At Home with Tom and Sandy

Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy!” Now that we are in Spring, we have called on a “lifeline” to talk landscaping, because now is the time. As Tom and I always say, we are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry, what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot, and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment.

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we love sharing our column with you. So, settle in and enjoy.

Sandy:                     Well Mr. R, here we are again. Spring is springing; Spring has sprung but we can still hear winter’s growl. We are not home free yet and out of weather. I’m thinking we should talk about spring stuff. What do you think?

Tom:                         Agreed. In fact, I have taken it upon myself to ask our good friend Chris Welborn, owner of Vicente Landscaping, to join us and talk about getting us prepared for Spring.

Sandy:                     Great idea. For some of our readers that may not know, Chris is a YCCA board member. He is our secretary/treasurer and this organization is so proud to have his representation and unselfish spirit for the community. He is so very helpful every time I have a landscape question. Chris, welcome to our column.

Chris:                       Thanks for asking me to join you both and you know landscaping is one of my favorite subjects, even talking about weeds!

Sandy:                     Chris, this has been such a crazy, weird season, hardly any winter, lots of summer and now our favorite time of the year – springtime!

Chris:                       I call it the in-between time. April can be challenging to those who want to get out and either tend to landscape or start planting.

Tom:                         Why do you say that, Chris?

Chris:                       Well to begin, once the plant begins to leaf out, it is too late to prune if you want to enjoy great spring blooms. You might be able to trim sages and such, but leave your trees alone. Plants are just starting to wake up and this is the month they take to do that.

Sandy:                     Chris, with our beautiful days it is so tempting to head outside and start snipping and pruning and I can be dangerous with those clippers in hand!

Chris:                       First things first, now is the time to prepare for the growing season that is almost started. Start by turning on your irrigation system and inspect it. Look for line breaks, missing emitter heads, leaks and check the backflow valves.

Tom:                         All good advice, Chris. We check ours out monthly. Also, we turn our irrigation on at least once a week during the winter for a couple of hours to give our plants needed water.

Chris:                       Perfect, Tom, you are an overachiever for winter landscaping. Plants need water year-round. They need more during the growing season. It might still be freezing at night, so you might want to water manually if we haven’t had enough rain or snow. I heard our girl, Sandy, did not water during the winter drought and she has two not-so-healthy looking bushes.

Sandy:                     Okay, okay, okay! I will turn the irrigation system on! Chris, do your helpful hints apply to lawns as well?

Chris:                       Most definitely. Grasses of all sorts need water. They are waking up as well.

Sandy:                     Well, I can check my irrigation in about an hour. Tom, with your acreage, I suspect it takes all day. I certainly need more to do than that. Any other tasks we should take on this month for waking up landscaping?

Chris:                       Yes, Sandy. As I said, everything is waking up. The plants need not only water, but also food. This is a great month to feed all your plants.

Tom:                         There seems to be an endless diversity when it comes to fertilizer. The hype would lead us to believe each plant requires its own food.

Chris:                       You said it right, Tom: hype. There are so many that are specific for this or that plant type when all you really need is a good all-purpose fertilizer.

Sandy:                     What makes up fertilizer and why are there so many differences?

Chris:                       There are three basic components to any good, all-around fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They are known also as NPK, their periodic table symbols. The proportion of these in any mixture is the only difference. At Vicente Landscaping, we use a 10-10-10 mix. That would be 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium. There are other good all-purpose ratios as well, such as 12-5-5 and a host of others. When you go to a garden center, just ask for a good all-purpose fertilizer. Knowledgeable garden people will understand and be able to direct you to an appropriate product.

Tom:                         I get the fertilizer, put it on individual plants and the lawn, water and we have the start of a good growing season. Pretty basic, as the plants wake up, we feed and water them.

Sandy:                     Good advice. So, what about my vegie garden? What tasks do we start with to wake up those veggies?

Chris:                       The best thing you can do is to prepare the soil for future planting. Tilling the soil and adding some fertilizer is a good start, and it will keep you out in the warm sunshine. Be careful though, DON’T plant your veggies yet. Temperatures are still getting close to, if not below, freezing. In this area, we have a rule of thumb that says we don’t plant tomatoes until Mother’s Day.

