Home Ownership

Indoor Air Pollution – Meet the Dirty Seven

There are many reasons for indoor air pollution in our homes. Most metro areas issue alerts when air pollution levels are high. We may be cautious about our outdoor activities to avoid poor air quality, but we should also consider that indoor environments can harbor harmful pollutants. Here are the seven most common sources of contaminated air in our homes and businesses....

The dirty truth about indoor air pollution

There are quite a few ways that your home’s interior can harbor harmful irritants. You may be surprised to find that some steps meant to improve your indoor air quality actually do more harm than good. Here are the dirty seven:...

Cooking is the most significant source of indoor air pollution. The aroma of your favorite foods is enticing, but smoke and certain gases are respiratory irritants. Consider converting to induction cookware and installing a ventilation fan that carries cooking odors outside. Additionally, opening a window while cooking can also help.
Dirty HVAC filters, clogged with dust and allergens from infrequent changing, increase the airborne particulate matter in your house and cause your system to labor harder to operate. Change or clean filters monthly. Consider upgrading your filters to a higher MERV rating, but consult your HVAC professional to ensure your system can handle the increased airflow required by denser filters. Not all can.
Pets bring us love and joy, along with nasal irritation from shedding hair and dander. Vacuum upholstery and floors often to keep the flying hair down.
Mold can grow in appliances and plumbing fixtures, as well as in any place that is continually wet. Drains, washing machines, and refrigerator water dispensers are all sources. Leave the door partly open for 30 minutes after washing a load of clothes or dishes. Keep showers, tubs, and sinks clean to prevent mildew from gathering. Leave the shower door open for 30 minutes after use.
Cleaners make surfaces shiny, but the chemicals can be respiratory irritants, especially if the label boasts of its germ-killing prowess. This usually means it contains bleach or other pungent agents to prevent pathogens. Use the cleaner sparingly or dilute it with water.
Now for the surprising pollutants: Lighting aromatic candles or burning incense may smell heavenly, but both produce smoke. They essentially release carbon emissions into your house! Use things that burn only for special occasions to limit your exposure.
Likewise, sprayed air fresheners, although they smell fragrant and mask odors, contain strong chemicals that can also irritate the breathing passages. It’s better to simply open windows for a while to banish odors and let fresh breezes naturally cleanse the air.

Money, Mortgage,

Crypto-Backed Mortgages—Get the Scoop on a Dawning Trend

Cryptocurrency has moved beyond the novelty stage and is increasingly accepted for transactions and investing; in fact, there are even crypto-backed mortgages. In mortgage lending, some mortgages are being collateralized by crypto assets rather than by the property itself. How do crypto-backed mortgages work?...

Cryptocurrency defined

Currency of any type is a common medium of exchange by which people transact business to buy and sell goods and services, rather than using a clunky barter system. Historically, early forms of money were gold and silver coins, followed by paper money backed by gold and silver held in reserves. Now, worldwide, money is simply backed by “the good faith and credit” of the issuing government. ...

Cryptocurrency is a new type of money, distinct from traditional physical forms like coins or bills, as it exists in digital tokens on computer servers. Transactions are recorded in online ledgers using blockchain technology....

Cryptocurrencies are purchased through exchanges. Some investment brokerage firms can help you with crypto transactions. ...

How do crypto-backed mortgages work?

In a traditional mortgage, the borrower goes through a mortgage credit approval process. The borrower pays a certain percentage down, such as 20%, and then the lender pays the seller the remaining 80% of the purchase price. The borrower pays back the loan over time, and the house serves as collateral under a Deed of Trust. ...

Crypto-backed mortgages share some similarities but also have key differences. First, the borrower must have a cryptocurrency portfolio equivalent to the full loan amount. Second, the lender may not require a down payment at all, although the borrower can make one if he so desires. The borrower pledges a cryptocurrency account as collateral for the loan rather than the house. The borrower pays back the loan in regular dollars. In the event of default, the lender seizes the cryptocurrency account rather than foreclosing on the property. The lender will then liquidate the crypto account into regular dollars to recover the loan....

What you should know

There are important considerations with crypto-backed mortgages:...

