Extending the life of your water heater

We’ll call this the maintenance “5-minute”, because you’reprobably going to invest more than a minute flat in draining your water heater-but the good news is that you don’t have to drain it completely as your manualmay suggest to get most of the benefit from draining the tank.  Over time, any type of water heater tank willbuild up sediment- which has three harmful effects on your home’s hot watersystem.  First, the sediment takes upspace, effectively making your water heater smaller.  Second, the sediment can insulate the bottomof the tank in a gas water heater where much of the flame’s heat is absorbedinto the water, or even cover a lower element in an electric water heatercausing a reduction in heating efficiency.  Third, the sediment scratches the glass liningof the water heater tank, resulting in exposed metal – which leads to rust andeventual tank failure.

You can extend the life of the tank and increase the efficiencyof the system by simply draining a couple gallons of water off the bottom ofthe tank.  First, shut the unit down,either by turning the gas valve to “pilot” or “off”, or flipping off the breakerto an electric unit.  Second, turn offthe cold water supply line, usually located on the right side as you face theunit.  Attach a garden hose to the drainvalve on the water heater tank, and run it to a drain.  Turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in yourhome to allow the water to flow, and then open the drain valve toward thebottom of the tank.  Check the color ofthe water that drains- at first it may appear dark, but after just a fewgallons it will become clear.  At thatpoint, you can close the drain, and turn off the hot water faucet you hadturned on previously.  Turn the coldwater supply back on, turn the power or gas supply back on, and you’re done!

The next time you turn on a hot water faucet, there may be a couple air pockets, so don’t worry if you hear a bit of noise

Here’s your opportunity to #curl with the best! Come join us for Sweeping with the Stars Charity Bonspiel all proceeds go towards the 2019 Canada Winter Games Plaza, a legacy venue for generations to gather. #KevinKoe John Morris #ChelseaCarey #JoclynPeterman #BenHebert along with 24 #Olympians, professional athletes & Cowboys & media personalities will be on the ice curling with YOU! This Speed Spiel is the time to try curling for the 1st time as a fun get together or bring your top rink to challenge for prizes! Just coming for dinner is also an option to hear the interesting & inspiring stories from our panel of 2018 Olympians MC’d by the very talented Greg Shannon & Tera Lee. Can’t attend but still love to support my fundraising goal please PM Mellisa Hollingsworth All support is greatly appreciated & look forward to seeing you on the ice!! $50,000.00 DRAW TO THE BUTTON CONTEST! ENTER TODAY Sweeping with the Stars Charity Bonspiel on FaceBook.

http://www.reddeerevents.ca

A quick look at whats happening in Red Deer to kick off the New Year!

Discover, experience and celebrate the arts during Alberta Culture Days, an annual three-day festival that celebrates arts and culture in cities across Canada. Free, family-friendly activities are happening in Red Deer throughout the weekend. Here is just one of the many events you and your family can check out: Join us downtown for a Canada 150 Art Jam and enjoy live entertainment on our Diversity Stage, try your hand at nature crafts and activities, visit the Red Feather Women’s Community Tipi, and even explore your inner rapper at an interactive rap booth! Saturday, September 30 in City Hall Park and on Ross Street Free to attend and fun for the whole family.

This event is categorized as: Arts & Entertainment, Community Socials, Festivals & Special Events

Event Information

Audience: All Ages
Event Venue: Various locations in Red Deer
Address: 4914 48 Avenue

Date: September 29, 2017 to October 1, 2017
Time: All Day

When you put your home up for sale, you want it to look its best to potential
buyers. That’s why you clean, tidy and de-clutter every room.
Some sellers, however, miss the backyard. You need to pay just as much
attention to that space as you do to the interior of your home. The backyard
is as important a living space as the family room. To some buyers, even
more.
Buyers want to see an attractive backyard space, with the grass cut and the
hedges trimmed. The more neat and tidy you can make it, the better. Be
sure to sweep walkways and wipe down patio furniture.
Also, watch out for the following things that buyers do not want to see:
• Bags of garage and other waste.
• Doggie do-do. (Be sure to stoop and scoop!)
• Rakes and other tools piled in the corner.
• Cluttered and disorganized storage sheds, pool huts and other
backyard structures.
• Weeds in the flower beds.
• Items stored underneath the deck.
• Hoses not stowed neatly.
• Electrical outlets and water faucets that don’t work.
These are not difficult issues to fix. Doing so will positively impact the
impression the buyer gets of your backyard.
Do you have a backyard that shows particularly well in the summer? Here’s
a tip: Take pictures. Those photos will help buyers be able to appreciate
how it looks should you list your home in the winter.
Want more tips on making your home show well so that it sells fast? Call
today.

