Mother-In-Law Units, Casitas Part 2 Print

Text From a Listener:

• How much can a handyman do? He's done minor work for his neighbor's and wants to know how much money he can accept, if any?

Recommendation - Jeff talks through the excemption, but the overall cost of the job and materials have to be under $1000. It can't be plumbing or electrical jobs and it can't require a permit. (For clarity, listen to the whole segment)

• We discuss the labor shortage. Our contractors are desperate for qualified workers!

• Rosie's take on the Olympics and even a personal story from his family.
• Warnings about "Storm Chasers" contractors during the monsoon season. BEWARE!!!
• Looking for a new job?! If you're qualified, reach out to one of our many contractors.

• Gina sends an energy bill to Rosie and we talk about her success with "Super Cooling"

Sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation!!!

*You could win a trip to Apache County and/ or stay at one of our statewide lodging partners like  the Talwiwi Lodge,  Bar X Ranch or The Molly Butler Lodge.

• A few facts about "this day in history"
• What we're seeing at Rosie on the House Remodeling Requests.
• Previewing the rest of the broadcast.

Gardening expert, Jay Harper with Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company is here to talk you through the rest of the summer and how to prepare your lawn & garden for cooler temps!

• Talking about the recent rain and how homeowner's need to adjust irrigation systems.
• Tips for your yard this week! (Prepping for fall gardening, fertilizing and adjusting watering schedules)

Callers:

• Tim - He has 2 plum trees and one is not growing and the one doing well just lost all it's leaves. What do we think?

Recommendation - Jay would make the well around the tree twice the size it is now (the size of the tree canopy) then fill it with mulch to cool the roots and ground. They do better in lawn areas, rather than the gravel lot he has now.  He could add gypsm and add a few slow deep waterings.

• Virginia - Her lantana in pots are dying and they are wet. What could be going on?

Recommendation - It could be too wet with the rain or not draining properly.  It sounds like it's drowing the plants. She could raise the pots with "Pot feet" to get it off the ground.

We chat with Chris with Corona Tools to talk about a new wheelbarrow!

• They have all kinds of great gardening tools you can check out on the site link above!
• The reason Chris is here is to talk about the new design of the EasyLifter Wheelbarrow.
• How the wheelbarrow makes it easier to dump loads and the design benefits for you!
• Additional options that are available & costs.

• With the recent trains, we discuss irrigation systems.

Callers:

• Gloria - How does she legally dispose of a large saguaro in her yard?

Recommendation - Since it's on her personal property, she can cut it down. You just can't harvest a saguro from a public area without a permit.

• Ken - Can you grow apricots here?

Recommendation - It depends on the variety he picked up. Some won't do too well here and just planting a seed doesn't guarantee a fruiting tree anyway. Jay talks about the process of growing a tree. He'd have success going to a local nursery and picking one up that will do well in his area. He can try Treeland Nurseries or A & P Nursery.

Letter From a Listener:

• How to take get rid of a Tree of Heaven?

Recommendation - Cut them off low to the ground and apply roundup with a paint brush or sponge. It may take a time or two. Every time you do it, you should re-cut the stump and apply it to a fresh wound.

Caller:

• Nick - Is it safe to spray surflan under a citrus tree? And is it a safe time to apply it?

Recommendation - Surflan is a pre-emergent and usually late winter/fall or spring, prior to mosoon season is ideal. Jay isn't sure on putting it under trees and he'll need to check the label.

Caller:

• Merna - They're from Indiana and never had to deal with irrigation and wants to know where the lines are and how to figure out the system, short of digging it up.

Recommendation - There should be a tube that runs to each plant. If it's buried, she can just turn it on for a while and look for a wet spot and pull it up.  Jay talks her through the usual setup.

*If you're new, pick up the Water Use It Wisely's "Watering by the Numbers"

Reach Jay during the week at Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company in Scottsdale!

Email From a Listener:

• Rosie reads an e-mail from a listener on "Super Cooling" and the savings he's seen. It's pretty incredible!

 Callers:

• Susan - She does NOT have a programmable thermostat. Can she still "super cool" her home?

Recommendation - Yes, it is possible. It just needs to be done manually. She can install an energy management computer from Advanced Home Systems and it'll do it all for her.

*Rosie talks about the true inventor of "Super Cooling." If you're saving money, donate that money to Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona!

• Elaine - Her patio was built 8 years ago and cracks in the concrete are starting to come apart. How can she fix it?