You must have a portfolio of cryptocurrency equal to or exceeding the expected loan amount.
You may not have to undergo as stringent a credit check as long as you have the loan value in cryptocurrency to pledge.
Mortgage approvals are faster—sometimes as little as 2 weeks—compared to 1 month or more for traditional mortgages.
Your crypto account will be held in an escrowed custody account and will not be available for transactions until the loan is paid in full.
You may be required to have purchased the cryptocurrency at least 60 days before the loan application.
There typically is no mortgage insurance premium on a crypto-backed loan.
Acceptance is slowly growing among mortgage lenders, although many traditional lenders remain on the sidelines, awaiting a better understanding of crypto valuation. Those making crypto loans accept established currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD Coin, and Tether.

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Grill Goodbye: Smart and Safe Ways to Dispose of an Old Barbecue Grill

Is your old barbecue grill past its prime? Whether it’s rusted, dented, or just plain worn out, figuring out what to do with an outdated grill can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Tossing it in the trash isn’t the best solution for your wallet or the environment. Instead, try one of these eco-friendly and creative ways to say goodbye to your grill....

Curbside giveaway: letting it go for free

You’d be surprised what people are willing to fix up. Put your old grill by the curb with a “Free” sign, and you may find it gone within hours. This is a simple, no-hassle way to pass it on to someone who may have a use for its parts or plans to give it new life....

Donating it: giving your old barbecue grill a second chance

If the grill still has some life left, consider donating it. Organizations such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and local thrift stores may accept used grills, especially if they’re repairable....

Just be sure to clean it up first and call ahead to confirm it can be donated....

Recycling it: breaking your grill down responsibly

Grills are made of metal, plastic, and, in some cases, electronic components. Most of these can be recycled, but not always at the same location. Here’s how to break it down:...

Remove and separate metal parts for scrap recycling.
Take plastic and electronic parts (like igniters or thermometers) to an e-waste facility.
Call your city’s recycling center for location-specific rules.
Repurposing it: turning your grill into garden art

Why toss your old barbecue grill when you can transform it? A grill’s firebox or lid can make a unique planter. Add a coat of outdoor paint, drill some drainage holes, and you’ve got yourself a quirky flower bed. It’s an eco-friendly conversation piece perfect for any backyard....

Not trashing it: avoiding the landfill

Avoid simply dumping your old appliance into the trash. Many grill components, like treated metal and plastic, don’t break down easily and can release toxins into the environment. There are safer, more responsible options. Recycling or reusing is always better....

A final word on propane tanks: handling with care

Never toss a propane tank in the trash! It’s flammable, toxic, and potentially explosive. Here’s what to do instead:...

Reuse: If your new barbeque uses the same type of tank, keep it.
Return: Many propane dealers offer buyback programs or trade-ins.
Recycle: Check with hazardous-waste centers or home-improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Related – Safety First When Grilling Great Food...

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Get a Gorgeous Carpet of Grass by Laying Sod

Every homeowner loves a lush, green lawn, and the easiest way to get one is to lay sod. In a day’s work, you can go from a shabby lawn—or no lawn at all—to beautiful grass. Here are the essential steps to ensure your sod project pays off the way you hope....

Proper preparation is essential when laying sod

Sod is delivered as long, rolled-up strips stacked on pallets. Depending on the area to be covered, multiple pallets of sod will be delivered to your home. Before that day, however, you must prepare the soil:...

Completely remove any existing grass, weeds, and other organic material from the ground before laying sod. You may need to hire a landscape crew to use equipment to scrape the ground, removing the plant life down to the roots. Anything left will eventually spring up through your new sod, spoiling all your hard work and expense. Thereafter, you may spread fresh, new soil.
If your property slopes more than 1 foot for every 4 feet of distance, you may need it to be graded to level it out. Otherwise, runoff from heavy rain or sprinklers will exit your property and flow into a neighbor’s—or pool in your flowerbeds or against your home’s foundation. Leveling will also prevent ponding water in any mid-yard depressions.
Have your soil’s pH level checked. Contact a local nursery to inquire about testing kits or services. Learn the pH level required for the grass you want, then add mineral supplement spreads as needed.
You may also consider having loads of soil delivered to lay on top of your native soil, then lay your sod.
Measure the area carefully using those geometry skills you learned in school but thought you’d never use. Depending on the area’s shape, you may need to divide it into separate sections, calculate the area of each, and then add them together. Remember, the area of a square or rectangle is the width in feet multiplied by the height in feet. A triangular area is the base multiplied by the height, then divided by two.

Now it’s time to lay sod

The day has arrived to lay your sod! Be sure to:...

