Did you know that any repair shop can perform regular maintenance on your new car, not just the dealership? Some people mistakenly think that their warranty can be voided unless the dealer does the servicing, but federal law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975) allows you to have the work done at the shop of your choice. It even says so (sometimes in small print) in the manual that comes with your new car. The key is to document all the work performed. Save the receipts and have the repair shop stamp and date your owner’s manual. It’s important to follow the service intervals as recommended by the manufacturer, especially if you’re leasing a vehicle. That’s because if you can’t prove that the service was performed at specified intervals, Read more

You’ve probably heard that honey bee colonies have been in decline for the past few years. This is bad news, and not just for the bees, since they’re the primary pollinators of many of our food crops. Still, as much as honey bees do for us, you probably don’t want a swarm of them setting up a colony in or near your home. If that happens, you may be able to get expert help from a local beekeeper, who can capture or “extract” the bees without harming them.

The Sonoma County Beekeepers’ Association (www.sonomabees.org) offers instructions for dealing with a honey bee swarm on your property. At the top of their list: Don’t spray the bees with anything, Read more

You are not getting your money’s worth if a home inspector is in and out of the house in an hour or two.  Experts home inspectors tell me that a thorough inspection of the average 1200 square foot structure should take three to three-and-a-half hours and should always include a visit to the attic and crawl spaces.

In the attic, for example, the inspector might find broken rafters, improper venting, mold or old compressed insulation that is no longer effective. Under the house, it’s common to find standing water near improperly directed downspouts and leaking pipes. The house framing should be checked to see if it’s bolted to the foundation and that the floor framing is properly secured. Read more

I have seen exterior paint jobs in my neighborhood last as little as 2 years and for as long as 8 years. Why the difference and how long should they last? Cleve Dayton, owner of the Painting Pros, a Diamond Certified company, explains that the keys to a lasting job are good prep before the paint is applied and on-going maintenance. With quality work, you can expect the exterior paint to hold up for at least 6 to 8 years.

Before hiring a contractor, ask how they will prep your house and pay special attention to what will be done to the southern exposure. That side takes most of the beating from the elements and is the first to crack, Read more

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about their tile countertops and shower tiles is that it’s tough to keep the grout clean. How many of us want to scrub between the tiles with a toothbrush? A new type of grout, which is stainless, eliminates all that trouble. It does not absorb water. And it won’t grow mold or mildew.

Stainless grout is installed the same way the old filler was. While it costs a little more, it has a lifetime warranty. Another advantage with this new product is that it reduces the need for caulking. People love it because it can be used just about anywhere in the house. Ask about stainless grout if you’re shopping around and comparing alternatives for surfaces in the kitchen, Read more

Have you ever heard of “weep” holes?  John Pope, the General Manager of Old Town Glass, a Diamond Certified company, tells me that many people are unaware that their vinyl, aluminum and even fiberglass windows have small holes in them, weep holes, to allow water to drain. Without regular maintenance, the weep holes become clogged by dirt, stucco and debris, causing water to back up and leak into the wrong places.

As part of your fall/winter maintenance, check those weep holes and if they’re not clear, blow them out with an air compressor, or clean them out with a small tool. While you’re checking your windows, touch up cracks in the caulking between the window and trim. Read more

The more at ease you are on the Internet, the easier it is to let your guard down, as I discovered the other day. I received an e-mail with the subject marked “Billing Notice.” Without thinking, I opened it immediately. The e-mail from AOL and said that they were experiencing a problem with charging the monthly fee and suspected my card was about to expire. In fact, the card does expire this month.

They asked me to click on a link update my information. I was about to do that when my daughter noted that AOL notices usually look different. AOL Customer Service confirmed this was a scam. The scammers only use an e-mail address for about 10 minutes to collect card numbers quickly before shutting it down and starting over again. Read more