Archive for June, 2009

Rat-control tricks from Wicker Park

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

If you live in the city, any city, you probably have rat burrows in your vicinity.

I know, yuck, but believe me, they’re there, whether you’ve noticed them or not.  That’s what those 2″ and larger holes in your parkway or yard (or neighbor’s yard) are.

Here’s the trick- mix portland cement powder and wheat flour, 50/50.  Pour the powder in the hole.  Close the hole with soil- just kick the soil that has been displaced by the rats digging out, back into the hole.

Keep doing that, daily if possible- and it will solve the problem.

An exterminator will drop a couple of poison blocks down the hole and come back in a month- don’t bother- that will not work.  Portland and flour- that will work.

Posted in Housekeeping and maintenance, Old house repairs or treatments, Real estate and property values, Solutions | No Comments »

Robern Uplift- a space solution for your bath

Friday, June 19th, 2009

I write about Robern bath cabinets a lot, because they are so innovative.  The newest is the Uplift- a door that moves up and down to open the cabinet, not from a side hinge like a normal cabinet.

What’s the big deal?

You can put the cabinet right behind your tall faucet, even all the way down to the counter.

You don’t have to worry about crashing into light fixtures, shower doors, spouses, etc, with the swing of the door.

Because the mirror can sit on the counter, you can sit down in front of the sink, for makeup application, instead of having a separate area.  This will also benefit accessibility/ADA.

The mirror can be opened partially, so you have mirror AND access to contents at the same time.

Yes, you can get all the fun Robern features along with the Uplift, including an LCD TV mounted inside.

see them at: http://www.robern.com/press/release.rbn?articleId=uplift

Posted in ADA or accessibility; aging-in-place, Bathroom design, appliances, and fixtures, Housekeeping and maintenance, Real estate and property values, Solutions, Wall treatments | No Comments »

Dining table-Pool table combo

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Fewer and fewer people use their dining tables anymore, but many people still want to have one.  We live differently now, but still have some vestigial desires or fantasies of the family dinner table- even if we use it once a year at some holiday.

It can be hard to justify a nice table for that infrequent usage- but  Fusion Tables has the answer: a pool table-dining table combination, and it LOOKS GOOD!  Now you can use the pool table year-round and still have the ability to do a real formal dinner when the occasion presents itself.

See them at:

http://www.fusiontables.com/en/

Posted in Furnishings, Solutions | No Comments »

Stimulus specifics (Energy Tax Incentives)

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

To qualify for the Energy Tax Incentives $1,500 tax credit, (remember, these are way better than deductions) you need the following:

For windows installed after June 1, 2009, BOTH 30 U rating and 30 solar gain efficient.  Save the stickers from your windows, and you will need a manufacturer’s certificate.  Credit applies to material, not labor costs.   All window companies are saying their products qualify- check the numbers!!!

For water heaters, 3 types qualify:  tankless, high efficiency (.82 or greater) and atmospheric- which is a standard tank with lots of insulation around it.  You need the manufacturer’s certificate.

For insulation, labor is included in the amount qualifying for the credit, since it’s not a diy project.  Contractor has to sign forms.

more info: http://www.gotfoaminsulation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=12

Posted in Construction and contractors, Green construction or finishes, Old house repairs or treatments | No Comments »