Category Archives: Home Maintenance

Best Flooring From Consumer Reports’ Tests

“We are constantly asked about what type of floors homeowners should put in their homes.  The answer varies with where the floors are going, how they will be used and what your budget is.  This article from Consumer Reports, might just help you make a decision in the future.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Best flooring

Flooring takes up a lot of real estate in any room, and given its visual impact, you’ll want to make sure it lasts more than a few years. But when you consider all the flooring options on the market, it can be tough to know which material to go with.

“Is there potential for moisture or spills? How much traffic will the space have,” says Joan Muratore, a senior test engineer who evaluates flooring for Consumer Reports, “Ease of cleaning and maintenance is something else to consider.”

MORE ON FLOORING
CR’s Complete Guide to Flooring
The Right Type of Flooring for Every Room
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If you need help thinking through the functional aspects of flooring, check out our buying guide to the best types of flooring for each room. If you already have a sense of which material you’re looking for, well, you’re almost there: Take a look below at our top picks in five categories of materials, based on CR’s extensive lab testing.

We test wear resistance by subjecting a 6-by-6-inch sample of each flooring material to an abrasion machine fitted with a fine sandpaper disc, and assessing each sample for signs of visible wear after each cycle of sanding.

To test a floor’s resistance to denting, we drop a heavy, blunt weight that has the same impact as a large can of tomatoes, plus smaller, lighter, pointier objects that serve as proxies for kitchen utensils. Our testers drop the weights from progressively higher release points, examining the flooring for visible denting after each drop. The higher the drop before damage becomes evident, the better a floor’s dent-resistance rating.

We evaluate potential for fading by exposing part of a sample of flooring to UV rays for two weeks straight, then comparing the exposed portion to an unexposed portion. This gives us information on what can happen to a section of flooring that gets more sunlight than the rest of a room over time.

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Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?

That depends on whether the material can be installed as a floating floor, or whether it should be nailed or glued into place.

With a floating floor, the pieces click together to create one large puzzle that can be installed right over an existing floor; its own weight will keep it from shifting, and the walls hold it in place. It has the advantage of being relatively easy to remove, which comes in handy if you make a mistake while you’re laying the floor or if you want to change it out for something different in the years to come. (We indicate which flooring can float in our extensive ratings.)

This approach doesn’t work with solid wood and porcelain tile—both of which get attached directly to a subfloor. (Wood is either nailed or glued, and tile is set in a bed of mortar.)

Below are CR’s top-scoring options for engineered wood, laminate, linoleum, prefinished solid wood, porcelain tile, and vinyl flooring, plus a runner-up in each category.

For a full picture of what’s available in the five categories below, check our ratings of more than 70 flooring products.

Prefinished Solid Wood Flooring

This flooring consists of factory-finished planks and is available in a variety of wood species. It can survive more scuffs than unfinished hardwood but designwise still add lots of warmth and character. As a whole, this category doesn’t do well when it comes to dent resistence—many in our ratings earn a Poor.

Lumber Liquidators Builder's Pride Select Pewter Gray Maple solid wood flooring
Lumber Liquidators Builder’s Pride Select Pewter Gray Maple solid wood flooring

Best: Lumber Liquidators Builder’s Pride Select Pewter Gray Maple 10040807
Price per square foot: $4.20
CR’s take: For several years, this Lumber Liquidators option has won the top spot in our ratings of prefinished solid wood flooring. It earns a rating of Excellent for resisting foot traffic and scratches, and it costs less than other top models. This flooring can be nailed or glued into place, depending on the subfloor material.

Runner-up: Armstrong Paragon Original Ember SAKP59L401
Price per square foot: $7
CR’s take: This is the only other model in this category that receives an Excellent rating for ability to resist wear from foot traffic. This flooring also does well in retaining its color when exposed to ultraviolet rays; it won’t fade as much as others might in sunny rooms. As for installation, it needs to be nailed down to a plywood subfloor.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Made from several layers of plywood bound together by adhesives and topped with a layer of solid wood, this floor type simulates the look and feel of hardwood, but has one important advantage: The plywood substrate makes each plank less susceptible to seasonal shrinking and swelling than solid wood, which minimizes gaps between boards that can appear in dry conditions. (We have no runner-up in this category because none of the other products tested well enough for CR to recommend.)