Tom:                         I understand our last frost date is May 15, so that tracks well. Sandy, if you like, you can start your garden inside by planting the seeds and give them time to start germinating.

Sandy:                     I could do that. Chris, any parting advice?

Chris:                       Yes, if you have pinon pine trees, this is the time of year that the scale eggs hatch and the scale insects move to the needles. The egg sack looks like a white cotton-like web at the tree base or trunk. It is best to physically remove these. Once on the pine needles, the scale have a wax-like protective coating that sprays really don’t penetrate.

Sandy:                     Chris, it was great having you join Tom and me. For our readers, the good news is that spring is here and as Chris said, now is the best time to work on waking up your plants, trees and shrubs. It is always wise as well to work with your/our local landscape professional to set the stage for healthy happy plants and soon you will be well on your way to get a thriving landscape you’ll enjoy for many months.

Tom:                         Remember, readers, quality lawn care and landscape professionals are important and finding the perfect one can be challenging. Those initial conversations you have with your landscape professional are essential for creating a beautiful outdoor space.

Sandy:                     Tom, you are right on and one word of advice that I can offer is how important it is to have a good understanding of what you want for your yard. Determining what you want your yard to be and how it will be used can help your landscape professional realize your vision.

Chris:                       One other important word of advice is to have a budget in mind when you meet with a landscape professional for assistance. We all know what it is like to dream and the dream will ultimately be your budget.

Sandy:                     The long weeks of winter are gone, so now is the perfect time to make plans for a gorgeous, spring lawn and landscape.

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy” and meeting our guest Chris Welborn, owner of Vicente Landscaping. You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.

 

Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy” and this month we have a heated topic and if you do not pay attention, you could be left out in the cold and with improvements that cost you money. As Tom and I always say, we are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry: what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment.

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some interesting information with you this month. So, settle in and enjoy.

Sandy:   Okay, Tom, what is our sizzling topic this month?

Tom:       Sandy, according to the Almanac, we are in the middle of winter. That is hard to believe since our weather has been largely glorious, balmy and beautiful. However, let’s give our readers some middle of winter tips and advice.

Sandy:   Just a little side step here to the Old Farmer’s Almanac – which has a history of being 80 percent correct. For February, it says rain, snow, sunny, showers, cool, additional periods of rain and snow and then more sun and showers and cold and then back to sunny and mild, and then a few more showers and then cool weather.

Tom:       I am not sure if we should talk about springtime plantings or furnace maintenance and filters, our weather certainly is enjoyable but creates a false feeling as we are indeed in the middle of winter.

Sandy:   Tom, since it is bound to turn cold, let’s start with the furnace. It would be great to ask Bob Edmondson of AC Medic Heating & Air to join us and help with some in depth insights.

Sandy:   Bob, welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy. First of all, thanks for being such a great community partner and taking care of so many folks with heating and cooling issues. Let’s start with furnace filters.

Bob:        Tom and Sandy, as you know, there are at least a billion different types of filters out there.

Tom:       I understand a lot of the differences revolve around the MERV ratings. That stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV measures how effective a particular filter is in blocking particulates. Bob, does it matter which one I get for my home furnace? Would I want the highest rating?

Bob:        A MERV rating describes the efficiency of air filters used in residential air conditioner and heating units. A MERV rating is helpful for determining whether an air filter traps small allergy-inducing particles, such as dust mites. Filters with a MERV rating between 1 and 4 are able to trap allergens measuring 10 micrometers or larger, with an efficiency level of at least 70 percent. A MERV rating of 8 means the filter effectively catches particles as small as 3 micrometers.

Sandy:   So Bob, based on an efficiency level of at least 70 percent for filters rated between 1-4, then the higher value of a MERV rating does not necessarily represent a better quality air filter.

Bob:        That is correct, Sandy. A high MERV rating indicates that small pores are present that can restrict air flow. If the air flow is restricted, the quality of the air in the residence can be compromised, and the air conditioner unit can potentially be damaged. It is important to realize that filters with a high MERV rating need to be replaced often to avoid restricted air flow.

Tom:       Bob, what is an average MERV rating that our readers should consider?

