Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Tue, May 15, 2012
Whether you are really into DIY projects or just starting out, here are some tools that every homeowner should have. You can complete about 90% of all home maintenance with just a handful of tools. Tools really are an investment so be sure to buy good quality basics as they will last you a lifetime. While you don’t need a toolbox per say, having a container or heavy duty canvas bag to organize all of the tools is a good idea.
Here are the basic tools that every homeowners needs to own:
- Hammer. Seems simple enough but the one that is most versatile is a steel 16-ounce rip hammer. With the straight claw, you can use it to pull out nails or rip out a wall.
- Screwdriver. A 4 in 1 screwdriver is preferable as you can switch between a small and large Philips-head and a small and large flat-head bit.
- Tape Measure. Go for the 25 footer as it is the perfect length when you’re measuring solo.
- Level. Because sometimes eyeballing it isn’t the best option.
- Cordless drill with bits. We use this all the time. Whether you are hanging pictures, curtain rods or putting together furniture, this is a must for all homeowners. Some more experienced DIY’ers may prefer a corded drill since it never loses its charge. We just have a spare battery so if it cops out mid job, you just snap the replacement in and keep going.
- Pliers. Channel-lock, lineman’s, vise-grips (locking pliers) and needle-nose are 4 most used. The channel-lock pliers are adjustable and good for gripping nuts. Lineman pliers cut and twist wires. Needle-nose pliers are great for those hard to reach areas while many people find vise-grips helpful for clamping. Just be careful with the vise-grips as they can cause you to mangle nuts and bolts if you aren’t careful. Grab a pair of needle-nose pliers with a wire cutting blade near the hinge for more bang for your buck.
- Utility Knife. You know, the one with the retractable blade that goes into the handle.
- Adjustable crescent wrenches. If you get them in 6 and 14 inch sizes, you should be all set for most household jobs.
- Hex key. Otherwise known as an Allen wrench. I have sort of a love/hate relationship with this tool. Can't live with it, can't live without it. If you have ever put together furniture, you know why.
- Staple Gun. The quickest way to reupholster anything.
- Handsaw. Even if you own a circular saw, there may be instances where you need a handsaw.
- Electronic stud finder. Takes the guess work out of hanging heavy objects.
- Protective eyewear and gloves. For safety sake.
- Electrical tester. Again, for safety sake.
- Caulking gun. A great way to save money and upgrade your home’s efficiency is by caulking the areas around windows and doors.
- Ladder. Great for indoor and outdoor use. Can be used to clean the gutters (unless you have Gutter Helmet, then you Never Have to Clean your Gutters Again).
- Drywall knife and a putty knife. To do all of the patch work necessary prior to painting a room.
- 9 inch roller frame and roller brushes. I like the one where the handle comes off so you can use it in high areas and then remove the handle for places within your reach.
- Assorted paint brushes. Get a 2 ½ inch angled brush for interior cutting and trim and a 3 inch rectangular or oval brush for exterior cutting and trim. We buy good quality brushes, wash and reuse.
- Paint tray with liners. Liners make clean up quick and less messy.
Did we miss any tool essentials? What tool can’t
you live without?
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Mon, May 07, 2012
This year I plan on starting a vegetable garden at my home. I love the idea of having fresh vegetables to use when cooking (not to mention the cost savings). Now is the perfect time of the year in New England to begin preparing the garden for the summer and fall harvest. I am planning on planting tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and maybe some green beans and/or broccoli. I plan on getting the plants from a local farm and maybe starting a few from seed in my garden. I will see what they recommend for the New England area and a gardening beginner like me and update you on the specific plants used.
Here are the steps needed in order to create your own vegetable garden:
Scope out your yard
When planning a vegetable garden from scratch there are a few things to consider: location, sunlight and convenience. The area you choose to plant your garden should get about 6 hours of full sunlight a day. Ideally, this sunny location is close to your home and a water supply for optimum convenience. Finding a spot close to the house not only makes it easier to grab the vegetables and bring them into the house, it also allows you to keep a good eye on the garden.