Harris Wood Traditions SpringLoc Red Oak Bridle engineered wood
Harris Wood Traditions SpringLoc Red Oak Bridle engineered wood

Best: Harris Wood Traditions SpringLoc Red Oak Bridle HE2505OK48
Price per square foot: $5.50
CR’s take: This engineered wood flooring can withstand the sun’s rays with the best of them, earning a rating of Excellent in our UV-resistance test. When challenged by foot traffic and denting, though, it earns a rating of only Fair, so it wouldn’t be a prudent choice for a high-traffic zone.

Laminate Flooring

A less expensive option, laminate flooring simulates wood with a photographic image of wood sealed on top of dense fiberboard. Laminate comes in a variety of wood patterns, from oak to maple to pine. It’s usually easy to install because most products allow you to float the material over another flooring surface. That makes it ideal for quick upgrades.

Pergo Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak laminate flooring
Pergo Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak laminate flooring

Best: Pergo Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak LF000848 (Home Depot)
Price per square foot: $3
CR’s take: Resistant to stains, scratches, and foot traffic, Pergo’s Outlast+ Vintage Pewter Oak earns impressive scores across all our tests. It has a lifetime warranty that promises the laminate surface will not wear through and that the floor won’t fade from exposure to sun or electrical lighting.

Runner-up: Home Legend Textured Oak Angona HL 1224 (Home Depot)
Price per square foot: $2.80
CR’s take: This flooring earns a rating of Excellent for its resistance to foot traffic and scratches in our tests, and holds up to prolonged UV exposure. It doesn’t stand up to dents very well, so it might not be best for kitchens, where there’s a chance you might drop a pot or pan.

Vinyl Flooring

Usually made of flexible PVC, vinyl flooring comes in squares or planks that can made into floating flooring or glued into place, or sheets that need to be glued down (by a pro). Vinyl flooring comes in hundreds of looks—woodlike, stonelike, and woven appearances, to name just a few.

Armstrong Vivero D10 Homespun Harmony Rugged Brown vinyl flooring
Armstrong Vivero D10 Homespun Harmony Rugged Brown vinyl flooring

Best: Armstrong Vivero D10 Homespun Harmony Rugged Brown U1042
Price per square foot: $4
CR’s take: This vinyl option, which comes in planks, performs well in all our tests. It resists foot traffic, scratches, stains, and dents. There really isn’t a negative to note. It’s also easy to install, allowing you the option of floating it over an existing floor or affixing it with adhesive.

Runner-up: Congoleum DuraCeramic Sierra Slate SI74 Golden Greige
Price per square foot: $5
CR’s take: For those interested in a vinyl floor with the look and feel of stone, the Congoleum DuraCeramic Sierra Slate SI74 Golden Greige is a good choice. It earns a rating of Excellent in our foot traffic and scratches tests. It doesn’t achieve the same high marks for dent resistance, so it might not be right for certain spaces.

Porcelain Tile Flooring

A type of ceramic tile, porcelain tile can look like marble, stone, hardwood, or handmade tile. It easily resists foot traffic, scratches and stains, but porcelain can dent, crack or chip if hit by a heavy object. Be warned if you’re considering porcelain tile for your kitchen: It’s hard on your feet when you’re doing a lot of cooking, though you could consider using a cushioned mat to provide a bit of relief.

SnapStone Beige porcelain tile
SnapStone Beige porcelain tile

Best: Lumber Liquidators Avella Brazilian Cherry 10043950
Price per square foot: $3
CR’s take: With high marks across the board, this porcelain tile has the look of Brazilian hardwood without the high cost—which means you could have a wood-look floor in a bathroom or kitchen without worrying about moisture. Like most porcelain tile, this needs to be installed by a tile setter in a bed of mortar.

Runner-up: SnapStone Beige 11-001-02-01
Price per square foot: $8
CR’s take: Although most porcelain flooring calls for a subfloor (and pro installation), this runner-up from SnapStone happens to be DIY. You install it by joining each tile to the next with plastic tabs, then securing tiles with a proprietary flexible grout from the manufacturer. It earns a rating of Excellent for resistance to foot traffic and scratches, and doesn’t show much fading in CR’s UV tests.

