Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

1. Sweep wood floors regularly with a soft, fine bristle broom.
2. Vacuum once or twice a week to remove dirt and sand. Use a soft brush attachment to minimize scratching.
3. Since water is one of a wood floors worst enemies, remove spills ASAP with soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum, then dry thoroughly.
4. Use a very dry damp mop when mopping polyurethaned wood floors, since excess water can seep into seams and ruin a wood floor.
5. Use carpet runners (with non-skid pads) over wood floors in high traffic areas.

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You can design a landscape that not only conserves energy but also water. Here is a brief overview of some water-conserving landscaping strategies.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a systematic method of promoting water conservation in landscaped areas. It's based on seven principles:

1. Planning and design:  Provides direction and guidance, mapping your water and energy conservation strategies, both of which will be dependent upon your regional climate and microclimate.
2. Selecting and zoning plants appropriately: Bases your plant selections and locations on those that will flourish in your regional climate and microclimate.

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Drywall corners are among the most vulnerable areas when it comes to getting banged and dented by traffic through a house. Under the joint compound that covers and finishes the corner is a length of lightweight metal or plastic called corner bead.  Corner bead can have either a right-angle or curved profile depending on the finish of the drywall. The objective when fixing the dented or damaged area is to straighten out this piece of corner bead and re-cover it with drywall compound.

Here’s how to fix the drywall:

1. Use a utility knife to cut away any loose drywall or drywall compound from around the damaged area.
2. Reshape the dented corner bead. To sculpt flattened or bent areas, gently pound a bolt or an upside-down nailset with a hammer.
3. Tack down the loose corner bead with drywall nails.
4. Using a putty knife, remove any loose existing joint compound.
5. Using a drywall knife, fill one side of the corner and draw it out so that it’s smooth. Allow the compound to dry.
6. Fill the corner’s other side and allow to dry.
7. Gently sand with fine sandpaper wrapped around a block or use a drywall sanding sponge.

You may need to repeat with a second or third coat of drywall compound if necessary and sand again.

You can reduce your home's heating and cooling costs through proper insulation and air sealing techniques. These techniques will also make your home more comfortable. Any air sealing efforts will complement your insulation efforts, and vice versa. Proper moisture control and ventilation strategies will also improve the effectiveness of air sealing and insulation, and vice versa.

A home's energy efficiency depends on a balance between all of these elements:

• Air sealing
• Insulation
• Moisture control
• Ventilation

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Winter Maintenance Tips For Your Home

• Clean out your homes gutters and downspouts
• Familiarize family members with the main gas valve, electric, and water shutoffs
• 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, icemaker and dishwasher for cracks, rot or bubbles
• Test all ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFI) outlets

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