Bob:        MERV 6 rated filters are used for basic filtering purposes, which work well to remove larger particles of dirt or lint. MERV 11 are produced for those who suffer asthma, as they increase the filtering ability of dust particles up to 65 percent, versus standard fiberglass filters. MERV 13 filters offer the best filtering capabilities and remove up to 90 percent of dust particles. They are more expensive and need to be changed frequently!

Sandy:   I checked my filters and the MERV rating is 4. I change them monthly. Bob, am I on the Dean’s List?

Bob:        Yes, Sandy, you are doing it right.

Tom:       We all know that something should be done with filers so the question to our guest is how often?

Sandy:   Boy, Bob, I bet you get that question a lot! Seriously, we know the filters are there and we know they are doing something important and it is a lot of work to change the filters – they are so high on the wall and in the ceiling.

Bob:        There are a number of things this depends on. Some of the things that affect how often the filters need to be changed depend on how clean your environment is, the type of filter you are using, how clean you need your environment to be and how large your living area is.

Tom:       So, now that we know the challenges of filter changing, what if you live in an environment that gets dirty and dusty pretty quickly.

Bob:        Then the filters should be changed every one to three months typically. This can vary, based on the type of filter you are using. In a typical heating season, the filters should be changed monthly for an average MERV rated filter.

Sandy:   What if you require your environment to be extremely clean (i.e. you have severe asthma or allergies), then you’ll probably want to change your filters monthly, right?

Bob:        Yes, if you are using lower MERV rated filters.

Bob:        The most important thing to take away from our conversation is that if you want your air conditioner to run efficiently, you’ll want to change your filters often. The less often they are changed, the more energy is needed to make if operate, and you put a strain on both your wallet and your equipment.

Sandy:   Let’s talk about the billion different types of filters.

Tom:       I use pleated filters. Bob, what do you think of those?

Bob:        These are the most common filters used. They vary in their efficiency rates (anywhere from 10 to 60 percent). These types of filters should be changed every month.

Then there are Electrostatic filters. These filters give you great value for their efficiency rates. They can be costly (two to three times more than a pleated filter), but they can be reused. You merely rinse them with water, and place them back where they came from.

Tom:       I hear the words electronic filters. I have never used them in construction and have never seen them in a home we have remodeled.

Bob:        These filters are not very efficient at all. In fact, they’ll never get dirty enough to affect airflow, but they do get dirty enough to become inefficient. They are cleaned by removing the electronic cells and soaking them in a special HVAC cleanser. Once dried, they can be reused.

Sandy:   Way too much work.

Tom:       What about HEPA filters, they seem to be pretty pricey.

Bob:        These filters are by far the most expensive; however, they will keep your air cleaner than any other type of filter. With that in mind, these filters need to be changed every month to maintain their efficiency, as they become plugged very quickly.

Sandy:   I have been told not to use panel filters. Can you comment?

Bob:        These filters are very inexpensive, and as such, they are extremely inefficient. In fact, most HVAC experts will tell you to steer clear of these filters altogether. Since they are not good at collecting dust, that dust travels where it shouldn’t go…your evaporator coil. Ultimately, you will end up spending more having your evaporator coil cleaned than you would have if you bought the proper filters.

Sandy:   Wow, did this column go fast. Bob, thanks so much for being our guest. It was a pleasure to have you joining At Home With Tom and Sandy. Column readers, please pay attention to HVAC filters, the types and how often to change them.

Tom:       As a recap, the main rule of thumb is if the filter looks dirty, change it! Don’t wait until the filter is completely filthy because that means the heating and cooling system is not running at its full potential. One of the primary influences of how often you need to change the filter in your home is what type of filter you buy and, as Bob said, filters vary in many ways.

 

Sandy:   I know that we all love to save money, but buying a cheap filter or the incorrect type of filter for your lifestyle will cost more in the long run.

 

Tom:       We forgot to mention if there are pets in the home. The majority of cats and dogs shed, and their hair gets everywhere. That includes your filters, which will alter the performance of your heating and cooling system. If you have a pet or multiple pets in your home, you’ll most likely need to change the filter more often. Depending on the seasons, you may need to change the filter at different intervals. Animals shed more in hotter months, so keep that in mind when it comes to checking your filters.

 

Sandy:   The moral of this column is: if you don’t think that changing your filter is important, it is!