Slipping a Fork Behind a Frame Is the Surprising Trick to Hanging Pictures Perfectly

“Ever struggled to get a picture actually hung on a nail?  Well, here’s a much easier way to do it.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Who among us hasn’t gotten totally fed up while hanging pictures on the wall? One of the most aggravating experiences in home decorating is when we’re hammering a nail into the wall only to have that nail push all the way in when we try to hook a photo or piece of artwork onto it. And don’t even get us started on trying to get the picture exactly straight: We need a small army of onlookers saying, “A little to the left!”

All in all, the whole process of hanging pictures can be utterly frustrating, leading many of us to either call in a professional or give up on the mission entirely. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way, thanks to a fabulously simple picture-hanging trick making the rounds on the internet. The best part? This home-decorating hack uses a basic item that every single one of us has in our kitchen: a fork.

Here’s how it works: After you put the nail in the exact spot where you need your picture to go, all you need to do is stick the fork upside down, nestle the prongs on top of the nail, prop the picture onto the nail, and then gently pull the fork out of its place. It’s hard to believe, but people are using this trick to hang their pictures in a matter of seconds — and the final result is pretty darn impressive. Watch the magic home decor hack in the 10-second video below to see how the magic works:

Although we’ve heard quite a few great home decorating tips over the years, we have to say that we’re especially impressed with this one. As it turns out, the simple curve of the fork works so well for this annoying household task, taking care of the hardest part. Who knew that the secret to fabulous picture-hanging was hiding in our kitchen drawers all this time? Just think of how many great pictures we’ll be able to decorate our walls with now.

Updated: Aug 10, 2018 10:11 am
By Debbie Strong

5 Easy DIY Weekend Projects Under $300

“So you’ve thought about sprucing up your home, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money, and you would like it to be a DIY project.  Well, look no further…”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning

“The summer heat is here and we’re all trying to stay cool. So how can you do that without cranking up the A/C? Read on and learn some interesting ideas.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

How to Clean Your Air Conditioner’s Condensate Drain Line

“OMG…If only we had been following these tips in the past.  Please take a look at how to do this and avoid a clog with water everywhere.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Taking the time to clean your air conditioner’s drain line (or the condensate line) can have a great positive effect on how efficiently your system runs. Here’s how to quickly and safely prevent problems with your unit.

 

If you’ve ever taken a good look at your air conditioning unit, you may have noticed a small dripping line on the outside. This is the condensate drain, which plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner’s evaporator coil. If the line isn’t properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors and water damage inside your home.

Unfortunately, this part of the system is often overlooked during regular A/C maintenance. Even HVAC technicians may forget to clean the drain during a regular service call, which means that it’s up to you to check and clean the condensate pan and drain line before a problem develops. Cleaning the line will remove clogs and blockages and prevent algae and mold from growing.

Looking to purchase a home warranty plan, view:
– What is a Home Warranty
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You will need these items to clean your A/C condensate drain:

  • Rags
  • A wet/dry vacuum
  • Distilled vinegar
  • A funnel

 

How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain

1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system at the thermostat and at the breaker.

2. If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet, you’ll need to find the condensate pan. This is usually located directly under the unit. It may also be covered by a removable access panel.

3. If you see standing water in the drain pan, your drain line is probably clogged. Use a handheld or shop vacuum to remove the moisture. You can also use rags to soak up the water. At this point, you can clean the drain pan with soap.

4. Generally, clogged drains can be cleared with suction. If you have a shop vacuum, use it to pull the clog through the drain opening, which is located outside your house near the foundation. Place your hand around the pipe to improve suction and allow the vacuum to run for a minute. Then, check the vacuum canister to see if the clog was successfully removed.

5. Next, you’ll need to identify the access point on the drain line. Usually, the drain will have a T-shaped vent with a PVC cover. Remove the cover and inspect the drain. Use this port to flush the drain with distilled vinegar. If you don’t like the odor, you can use peroxide to gently bubble away the remaining debris. Alternately, you can use hot water and a drop of dish liquid.

