Tuesday, July 19, 2022 / by Jenny Carroll
PREVENTING SLAB SETTLING
By Jeff Stewart, CCIM
Last month set a record for the hottest June in recorded history. It sets the stage for a similar summer as we had in the drought of 2011. This means homeowners need to be proactive in safeguarding their foundations. This is especially true for owners with properties east of I-35 in the black clay.
Slab foundations are engineered with beams, rebar and post tension cables to perform under great stress, but in the final analysis, they are still ground supported. While engineered slabs seldom fail, they certainly can settle enough to bind doors and cause unsightly cracks in brick and drywall. The key to preventing this is to maintain consistent moisture in the soil supporting the exterior beams of the foundation. As a former general contractor and officer of a builder warranty company, I have seen scores of houses with all degrees of settling. Many of the problems could have been largely a. ...
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home, summer, dripping springs, home improvement, bastrop, water
Thursday, June 10, 2021 / by Jenny Carroll
As summer begins to settle in and temperatures rise, it’s the perfect time to schedule your annual check up for your home. A check up for my home, you ask? Yes! The health of your home needs to be assessed annually to nip any potential issues in the bud as well as identifying problems before they become failures. Here are some things you can do to maintain your home and keep your systems running smoothly all year long.
What kinds of things should we be looking for?
Air Conditioner
Good question. Your A/C system, your home’s main support system in our hot summer climate, should be checked by a professional at least once a year. As it gets hotter outside our usage goes up and that’s when issues can take us unawares. Don’t find yourself sitting in a hot house this summer because you didn’t clean off your condenser unit, pour vinegar in your drainline, or you didn’t check coolant levels. Having a professional A/C company service your syste. ...
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family, home, new, summer, home improvement, water, electricity, spring
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / by Jenny Carroll
Contributed By: Jami Carroll
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to provide for our seasonal native pollinators! Following the polar freeze that hit Central Texas last month, biologists and horticulturists have begun sounding the alarm over the storms’ negative impacts on our migratory species--including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. As we begin the hard work of cleaning, reclaiming, and replacing our landscapes and gardens, it’s important to provide for the smallest members of our natural environment: the pollinators. Native species, wildflowers, annuals, and herbs make welcome additions to any garden while providing healthy food and habitats for our favorite pollinators.
Many homeowners look forward to the annual arrival of hummingbirds from mid-March to April. Returning from their South American holidays, Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, & Rufous hummingbirds seek the tender, Spring blooms of flowering plants, bushes, . ...
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family, fun, home, summer, warm, water
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 / by Jenny Carroll
The home-buying season is still going strong, even as the summer wanes and schools gear up to greet kids both in-person and online. Chances are, you know someone who bought a new house this year. Since get-togethers are still a bit taboo you might be looking for ready-to-ship housewarming gifts personalized to make that special friend or family member feel at home in their new digs. We've compiled 16 unique, fun items you can find online to have delivered right to their new door. Social distancing doesn't have to prevent you from reminding those you care about how special they are!
Don't know a new homeowner but want to make someone's day? These have you covered there, too!
Customized Self-Inking Address Stamp
An often overlooked gift item that brings a smile every time is a customized self-inking stamp with the happy homeowner's new address. Even if they pay all their bills, send all their invites, and communicate all online, this thoughtful item is sure to inspire a written ...
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family, covid, social distance, summer, fun, virtual party, gifts, housewarming
Thursday, July 9, 2020 / by Jenny Carroll
As COVID -19 cases soar in several states, Governor Abbot, on July 2nd, officially announced in an Executive Order that Texans are required to wear protective face masks covering the nose and mouth when in public both inside businesses as well as instances where social distancing of 6 feet is not possible. Fines for not wearing masks could be as high as $2,000 so don't get caught without one! This may leave many of you wondering where to get masks to suit the increased demand. Well, you're in luck. It seems masks are now available just about everywhere so we've compiled a list of where to get masks that range from utilitarian to couture. Check out the list here:
Shop all face masks at Amazon
Shop all face masks at Vistaprint
Shop all face masks at Avocado
Shop all face masks at DailySteals
Shop all face masks at Fans Edge
Shop all face masks at Adorama
Shop all face masks at REI
Shop all face masks at Foco
Shop all face masks at Zappos
Shop all face masks at ...
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covid, family, social distance, summer, mask