The U.S. Department of Energy says that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 10 percent. You will save money on your energy bills, but it also can save you money on your heating and cooling system. A dirty filter will restrict your air flow, causing your system to work harder. This will cause wear and can create issues that possibly require repairs. Also continuous wear on your system will lower its lifespan.

 

Tom:       Do yourself and your heating and air system a favor, don’t forget to change the filters! Many of our local HVAC companies will offer a filter service, providing quality filters as well as installation services for those hard-to-reach filters.

Thank for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” Happy New Year! It is never too late. Every day, people pass up opportunities to make a difference in our community. We can all do “something” and it doesn’t have to cost anything. So, start a daily habit of doing “something.” If you have the power to make someone happy – DO IT. Our world needs more happy! Tom and I thought our first column of 2018 would be about more happy, human kindness and resolutions. Settle in, and thanks for reading “At Home with Tom & Sandy.” We appreciate your readership, comments and to the many new friends that we have met through our column, thanks for your support.

 

SANDY:  Tom, it is that time of year again – the New Year, time for those resolutions. Some resolutions are hard to stay the course like those diets and the exercise.

 

TOM: I am so bad about doing those personal varieties of resolutions, but for business, you bet I have made resolutions.

 

SANDY:  Well, please continue, Tom.

 

TOM: Okay, there are two major issues that I resolve to continue to address along with other community partners, and that is continuing to make a real push locally to broaden the opportunities for our young generation of men and women to join the trades as a career.

 

SANDY:  Tom, I like that one and as you know YCCA is working with Yavapai College, JTED and our schools already, and we are looking to help market the trades to our younger generation.

 

TOM: I am really looking forward to helping those efforts. The struggle for qualified tradesman is not going away. I firmly believe this is a worthwhile resolution.

 

SANDY:  What is the second resolution you are so passionate about?

 

TOM: A resolution to our homeowners by using venues such as our column, radio shows, our company newsletter and printed information to help keep them apprised on new information, maintenance schedules and continue to be an effective resource for them. We need to expand our ability to share all the new products on the market, new design trends and generally cool stuff that is out there and coming out there.

 

TOM: What about you? What about YCCA? Has the board jumped on the resolution bandwagon?

Your turn, Ms. Sandy!

 

SANDY:  As an organization and partner in the community, we have resolved to continue to promote our organization and share with the community the importance of using local licensed contractors. YCCA and our board have also resolved that we will continue to give back to the community through our membership. There are many good causes that matter and YCCA will continue to give, mentor and volunteer and try to make our community a better place.

 

TOM: How about those resolutions that homeowners can follow all year long. Like resolve to hire licensed contractors and resolve to hire local contractors.

 

SANDY:  Right on, Tom, and I can add to that list. Resolve to verify insurance, resolve to get estimates in writing – nothing verbal – resolve to turn the estimate into a signed executed contract and always resolve to put changes in writing.

 

SANDY:  These resolutions are non-fattening, easy to stick to, healthy for your remodeling projects and headache free.

 

SANDY:  Tom, in the introduction of our column, we talked about Happy. I love to SMILE at everyone – it may be the only smile they get all day and gosh it makes me feel good and the smiles I receive in return are amazing. What about your input on Happy for our readers?

 

TOM: I always like to hold a door open for the person coming in or going out, young or old male or female, it is the polite thing to do. Yep, kindness. Now more than ever, people need to honestly think about what it means to be kind. Not because the world is in any more of a state of chaos than it ever has been, but because our world lends itself less and less to kindness. The automatic sliding door has eliminated a common act of kindness that people do every day, which is holding the door for someone. There are many instances that still require people to act on their sense of kindness and hold doors open, but the automatic door has diminished those acts.

 

SANDY:  I think it is very important nowadays to give affirmation, to praise someone about a quality job that that you really appreciate. That person’s face just lights up. That is Happy!

 

SANDY:  I also love helping someone. When I see an elderly person struggling with belongings or groceries, I offer to help carry them and have even put bags into the individual’s car. I love the sweet golden-year citizens.

 

TOM: Another Happy for me is when I stop for cars backing out of parking spaces. With our narrow streets in Prescott I am always watching for the back-up lights and stop to let the car pull out. The waves I get from the drivers are great.