Plan ahead
There are a few things to consider here: how you will be planting the vegetables and which types of vegetables will you be planting? The best way to easily answer these two questions is to map out your garden. Think about the vegetables that your family eats the most and plant those. Also take the weather into consideration as some vegetables grow better in certain areas than others.
Variety is key when it comes to choosing your plants. Make sure you take harvesting into consideration so you have a constant stream of crops throughout the summer. You can also stagger the planting to achieve this as well. Remember- taller plants should be towards the back of your garden so they don’t block the sun for the shorter plants. Depending on the size of your garden, be sure to take pathways and weeding into account so you don’t compact the soil around the plants.
The quickest way to start your garden? Go to your local store or farm and get vegetable plants. Chances are, if you planned on starting from a seed, you have already started doing so indoors.
Prepare the area
Check the ph of your soil and adjust as needed for whatever vegetables you will be planting. Most vegetables do best in a soil within a ph of 6.2 to 6.8. You may need to add some lime to acidic soil (under 5.8) or sulfur to alkaline soil (above 7.2) Composting material should also be added. Dig up the area and/or use a rototiller to break up the soil. You should go down at least 1 foot deep. Add about 2 inches of compost matter into the soil and mix it all together. Your soil should be about 10-15% compost.
Plant those Veggies
Based on the type of vegetable you are growing, you need to be sure you dig the holes deep enough and keep enough space between plants so your garden grows properly. Here is a great chart from The Garden Helper that shows the different crops and the spacing needed. It also lets you know when to plant, which is very helpful.
Many crops come with a plastic marker that says what it is and vital planting information. Stake this into the ground so you know what should be coming up where in the future.
Watch, Water, Weed and Repeat
Be sure to water the plants enough as growing veggies need lots of water. 2-3 times per week should good. Water until the soil is moist but you do not want to soak the plants. Using a light misting head is best as it will not damage your fragile crops. Watch out for leaves that look like they may be getting eaten by animals and/or bugs. Also, keep an eye our for diseased looking plants as well. Don't forget to weed the garden. Weeds take valuable nutrients away from your veggies so stay on top of weeding so they dont have time to grow deep roots.
Are you planting a vegetable garden this year? If so, what do you intend to plant in your garden? Share pictures of your garden with us on our Facebook page!
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Tue, May 01, 2012
Spring marks the beginning of many things, including the home improvement season. Like any homeowner, I have a list of projects that I hope to finish for 2012 and now is the perfect time to start checking off that list!
Whether your next project is big or small, outdoors or inside, we are all looking for ways to make our money stretch a little further.
Here are a few tips to help you save money on whatever project you are hoping to accomplish in 2012:
Plan ahead
No matter what type of project you are thinking of doing, planning ahead always results in a more cost effective (and usually faster) end result. Knowing exactly what you want and how you want it to look are extremely important because they allow you to convey your vision more clearly to your contractor, minimizing changes. Changes impact time and money! If you are DIY, it can also save money because you can get everything you need at once rather than having to make several (costly) trips to the store to fix your mistakes or re-work your vision.
Do your homework
Choosing the right contractor can be tough. While price and craftsmanship certainly make a difference, be sure to include checking their insurance and licensing credentials as well. Did you know that you could be liable for a contractor who is injured while at your home? That is why it is so important to be certain that the person you hire to perform work around your home is properly insured. Check your state’s licensing board for information on any contractor you are considering.
Be realistic
There is a difference between being handy and being a contractor. Be honest about your home improvement limitations. Paying someone to come in a fix your DIY nightmare could end up costing more than if you had just hired someone from the beginning. Beyond money, taking on a bigger project than your skills can also be a safety issue. The old saying, “better safe than sorry” also applies to home improvement.
Re-Purpose
When it comes time to get creative, yard sales, antique stores and even your basement are great places to look for inspiration. Yard sales and antique stores are great places to find great things for a lot less money. Not exactly what you’re looking for? Don’t be afraid to get creative. A can of spray paint, a can of stain and/or some new hardware can really bring an old piece new life. If you are looking for something more in the free price range, check out your basement or attic. You may discover items you didn’t even know you had. Thinking outside the box allows you to find new uses for old items.