Recommendation - Have CYC Landscaping come out and install Belgard Pavers over the patio.  (You can pick up these pavers at Oldcastle Superlite or Marvel Building & Masonry Supply, but you need a certified installer)

Email From a Listener:

• He's saved by "Super Cooling" and tells his story.

Callers:

• Dennis - He has an oleander barrier and wants to put in a garden and wants to know how far it should be from the plants?

Recommendation - The leaves are toxic, but 10-15 feet away should be good and make sure you're not planting it in the shade of the hedge. 

• Neal - He's re-doing his bathroom and wants to install a tankless commode and if their will be any problems with the plumbing doing this?

Recommendation - He'll need to do a pressure test to make sure it will work with the model he's installing. It shouldn't be a problem. (It's usually too much pressure that's the issue)

Callers:

• David - He installed a reverse osmosis system under his sink and the discharge is making a "tinkling noise that's driving my wife crazy."

Recommendation - Rosie investigates and it could be difficult to solve. Listen to the segment to make sure you're clear on his issue.  We'll put him in touch with an expert.

• Karen - She has a pack rat she can't get rid of. It's in a narrow pathway and wants a way to drive her out without killing her?

Recommendation - Make the area she's living in undesirable. Drop a lot of moth balls in the area or leave constant light on in the area.

• Paul - He's thinking about buying a home and is confident that the AC will need to be replaced, plus the home has aluminum wiring. What should he do and should they buy the home?

Recommendation - Going from 2 AC units to 1 will require new ductwork. As far as the aluminum wiring, the vibration is the issue. Rosie talks him through his options and how to make it safe, so he won't have to re-wire the home.  (With his situation, Rosie recommends setting aside about $15k to make all the upgrades they need) He can call The Mighty Electricians to take a look.

Callers:

• Ken - He has hot water going to his toilet instead of cold. Who should he call to fix this?

Recommendation - Call Stampede Plumbing or Walker Plumbing.

*Jennifer got an idea for Karen about getting rid of the pack rate at her home from a listener. Phil in Tucson recommends called Rid -A-Rat and it's made in Arizona.  It gives a pulsing light that irritates the rats.

• Bonita - Her toilet runs intermittently and she's replaced the flapper and another couple options.

Recommendation - We take her offline and she needs to apply vaseline under the flapper or replace the underside gasket.

*Rosie clarifies....he did NOT come up with "Super Cooling." It was Steve Koepp at Advanced Home Systems!

We're talking about "Mother-In-Law Units & Casitas"

• It's not always Grandma or Grandpa moving back in.
• We like FabCab modular homes. We discuss the options and costs.
• Permanent structures vs. units that can be taken away on wheels.
• We discuss the costs you can expect.....It's a wide range!

Caller:

• Frank - His water pressure is too high. What could he do to get that down?

Recommendation - Any certified plumber can install a pressure reducing valve and a cost of about $500.00.  Since the "water hammering" is the issue, he can get a Water Hammer Arrester, a product he can find on the Sioux Chief website too. 

• Romey welcomes a new partner to the Rosie on the House family, Sun Valley Solar Solutions.

Caller:

• Bob - He has a casita on his property for about 12 years. How much value do we think he has added to his home?

Recommendation - With it being built as a stand alone structure and Rosie talks through how to figure out a rough estimate using recently sold properties in his neighborhood.

• We talk about "Next Gen Homes." 

Continuing with Bob and his Mother-In-Law Unit:

• Pros & Cons
• Privacy issues.
• He recommends putting a washer/dryer in the casita.
• Make sure you find the right lot.
• Research local building codes.
• It does make it difficult to downsize if you're in this situation.  

Caller:

• John - He talks about his situation with his mother-in-law unit. Says to look at "Where are they at in their life now and where will they be in the future."  Examples: showers (grab rails in the shower), make the doors wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs, make sure there is enough space for all their stuff, so it doesn't take over your storage.

*Since John has been such a good son-in-law, he's the winner of a Grillbot.

Callers:

• Jerry - (Rosie has seen his beautiful home and he's recently had John with Integrity Tree Service do some work at his home and had The Pond Gnome out too. He's loves the work they've done!) The flow valve in his toilet isn't working after replacing it. Is there a better valve to install?

Recommendation - Yes, he needs to go to a professional plumbing supply store like Ferguson, Hughes Supply or Central Arizona Supply and they'll be able to help him. 

• Scott - He's a paramedic and has tips on building. After 27 years in the industry, make sure you build hallways and doorways for gurneys so you can get your loved ones out in an emergency. Great advice!

*Rosie & Romey talk about "Granny Pods"

Join Rosie on the House every Saturday Morning!!!