Side Effects of Springtime Allergies

Most people do not realize that springtime allergies can contribute to falls, particularly in the elderly. Allergies often lead to congestion and watery eyes. While in most cases this is nothing more than just an irritation for some elderly this can spell disaster.

Balance is maintained by three systems. First is the joints which give feedback to the brain about a person’s position in space. Second are the eyes, which help to orient the person to their surroundings. The third system is known as the vestibular system and involves the inner ear.

As people age they have a tendency to suffer joint damage from arthritis. This can be a result of years of small trauma or a major trauma. Either way the joints dry out, wear out and just don’t give reliable feedback. Second are the eyes. Declining eyesight is common as people age. Dry, itchy or watery eyes can distort a person’s vision and cause them to miss clutter or uneven sidewalks and lead to a fall.

The inner ear or vestibular system is the final system for maintaining balance. When a person becomes congested with seasonal allergies it puts pressure on the inner ear and affects the system. Sometimes the pressure or inflammation can cause people to experience itching, ringing or aching in their ears. With some seniors this disruption in the inner ear can cause extreme dizziness and lead to falls.

A good way to reduce the side effects are to keep the mucus thin. This can often be done just by rinsing the nasal passages with saline and flushing the eyes with saline as well. Keeping the tissue moist helps the body get rid of the allergy causing irritation. If medications are going to be used be sure to note the side effects. In addition to disrupting the balance, allergies often have effects on blood pressure which again can lead to falls.

Protect Your Property from Termites

Termites are the most economically important wood-destroying organism in the United States, with billions per year being spent for their prevention and treatment. This cost and damage from these pesky little insects could be reduced if homeowners and property owners implemented a number of relatively simple, inexpensive, practical measures around their home and outlying structures that reduce the risk of subterranean termite infestations. Such preventive measures are very cost effective given that a home typically represents one’s largest monetary investment.

Many construction and landscaping features literally can invite termites into one’s home.  It is important to recognize and alter conditions around one’s home so as to reduce the termites’ environmental requirements for moisture, food (wood), and shelter.

Do not unknowingly invite termites into your home!

Employ any of the following measures to help disrupt the termites’ ability to locate moisture, food (wood), and shelter.

• Keep all wooden parts of the house foundation at least 6 inches above the soil.
• Keep mulch levels several inches below the siding and wooden parts of the structure.
• Avoid or minimize use of wood mulch next to the foundation.
• Remove dead trees, stumps, and roots near the structure.
• Never store firewood, lumber, or paper against the foundation or in the crawl space.
• Remove wood debris and form boards.

Moisture accumulation near the foundation provides water needed for termite survival.

• Grade or slope soil away from the foundation.
• Divert rain water away from the foundation.
• Maintain clean gutters and down-spouts.
• Install down-spout extenders and splash blocks.
• Use drain tiles if site is flat.
• Divert lawn sprinklers and irrigation water away from the foundation.
• Promptly repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units.
• Use mulch sparingly (no more than 2 inches depth is recommended).
• Keep plants and ground covers 3-4 feet away from the house foundation.

Poor ventilation in crawl space provides water needed for termite survival.

• Cover approximately 75 percent of the soil surface in the crawl space with a vapor barrier (4-6 ml polyethylene sheeting).
• Install 1 square foot of vent opening per 300 to 500 square feet of crawl space area (when using a vapor barrier).
• Install 1 square foot of vent opening per 150 square feet of crawl space area (without a vapor barrier).
• Enhance cross ventilation.
• Remove any vegetation covering vents.

Hidden termite access

• Install trellises and trim plants so that they do not contact the house.
• Do not build flower planters against the house.
• Regularly inspect cracks or joints in concrete slabs for evidence of termites.
• Install metal flashing when attaching porches or decks (even when using “treated” lumber) to an existing house.
• Remove mulch that contacts siding or obscures a clear view of the foundation.
• Never install foam board insulation (polystyrene) below grade.

