There is a saying about the weather here in Central Oregon.  If you don’t like it wait 10 minutes and it will change.   Such a true statement about our weather right now.  With fall in the air we are experiencing some extreme weather swings – below freezing at night and record highs in the 90′s.  Hard on the yard and hard on the house.  Do you leave the heat on or the A/C?   If you can set both on it is best to put the heat to kick on if the house gets below 55.  Then the A/C if it gets about 80.   A house that gets much hotter then 80 is at risk to damage the artwork, the wallboard, the floors.  And of course the temperature control is always on the main floor with the upstairs is so often much hotter.  I had one owner who had some puckering in her wood floor and some art work curling as a result of a too hot house.  And don’t get me started on the problems with the cold.  It is unlikely now to have any problems with freezing – it takes about 3 days of hard freeze to break a pipe.  But of course I always opt for ‘better safe then sorry’.  

At Home Fridays we are watching the temps closely and monitoring each home.  Some homes are in the shade and really holding on to those cold temps.  They will have the heat turned on to 55.   Others are in full sun and still staying very warm – for those the A/C is set to a high temp.   It’s all in the details!

Another concern is watering the yard when the temps are too low.  We like to adjust the sprinkler systems to water later in the day this time of year.  Nothing worse then creating an ‘ice lawn’ with a 4am watering.

Fires in Central Oregon are a way of life around here. If it is summer, it is hot and we have lightening. The results are fires – just no way around it. Often times we find out about a fire and need to check on houses in the area. Most importantly we want to update our out of town owners as to the status of their homes. If it is in the fire line – perhaps remove special items if possible. If affected by the fire we might want to line up some disaster recovery services such as blowers to air out the smoke smell. We spent a good bit of time in Sisters this summer checking on houses in the line of the fire. Thankfully everything was safe and secure – of course a little too stinky. But our home owners were happy to hear that their homes had escaped the flames. If you own a home in Central Oregon – I hope you have Home Fridays taking care of it. Better safe then sorry….

This week I have a guest blogger,  Kory Friedman – Security Consultant from Apex Alert  www.apexalert.com  to outline some great tips on security.   I have been using Apex with many of my clients and they take great care of us  (yup I follow everything below and have a security system at my house and office).    Kory can be reached at 541.728.0301.