6. Allow the solution to sit for 30 minutes. Complete the cleaning by flushing the pipe with water. Have a helper watch the pipe outside and tell you if the water is running freely.

If you don’t have a shop vacuum, you can use a piece of surgical tubing to free the blockage. Know that this method doesn’t work well if your drain line has sharp turns that are prone to clogs. If your system doesn’t have an access vent, use the opening on the edge of the drain pan. This fitting can be removed to improve access.

Underlying problems with the system can also be responsible for compromised water flow. If the pan and drain line aren’t slightly tilted, water can build up in the back of the pan and will eventually overflow. Many newer systems are equipped with overflow sensors installed within the pipe.

If you’re unable to clean your air conditioner’s drain line, call a local professional. They can clean the line and install an access vent, if necessary. Check the drain line periodically throughout the cooling season to ensure that condensation is being removed properly.

Routine maintenance steps like checking your drain line can help keep your air conditioner running more efficiently. If you find that your system is in need of repair, remember that an American Home Shield Home Warranty could help protect your budget from costs associated with getting your unit back on track.

4 Ways to Erase Ugly Scratches From Wood Floors

“Now that you’ve finished your Spring Cleaning you’re realizing there are some scuffs and scratches on your hardwood floors.  What’s the best way to take care of them?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

To-Dos: Your June Home Checklist

“Summer is almost here (June 21st) and there are always things to get done in preparation for the warmest months of the year.  Take a look and see which items might make a big difference in your enjoyment.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

Protecting Your Patio Furniture: Steps for Maintenance and Cleaning

“Thinking it’s time to get some new patio furniture?  Learn how to care for and protect it for years of enjoyment.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

After a few seasons of exposure to the elements, your patio furnishings may start showing their age. Most outdoor fabrics and finishes are tough enough to stand up to the wear and tear of many sunny days and stormy nights, but regular maintenance can go a long way toward extending their lifespan. Here are some quick tips on how to protect your outdoor furniture.

Related:Patio Heaters– Which One Is Right For You?
protect patio furniture

Before You Get Started

Familiarize yourself with your furniture’s care guidelines. The manufacturer’s instructions will usually specify which cleaning solutions to use and which ones to avoid. Applying the wrong products or cleaning using improper methods could damage your furnishings and void any existing warranties.

Wicker Furniture

Wicker will fade and crack if exposed to too much harsh sunlight. Cover your wicker furniture when not in use. Covering also helps prevent mildew from working its way into the cracks and crevices between individual wicker fibers.

When cleaning wicker, avoid harsh or abrasive treatments. A mixture of water and mild soap is best. Apply sparingly — do not soak wicker. Rinse and wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. If necessary, vacuum the wicker first with a brush attachment to remove large debris and loose dirt.

Wood Furniture

Seal your wood patio furniture. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can discolor wood and weaken its integrity. A coat of sealant will also make the wood more resistant to moisture. Sealants and stains must typically be reapplied every one to three years of outdoor use.

When sealing (or resealing) wood, first clean it. Dissolve the manufacture’s recommended amount of powdered oxygen bleach in one gallon of hot water. Do not use chlorine bleach on wooden surfaces. Apply and scrub any areas affected by mildew with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. Finally, apply a clear, water-repellent sealant or a penetrating semitransparent wood stain. If desired, you can purchase a sealant (or stain) containing a mildewcide or mix in a mold- and mildew-resistant additive of your own.

Metal Furniture

Clean metal surfaces with a simple, mild soap-and-water solution. To restore your metal furniture’s luster, take a lint-free cloth and buff it with auto wax (paste or liquid). Lubricate any stiff or creaky moving parts — such as casters, swivels, glides and umbrella mechanisms — using a silicone spray.

If your metal furniture is showing signs of rust or mold, use a fine-grit sandpaper to sand any problem areas. Touch-up with matching paint, applying it in several thin layers. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.