Annual Inspection Checklist

• Water is directed away from the foundation.
• Wood and other cellulose materials (including mulch) are away from the foundation.
• The foundation is exposed around the entire house.
• The basement (or crawl space) is relatively dry.

The following are some pictures of termite damage discovered at a job site where Spectrum Home Services of Central Texas was repairing some siding on an old barn house.  As you can see, termites can cause serious damage.  This barn house had to be lifted at one corner and repairs made.

Spring Home Checklist

Springtime is a great time to make an assessment of needed repairs on your home or rental properties.   The winter of 2013-14 was extraordinarily harsh in many parts of the country.  Many homeowners are just now recognizing damages that the winter weather may have caused.   It is very important that you find these problems before that get out of hand and do serious damage to your investment.  The following is a list of action items you should do to check your home.   Also, The following pictures represent work performed by Spectrum Home Services of North Atlanta on repairs that were spotted after an exterior and interior home inspections.

EXTERIOR INSPECTION

Winter is tough on roofs and chimneys, windows, walls, foundations, gutters and decks.

Roof

Always be careful when checking a roof.  You do not have to climb on your roof to see problems.  Look for missing or cracked shingles, shingles that look like they are loose or have moved.  Spectrum Home Services recommends that you hire a professional to inspect your roof if you see or think you have any of these issues.

HAZARDOUS DECK

Look for water stains where the deck ties to the house. Ongoing water leakage can lead to wood decay, weakening the deck structure and the house. If you have any doubt about the structural integrity of the deck, call a pro to investigate.

Rid your deck of moss and mold. Pressure washers are effective. Remember, if you see wood damage, like raised fibers, increase the distance between the spray nozzle and the decking.

Foundations

Hairline cracks in foundation walls might be the result of concrete curing or minor settling and aren’t automatically cause for alarm. Mark them with tape and check them again in a few months. If they’ve worsened, call a structural engineer. If they’re stable, fill them with an epoxy-injection system.

Fill in holes in siding and foundation walls with expandable foam.

Check that the ground around the foundation slopes away from the house.

Look for termites or other bug or rodent damage..

CLOGGED GUTTERS

Clear gutters of debris and check them for corrosion, joint separation, and loose fasteners. Flush out downspouts and unclog leader pipes. Leaders should extend at least 5 feet to direct water away from the foundation.

Exterior Walls

Whether you have wood siding, stucco or brick, look for trouble spots, especially under eaves and near gutter downspouts. Water stains normally indicate that your gutters are not adequately containing roof runoff. If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas or knots that have popped out, making way for carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other critters that may nest in or burrow through.

Basement

Check the basement for water damage: Water can seep in through foundation cracks and other exterior crevices. Check the basement for a musty smell, water stains and damp surfaces. If you find signs of water damage, walk around your house and check for cracks and crevices in the foundation.

Interior Walls

While interior wall repairs are for the most part cosmetic, they are still are important for aesthetic reasons.  Spring is a good time to do these repairs.

Inspect and repair siding and peeling paint: 

Take a walk around the house to assess the entire exterior. Fix or replace damaged siding (or call in a pro to handle it). Strip peeling paint and replace it with a new coat.

Inside flooring

Weather can play havoc with your wood floors.  Don’t let the damage get to the point where you have no option but to replace the whole floor.  Sand and refinish damaged wood floors.

 

Clean dryer vent and exhaust ducts:

Unplug the clothes dryer, disconnect the hose from the vent in the back of the dryer, and clean out lint from both the hose and the vent.

Windows

Check for window damage and replace caulking: Check windows from the outside to determine whether there’s any damage to the caulking, which seals out water, air and other elements. If any of it is loose or peeling, remove it and replenish with fresh caulk.