 As far as I’m concerned, there is no better place to live than Central Oregon.  I came to visit Bend from Southern California six years ago and it didn’t take me long to decide this would be my home.  The views are stunning, the people are friendly, and it seemed about as idyllic a place as you could get in terms of raising a family.  It’s so safe, I was told, that many people still leave their doors unlocked.  As a San Diego transplant and Security Consultant, I can’t leave the doors unlocked even if I want to.  It’s so ingrained in me to lock the door behind me that I often hear my husband yelling at me from the other side of the garage door because I flipped the lock not realizing he was outside.   You could say I’m living in fear.  But those folks who still have an open door policy might be surprised to learn that Bend’s property crime levels tend to be higher that Oregon’s average level. (You can visit www.neighborhoodscout.com to see how your neighborhood stacks up).  I design security systems for a living.  It’s my job to make sure that if a burglar attempts to get in to your home, he or she is not going to make it very far.  I want to prevent you from becoming a victim of property crime.  While a monitored security system is the best line of defense if they do get in, there are things you can do to make your home not worth the effort.There is no such thing as a burglar-proof home but you can make your house less desirable to break in to.  The enemies of the burglar are time and attention. The longer it takes to enter and the more noise he makes increases his chances of being seen and caught. Homes not easily and quickly broken into are most often bypassed for easier targets.  Follow these tips from nononsenseselfdefense.com and you’ll likely avoid becoming a statistic.  Tip #1 Make your home security system like an onion, not an egg. Layers upon layers are not only the best deterrent, but the best defense against break-ins.     Reason: It is easy for a criminal to bypass a single line of defense. Multiple layers not only slow him, but serve as a means to alert you or your neighbors that someone is trying to break in.  If, like the tip of an iceberg, enough of these deterrents are visible, most of the time the would-be intruder will simply choose not to even try. If he does try, then the layers he did not see will impede him.A good example of a layered defense is a thorny bush outside the window, double locks and/or bars on the windows, and safety coating on the windows.  Tip #2 Pretend to be a burglar
Walk around your property and ask yourself: How would I break in? Examine your house from the street, where are the blind spots?  What are the most vulnerable areas and, therefore, more likely to be attacked? Stand outside the windows and look in, make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible. If you can see your belongings doing this, so can criminals.Tip #3 As well as locking something, you must also protect the lock and its components
A common combination of cheap locks and small construction flaws, that we tend not to notice, often give criminals the “cracks” in security they need to break in.     Reason: Many home door locks can be quickly bypassed with a knife or screwdriver slid in the gap between door and frame. After that the criminal can easily work the tongue of most cheap locks out of the door frame. A thin kitchen knife slid between sash windows can “tap” a normal window lock open. Hasps and locks can be hammered or twisted off in a few blows, or simply cut off with bolt cutters. Many sliding windows and doors can simply be lifted out of place.Tip #4 Brace doorframes and put multiple locks on all outside doors
What he doesn’t know *will* hurt him. With a little extra work, the bracing can be hidden behind the doorframe’s internal molding and will not be noticeable from either inside or outside. For the burglar, this is like unexpectedly hitting an invisible wall.     Reason: The most common means of breaking into homes is simply by kicking in the door. Most doorframes are made of 1 inch pine which saves the contractor money. This makes them vulnerable to this basic assault. Multiple locks and bracing under the molding make this kind of entrance unlikely and will not destroy the beauty of your home.Tip #5 Find alternatives to normal deadbolts in doors that have windows (or windowed frames)
Talk with a locksmith about what is available.     Reason: Most burglaries occur during the day when you are away at work. Unfortunately, many back doors are decorative and windowed. It is easy for a burglar to punch out a small window, reach in and unlock the door. Since they are off the street and out of view this is why most break-ins occur through the back and side doors.Tip #6 Treat inside garage doors the same as an outside door: multiple locks and bracing.
Even though it is inside your home, it must be able to withstand a full out assault. Often, the doors that access the house from the garage are hollow-core and have cheap locks (if they are locked at all) which is why break-ins through garages are so common.     Reason: Criminals often cruise neighborhoods looking for open garage doors. Once an open garage door is found, they pull in, close the door, park their car and then start piling your possessions into it. Although they might still do it occasionally, criminals no longer need to cruise the neighborhood with a stolen garage door opener pushing the button to see whose door will open, an incredible number of  people just leave the door wide open for them when “just running down to the store.”Tip #7 Plant thorny bushes in front of all vulnerable windows.
Thorny landscaping not only adds beauty to your home, but makes even getting close to such windows an unappealing prospect.Tanya Carlsen, Landscape Designer with Carlseng Designs, suggests planting Barberry.  She says it’s a great thorny bush that does well in our climate.  Other options include Rugosa roses and Wood’s rose.  While they don’t have good thorns, they would be better than a softer shrub at deterring thieves.Tip #8 Look into safety-coating the most vulnerable windows.
Safety coat is an adhesive plastic sheeting that makes breaking out windows difficult.Tip #9 Get and close heavy drapes — especially on rooms where there is expensive equipment. Thin, sheer drapes –although attractive — also allow burglars to look inside.     Reason: It is often amazing how often a home intruder will walk up and look through the windows of a home to see if there is anything worth stealing. Sheer curtains allow him to do this. He knows what he wants to steal before he even breaks in.Tip #10 Make sure sliding glass doors and windows are installed correctly.
Not everyone in the construction industry is a rocket scientist. And their incompetence and laziness can cost you plenty.     Reason: An estimated one quarter of all sliding glass doors and windows are installed backwards (so the sliding part is on the outside track). This allows the criminal to simply lift out the panel and enter.Tip #11 Install motion detector lights in areas where no one should be.
This way, you know something isn’t right when they go off.     Reason: Most people put safety lights where they do the least good. While they illuminate your approach as you pull into your driveway, such lights are often hard to see if you are indoors. Put them along the side of the house or back, so that someone lurking there sets them off.  You can also install a security system that can automate your lighting, so that lights can turn on at a specific time of day.Tip #12 Get a dog.
A barking dog, whether inside the house or in the yard, is proven as the best deterrent to burglars.Tip #13 Create a neighborhood watch on your block.
Even just the signs often sends would-be burglars elsewhere.Reason: An alert and involved community is the criminal’s nemesis. It is often reason enough for him to try business elsewhere. Tip #14 Make sure the gates are locked if you have a fence. This is especially important with accesses to the alley.Tip #15 Leave the stereo/TV on
An empty house “feels” empty. There is no vibration or noise inside that indicates someone’s presence. Put the “vibes” in.  If you read this blog then you already know how important this is.  Shannon and the Home Fridays staff put the vibes in your home so it appears lived in.  Tip #16 Etch your name on all electronic equipment TV/stereo/computer and then tape it
Etching, in and of itself serves as a deterrent in case of a break in, failing that it greatly assists the police in the recovery of your property.Tip #17 Get a safe!
It’s not just cash and jewels that need to go in there, but your important paperwork.     Reason: Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the US. Although many people think burglars are going to go for jewelry, silverware or electronics, what most people don’t realize is that the greatest damage to you will be if the criminal gets access to your personal identification and financial records!!! A criminal can clone your identity and steal everything you have, up to and including selling your property. Passports can sell for as much as a thousand dollars. Tip #18 On top of everything else, get an alarm system.
This is another layer of the onion. You can go anywhere from a basic system to one that is incredibly high tech.      Reason: Now that you’ve made it slow and difficult for him to get inside, an alarm is far more effective since it gives the cavalry a chance to arrive in time. In addition, burglar, carbon monoxide and fire alarms do wonders to keep your home owner’s insurance down.

