by Tommy Mello, Owner of A1 Garage Door Service, and Audrey Monell, President of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning With the stress of finding the perfect gift or having the entire family over during the holiday season, the last thing homeowners want to worry about is a Grinch stealing presents from the garage or … Read More…
by Blake Herzog Frozen/burst pipes — Extended cold snaps with temperatures of 20 degrees or below can freeze water in our pipes, causing it to expand and in some cases burst pipes. In older houses or ones with poorly insulated pipes it can start to happen once it dips below 32 degrees. Some of the … Read More…
by Blake Herzog We’ve covered how to deal with the hazard frozen pipes can pose during the winter on page 132. While this is probably the most damaging plumbing situation you need to be on guard for, there are other issues you’re more likely to have to deal with during the coldest months of the … Read More…
by Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener Now is the time to plant privacy screens for maximum growth and seclusion in spring. Without strategically placed evergreens in the yard, it can feel as if prying eyes are looking right into your home. Not only does your privacy seemingly disappear, but that neighbor’s debris pile can be … Read More…
by Blake Herzog Our part of Arizona is famous for having the largest stands of ponderosa pines anywhere, but that doesn’t mean all our trees and shrubs stay green all winter long. We have many that drop their leaves after gifting us a gorgeous autumn show of reds and golds. Their winter profiles have their … Read More…
by Blake Herzog The autumnal months are crucial for any garden — what you do now can set it up for winter tenacity and spring vibrancy. You may still be tending to a few hardy vegetable plants, depending on whether the first frosts have arrived, but most of your time will be spent protecting your … Read More…
by Blake Herzog While you’re busy staying current with your kitchen, living room and outdoor living space, it’s easy for other spaces to get left behind — particularly the bathrooms. If you haven’t taken the initiative to inject some “spa” vibes into the fixtures or décor, it’s easy to let the years flow by until … Read More…
Americans have been busy renovating their homes in record numbers. Home renovation spending grew 15% in the last year to a median $15,000, according to a survey by home renovation website Houzz. Higher-budget projects (accounting for the top 10% of project spending) saw an increase to $85,000 or more in 2020, compared with $80,000 in the … Read More…
by Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener Many mountain trees offer spectacular autumn colors, but glowing fall leaves light up only one of our four seasons. The best landscape trees shine in every growing season. Maples provide some of the best fall colors. Several are outstanding shade trees through summer, others a great source of sap … Read More…
by Blake Herzog It’s always fun to keep your home design in step with the seasons — it’s another way to bring nature and the outdoors closer to you and your family. But it can seem like there are only so many ways to mimic the reds, browns and oranges of fall foliage, and you’re … Read More…