 

TOM: I am back into driving again. I will continue to resolve to let another driver into my lane when I see a turn signal. It takes a nano second to slow down and let the driver into your lane.

 

SANDY:  I say the ripple effect starts with one, one person to be a spark of kindness. We can all be that ONE person.

 

TOM: Everybody has the potential to change the world and I believe everyone wants to seize that potential. These people are called a RAKtivists. RAKtivists are the heroes of our world. They live and breathe kindness, sharing knowledge and leading by example. A RAKtivist leaves a trail of warm-and-fuzzy feelings in his or her wake.

So, you say, “What is a RAKTIVIST?” RAKtivist is short for Random Acts of Kindness activist. RAKtivists are everywhere. A RAKtivist is anyone who believes kindness can change the world, who reminds everyone around them how much love there is. Let’s all be RAKtivists.

 

SANDY:  What I see happening is that when people are not kind, they are labeled as rude. Rudeness is becoming easier to recognize than kindness. Such as not stopping to let the car pull out of the parking space, not letting the driver into your lane, not holding door open, not saying please or thank you or the people who not only just talk on the phone in a public place, but shout into a conversation.

 

Without kindnesss, there is rudeness. Kindness isn’t donating money or time to a soup kitchen. Doing that is called charity. Kindness is simply when a person isn’t rude, and to avoid rudeness is to simply be kind. Kindness is stepping away from the self-centered oblivion so often promoted in modern culture and appreciate the people around you, even if it is someone just a few steps short of catching the door. So the only New Year’s resolution we should all care about for 2018 is keeping kindness on the mind and following our resolutions to be better people, better company owners and better community partners.

 

TOM: I got it Sandy and I agree with you – everyone go make a change.

 

SANDY:  Nearly a hundred years ago, aviator Amelia Earhart observed, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”

 

From Tom and Sandy – Happy New Year! These resolutions, happiness expressions and widespread kindness makes our community feel happier. We crave the sweetness that kindness brings to life. In 2018, clear your schedule for kindness. Small intentional acts of kindness can change the world.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

 

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

 

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040

 

We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate and the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, lending information, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. There is plenty going on in the real estate industry and the construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy.

SANDY:  As education and awareness for our readers, Tom and I feel it is important to inform our community on soils reports, also known as geotechnical engineering reports. One big change: effective this past January 2016 for unincorporated Yavapai County only, “It shall be the responsibility of the PROPERTY OWNER to provide a Geotechnical Engineering Report at the time of permit application for all habitable structures.

Tom:  The definition of a habitable structure is: Single family residences, manufactured/modular/factory built and park model homes secured to a permanent foundation, additions to single family residences over 400 square feet in size, guests houses, all livable accessory structures and detached structures that require a registered design professional (engineer or architect) and, of course, any appropriate permits are required.

Sandy:  There are exceptions to this requirement and they are: Attached patio covers, deck (covered or open), and additions to habitable structures under 400 square feet are exempt from these requirements. The Building Inspector and/or the Chief Building Official for Yavapai County Development Services can waive this exemption if the site conditions warrant recommendations from a Geotechnical Engineer.

Tom: This is important information to know: If a Geotechnical Engineering Report exists for a property, it is the responsibility of the PROPERTY OWNER to contact that engineer/engineering company to ensure the report includes all proposed structures. Buyers of vacant land in unincorporated Yavapai County should be encouraged to investigate soils conditions upon considering purchase of property in order to adequately project development costs.

And also it would be beneficial to anyone building a new home to investigate, sample and test the soils prior to permit and construction to determine their physical and engineering characteristics of the soil. You should know what you are building on!

Sandy: In Arizona, our biggest worry is our soil, which can cause problems with the foundations of our homes. Fortunately, most problems caused by bad soil can be repaired. A lot of soil-related problems arise because homeowners assume living in a dry climate means the soil is dry, sandy and stable, so they do not think twice about planting and watering near the house. In many areas of the state, the soil contains a high percentage of clay, meaning it is neither sandy nor stable. In fact clay-based soil expands when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries. Soil is moisture-sensitive, and as long as it is dry, there is no problem. Water changes everything. As soon as moisture fluctuates, during a monsoon storm or if you plant a yard full of thirsty greenery, the problems begin. When clay-rich soil comes in contact with water, it expands, causing the soil particles to push upward. If that happens right under your house, it can damage your foundation. Expansive soil is among the most expensive geologic hazards and causes $300 million a year in damage to homes. Building codes do not assure long-term performance (settlement or heave values within industry standards) of the fills, footings and floors. We can only assume that you all want to build a good, well-performing building.

