Time and Money
Don’t get soaked. Water can be a home’s worst enemy, especially if that home is more than 50 years old. These tips for protecting an old house are from Denver’s Old House Society, a nonprofit dedicated to educating owners of old houses (50-plus years old) about the care and restoration of their homes and the protection of their neighborhoods. More at .
Know where the water valves are for all sinks and toilets. Make sure you can easily turn them off. If the valve does not turn or does not turn easily, do not force it as it can break and cause a major problem. A squirt of WD40 will often help a valve close.
Make sure none of the toilets are running when you leave your house.
Know where the main water valve is located in your house. Mark it with a bright orange tag so it can be easily found in an emergency.
Let house sitters know where the water valves are and where the main water valve is.
Wipe up any water that has collected on floors, counters or sills.
Wipe down showers after use.
Outside, never leave a hose connected to a faucet if the temperature is expected to drop below freezing.
Be sure dirt or cement that is next to the house slopes away from it so that water does not seep in.
Check your sprinkler system on a regular basis to make sure it operates properly.
Energy
Anti-air polluters. Winter is the worst time of year for indoor air pollution problems since many homes don’t get fresh air and people spend more time inside. Keeping indoor plants is one way to offset the poor indoor air quality, according to the Professional Landcare Network, a lawn, landscape and interiorscape trade association. “All plants add oxygen and create a healthier indoor environment,” says Chris Raimondi with the Professional Landcare Network. “In addition, some plants provide the added benefit of removing toxins from the air.” His group endorses the following plants for their environmental benefits.
Ivy: It likes indirect light and doesn’t mind drying out occasionally.
Spider plants:They are great pollution fighters that are easy to grow in moderate light, and they attract few insects.
Peace Lilies —They are easy to care for, should be kept moist, and will wilt when they need to be watered.
Ferns:They need medium or bright indirect light. The Boston fern is a good pollution-fighting variety, and requires little maintenance aside from dealing with dropped fronds.
Ficus trees:They need medium to high light. They shouldn’t be watered until their leaves begin to turn yellow. They are sensitive to changes in light and cold drafts, but once established, they are easy to care for.
Compiled by Elana Ashanti Jefferson