Did you know that in the city of Bend, Oregon if your water usage is excessively high the city will come out and hang a tag on your door telling you about the high water usage?  It is a nice gesture, but seriously who is going to see that if you are out of town?   Apparently if nothing is done, then the city in the next month or so will come back out and turn off the water.  But at that point — the damage is done!   What you need is someone to find the hang tag and take immediate action.  High water consumption can be a big deal — leaks in the house, leaks in the sprinkler system.  None of it a good thing.

We recently found a home we take care of that was ‘tagged’ by the city.  Turned out with lots of research with the plumber, talking with the city and meeting the city — that the high water usage was found.  In the meantime we were able to assure the client that nothing in the house was leaking — the ultimate fear of anyone who hears ‘lots of water’.   The humidifier was excessively flushing and once it was turned off, the water usage dropped to zero.  Would this have been found eventually?  If someone was home it might have taken even longer to figure out.  As we easily shut off each part of the house and irrigation system until the source was found.  And with no one watching the house, the problem would have gone on for a few more weeks or months before the city shut off the water.  The easiest solution — have a service such as Home Fridays watch over your home.  Your second home is our first priority!

The question on when to clean carpets is never an easy question.  If there are pets and kids – well the mess is usually evident.  But as you can see below from the guidelines set out by Aaron Kadoch of Naturally Clean The carpets can hide some pretty scary stuff!    We love to give the homes a fresh spring clean with carpet cleaning and Aaron does a great job — no chemicals and very little water.  Can’t get much greener then that!  http://www.itsnaturallyclean.com/    

How Often Should I Professionally Clean My Carpets?    Carpet and rug vacuum and professional cleaning frequency really depends on the type of traffic you have on your carpet and how you maintain it.  Some people can get by with professional cleanings every couple of years, while other people need their carpets cleaned every three months or so.     Appearance alone should not be the determining factor when deciding when to clean the carpet.  Today’s carpets are engineered from the fiber up to hide soil.  In fact, a tan, residential grade saxony carpet can hide up to a pound of dirt per square foot before it becomes noticeably soiled.  Once a carpet reaches this degree of soiling, it is not just in need of maintenance, but restoration as well.   

     Use the attached EPA cleaning frequency guide chart for a general idea of the best cleaning frequency for your environment.  A “no shoes policy,” application of carpet protectant, frequent thorough vacuuming, and spotting with our residue-free carpet spotter are all excellent ways for you to keep your carpeting vibrant and healthy and extend the length of time between professional cleanings.  Call us if you have questions about specific spots or would like a deep, thorough cleaning for all the carpet in your home or office. Naturally Clean, (541) 419-7873. 

Light Soil  Vacuum – 1x / week           Spot cleaning – Daily or as soon as spots are noticed   Heavy Use Area -  Traffic areas every 12-18 months   Restorative Cleaning – Every 2 yrs or per warranty Normal Soil    Vacuum – 1-2x / week(Families w/ children)     Spot Cleaning – Daily or as soon as spots are noticed    Heavy Use Area – Traffic areas every 6 – 12 months   Restorative Cleaning – Annually Heavy Soil     Vacuum – 2-4x / week(pets and smoking)  Spot Cleaning – Daily or as soon as spots are noticed        Heavy Use Area – Traffic areas every 3-6 months   Restorative Cleaning – Semi-Annually Extreme Conditions    Vacuum – daily(big families, lots of pets)    Spot Cleaning – Daily or as soon as spots are noticed    Heavy Use Area – Traffic lanes every 2-3 months    Restorative Cleaning – Quarterly

Every year owners ask about the snow removal on the driveways.  Many want to only have it done when they are going to be using the house.  While a nice idea — it just doesn’t work that way.   If you don’t keep up with the snow, you won’t be able to clear it at all. 

With the temperature swings we have in Central Oregon we have a constant thaw and freeze cycle.   Each time we get any snow the roads are plowed and a berm of snow is left blocking your driveway.   Not a problem until it warms up and starts to melt and just before it melts, the temperatures drop and we get a nice block of ice.  Then nothing but a pick axe can remove the pile.  And of course each time the street is cleared (every 2 inches of snow fall) the berm gets bigger. 

