Diamond Certified Blog

Any homeowner in California knows termites are a major concern. Between the native drywood and subterranean species, termites are responsible for millions of dollars’ worth of statewide property damage each year. However, in Northern California, homeowners face an even greater (yet lesser known) pest threat. “The biggest pest problem we currently have in the North Bay Area is the powderpost beetle, which is a wood-boring member of the Lyctinae family,” says Brandy Straub, owner of Redwood Empire Termite & Pest Control in Windsor. “Within the last five years, these beetles are the number one issue I’m finding in homes throughout Sonoma, Marin, Solano and Napa Counties.” Read more

Efflorescence is a common problem that affects stone, concrete and other types of masonry surfaces. To learn more about what causes efflorescence and what can be done about it, read the following guest post by Steve Spratt, president of HPS Palo Alto, Inc. Read more

My husband and I try to eat seafood at least twice a week and look for what is fresh at the market. But the labeling can be confusing and is often misleading. In fact, if you eat a lot of seafood, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve eaten mislabeled fish in the past 12 months. Seafood fraud is a common problem, according to the nonprofit group Oceana, which conducted an investigation across the United States last year. Over six months, Oceana collected 400 samples from seafood markets and found that about 21 percent of them were mislabeled. Read more

In recent years, you’ve likely noticed the proliferation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at shopping centers, commercial workspaces and other public places. However, did you know EV charging stations are also increasing in prevalence as a residential feature? To learn more about residential EV charging stations, we spoke to Shelby Kromer of Got Watts Electric & Solar in Pleasant Hill. Read more

Investing resources (and money) in irrigation is an unavoidable fact of life for many Bay Area homeowners. While drought-resistant landscaping has helped some in the region reduce their water bills, many families need grassy areas for their kids to play or to engage in their hobbies. If your family makes regular use of the lawn, investing in artificial turf may be a great way to cut down on water and maintenance, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your yard. Read more

Earlier this month, we published the 2019 Diamond Certified Directory. Issued in 10 regional editions, it features full-page profiles of Diamond Certified companies throughout the Greater Bay Area. In addition, each directory includes a section that features helpful consumer tips provided by owners and managers of local Diamond Certified companies. To give you a sample, we’ve assembled the following compilation of expert tips gathered from the 10 different directory editions in print. Read more

Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips about attic cleaning, insulation and ventilation. Few homeowners realize problems like high energy bills and poor indoor air quality can stem from deficient attic conditions. To learn more about the impact your attic can have on your home, watch this video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Sean Madar of Atticare.

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It’s no surprise that the attic is one of the most neglected areas of the home. Being out of sight, it’s understandably out of most homeowners’ minds. What may come as a surprise, however, is the extent to which conditions in the attic can impact a home’s comfort, energy efficiency and air quality. To gain further insight, we’ve asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to talk about three important aspects of the attic: insulation, cleaning and ventilation. Read more

There are several ways to heat and cool a home, from traditional central heating to portable and wall-mounted air conditioning units. However, there’s one option many homeowners haven’t heard of: ductless mini-splits. While they aren’t new (they’ve been used in Europe for decades), mini-splits have only recently started to gain prominence in the United States, which is why they still aren’t very well-known.

Even if you have heard of ductless mini-splits, you may not fully understand what they are, how they work or whether they’re a good option for your home. Read on to learn more about this exciting HVAC application. Read more

Many properties in the Bay Area are located on sloped terrain, which can offer increased privacy and stunning views. But it’s hard to create opportunities for outdoor living at a home that’s situated on a steep lot. One solution is to build a hillside deck. There, you can finally have outdoor space to set up the grill, socialize with friends and allow children to play safely outdoors. Read more