Must-do Bathroom Upgrades For Baby Boomers Aging In Place

(ARA) – The bathroom is an oasis for many of us, a place where we not only take care of personal needs, but also relax and decompress after a hectic day. But as people grow older and less mobile, the bathroom can become a risky place.

Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization among aging Americans, and most at-home falls occur in the bathroom. By upgrading their bath with some products designed to facilitate aging in place, baby boomers and mature homeowners can continue to enjoy their bathrooms, with less concern over possible safety risks.

“Good design – in the form of products which specifically address age-related concerns – can support independence as well as increase safety,” says Diana Schrage, an interior designer at the Kohler Design Center. “Making a few simple improvements in key areas like the bathroom can be a cost-effective way for anyone to ensure their home continues to work for their changing needs.”

Here are a few must-have items to make a bathroom more senior friendly:

For Aging Individuals, The Potential For Falls Can Be Diminished With A Few Bathroom Upgrades

* Grab bars – As we age, our ability to lift ourselves from or lower ourselves into a seated position can diminish. Grab bars or safety bars positioned near the toilet, and in the bath and shower area, can help people with mobility issues navigate more safely in the bathroom. You can find a wide selection of safety bars specifically made for use in the bath. Choose bars that are easy to grip, won’t become slick when wet, and can be positioned horizontally or vertically. Avoid diagonally positioned bars as your hand could slip off them when wet.

* A seated shower – Some people may feel fatigued from standing, or uncertain of their footing, in the shower. While a shower seat may help, it can also create a slip hazard if the seat moves unexpectedly while in use. A seated shower, like the Accord Seated Shower by Sterling may be a better option. The seat is integrated into the shower for convenience, beauty and stability, but is also removable and movable, so it can suit everyone in the household. Grab bars, designed to fit the overall aesthetic of the shower, offer another layer of safety. And because the unit is easy to install, it can cut down on remodeling costs. Visit www.sterlingplumbing.com to learn more.

* Slip resistance – Some of the most popular bathroom floor materials, like ceramic and vinyl, can become very slick when wet, creating a risk of slipping and falling. In addition, acrylic bathtub surfaces can be slippery. It’s important for tubs, showers and bathroom floors to be equipped with slip resistant materials. For tubs and showers, this could be as simple as a rubber mat with suction cups that keep it in place. You can also find slip-resistant mats and area rugs for the floor itself.

* Hand-held showerhead – Hand-held showers make it easier to use the shower from a seated position and minimize the need to reach over one’s head – a position that tires arms and potentially leaves one off balance. Such shower heads have become very popular, are available in a variety of styles and are easy to install in most bath settings.

* Levers – People with arthritis or other hand problems that make grasping a challenge often are better able to use levers, rather than traditional doorknobs or twist faucets. Replacing doorknobs with simple lever-style handles can give seniors easier access to the bath. And a lever-style faucet control can make it easier to adjust water temperature than controls with one or more knobs.

* Lighting – As we age, our eyes need more light to see by. Be sure to provide ample light in the bathroom, especially at night. A nightlight not only helps seniors see where they’re going, it can help ease the confusion that an abrupt transition from darkness to bright light may cause.

“From seated showers to slip-resistant flooring, homeowners can find plenty of bathroom products designed to help keep them safe and comfortable in their homes well into their golden years,” says Schrage.

If you are in need of a Raleigh Home Inspection, then call Quality Residential Inspections and  Schedule You Home Inspection today……

Keep Spring Pests From Hatching In Your Home

(ARA) – As spring approaches, homeowners won’t be the only ones opting for stay-cations. Insects that hibernate during cold winter months reappear in the spring, setting their sights on a location closer to home than you think – the safety and warmth of your house.

Hundreds of thousands of pests breed and hatch in large numbers in early spring. For example, most spiders live either one to two seasons and one female spider may produce as many as 3,000 eggs.

“Hidden places in your home could be the breeding ground for pests that hatch in spring,” says Aaron Hobbs, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment), a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products used in and around homes and businesses. “Once these pests hatch, their numbers quickly increase, and food sources and shelter often determine the length of their stay.”

Pests like bed bugs and stink bugs that have found their way into homes across the country often stay year round, as long as they

As spring approaches, bugs are breeding and hatching in the cleanest of homes.

find food and shelter.

Also, as the spring real estate market heats up, many lenders are requiring re-inspections that could reveal pest-related health and safety hazards. At least buyers and sellers are on the same page about one thing: the importance of taking preventive action to avoid or manage pest infestations. Ask any pest management professional to share horror stories about problems new homeowners have experienced with pests, often with repercussions for sellers who neglected to fix a problem.

What can homeowners and sellers do? Take these easy-to-follow steps, suggested by the acronym I.N.S.P.E.C.T:

Investigate – Become a pest detective and investigate your home or a potential new home for pest problems. On the inside of your home, open food containers, look for cracks in interior walls, look for signs of droppings, check vents to the outside, holes in window screens and know that pests like to hide in cool, dark places like attics and basements. On the outside of your home, make sure the cold temperatures aren’t causing cracks in your exterior walls, and investigate for holes, unsealed garbage cans, woodpiles and plants that may be too close to the home. Also, check any structure that can hold standing water, which is a favorite breeding ground for mosquitoes. Also check for stinging insect nests on the ground or in your gutters.

