Beat The Summer Heat!!!!!

It was yet another scorching hot day in Dallas. This has been the hottest summer I can ever remember  experiencing. It seems my A/C has to run all day just to keep the home at a livable temperature. I found some great tips to keep you cool over the summer on the UK's DailyMail website that I wanted to share with my readers. If you have any tips not mentioned in the article please leave them below in the comments section so our other readers can take advantage of your knowledge.

• Eat small meals often. The large the meal, the more metabolic heat your body creates breaking down the food. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

• Run your wrists under a cold tap for five seconds each every couple of hours. Because a main vein passes through this area, it helps cool the blood.

• Take a tepid bath or shower just below body temperature, especially before bedtime. Although a cold shower might sound more tempting, your body generates heat afterwards to compensate for the heat loss.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored cotton clothes. Heat is trapped by synthetic fibers, but cotton absorbs perspiration and its evaporation causes you to feel cooler. The light colors reflect the sun's radiation.

• While you are out, keep the house curtains drawn to stop it from heating up like a greenhouse.

• You may be longing for a cold beer or frozen margarita, but you should avoid alcohol because it dehydrates the body. You are better off with mineral water or low-sugar fizzy drinks. Also, avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee and colas. These increase the metabolic heat in the body.

• Woman should replace their usual body moisturizer with a cooling aloe vera after sun product to use morning and night. This will help lower your skin temperature.

• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity which will stimulate your body and raise its core temperature. If you must go jogging, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually before 7 am.

• Get liquid ice. This re-usable ice wrap is perfect for cooling hot skin. The cloth, pre-soaked in liquid Ice solution, cools instantly when removed from the packet without need for refrigeration

• Get some Mentholatum Migraine ice patches. These soft gel patches- designed to soothe headaches, come into their own during heatwaves as the instantly reduce skin temperature when applied. They can be found in pharmacies.

• Drink Chrysanthemum tea. Practitioners say Chrysanthemum is a cooling herb which clears the head.

• Sleep on a feather down pillow with a cotton pillowcase. Synthetic pillows will retain heat.

• The night before you go out for the day in the sun, roll some damp flannels up and pop them in the freezer. Take them with you in a plastic bag. The, when you start to feel hot, unwrap them and place them over your face.

• Try a Native American herbal remedy called Black Cohosh which has been clinically proven to relieve hot flushes and night sweats in menopausal woman. Recant research suggests it works on the hypothalamus, where it may help regulate body temperature.

• Ditch your comforter and sleep under a sheet instead. Even better, put your sheets ina  plastic bag and stick them in the fridge a couple of hours before going to bed. As we fall asleep our body temperature lowers, which is why it is difficult to sleep in hot weather. Cold sheets straight from the fridge should help you sleep better.

• Sit back, close your eyes, and picture snow. Research has shown that the body reacts to these daydreams, reducing its overall temperature.

Hail Damage : What to do if your home has suffered hail damage

Hail Damage can cause major damage to homes, car, and even bodies. And after the last few days here in North Texas I think we have seen enough hail and hail damage to last a lifetime. The only person who can possible enjoy the sound of ice chunks banging off your car and home are roofers and car repairmen. For the rest of us that sound means the possibility of major damage to our most valuable possesions. Unfortunately there is not much you can do to avoid hail damage. There are however some helpful tips you can follow if you do get hit by hail and suffer damages. These tips can help make sure you stay safe and get the repairs done in the fastest and best possible manner. Check them out below.

1.  Put your personal safety first. Windows may be broken and glass may be shattered. Take caution to avoid these areas until you are positive the storm has passed and it is safe.

2. Stay cautious for any live wires that may have snapped. Wear proper shoes and gloces when inspecting the damage. DO NOT touch any loose wires!!!!

3. If you have insurance you will need to call and make a claim as soon as possible. Be prepared to give a general description of the property and damages as a representative will walk you through your claim.

4. Try to make any temporary repairs that are possible. If you have holes in the roof or broken windows try to temporarily repair them by using plywood and other materials. if you do not feel you can attempt repairs safely then DO NOT do them.

5. Check your insurance policy. Your insurance policy typically covers the cost to repair common hail damage-including damage to roofs, walls and cars, and your inventory or belongings. However, your deductible does apply-and you may have a higher deductible for wind/hail damage on your policy. Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen. Reviewing your policy will help you prepare questions for your claims professional.

6. Document the damage. If it is safe and possible try and take pictures of the damage to your property as soon as possible. Do Not throw away any repairs quotes or bills as they may become important when making your insurance claim down the road.

7. Choose contractors wisely. Ask friends, family, and business associates for referrals of good contractors. Your choice in contractors can greatly affect the outcome of the repairs.