Weatherproof Outdoor Furniture

Now that your outdoor furniture is spick and span, you can keep it looking that way longer by applying an outdoor furniture protector specially formulated for your type of furniture (wicker, wood, vinyl, metal, etc.). Some protectors can be sprayed on, while others will need to be applied with a brush. Look for protectors that are both water-repellent and UV-resistant. Apply thoroughly, but be sure to work in a well-ventilated area while wearing the proper safety equipment: goggles, gloves and a dust mask or respirator.

Protect The Upholstery

Spot cleaning is the best method for cleaning outdoor upholstery. Use a mild detergent diluted in cold water and attack any stain using a sponge rather than a brush. Try to avoid soaking the cushions and allow them to air dry completely. Mildew loves moisture. If you store your cushions during those portions of the year when you seldom enjoy your patio, avoid using plastic bags. Try wrapping them in an old bed sheet or a canvas painter’s tarp. The fabric should be able to breathe even if it has been moved to an outdoor storage bin or shed.

Finally, to combat fading and discoloration caused by the sun’s UV rays, apply a fabric protector to your upholstery at the beginning of the warm weather season.

Store It Carefully

Cover your patio furnishings in waterproof furniture covers when not in use and especially when inclement weather threatens. To prevent your patio from becoming a place where standing water might accumulate, remove your furniture’s foot caps and keep all items upright in order to facilitate proper drainage.

Originally Published by American Home Sheild

How to Maintain Your Water Heater to Save You Money in the Long Run

“Hot Water Heaters are expensive to replace.  Take a few extra steps to help make them last longer.  We’ve actually started getting ours drained each Spring now, hopefully that will help!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Making water heater maintenance a habit will help extend the life of this appliance and reduce costly repairs. Learn how easy it is to maintain with tips from plumbing professionals.

Adjusting water heater

Replacing a water heater can be expensive and inconvenient.  To help extend the life of this important household appliance and to help it run more efficiently and economically, routine maintenance is important.  Matt Lindsay of The Lindsay Company in Houston, Texas, says that to help your water heater operate better and last longer, it’s best to start maintenance activities within the first year of a unit’s operation.

“We recommend checking the temperature and pressure relief valve every year and replacing it every three years,” Lindsay says.  “This is important because the valve is a key safety feature on the water heater.”

Keeping the water heater set at the correct temperature is also important, according to Lindsay. “Most manufacturers recommend keeping the temperature set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit on water heaters,” he says. “This is for safety and efficiency, and it helps keep energy bills low, too.”

Lindsay says that it’s also recommended to drain the water heater regularly to prevent sediment from forming inside the tank.  “A water heater tank should be drained every year,” he says. “A helpful way to remember is to drain it every year when you check the temperature and pressure relief valve.”

When sediment builds, it can accumulate as the water heats and form a ball inside the tank.  “Sometimes the sediment can collect to the size of a golf ball and will bang around inside and make noise,” Lindsay explains. “It can accumulate to a size that can’t be drained.”

Draining a tank doesn’t have to be done by a professional plumber and can be a DIY task, but Lindsay says that homeowners should carefully read their water heater’s manufacturer’s directions and follow the specific instructions for their unit.  While the directions for your unit may vary or the order of steps may be different, Lindsay says that these are some of the basic steps you might expect:

(Be sure to wear appropriate safety equipment, such as heavy gloves and goggles.)

  • Turn off the gas or electricity to the water heater.
  • Hook up a garden hose to the boiler drain, which is usually found on the bottom of the unit.
  • Open the boiler drain for about 10 minutes into a tub or directed outside the home.
  • Shut off the valve to the boiler drain.
  • Shut off the main cold water supply, which is usually found on the unit’s top right.
  • Open the relief valve, which can usually be located on the top third of the unit on the right.
  • Open the hot water tub faucet.
  • At this point, the water heater should start draining.
  • After the water has drained, open the cold water valve again.
  • Flush the unit one more time for about five minutes.
  • Close the boiler drain.
  • Fill up the water heater until no air is released from the tub or shower valve, whichever is open.

An American Home Shield® Home Warranty Systems Plan can help protect water heater components, as well as other key home systems, from covered malfunctions.  An AHS Home Warranty is a one-year service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many home systems and appliances that break down over time due to normal wear and tear.

Originally Appearing on American Home Shield (AHS.com)