Have the pallets set out apart from each other across your yard, not all in one place. This cuts down on the distance you’ll have to carry sod or push a wheelbarrow from one side of your property to the other.
Lay the sod as soon as possible after delivery, preferably the same day. Lingering on the pallets causes it to dry out.
Roll out the sod with edges flush to avoid gaps. Use a sharp knife to trim away excess. Save remnant pieces for filling in gaps around borders and against structures.
Rent a grass roller and roll the grass, going in the same direction as the strips, to ensure the sod makes full contact with the underlying soil.

Important follow-up instructions

Following up after laying sod is just as important as the preparation and installation. The two-week rule applies:...

For two weeks, water the grass with about 1 inch of water in the early morning before the sun gets very high.
Walk as little as possible on the new lawn for two weeks, until the roots have a chance to penetrate down to the topsoil.
After two weeks, tug at the edges of the strips in a few places around the yard. If the roots have established themselves and the grass is getting tall, it’s time to mow. Use a walk-behind mower only. Set the cut high; don’t cut it short. If the roots are not established, wait another week and try again.

Home Technology, Ownership,

Are Your Smart Devices Listening to You?

We’ve all had an uneasy experience with our smart devices at some point. For example, you’re having a conversation with a friend when one of you mentions a particular product or service; shortly afterward, you get served an ad online for that very thing. Creepy! But are your various smart devices actually listening to you?...

Are your smart devices eavesdropping?

The answer to this is mixed, with somewhat conflicting responses. Mitigating factors include the type of tech company device you are using and what you are saying. Those devices include Amazon’s assistants, such as Echo and Dot, Apple’s Siri on all Apple devices, and Google Home. ...

Generally, Amazon, Apple, and Google all have practices in place designed to protect your privacy. That does not mean, however, that your conversations and other interactions are not being recorded and, possibly—although very unlikely—heard by human ears. Sometimes you inadvertently trigger the device to listen briefly by saying an errant word....

The main listening is done by algorithms that turn your voice commands, purchases, and third-party interactions into a tracking code to serve you more of the same. If you show interest in a product, you’ll receive ads for it....

Alexa, Siri, and Google Home passively listen for their “wake” word. They are supposed to activate active listening when their wake word, such as “Alexa” or “Siri,” is spoken. Then you will see the indicator light turn on, indicating that the device is activated....

Smart devices collect information about you, such as the products you order, the music you listen to, and the tasks you ask them to perform. The devices save that information, much like your browsing history online uses cookies for the same purpose....

Are your smart devices always engaged?

Do the devices ever listen without detecting the “wake” word? Passively, yes, while waiting for that word. But there are anecdotal reports that people having arguments or even couples engaged in intimacy have accidentally triggered devices, although the instances seem to be rare. ...

Researchers have analyzed smartphones and not found evidence of covert active listening. Plus, federal and state wiretapping and surveillance laws prohibit illicit activity....

Another uncertain source is third-party apps you may have downloaded, which, in their terms of service, may have given you access to your microphone without your knowing. Go to Settings, locate that app, and disable its microphone access. ...

Do real humans ever listen?

The tech companies claim that a very small percentage of recordings are used solely for language learning and performance. The conversations are not kept indefinitely and are supposed to be stripped of any identifying information. ...

Security measures

There are several steps you can take to protect your privacy as much as possible. ...

First, do what 99% of people never do: Read the privacy policy in the terms of use for your device and for third-party apps. This will reveal essential measures you can take:...

Clear the device’s cache of commands, recordings, and searches for the day.
Use the mute button on the device to pause a conversation.
Set up a strong password for your device and for the Wifi network and router in your home. Use two-factor authentication when possible. This last step is primarily for protecting you from hackers, rather than from the tech companies themselves.

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Invasive Plants: The Ones That Take Over Your Yard

Some plants look beautiful in the garden center but can turn into a homeowner’s nightmare; soon, these invasive plants may spread aggressively, crowding out other flowers and shrubs, damaging structures, and creating long-term maintenance headaches. Here are six plants that require you to pause before adding them to your landscape....

Kudzu: the king of invasive plants

Kudzu spreads fast, covering fences, trees, and even houses if left unchecked. While some use it for erosion control, its aggressive growth has overtaken large stretches of roadsides across the Southeast. Planting kudzu at home is simply asking for trouble....

English ivy: a persistent groundcover

Although not as overpowering as kudzu, English ivy can smother flowerbeds, climb trees, and damage masonry. Once established, it’s tough to remove, requiring constant cutting back to keep it under control....

Wisteria: gorgeous but destructive

Wisteria’s cascading purple blooms are stunning, but its woody vines twist around fences and masonry, causing long-term damage. Without heavy pruning, it can easily overwhelm your yard....

