Having lived in Oklahoma my entire life, I have learned a thing or two about driving during the Oklahoma winters. As with many central plains states, the winters can range from mild and balmy to arctic freeze and heavy snows. Because of our southern location, Oklahoma normally sees moderate snow most winters so drivers are often not ready for winter weather. A few inches of snow or as little as a quarter-inch of ice can bring our transportation system to a halt. To combat the weather, Kay and I both own 4 wheel drive vehicles. This allows us to take care of family and customers regardless of … Continue reading...
Building a Pole Barn – Setting the Piers
Kay and I have decided to build a pole barn on our property in Edmond, and to share the process with you! My father passed away in September 2014 and left me with his tractor and nice, although older, Ford F350 double cab pickup truck. I want to keep those indoors under cover. We have 2.5 acres in north Edmond - plenty of room for a building or two. I am not a construction expert, although I did do a fair amount of construction work growing up through high school and part of college. Since that time I have been mostly in the computer business, which I still do now along with writing and … Continue reading...
Landscape with native Oklahoma plants
The recent droughts in Oklahoma has meant homeowners are concerned about water conservation. One way to save water is to landscape with native drought resistant plants or plants that are bred for the Oklahoma weather. As anyone who has lived through an Oklahoma summer knows, the afternoon summer sun can turn green garden into a burned-out brown weed plot. Summer shade can have a huge effect on your planting. Think of your house as having four micro-climates - east, west, north and south. A plant that does well on the north side of your home may not fare so well when planted to the south. … Continue reading...
Concrete Painting Basics
Summer is a great time for home improvement projects. One affordable project that can really improve the look of your home is to paint the concrete - in your garage, living room, or patio. Like most painting jobs, the key to success is in preparation. 1. Clean the concrete Cleaning concrete is a vital first step because the porous surface tends to trap dirt, grease, and oil. Remove dirt and grease with trisodium phosphate ($6.30 per quart concentrate), or choose a more Earth-friendly cleaner like Krud Kutter’s pre-paint cleaner ($10 for 32 ounces). Yank off vines and moss growing on the … Continue reading...
10 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
Step 1: Get the lead out Do-it-yourselfers are not obligated to follow EPA regulations for lead-safe practices, as professional paint contractors must. But if your home was built before 1978, when lead paint was banned for residential use, you should protect yourself and your neighbors from airborne lead particles. The first step is to test for lead paint: Kits are available for $10 to $35 online, and at paint and hardware stores. If tests prove positive for lead, keep paint dust to a minimum by taking the following precautions. Lay plastic drop cloths and collect scrapings. Clean area with … Continue reading...
Create a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit
First, make sure important papers are in order If a tornado destroys your home, you could spend weeks or even months just trying to re-create the essential documents you'll need to get back on track. That's why it's critical to have backups of important papers, including the deed to your house, proof of insurance, medical records, passports, social security cards, and a list of personal contacts. Keep one copy at home in a portable case and another offsite in a safe place. And while you're at it, use the opportunity to check whether your insurance is up to date. "People often don't know what … Continue reading...
Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors Yourself?
Hardwood floors are a timeless mix of beauty and durability that pair with any design. If your hardwood floors get worn and scuffed, chances are good you won’t have to replace them; you can simply refinish them. We say “simply” with a word of caution, though. For a pro, the process is straightforward, although there are a lot of steps that must be completed carefully. DIYers, however, should think twice. Experience definitely counts when it comes to a good floor refinishing job. Mistakes show up big time on wood flooring, and you may end up devaluing your home’s appearance rather than … Continue reading...
Need to Know How to Paint Anything? There’s an App for That
Acting on the theory that a new coat of paint makes anything look better, Better Homes & Gardens has launched a new app for iOS devices that helps you paint anything better. “How To Paint Anything” (99 cents) is a nifty tool that tells you, step-by-step, how to apply paint to any surface you can imagine — door hardware, exterior doors, room divider screens, ceramic tile, and of course, walls and floors. If you’ve never painted before, the app has information and videos on must-have painting tools, brushes, sheens and the all-important prep. But even if you’re painting proficient, the app … Continue reading...
Inspecting your Dryer Vent
When purchasing a home here in central Oklahoma, one thing to look at is the dryer venting. Your home inspector will check this important item but here are a few tips you can watch out for: Ensure dryer vented outside Never ever allow your dryer to vent inside your home. The moisture from your clothes will go into your home, even your garage, and cause mold and mildew problems as well as possible structural damage. If vented indoors, your air conditioner has to work that much harder to cool your home. In addition, the moisture carries lint from the clothes, and as this lint builds up it … Continue reading...
Add Real Estate to your Retirement Account
Did you know that you can use your self-directed IRA account to invest in real estate? Its true! The money sitting in your IRA can be making money for you in the real estate business, rather than the stock or bond market. In the stable Oklahoma real estate market, that can make for a far better investment than in the more volatile stock market, and offer potentially better returns than bonds or government securities. The IRS allows you to hold real estate investments in your IRA portfolio. This can include single family homes, commercial property, land, and even condo's. The critical … Continue reading...