Add a little sweat equity
Even if your next project is beyond your expertise, there may be little ways for you to save money. You may be able to help during certain stages of the process, saving you some money. Some contractors may even give you a discount if you pay in cash. If this is the case, just be sure to document this in your agreement and ask for a receipt after each payment. Remember- you should never give all of the money upfront. Most ask for half upfront and the other half upon completion.
What projects are you planning this spring? Do you have a tip on how to save money on a project? Share it with us below!
Whether you are looking to replace your old windows or that leaky roof, be sure to contact Moonworks for an estimate on your next home improvement project.
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Fri, Mar 30, 2012
If you live in Rhode Island then you have seen the commercials for the RIBA Home Show and know that the house is back! We are very excited to announce that Moonworks participated in helping create the house by providing and installing the gutters and Gutter Helmet onto the home. The home is a modular home by CRM Modular Homes and was furnished inside and outside with materials provided by sponsors.
The home was built on the floor of the home show in 3 days. Check out the time lapse video below for the 3 days rolled into less than 2 minutes.
Video Courtesy of Mediapeel
The home show opened yesterday with a ribbon cuting ceremony with the guest of honor being Angel Tavares, Mayor of Providence, RI. He officially opened the show and the house for public viewing. Check out the video of the ceremony below:
Be sure to stop by the show this weekend to check out the house. While you are there, stop by the Moonworks Booth (#1100) and Renewal by Andersen Booth (#1109) to see how we can help with your next home improvement project.
The RI Builders Association Home Show runs Thursday, March 29th through Sunday, April 1st. For more information on the home show, check out The RIBA Home Show website.
Will you be attending the home show this weekend?
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Thu, Mar 22, 2012
A new social media craze has hit the web and can be a wonderful tool when it comes to home improvement- Pinterest! Pinterest is an online bulletin board/scrapbook where you can visually create boards for inspiration. Pinterest is great when it comes to showcasing ideas for upcoming renovation or design project as it allows you to see how well things look together. Other ways people use Pinterest, compiling recipes, blogs to read, clothing that represents their style or places they want to go.
Moonworks has various boards on Pinterest, one of which is Fun with Gutters. Let’s face it, gutters are useful for protecting your home from water damage but beyond that, they aren’t very fun. Using Pinterest we were able to compile a board of fun and creative ways people have repurposed gutters.
Here is a look at some of our favorites:
Gutter Planters: Gutter plants are usually a sign that you haven’t cleaned your gutters in quite some time. Unless, of course, you intentionally planted flowers and herbs in the gutters. Gutters make a great planter because they a deep enough to support the plant and dirt and can be cut to any size you like. And, at first glance, you would never know that the planter was a gutter.
Gutter Bookshelves: This one has to be my favorite. I am a sucker for 
children’s books and love how fun and creative this idea is. This bookshelf was uploaded by Pinterest user Bonnie McKernan. Since she painted the gutters it adds a fun twist, which is especially great for a child’s room. Plus, you would never know this was a gutter. Great way to make the gutter part of your indoor décor.
Gutter Storage: Many of us have that one area of the home that is cluttered. Whether it be the office, the pantry or the storage area in our basement, people are using gutters as a way to organize that area and clean it up. Organize your crafts, cleaning products or hide those wires from your electronic. Use a gutter to hide that clutter!
Musical Gutters: This one is not practical but is still a really fun use of gutters. When it
rains, the rain trickles down the gutters, creating music. This wall is located in the Neustadt Kunsthofpassage neighborhood of Dresden, Germany. This wall was created by 3 artists- Christoph Roßner, Annette Paul, and Andre Tempel. What a great way to brighten up a rainy day!
Gutter Play: Gutters can be used as a fun way to explore water, movement and sounds for kids. This particular one is used as a slide into a sand box. We have also seen it used as a trough to play in, or to wash paint off of kids hands. As always, children should be monitored while they play and the gutters should be inspected for sharp edges. In most cases, the gutters used for these purposes are plastic, not metal.