Bamboo: fast-growing and hard to remove

Bamboo may seem like a great natural privacy screen, but it spreads underground through rhizomes and can grow up to a foot per day. Once it takes hold, bamboo is nearly impossible to remove completely....

Morning glory: charming but invasive

Morning glory’s trumpet-shaped blooms look sweet, but this plant quickly spreads and strangles nearby flowers. Consider a less-invasive option like honeysuckle for color without the takeover....

Ferns: lush but unruly

Ferns create a tropical feel, but once planted, they spread aggressively and are hard to eradicate. Before adding them to your landscape, check with your local nursery for less-invasive varieties....

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

An Artful Touch-up for Your Lawn—Grass Painting

Every homeowner wants a beautiful lawn, but sometimes your grass needs a little cosmetic attention; that’s where grass painting can help. Pests, disease, or drought may cause unsightly patches in your landscape. Consider how grass painting can restore your yard’s lush look!...

What is grass painting?

For decades, grass painting has been used on golf courses in hot Southern climates to maintain a fresh look when regular watering struggles to keep the blades green in summer’s oppressive heat....

There are a few different formulas, but generally, grass paint is a mixture of a water-based tint combined with liquid fertilizer, water, and sometimes Epsom salts. Because it is water-soluble, it dyes the blades of grass instead of coating them. Thus, it does not interfere with photosynthesis. ...

Pros and cons

People resort to grass painting when their lawns struggle with drought, disease patches, and dead spots from dog urine or pest infestations like grubs. Grass paint is a temporary fix, like applying makeup over a facial blemish. It is not a long-term solution for health issues affecting the grass. ...

Where to find grass paint

Most big-box home-improvement stores and Amazon carry grass paint brands such as LawnLift or EnviroColor. You can also make your own with a recipe of green food coloring, water, liquid fertilizer, and Epsom salts....

Depending on the area to be painted, the cost averages about $40....

How to apply...

Use a dedicated pump sprayer for this job, since the dye will color the sprayer’s interior. Choose a day with no rain in the forecast and little to no wind.
Mow the grass, then bag or rake up the clippings.
Test-spray a patch in an out-of-sight location to ensure you like the look. Set sheets of cardboard around the perimeter to shield concrete and edging stones from overspray.
Start by spraying around the perimeter, then work your way across the expanse of the yard, spraying with a side-to-side sweeping motion until the job is done.
Wait 24 hours before walking on the lawn.

Grass paint lasts about 2 months, depending on how quickly the grass grows and how often you mow....

Investment, Money,

Are You Being Watched? How to Spot Hidden Cameras in Vacation Rentals

When staying at an Airbnb, VRBO, or hotel accommodation, should you be concerned about whether the host is secretly watching you with hidden cameras? Are you being monitored with video, audio, or both? Possibly. It’s always a good idea to take a look around when you settle into your accommodations. Here’s a quick recap of the laws and rules, along with tips on how to detect secret monitoring. ...

Where are hidden cameras not allowed?

There are two levels of requirements that a host must follow. There is governmental law, and there are the policies of the hosting business. ...

Federal and state laws regulate the use of recording devices. Twelve states require all parties to be on record as acknowledging awareness of devices and providing consent. Thirty-eight states only require one party to be aware and give consent. A secret recording, whether audio or video, made by a third party without the knowledge of the individuals being recorded is illegal under both state and federal law....

Inside a dwelling, cameras are not allowed in rooms where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, such as bedrooms and bathrooms....

Separately, Airbnb and VRBO require hosts not to use any cameras or recording devices inside a home. Only outdoor cameras are allowed; even then, they must not be positioned over an area where privacy is expected, such as a sauna or outdoor shower....

Independent property management companies establish their policies regarding the use of recording devices. You should read their policies before booking through them. ...

Trust, but verify

Laws and rules aside, you never know whether a host might secretly place a hidden device in one room or throughout the whole house you have rented. The owners may or may not be aware of the laws and hosting policies, but they should be and should abide by them. ...

Some monitoring devices are especially sneaky. The flashlight feature on your smartphone is your most effective tool for detecting surveillance devices. Here’s how to check for them....