If your home is in need of repairs and you would like a list of qualified and honest repairmen please email BWebb@KW.com or call 469-951-2299.

Time to do some winter cleaning? DON'T buy all those expensive cleaners!!!!

Is it time to do some winter cleaning around your house? If you are like me you have bottles and bottles of different cleaners for every type of surface in your home. It can be really EXPENSIVE to buy all the recommended cleaners and solutions you might need. That is where we at planohometips.com can help. We have found some great solutions to save you some money on cleaning supplies. You can use some simple stuff around your house to make effective and safe household cleaners and avoid having to buy all those expensive cleaners at the store. Try these easy recipes to clean your home effectively and on the cheap.

White Vinegar

Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring.

White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.) 

With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin. 

Try these recipes to harness the cleaning power of white vinegar:

Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle: 

• 1 cup white vinegar 
• 1 cup water 

In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas. 

In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet. 

For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.

Undiluted White Vinegar

Undiluted white vinegar--straight from the jug--makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum. 

Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings. 

Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish. 

Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue--a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

Baking Soda

Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. Put baking soda to work in your organized home: 

Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle grimy bathtub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink. 

For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove. 

Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use this glass cleaning spray recipe for windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles:

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle: 

• 1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol 
• 1 cup water 
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Ammonia

A strong alkaline solution, clear, non-sudsing ammonia creates stronger window and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar. Choose non-sudsing varieties of household ammonia for these cleaning recipes. Suds may make it appear like the cleaner is working, but they're tough to rinse and remove. Try these ammonia recipes for spring cleaning or tough chores:

Strong Glass Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle: 

• 1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol 
• 1 cup water 
• 1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia

Strong All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle: 

• 1 T clear, non-sudsing ammonia 
• 1 T clear laundry detergent 
• 2 cups water

Furniture Polish

Most of us no longer use hard-to-apply furniture wax, but rely on oil-based polish to keep furniture protected and shiny.

This "salad dressing" recipe for furniture polish avoids the danger of silicone oil, found in most commercial polishes and sprays. Silicone oil can penetrate tiny cracks in furniture finish and enter the wood, causing problems in the event refinishing is needed. 

Lemon juice dissolves dirt and smudges, while olive oil shines and protects the wood:

Furniture Polish Recipe

Mix in a sprayer bottle: 

•  1 cup olive oil 
• 1/2 cup lemon juice 

Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

Some more great tips for your home in the Winter

We here at Plano Area Home Tips and Information (PAHTI) are always searching the web for more helpful advice to share with you, our loyal readers. I found another great winter checklist I would like to share with you; this one from State Farm Insurance. It gives some great tips for maintaining and caring for your house during the winter time. And sure, we don't have extreme winters here in Dallas, but it does get cold enough for just a few weeks to do some major damage to Dallas houses. So hopefully if you follow these guidelines your home will run safe and smooth all winter long. Like always if you have a tip you don't see on the list please be sure and share it with all of our awesome readers in the comments section.

Winter Maintenance Tips For Your Home

Winter tips

• Remove screens from windows and install storm windows
• Clean out gutters and downspouts
• Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic
• Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home
• Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer
• Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections
• Check the attic for adequate ventilation
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles
• Test all ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets

Remove the screens from the storm window frames and install storm windows

Storm windows help reduce the cost to heat your home and help prevent windowsills from rotting.

Clean out gutters and downspouts

Cleaning debris and fallen leaves reduces the chances of an ice dam forming. One good step is to spray water down the downspouts to wash away leaves and other debris. A good tip is to place gutter screens over gutters. Read more about ice dams at attic ventilation and water damage.

Extreme caution should be exercised when working on or around the roof. Consider hiring a professional.

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic

These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home

This will reduce a home's fire load and the chance of attracting termites.

Familiarize responsible family members with the main gas valve and other appliance valves

Responsible family members should be familiar with the location and operation of valves. If you are unsure of the location and operation of these valves, contact a qualified plumber.

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer

Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and may cause a fire.

Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections

If possible, use 3-prong plugs and cords. The use of 2-prong adapters, which permit 3-prong plugs to be used in 2-prong outlets, doesn't always provide grounding to protect against shock. Unplug decorations when not in use.

Use of extension cords should be temporary. To help reduce the chances of overheating, electric cords, including extension cords, should never be bundled together or run under rugs and carpet.

Check the attic for adequate ventilation

Check the exterior wall to be sure the ceiling insulation is not blocking the outside air from the soffit vents from getting into the attic. Make sure the attic has plenty of vents. Caution should be taken in all attic spaces that are unfinished. Read more at Attic ventilation and water damage.

Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter

Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.

Check water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles

Replace hoses that show signs of leaking. Read more about Preventing water damage in your home.

Test all ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets

These need to be tripped and reset once a month. If they do not trip or reset, have the outlet changed by a qualified electrician. These types of outlets are required around wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens to offer protection against shock. Only a qualified electrician should make changes in your home's electrical system.

Lawn Tips for the winter

Are you wanting a lush and green yard this summer? Well there a few important steps you can take in the winter that can greatly help you get the yard you want this spring. Winter is a great time to get your yard prepared to bloom and blossom this spring.The first, and perhaps easiest, step is to pick up any leaves that cover your lawn. If left sitting over grass, they will create dead spots.The same goes for clutter and debris, such as toys. You may think that grass is completely dormant during Winter months, however, grass still needs oxygen and sunlight to maintain life. If you have it covered, you have it smothered.The next step, do not drive on the grass. Winter is a time for holiday parties and family get-togethers. Many people may be tempted to park on lawns. Resist the urge!You can take lawn care two steps further, as well. If your lawn has pH issues, now is the time to treat it with lime and other additives. Contact your local lawn specialist for more information. Late Winter is also the time to aerate your lawn. What is aerating? By making small holes in the surface of your lawn, you allow for deeper root growth. You also allow nutrients to gain direct access to the grass roots. This should give you a fuller, thicker lawn.
Follow these simple steps and wake up to a beautiful Spring lawn.

Apartment prices set to climb; could now be a good time to buy?

It has never been much of a problem for people to find an apartment to rent in and around Dallas. Well, that is about to change in the next year economists claim. Builders are unable to keep up with the growing demand for rental properties thus the rents on existing properties could rise steeply in the next year. And that is why NOW might be a great time to start thinking about buying as opposed to renting. Instead of paying double what you pay today to rent that same apartment next year wouldn't it be nicer to have a place that is all yours? Where you know nobody is going to double the price it costs to live in your home year after year? With interest rates still so low, often times your house payment can be less than an apartment payment, and you are building equity. And while Dallas didn't see the housing prices decline like they did in states like Florida and California there are still some great deals out there for hungry buyers. Before you sign that next lease you owe it to yourself to sit down with a real estate professional and at least look at all of your options. You could very easily save alot of money by buying this year as opposed to renting another apartment for a year.

Keep your home safe in the cold

Brrrrr....... it has been a cold week here in Dallas.It all started with a nice snow shower on Sunday afternoon. And since then it has only gotten colder, causing much of the snow to stick around on roofs and bushes.While Dallas certainly is not known for having the harshest winters on Earth, we do get our fair share of cold weather in the winter months. And when the temperatures go below freezing it can really wreck havoc on your home. Roof damage, burst drains, and frozen pipes are just a few of the headaches Mr. Winter can cause. Below I have posted some great tips from weather.com that can help minimize winter's threat to your home. If you have any useful tips not listed below please leave them in our comments section so we can share them with our other readers.

Winter Weather Home Tips

While you can't change the weather, you can minimize some of winter's biggest threats to your home.

Heavy snow accumulation can pose a threat to your home or business -- both as it builds up and as it melts. The three most important things to do are:

Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor for a referral.

Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.

Keep your attic well ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice dams forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

Water intrusion and flood damage from melting snow and ice can threaten homes and businesses, but you can take these steps to help minimize the potential damage.
Immediately after the threat of physical danger has passed:

Make sure the building is structurally safe to enter or reoccupy.

Turn off electrical power. Do not use electricity until it is safe to do so.

Ensure that natural gas sources are safely secured.

Secure the exterior to prevent further water intrusion. This can include boarding up broken windows, making temporary roof repairs, sealing cracks or tacking down plastic sheeting against open gaps in walls or roofs.When it's safe to begin cleanup:

Disconnect all electronics/electrical equipment and move it to a safe, dry location.

Remove as much standing water as possible from inside the building.

Begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.

Ventilate the home as best you can with fans and/or dehumidifiers.

Contact a water extraction company, if necessary, for assistance.
By taking immediate action, you will reduce the amount of damage and increase the chance of salvaging usable materials. You'll also reduce the amount of rust, rot, mold and mildew that may develop, and lower the likelihood that the water will lead to structural problems.


Ice dams are an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof. When interior heat melts the snow, water can run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. If the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off the roof, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.
To help reduce the risk of ice dams:

Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.

Keep the attic well ventilated so snow doesn't melt and refreeze on the roof's edge.

Make sure the attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

Bursting pipes occur when frozen water causes a pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold. To keep water in your pipes from freezing:

Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer.

Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.

Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.

Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space.Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.