8 Ways to Prevent Falls Around the House

A senior sustains a fall-related injury somewhere in the U.S. every 20-30 minutes. Each year, one third of seniors will fall. The majority of accidents occur around the house. All of these statistics point to one thing: we must be conscious and careful about the dangers of falling. There are a few simple techniques that you can use around the house to prevent a fall:

1. In the winter, carry a small bag of rock salt with you. If a driveway or sidewalk looks slippery, throw down a little salt before walking over it.
2. Clear your driveway, porch, deck, and walkways of all clutter and paint your porch with gritty, all-weather paint for extra traction.
3. Keep your hands free: carry a backpack or shoulder bag when you need to take belongings on the go.
4. If you’ll be returning home after dark, turn on an outside light before you leave so it will be on when you get back. If you can, install a motion-detecting flood light for extra convenience.
5. Lose the throw rugs. Make sure all carpets either are tacked down or have skid-proof backing.
6. Place non-skid mats on the floor in the kitchen by the stove, sink, and anywhere else that you may stand for long periods.
7. Mark the top and bottom steps on your stairs with brightly-colored tape.
8. Take it easy. Avoid heavy lifting and strain by letting the handyman and home services experts at Spectrum take care of raking the leaves, shoveling the snow, repairs, and even food preparation and grocery shopping.

Your risk of falling increases when you have:

• fallen before
• balance problems
• chronic diseases like arthritis
• depression
• hazards at home
• a lot of medications
• memory problems
• muscle weakness
• problems walking
• vision problems

Reduce your risk of falling and stay independent, healthy, and strong by following the steps below:

1. Get a fall risk assessment.  Talk with your doctor about your fall risk, especially if you have any of the conditions listed above.
2. Review your medications.  Bring all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to your pharmacist or health professional at least once a year and when there are changes in your health.
3. Have you vision checked.  Have your vision checked every year by an eye doctor.  If you wear eyeglasses and still have trouble seeing, ask your doctor about low vision services.
4. Engage in regular physical activity.  Ask your doctor about the best types of activities for you and make a plan that fits with what you like and what you are able to do.  Doing strength and balance exercises using your lower body can build your strength, improve your balance and coordination, and reduce your risk of falling.
5. Assess your home and make changes for safety.  Use a home safety checklist or talk with a professional (such as an occupational therapist) to look for things inside your home that make you more likely to fall.  Change your home to make it safer – reduce clutter; improve lighting in rooms, hallways, and stairwells; and install handrails and grab bars.

With just a little care and preparation, you can significantly reduce your chances of falling around the house and save yourself both time and worry!

 

4 TIPS FOR GROWING A GREENER LAWN.

Do you have an ugly lawn with lots of weeds and patches of dead grass?  Want to impress everyone on your street by growing the greenest, healthiest looking lawn in the neighborhood?  If your answer to either question is “yes,” then you will want to follow these tips on proper lawn care.

Remember, getting the green lawn you’ve always wanted doesn’t have to be an expensive procedure, nor will it require hours of yard work every day.  It can often be as simple as making sure that you’re using the right yard care materials.  Here are a few tips to help you make sure you’re treating your lawn right:

 

Choose the right kind of grass.  Different grasses thrive in different regions of the US, depending on the climate.  Talk to a local lawn care specialist for advice on the best grasses to use in your area.

Keep your lawn fertilized.  Lawn fertilizers are an often overlooked aspect of keeping a green and healthy lawn.  You don’t need to fertilize too often, but it is important to do it at least a few times a year—and remember, not all fertilizers are created equal (different kinds work better depending on your soil type.)

Control weeds.  Nothing can ruin the look of a lawn faster and more completely than an outbreak of weeds.  Use both preventative care (many fertilizers have built-in weed prevention properties) and weed killer to control weeds before they take over.

Water appropriately, and at the right times.  Too much water can be just as bad for your lawn as too little.  Additionally, watering during the day can be ineffective and even harmful, particularly in areas where water supplies are low.

If you have any more questions about lawn maintenance, or if you want to avoid the stress of lawn care by hiring someone to help take care of it for you, talk to your local Spectrum Home Services professional.