Study – Identify your pest problem so that you can use the proper method to solve or control the issue. Take time to search reputable online sites to identify pests. You can also contact a university extension office, or visit a local garden store that may have insight on common pests in the area.

Prepare – Think about the tools you’ll need to solve your problem, including gloves, caulk and insecticides or herbicides. “One of the most common problems homeowners have is that they aren’t sure which products to use or who to call to solve the problem,” says Janet Hurley, integrated pest management specialist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “Doing your research, talking to professionals and correctly using the products are the quickest ways to effectively end those pesky pest problems.”

Eliminate – Take the time to eliminate access points and other inviting entryways for pests lurking outside. Remember to seal windows, caulk gaps around windows and doors and fix any water leaks. Be ready to tackle neglected or overgrown shrubs and trees near your home. These areas encourage ticks, fleas and stinging insects to stay, increasing your risk for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and infections and allergic reactions resulting from bites and stings.

Clean – Pests need a place to live, food and a source of water, so make sure you aren’t providing them with room, board and all the comforts of home. For example, store cereals, crackers and other food items in plastic containers with secure lids. Without easy access, pests won’t be able to find their way into your food.

Treat – Treating pest problems with the responsible use of pesticide products will help keep your home, lawn and community pest-free. This includes purchasing the right products for your problem. For some significant pest problems, such as termites, calling a certified pest professional is the best option.

To make inspecting your home easy, visit www.debugthemyths.com/inspectandprotect for a step-by-step checklist. You’ll also find additional resources including regional fact sheets, kids’ activities and other helpful information to help you protect your family’s health and your property value from pests.

Protect Your Home By Making Minor Mortar Repairs

(ARA) – With colder temperatures looming, now is the time to check your home for deteriorating mortar joints and loose mortar – and make any minor repairs before they turn into major headaches.

Freezing rain, ice, snow and deicers, as well as freeze/thaw temperature cycles have the potential to cause costly damage. Unrepaired damage can allow water to seep in between cracked, loose mortar and cause interior wall damage.

Minor cosmetic repairs to mortar can be made on any type of brick walls – including garden walls, a home’s exterior brick and chimneys. And making such repairs is easier than many homeowners realize – all you need is a caulk gun and the right repair material.

With The Right Tools and Materials, Re-pointing Of Exterior Brickwork Mortar Joints Can Be A Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Task

A sanded acrylic mortar repair caulk – such as Quikrete Mortar Repair – will give the appearance of mortar in texture and color and is a more easily undertaken project for homeowners who are nervous about mixing mortar. The caulk’s sanded acrylic formula adheres to brick, block, stone and concrete surfaces, and the caulk tube’s square applicator tip is designed to smooth mortar joints during application of the caulk.

Before applying, make sure joints are clean, dry and free of grease, dust or loose particles, and remove all loose mortar from the  joint. Apply the caulk by pushing the cartridge tip over the surface and forcing a bead of caulking into the opening. Do not apply any thicker than 3/8 inch in one application. Excess caulk can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

For homeowners looking to repair cracks in their fireplace, there is a specially designed mortar that is ideal for repairing damage commonly found in fireboxes. Quikrete Fireplace Mortar is a silicate-based refractory cement caulk ideal for tuck

If You Have A Masonry Fireplace, Re-pointing Of Brickwork Mortar Joints Is A Part of Home Maintenance

pointing damaged firebox mortar joints and repairing chips, cracks and breaks in fire brick commonly found in fireplaces and wood burning stoves. Once cured, the mortar provides superior adhesion for a durable repair while withstanding temperatures up to 2,000 F.

Using a caulk gun, the mortar is applied in strips no greater than 1/8-inch with multiple 1/8-inch layers for larger joints as needed. Once dry, start a low fire, keeping the temperature below 212 F until the mortar is dried thoroughly. It will typically take one to four hours to assure adequate drying and set time. Afterwards, increase the firebox temperature to 500 F for an additional one to four hours before routine usage.

As the weather changes, your house is more vulnerable to damage than ever. By taking these small steps that don’t require anything more than a caulking gun and about $5 per tube of caulk, homeowners can save significant money later by avoiding the need to make major repairs.

Its been awhile coming but here we are……presenting Episode 000 of our InspectBits podcast series. The time between the idea and the inception was pretty much a product of my having to learn most every “nook and cranny” detail about video production, file structures, codecs, etc., etc., and etc………But now that we’re here, maybe we can keep the momentum going. As you will learn, what we are trying to do is provide some relevant, helpful information about homes, Home Inspections, and some of the things we see on a routine basis. We see allot of different things during any particular Raleigh Home Inspection……and many of those things are interesting… to us anyway… and we hope that you find them interesting as well.

We at Quality Residential Inspections welcome you….. and hope you perceive some value from our little production.

Oh, and right here in the beginning, I want to throw out a heap of appreciation and thanks to Chris Kim for all of his assistance with InspectBits.

If you have any thoughts or comments, then please do share……let us know what you think!

Gary Gentry
Quality Residential Inspections