Turn off the lights and use your cell phone flashlight to scan the room. Look for a dot-shaped glint of reflection, which could be a camera lens, especially on electronic devices, audio-video equipment, mirrors, and in small holes in walls.
A USB charger in a wall outlet should be checked, especially if it has a small, round dot on the face beside the USB port. Turn off the lights in the room and shine your cell phone light into the hole. If it reflects back to you, it is a miniature camera.
Inspect ceiling smoke detectors. If you see a similar unexplained round dot on the face, shine a light into it and look for the glow of a camera lens.
Perform the same light check on the face of a clock radio, which is another popular hidden camera ploy.
Look for any furniture or electronic devices that are oddly positioned, facing the bed or the central part of a living area. Perform the light test.
Go to the Wi-Fi network finder on your phone or laptop. It will list all the Wi-Fi networks nearby. Look for anything that says “camera” or is somehow suspicious.

What to do if you find hidden cameras or audio recording devices

If you find a hidden recording device:...

Use your smartphone to narrate a video of how and where you found it, showing the device.
Unplug the device, if possible, without causing any damage.
If the device is located in the bedroom or bathroom, call the police immediately.
Notify the host organization, whether it is Airbnb, VRBO, or a hotel.
Contact the host and inform them that you have found the issue and reported it to the appropriate authorities.
Check out and find other accommodations.

Building a Home, Buying,

Home Safety: When Lightning Rods Are Worth the Investment

Are lightning rods a good way to protect your home? Lightning strikes cause approximately 4,400 house fires per year. Here’s how to determine if a lightning rod system is right for you....

A bolt from the blue

When lightning strikes nearby, it is terrifying. The sound is deafening and the flash blinding. It can split a tree and set it on fire. When a building is struck, superheating can initiate a fire, and the heat flash transmitted through the structure can cause mini-explosions of building materials, thereby spreading the fire. The electrical system can be destroyed....

Surprisingly, metal roofs are not more attractive to lightning than other types of roofing materials. Lightning is attracted to the tallest object regardless of material. Therefore, a nearby tree, if taller than the house, is more likely to get struck. ...

Would lightning rods be a good investment for your home?

Do you live in a region prone to thunderstorms? Most of the southern states, from Texas to Florida, are highly prone to severe thunderstorms. In fact, Florida is unofficially the lightning capital of the world. With a higher risk for lightning strikes than other states, lightning rods might make sense for homes in these areas....

Homes in states farther north—or otherwise not prone to lightning storms—present less of a risk, so lightning rods are not needed.
If taller objects (such as trees) do not surround your house or it’s somewhat isolated from other structures, the home is more vulnerable to a strike.
Retrofitting a house with lightning rods is often more expensive than including them during home construction.

Installation and cost

Lightning rods stand a little taller than the roof and are fashioned to have a decorative appearance. A cable connects the rod down through the structure of the house into the ground, thus channeling the massive electrical charge into the earth, or “grounding” it. You may need more than one rod, depending on the size and configuration of your house. The cost of installing a lightning rod system ranges between $1,000 and $2,000....

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Why Aren’t My Flowering Plants Blooming?

You bought flowering plants known for their luscious blooms for your garden or flowerpots. After placing them, watering them, and tending them, the flowers you saw at the nursery have fallen off, seeming never to return. What’s going on?...

Factors beyond your control

Some issues affecting plant blooming are simply beyond your control. For bedding plants in particular, weather conditions play a significant role. Unusually hot or cold weather can inhibit blooming and the ability to thrive. Periods of drought or heavy rain may set plants back as well....

Another factor is the age of the flowering plant. Very young blooming plants may not produce flowers until they mature. ...

Fostering ideal conditions for flowering plants

There are several factors you can control to help your plants thrive and show their beautiful blooms:...

When purchasing, read the tag carefully, noting a plant’s blooming season, how much sun it needs, and how often it requires water.
Learn what kind of soil the plant needs. Consult the nursery staff and purchase bagged soil and compost as suggested.
Place plants where they will receive the necessary amount of sun. For those that need full sun many hours of the day, look for an open place away from shade. Plants needing partial sun should be placed where the sun shines directly for only part of the day.
Take into account how the sun moves not only through each day, but also the change in its position over the year.
Adjust your watering schedule, fine-tuning it according to the plant’s needs, both in frequency and quantity of water.
Fertilize as needed. Sometimes, too much nitrogen can inhibit blooms. Sometimes, not enough will do the same. Learn your blooming plant’s specific nutritional needs.
Improper pruning can affect blooming. Prune sparingly, only enough to help the plant increase its density of foliage, and prune just above branching nodes to ensure maximum growth.

Related – Growing a Meadow Garden...

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