Tom:    Sandy, what does a soils report address?

Sandy: The report will address the conditions of the soil where development is proposed. This information is imperative when considering the foundation design of the structure, as depending on conditions, significant foundation engineering may need to be performed. A soil engineering report will present a picture of what the intended project will consist of; recommendations to be used by a structural engineering for footing depth, width, bearing pressure, estimated settlements, heave potential, etc. A soils report also presents to civil engineers site grading requirements, minimum ground slopes, minimum permanent cut and fill, etc. The report contains a description of the site and soil conditions so the builder will now what they will have to contend with.

In short a soils report is the “how to design and build recipe for the foundation structure” that goes on the site. When followed the design will result in a successful, long-term performance of the home.

Tom:                         I have been involved in situations where substandard soils have been discovered upon inspection of foundation footings and the builder was required to cease construction until the soils issue could be mitigated. This has resulted in unexpected costs to the builder and homeowner and unnecessary delays in the project.

SANDY:                    Tom, you are absolutely correct, failure to mitigate substandard soils can result in complete failure of a structure. Buyers of vacant lands in the unincorporated areas of Yavapai County should be encouraged to investigate soils conditions upon considering purchase of property in order to adequately project development costs.

SANDY:                    Some of the problems associated with expansive soils include: foundation cracks, cracks in floor slabs and walls, jammed doors and windows, ruptured pipes and cracks in sidewalks and roads. Not all soil is Arizona is expansive. Some is collapsible, which means it is loose and dry, and will collapse and compact when it gets wet. This kind of soil can cause your home to settle rather than heave, but the symptoms are similar to the heaving brought on by expansive soils, cracked foundations, floors and walls.

Tom: Recently, a four-year-old home started to heave such that there was more than three inches of differential floor movement from one side of the house to the other. Subsequent remediation revealed that the soils consisted of a medium to high plasticity clay soil. The maximum soil movement occurred under the bearing footings on the southerly side of the house where exposure to rain, snow and the yard irrigation water was the highest. Remediation efforts consisted of: installation of helical piers under house footings, removal of the entire flor slab, temporary support of interior non-load bearing walls, removal of two feet of the clay soils from within the entire building footprint, removal of eight inches of clay soil from below the base of the foundations, installation of a low-density foam between the clay soil and the footing base, installation of non-expansive floor fill, replacement of concrete floors. Cost to repair: $250,000, as compared to a soil investigation report at approximately $1,600 if one had been performed prior to building on the lot.

Swelling soils cause damage to thousands of homes every year. The extent of the damage varies from cracked driveways and sidewalks to severe structural deformation.

SANDY:                    Tom, our population is growing and as the population continues to move into the outer reaches of communities, many times project sites become more and more marginal. These sites can be built upon, but it is critically important to address the long-term performance of the home on the lot and build to a “higher” industry standard by obtaining a Geotechnical Engineering Report on your lot before you build.

SANDY:                    Tom, as a realtor, when you have buyers purchasing a home I know that you share the importance of looking for signs of “heaving” or “settling” which could indicate there is evidence of active foundation movement. Minimal settling cracks are common, but an inspection by a licensed concrete foundation specialist will help identify if there are other items of concern.

SANDY:                    For new homeowners looking to purchase a home and current homeowners, there are several practices that will allow you to grow a landscape that complements your home, while avoiding the potentially damaging effects of swelling soils and perhaps mitigate the damage to your home.

Tom:                         When landscaping your home, plant vegetation no closer than five feet from the foundation, unless the plants have very low water requirements. Xeriscape-type groundcovers and mulches are especially useful near houses because they can help reduce extreme moisture fluctuations. Don’t allow sprinkler systems to spray any closer than five feet from the foundation, and plant trees no closer than 15 feet from the foundation. Another tip is to make sure all water drains away from the foundation and there is proper slope to the yard.

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing important information with you. See you next month. QCBN