winter traveler has their list of personal packing musts, every home has its individual needs and requirements, so tailor your home's vacation preparation accordingly. Longer absences mean more extensive winterization plans, but you and your home will both appreciate the investment of time and care once you return!
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Hardwoods for Hard Living
This week's question comes to us from "Carrob". She says, "We're remodeling our family room and my husband is campaigning for hardwood floors. I'm concerned about wear and tear as this room will receive a lot of traffic. Will pre-finished floors stand up to the test of time?"
Just a few years ago, we would have told you to skip pre-finished floors for rooms that get tons of traffic. However, there have been many changes in the way pre-finished floors are, well, finished. Nowadays, aluminum oxide, added to the finish at the factory through a multi-step process, makes pre-finished floors an extremely durable option. If you are wondering why this material has such a magical impact on durability, you might consider the other product it is very commonly used for: sandpaper!
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Easy Floor Fix
One of the trickiest parts of laying flooring – tile, wood planks, laminates – BESIDES not working yourself into a corner... is making sure that floor is straight. Coming up on the next Money Pit radio show, we'll tell you how to make sure all those lines are straight and true with an insider's trick! To find out where we broadcast in your area, or download our Podcast, visit www.moneypit.com.
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Dot Common Sense - Home Checklist
Taking care of your home will not only keep you safer and more comfortable, it will keep up its value AND allow you to stay in it as long as you can. A few things that can help you do that: each month test your smoke detectors, test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters, check the gauge on your fire extinguisher. Twice a year, check all faucets and under sinks for leaks, inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers, clean the coils on your fridge and drain a few gallons of water from your water heater to prevent sediment buildup. Some quick checks and repairs now will ensure your future in your home for years to come. For more info, go to www.aarp.org.
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Fun Fact - Right on Track
If you hear the phrase "track lighting" – do you think dated 80's living room? Track lighting doesn't have to look dated – it's come a long way, baby! With track lighting, you can spotlight a room's decorative points of interest, and just plain shed light for utility and safety. Plus, installing today's track lighting fixtures are easier than ever thanks to their "modular" design which allows different tracks and fixtures to be snapped together in an endless variety of patterns and styles. And they look great. You can get pendant styles, spotlight styles, even really funky fixtures that look like art pieces. The possibilities are endless, and no one will accuse you of living in a time warp.
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Short Cuts - Don't Leave Home Without It
Don't leave home without your membership to the Money Pit/American Homeowners Association. As much as we all love working to improve our homes, sometimes there's just nothing better than getting away. And when you do leave town, your Money Pit/AHA membership can help you get the most for your travel dollar. Whether you're going for a short trip or heading halfway across the world, your membership benefits can ensure you have a great trip and save a ton of money – here's how it works.
You can use our members-only website to plan every aspect of your trip, including where to go, what to see, how to get there, where to eat, sleep, and shop. Our extensive database has insider info on 5,000 cities worldwide - from Baltimore to Bali, Miami to Milan, Las Vegas to London - we make it super easy to figure it all out.
When you're ready to book your flights we make it so easy you don't need a travel agent. Enter your dates and destination and compare dozens of flights from all the major airlines. Find the best schedule and the best deal then book it online.
When you book your hotels online you get the guaranteed lowest price. And you will get trusted names in the hospitality industry like Hilton, Marriot and Embassy Suites just to name a few. Need a car? Use the member site to find killer deals from Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and more.
Need another reason to book travel with your membership? How about 10% CASH BACK? You read right. Book your hotel and rental car through the AHA website, mail in a simple rebate form with your receipts, and we send you a check for 10% of the total. It's just that easy.
These travel deals alone would be good reason to join the Money Pit/AHA Membership, but they're just two out of hundreds of time and money saving benefits and privileges that you get with this program.
And we're about to add two more great reasons: Free tools. That's right – you'll get two awesome electronic tools from Zircon just for trying the Money Pit/AHA Membership. The LaserBall 360 laser level and StudSensor i60 OneStep from Zircon sell for $50.00 in home improvement stores from coast to coast. For all the details on how you can claim them free, along with a free trial membership, click here.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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