Which ones of these ideas is your favorite? Can you think of any other fun uses for gutters? Be sure to follow our boards on Pinterest or comment below if you want an invite to join Pinterest so you can start creating your own boards.
Photo Credits:
Gutter Planters: Apartment Therapy
Gutter Bookshelf: Pinterest user Bonnie McKernan
Gutter Storage: Apartment Therapy
Musical Gutters: inthralld.com
Gutter Play: Squashed Tomatoes
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Mon, Mar 19, 2012
I came across this infographic from eLocal and it got me thinking about the upcoming year. I think all of the trends listed below will hold true for 2012.
Many homeowners have decided to stay put in their homes rather than move. Therefore, the improvements being made are ones that allow homeowners to be more comfortable in their current homes for the long haul. My vote for home improvement trend of the year- Making the Most of What you Have.
Some projects that fall under this category could include swapping out old, drafty windows and doors for more energy efficient options. Or, replacing an old roof and/or outdated siding for maximum protection.
Since you can't easily increase your home's square footage, the best way to add more living space is to upgrade your outdoor or below grade space. Adding patios and decks is a great way to do that and allow your home to be more functional for your family. Making your basement a functional living area is another popular choice among families. Your basement can serve as a place for your whole family to come together it can allow the kids and adults to have a seperate places in the home.
What do you think will be the 2012 home improvement trend of the year? Take a look at the infographic below and let me know which projects you hope to tackle in 2012!
Source:
eLocal.com
Posted by TribalVision Admin on Thu, Feb 09, 2012
Even the strongest and fanciest homes can be ruined if they are not built upon a solid foundation. Not surprisingly, foundation repairs can get very expensive very quickly -- easily running into the tens of thousands of dollars for even minor problems.
That's why it is vital that you do everything you can to prevent foundation damage to your home. Here are eight ways to help keep your foundation in tiptop shape:
1. Inspect the perimeter of your home. Obviously, you'll want to look for signs of cracking or breakage. But you should also try to make sure that the siding, brick, wood, vinyl, or other exterior coverings are at least six inches above the bottom of the foundation. Many times, dirt and debris can shrink this clearance and provide a place for moisture to invade the top of your foundation. If possible, clear away the dirt or other material to improve the clearance -- even if you can't get six inches' worth.
2. Make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation. This will enable runoff water to flow away from your home instead of seeping into your foundation. Whatever you do, ensure that the ground does not slope toward your home.
3. Check for water pooling near your foundation. You can either do this after a substantial rain event or by spraying water with a hose at various points around your home. If pools of water do form, then remove the water and fill in those areas with dirt to keep it from happening again.
4. Keep track of changes around your property. If a neighbor puts in landscaping or alters his or her drainage system, or if construction crews dig up underground cable or work on your street's sewer system, your property's drainage could be affected. So take the necessary steps to counter those problems.
5. Clean and inspect your gutters. You should remove debris from your gutters at least twice a year (but don't just scoop it out and leave it on the ground next to your home -- that could cause pooling). Whenever you undertake gutter cleaning, you should inspect your gutters to make sure they don't have any cracks, holes, or gaps; and also check to see if they are pitched correctly so water flows through them properly.
6. Inspect your downspouts. Like your gutters, make sure that no leaks are present in your downspouts. But also ensure that they are effectively routing the water away from your foundation -- instead of just pouring it next to your home.
7. Monitor foliage near your home. Cut back plants or vines that are up against your home so they don't hinder the air circulation process and trap excess dampness against your home when they get wet. Also, refrain from planting any trees close to your foundation; they can soak up much-needed moisture that helps keep foundations from cracking.
8. Water your foundation during the summer. In periods where rain is scarce, the spoil of your foundation could dry and shrink, which could upset your foundation. So giving your foundation a good soaking periodically during dry season can help prevent that problem.
