Category Tips From the Pros

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about the how clean gutters can prevent problems in your home.

Maryland has had plenty of rain this year, which means that your gutters have been working overtime. Gutters are designed to direct rainwater away from your home. When they become clogged with leaves, debris, or anything else stopping the flow of water, they can no longer do their job. This can lead to a broad range of problems, including basement flooding and serious foundation issues. How can clean gutters prevent flooding in your home?

How Gutters Work to Protect Your Basement and House

Gutters serve as your home’s first line of defense against water damage. When working properly, they move rainwater off the roof and away from the house...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros to help you figure out whether or not garage sales are worthwhile.

I am a long-time member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Recently, there was an active discussion on Garage Sales. I am regularly asked about Garage Sales and I’m not a big fan. Having attended my fair share and participated in Flea Markets dating back to the 1980s, I see that most items go for very little. However, I recall fondly the time we participated in the Flea Market on Route 40. We earned enough money to pay for our wedding bands (when the price of gold was waaaaay less). But I digress (again)…

Putting my own biases aside, I thought it might be helpful to share the tips that organizer...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about the benefits of professional chimney cleaning.

Keeping your chimney safe is an essential part of maintaining your home that often goes overlooked until you go to light a fire in the fall. Many homeowners underestimate the importance of regular chimney cleaning, as they wrongly assume that occasional use means only minimal maintenance is required. However, professional chimney cleaning has plenty of benefits to offer.

Keep Your Home Safe

One of the primary reasons to invest in professional chimney cleaning is to ensure the safety of your home and family. Over time, chimneys accumulate creosote, a highly flammable substance that builds up after burning wood...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros to help you find out, “Where do I begin?”

Getting started is probably the biggest obstacle to organizing. Most people have to be in the pits of despair and in total angst to take action. Once you’re ready to take action, sometimes overwhelm causes numbness and immobility. You end up even more distraught and discouraged than before. What’s a person with clutter supposed to do??

Let’s Get Started

Here’s what I suggest:

Before you quit, think about who may be that calming, supportive person for you. If you come up empty, give us a call. We can help.

Deep breath – and another deep breath.

Engage in self-talk to get yourself straightened out...

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on heat waves.

Having grown up in the plains of Argentina, surrounded by large rivers, swamps, hot summers and humidity, I can attest that I am pretty “heat tolerant.” While others complain of the heat, I just enjoy the “embrace” that a hot day gives me. The heat in the last few weeks, however, was even too hot for me! And while I was trying to cool down, I was also worrying about what I was seeing outside.

The plants, the insects, the soil… were all suffering like me. And, because I happen to work on some of these topics, I also knew that it wasn’t just that some plants were drying out. This heat wave (and drought) is also affecting the whole network of interactions that happen around us...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros debunking myths about duct and vent cleaning.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy home environment, duct cleaning is one of the most effective ways to reduce allergens around the house. However, many homeowners hear myths about what duct cleaning can and cannot do, which makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. As a company dedicated to providing top-notch duct cleaning services, we want you to be able to make an informed decision.

Myth 1: Duct Cleaning Is Unnecessary

This is one of the most pervasive myths. Many believe that, because air ducts are out of sight, they don’t require regular cleaning. However, dust, pollen, pet dander, and even mold can accumulate in your ducts over time...

Thanks to L.K. Benson for sharing with us.

Following a strong first quarter, the second quarter of 2024 was more of a mixed bag in the investment markets. The S&P 500 continued to lead the way with a 4% return, leaving it up over 15% for the year. However, US Small-Cap stocks dropped 3%, and REITs fell by about 1%. Outside of the US, developed market stocks were down less than 1%, while emerging market stocks were up almost 5%. 

The bond market was relatively quiet in the second quarter, with the Bloomberg US Aggregate index up about 0.1%. Treasury yields rose for the quarter, but only by about 0.19%. The Federal Reserve declined to cut rates, but economic data continues to show support for potential rate cuts this year.

As can be seen in this graphic, the gains in the S&P ...

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on tiny tomatoes.

Just a quick post this month to shout out the virtues of the first tomato plant to produce ripe fruit for me this year: ‘Veranda Red’ patio tomato.

This little cutie is only 18 inches high. In fact, it would be shorter if it was growing in full sun instead of the partial sun on my deck. I have other plants with green fruit ready to turn red that are less than a foot high. The container team at the Derwood Demo Garden has a plant only about six inches high that has ripe fruit.

Patio tomatoes as a group mature at less than two feet. They grow well in smaller containers like window boxes or gallon pots...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros with a guide to chimney inspections.

Every real estate agent wants to offer their buyers and sellers an excellent experience. One critical aspect of preparing a home that is often overlooked is the chimney inspection. A well-maintained chimney not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a property but also serves a practical heating purpose. What should you know about chimney inspections?

Why Are Chimney Inspections Important?

Chimneys play a critical role in venting smoke and gases coming from fireplaces. Over time, creosote buildup, blockages, structural damage, and wear and tear can stop any chimney from working properly and safely. Unfortunately, most of these problems can’t be seen by the untrained eye.

Regular ...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros on ”beat the heat” ideas.

I regularly hear people tell me about “Snow Day” projects that are waiting for them when they’re stranded at home. Now that it’s topping 100° in the coming days, this is a GREAT time to do some in-home projects that involve letting go of accumulated ‘stuff.’ I would NOT venture into the attic right now. However, I would venture into the basement and closets and drawers throughout your home.

After speaking to a group at the Myerberg Senior Center, I found myself suddenly motivated to tackle my accumulation of stuff. I tore apart my closet and found the willingness to get rid of a lot of sweaters (it’s always easier to get rid of sweaters in the heat, I find)...