If you see a haze of condensation on your window, should you be
concerned? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on a number of factors.
First of all, an occasional build-up of condensation is normal and often the
result of fluctuating humidity in the home. Usually, it’s nothing to worry
about. If you’re using a humidifier, try adjusting the levels. If the humidity is
being generated naturally, try placing a dehumidifier nearby. Also, remove
any plants and firewood from the area, as they can release a surprising
volume of moisture into the air.
Do you see moisture in between the panes of glass that make up the
window? If so, that means the seal has failed and moisture has crept in.
Double and triple pane windows often contain a gas (argon, for example)
that boosts the insulating qualities of the window. When the seal fails, the
gas disappears, making the glass colder and often allowing condensation to
creep in. Eventually, you’ll want to get it replaced.
If you see moisture build-up anywhere on the frame of the window,
particularly at the joints, that could be a sign of water leaking through. That’s
an issue you should get checked out immediately by a window contractor.

Say you’re viewing a home and are impressed with how it looks. The walls
are freshly painted. Everything seems bright and new. You’re considering
making an offer.
Then, while standing on a mat in the kitchen, you hear a squeak below your
feet. You lift the mat and see that some tiles are broken. Obviously the mat
was there to, literally, cover up that defect.
A few broken tiles are not a big deal. But now you’re thinking, “What else
might be wrong with this house?”
There’s no reason to worry that every home will have maintenance issues
hidden from view. However, it’s smart to do your due diligence to ensure the
home you’re considering is truly as good as it looks.
One way is to have a professional home inspector check out the property as
a condition of your purchase offer. He or she will inspect the home from top
to bottom, inside and out, and point out any issues you should address.
It’s also smart to ask questions. Find out the age of certain features, such as
the roof, furnace, and appliances. Ask about any recent renovations, and
determine whether they were done by a professional or by the homeowner.
Most importantly, work with a good REALTOR® who can provide you with
information on the property that you would have difficulty getting on your
own. Your REALTOR® has a stake in making sure you buy a home with
your eyes wide open — knowing all the potential maintenance issues you’re
likely to encounter.
Want to talk to a good REALTOR®? Call today.

There are many reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly: a
sudden job relocation; a change in family situation; or perhaps an
opportunity to purchase a new home that you just can’t pass up.
Whatever the reason, this strategy will help when you need to sell fast. It’s
called the “3 Up” strategy.
• Fix it up.
• Clean it up.
• Spruce it up.
First, you need to fix it up. That simply means getting things repaired around
your property, such as a broken floor tile in the kitchen or a sticking patio
door that’s difficult to open and close. Maintenance issues like these distract
buyers from the appealing qualities of your home. Fortunately, repairs can
usually be done quickly.
Second, clean it up. Obviously, when your home is clean and tidy it’s going
to look its best. You also want to eliminate as much clutter as possible. You
don’t need to make every room look like a magazine cover — but that’s a
good attitude to have when prepping your home for a quick sale!
Finally, spruce it up. That means making any quick improvements that are
going to make your home even more appealing. It might mean replacing the
kitchen counters or giving the main rooms a fresh coat of paint.
Of course, the number one strategy for getting that SOLD sign on your front
yard is to select a great REALTOR®.
Looking for a great REALTOR®? Call today.

When you’re thinking of selling your home and buying another, you face the
inevitable question: Should I list my property first or buy my new home first?
Let’s take a look at both options.
If you attempt to buy a property before listing your home, you run into a
couple of challenges.
First, sellers may not take you seriously as a potential buyer. After all, you
haven’t put your own home up for sale. As far as they’re concerned, you
might merely be testing the market.
Second, your property might not sell as quickly as you thought it would. If
there is an early closing date on the home you purchased, you might end up
owning, and paying a mortgage on both properties, at least until your home
sells.
If, on the other hand, you list your property before buying a new home,
sellers will know you’re serious. That puts you in a competitive position in
the event of multiple offers.
Also, if your home sells quickly, you’ll have the peace-of-mind of knowing
exactly how much of a new home you can afford. You’ll be able to shop with
confidence.
Of course, like the first option, there is a chance that the closing dates won’t
match and you’ll end up owning two properties for a period of time.
However, solutions such as bridge financing are available to help.
So, there is no perfect answer. A lot depends on the state of the local
market.
Looking for a good REALTOR® who can help you decide which is the best
move for you? Call today.

The Dusty Smith Team is a proud supporter of the Innisfail and District 4H sale last night with the purchase of Rayne Dallas” steer!