Posted by Rebecca McKinnon on Mon, Feb 06, 2012
In 2011, Moonworks developed Ice Defense, a unique combination of Gutter Helmet, Heated Helmet, Insulation and Venting. These components, when used in conjunction with one another, can help combat the disastrous effects of heavy snow and ice on your roof.
Ice Defense is designed to keep your gutters running clear—no matter what the temperature. Because Ice Defense combines Gutter Helmet and Heated Helmet, you can solve two problems at once- leaves and ice.
New England weather is unpredictable and can change drastically in a short period of time. Although we have had a mild winter thus far, you never know when the next snow storm will blow in causing the same ice and snow problems of 2010. Be sure to protect your home before winter rears its ugly head.
Our own Jim Moon, President of Moonworks, and our Ice Defense product were both featured on the Rhode Show, a Rhode Island based morning news and talk show.
Be sure to check out the story in the video below.
The full story is also featured on the Fox Providence website. The link to the story is below:
Solution for heavy snow, ice on roofs: foxprovidence.com
For more information on Ice Defense and how it can protect your home, call us at 1-800-975-6666.
Don't forget to enter our sweepstakes for your chance to win our Ice Defense system for your home!
Posted by TribalVision Admin on Fri, Jan 20, 2012
Some people are just naturals when it comes to handiwork and fixing things around the house. Others…not so much. This week and next, we’ve got a little something for everybody, whether you’re Handy Andy or his not-so-handy helper. And for those of you who are a little less handy, many of these ideas and projects are great starter tasks for those who want get a bit more comfortable around the toolbox. Let’s get to it with our Top 10 List of DIY Home Improvement Tips and Tricks.
Number 10: Think Vertically.
So often, our home improvement projects are really home organization projects. More specifically, they’re about fitting as much as possible in small spaces without a big mess. The answer, quite often, is to Think Vertically.
• Instead of trying to section bathroom drawers off to fit hairdryers and curling irons, vertically mount some size-appropriate, cut-down PVC piping on the inside of a bathroom cabinet door (one pipe for each appliance with a smaller one next to it for the folded cord).
• Sick of that cluttered desk? Think Vertically by installing some shelves all the way up to the ceiling.
• Kids’ toys all over the floor? Think Vertically by painting a large pegboard, adding plastic hooks (safer than metal for kids), and hanging toys along the wall.
Number 9: Think Naturally.
Our homes are filled with far more chemicals than ever before. So it’s nice to know that
there are plenty of repairs and maintenance tasks you can perform without any chemicals at all!
• Did you know that rubbing a shelled walnut on small scuffs and dings on your hardwood furniture and floors will disguise those little bits of damage?
• And distilled white vinegar is a natural cleaning solution with countless applications: Google it!
• Need to fertilize your yard? Contact your area’s yard waste recycling center and save money by buying their compost or making your own.
• Gum in your carpet? Don’t reach for chemicals. Fill a plastic baggie with ice, set it on the gum, and wait for the gum to harden before removing the gum with a butter knife or scraper. Better yet, go find the culprit (aka: your kid) and have them help!
• Accidentally set a plastic bowl on your still-hot ceramic-top stove? No problem. Once the stove has cooled off, cover the burned bits of plastic with ice. The plastic will shrink up with the cold, and then it’s easy to clean off with a wide razor blade.
Number 8: Don’t Recycle; UPcycle!
Recycling has long been the right way to go about living an environmentally friendly life. These days, however, people are looking more and more into what’s being called “upcycling.” The premise here is not just to reduce waste and recycle instead of sending trash to the landfill, but to actively recycle things up and out of their former purposes and into new use: upcycling! Better yet, in addition to a healthier planet, you’ll have a healthier wallet because these upcycling tips are major money savers!
• Need a watering can? Next time you finish a bottle of detergent in the laundry room, thoroughly rinse the detergent container. Poke several holes in the lid, and voila! Watering can! Plus, with just those little holes, these watering cans are perfect for little helpers to carry around the house and yard without creating puddles!