Of course this same melt freeze cycle happens on the driveway and the walkways as well.  So you have a nice ice skating rink to the front door.  Now you are probably thinking — just use ice melt.  Well all studies say no!  Ice melt will eat away at the concrete or bricks and leave you with some year round damage.   So again — you just have to wait out the entire season. 

In some areas you are fined for not clearing the public walk ways and held liable for any slip and falls.  In other neighborhoods you are fined for leaving a car out on the street.  So you really have to have the driveway clear. 

Another factor is the advertisement that the house is empty.  No better way to tell what is going on traffic wise then to look and see if the snow and walkways have not been cleared. 

So please make it easier for everyone and have your walk ways, driveways and path to the garbage area cleared on a regular basis.  We clear only if it snows more then 4″.    

There is a lot of discussions that go on about if the water should be turned on or off in a home when the owners are away.   It really depends on the amount of time the house will be vacant.   

With the water off there is a possibility of seals drying out in the toilets as well as the dishwasher and the insta hot.    We recommend running dishwashers, insta hot and flushing toilets regularly. 

If you do turn the water off – don’t turn the heat off unless you have all the lines cleared.  When you turn the water off there is still water in the shower cartridges, in the area between the handles and the shower head and in the toilets to name a few.  Unless all these areas are cleared out – the heat should be kept on that the house should not be allowed to freeze.   

Installing a simple on/off switch that can be easily accessed is a great way to limit water damage.  The key is to make the switch simple to access.  Too many times the water shut off is under a house in a crawl space or under a couple of feet of snow. 

So the debate continues with no real answer.  It is all about personal preference.

There really is no way of knowing if all your utilities have been setup unless you are in the house.  That is where Home Fridays comes into the picture.  With our house checks we can find the gas that hasn’t come on, the furnace that failed when the neighborhood had a power outage.  You have eyes and ears at the house when you can’t be there.

A sad story about a local home.  The house went through inspection with flying colors, sale went through and everyone was happy.  The utilities were changed over to the new owners name.  Unfortunatley the gas company did not turn over correctly.  The gas was cut off and no heat to the home.  With no one in the house, sitting vacant not a problem – WRONG.  The water was on, the toilets full of water, the showers, the pipes, the ice maker.  Lots of water all over the house – frozen solid.  Within a month of ownership the home goes from  great to problematic.  We will never know why the gas wasn’t turned on correctly.  And had the house been with Home Fridays, we would have found the problem early and possibly prevented any pipes from freezing. 

A few dollars for prevention and maintenance cost or the big ticket for replacement of total failure.  At Home Fridays we are big believers in annual maintenance especially with the furnace and air conditioners.  Every year we have a few home owners that don’t want to have annual maintenance performed on their units.  Some make it through the winter with no problems – their gamble paid off.  They saved a few dollars. But at this moment, with the winter only begun we already had 3 furnaces fail (none of them had an annual maintenance).   Of course the furnaces never fail in the middle of the work day when it is warm out.   They fail on a holiday, in the evening when it is below freezing out.  In our extreme temperatures it only takes a short while to cause serious damage in the home.   Lesson to be learned — regular maintenance is a must and a much cheaper alternative!    

It is cold out – no doubt about it.  Here is what the Sunriver Homeowners Association sent out to all their owners earlier this week.

COLD weather alert for Sunriver homeownersSunriver temperatures took a drastic drop yesterday with area highs in the teens and overnight lows in the single digits. We got a few inches of very dry snow and had wind all day. The dangerously low temperatures are forecast to continue until Thursday. Link to Sunriver area forecast.If your home is unoccupied, you will want to have someone (neighbor, friend, contracted service) check on it this week, probably more than once. Here are a few ways you can help protect your home: Increase the “unoccupied” temperature setting on your heating system. Make sure to run water daily at all faucets and appliances (refrigerators/dishwashers/clothes washers, etc. – particularly those near or against outside walls. Open cabinet doors below sinks. Check the home’s foundation vents and outside faucets to make sure they have Styrofoam covers in place.The November Sunriver Scene contained an article about damage to unoccupied homes – and discussed the possibility that your homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover damage to an unoccupied home (depending upon certain conditions). Here’s a link to the November issue on our Web site. You’ll find the article on page 19.Your association Web site includes a list of contractors registered to do business in Sunriver. So if you are looking for someone to do a variety of home-related tasks – from plowing your driveway to plumbing repairs, this is a good place to start. Please note that inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by SROA. When you consider hiring someone, you might want to check with a neighbor for a “recommendation.” SROA Registered Contractors list.