• Cover clean, empty soup cans in pretty paper or ribbon for utensil and pencil holders.
• Need some fun bookends for your study? Grab those old license plates out of the aluminum recycling bin, bend them using the edge of a table (protect your table with a piece of cloth) and you have upcycled bookends!
• Looking for picture frames? Take that old, paned window out of the garage and hang it up with photos in each pane.
• Getting ready to toss the old, leftover ceramic tiles from your last remodel? Repurpose these by adding paint or different finishes and felt bottoms: perfect as trivets or coasters.
Posted by TribalVision Admin on Thu, Jan 05, 2012
One of the keys to proper home maintenance is keeping your home clean. Dirt, moisture, mold, mildew, and bacteria can build up quickly on many of your home’s surfaces, and all can cause costly damage over time. But cleaning can also cause damage when done improperly, so today we’ll take a look at some good cleaning techniques that will help extend the life of your home’s surfaces and systems.
Our top pick for home cleaning is also our simplest: buy a multi-purpose steam cleaner. Steam cleaners accomplish several goals at once: they clean as well or better than traditional
methods, they save you money on cleaning supplies, and they reduce your family’s chemical exposure all in one shot. The key with steam cleaners is to find one that heats the water to well over a 212° Fahrenheit boiling point. Steamers that heat to lower temperatures may appear to be cleaning your home, but they’re not doing the job of disinfecting because they’re not able to kill bacteria, viruses, and other unhealthy germs. The ability to clean well and disinfect (without chemicals) is one of the best elements of steam cleaning, so this is a very important feature to look at when researching home steamers. We’re particularly fond of the Haan Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner because it is affordable, lightweight, easy to use, and really effective.
Where Do I Use A Steamer?
People often think of floors and upholstery when they think of steam cleaners, and it’s true that steam cleaners do a good job in these high-traffic areas. But today’s steamers go well beyond the sofa cushions. A good home steam cleaner can be used, with various attachments, to clean all bathroom surfaces including tile, glass, and mirrors all without the harsh abrasives and chemicals that eat away at your tile and grout over time. It can also be very effective on hardwood floors. For those with small children, especially crawlers, steaming the floors not only gets them much cleaner than using a traditional mop and bucket, it disinfects your floors without leaving latent chemicals that your children would otherwise ingest through crawling and then putting their toys and hands into their mouths.
Steam cleaners can also be put to good use in the kitchen, where they’re great for eliminating stuck-on food and grease on the stove, in the oven, and even in the dishwasher along the sealing edge of the door. Not only will the steamer remove the grimy buildup that accumulates at the dishwasher’s edge, but it will also disinfect this area to help keep your dishwasher free of odor-causing bacteria. On your work surfaces, a steam cleaner can kill illness-causing germs, again without leaving harmful chemicals behind.
Lightweight steamers come in handy for disinfecting doorknobs, drawer handles, and other commonly touched surfaces that harbor bacteria. All those places you typically use anti-bac wipes or Lysol when someone in the house is sick? If it’s not electrical, you can usually use the steamer. Steamers are also helpful in cleaning mattresses, carpets, and some draperies.
Finally, many steam cleaners work well outdoors where you can use them to rid patio furniture of mold and hard water stains from rain. Not as effective as a power or pressure washer for harder jobs, these handy devices do work well for cleaning lower-level exterior windows and outdoor light fixtures. They even keep algae at bay around pools and are great for zapping weeds that crop up between patio pavers. Some outdoor-specific steamers can even stand up to tough outdoor use such as cleaning pavers and stepping-stones.
How Does It Save Me Money?
Using a steam cleaner may seem like an expenditure at first because buying a decent one will cost an average of $120-$200 and up. However, over the course of just a few months, that cost is offset by the reduction in chemicals and other cleaning products. Plus, with reusable pads you can simply toss in the washing machine, most steamers don’t need to have their cleaning pads replaced often at all.
A clean home is a healthy home. And it’s a home that will stay in better shape for a longer time, requiring fewer repairs. All together, that makes for happy homeowners, and that’s what we like.
