Swimming Pools, Landscaping Tips & Your Home Repairs Print

• Rosie loves Water Use It Wisely's motto: "We have enough water to use, not enough to waste"
• The incredible efficiency with water combating the massive increase in population in Arizona.
• How much water we lose to evaporation alone & the tiny percentage of water that is potable.
• Ted talks about the research they're doing and how they determine when to ration.
• We discuss what the different tiers of rationing include and when it reaches the average homeowner.
• All the laws surroundiing water allocation.

• Dealing with the elevation changes in the canal and how engineers designed it.
• The speed of the water in the canal is betweend 2 & 4 miles per hour.
• How engineers use power at different times to save $$$ on pumping and transporting water across the state.
• The security measures taken to keep people safe & dealing with animals and natural waterways along the path of the canal.
• The size and power of the pumps along the canal and when they are on or off and why.
• The order in which water is distributed....first and last "straws" in the canal.
• How long these projects were intended to last.

Thanks to Ted for stopping in and educating us on the Central Arizona Project.

• Our impressions from the conversation on the CAP.
• We talk about the sterile fish that are used to clean the canal.......

Sign Up For The Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation!!!

*We talk about a recent winner and what you can win if you sign up.

It's a rainy weekend and that means healthy landscapes and a lot of work needs to get done. That's why we've got Jay with Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company here to give advice for your home!

• How water preservation applies to agriculture and what YOU should be doing to combat water waste.

Callers:

• Dave - He lives in a complex of 12 duplex condominiums. The water bill for the property was outrageous last year. (Up $5,000) They're considering not watering the bermuda lawn. Will that kill it?

Recommendation - No. It might have bare spots and it will turn brown, but that should not kill it. Bermuda is very tough to kill. Jay talks him through killing it if that's what they want to.

*More on killing bermuda lawns and options once you get rid of it.

• Jay - He has a blood orange tree and he hasn't had any success. Do we have a recommendation on the variety he should plant?

Recommendation - The Arizona sweet is a decent option and Jay loves a trovita veriety. He shares why he would plant that one or going with a tangelo as an option. We also discuss why blood orange struggle here.

Romey welcomes Kate Karma of Monrovia with thier projects of 9 gardening trends in 2017:

• Here's the link to the article about 9 Trends Influencing The Gardeing World in 2017!
• What Monrovia does & how you've probably purchased one of their plants.
• Kate shares all of the trends their seeing. Hardscaping infused into greenery.
• "The No Waste Movement" and how food is grown or distributed.
• Growing your own food and letting "Ugly" food hit the market.
• Adding more color, especially for us in Arizona. What Kate has seen this year.
• Kate loves talking color! We love her excitement.

• With all the winter rain, pre-emergent herbicide is huge! Get it down or get ready to pick a massive amount of weeds out of your lawn.
• Fertilizing time is right now! Get it down when the rain can water it in.
• Organic options for fertilizing all the plants in your landscape.
• Talking water preservation and when/if you need to water them when we've had all the rain we've had this winter.
• How Jay uses is irrigation system during different times of the year.

Texts From Listeners:

• Is there anything you can spray on oleanders to prevent them from flowering?

Recommendation - There are "growth regulators" that professionals like Integrity Tree Service or Scottsdale Weed Control & Fertilization can apply. We're not sure why you'd want to remove the flowers, but it can be done.  This should be done by  the experts.

• Tony - Can he fertilize over granite? He's getting sick of raking it back and forth to apply it every time.

Recommendation - Most granular fertizlizers should water in through it no problem. It used to be an issue because of the plastic laid down under it. They don't do this much anymore. It should be fine to apply anytime, especially before a rain.

*We discuss using an in-line fertilization application from Biofeed Solutions.

• Joey - What is our advice for caring for a "torch bush?"

Recommendation - We assume he's talking about torch glow bougainvillea which doesn't need too much water if it's established.  They should be pretty easy to care for.

• Romey asks Jay "what's the most important part of our home's watering system?" It's the controller aka clock/timer. We discuss why.
• What you can be putting in your garden....it's time to switch it up to summer veggies. Listen as we discuss all your options.
• Setting the right expectations on growth times.

Text From a Listener:

• What do we think of a combination meyer lemon and a lime tree?

Recommendation - We'd buy one of each and plant them in one big hole together at once. It'll be easier than finding the right cocktail tree he's looking for. It works great in these instances and we talk through different combos for fruit trees.

If you're in the Valley, stop in and see Jay at Harper's Nursery & Landcaping Company!

• "Flipped Home" issues we're seing right now. Yuck!!!
• Rosie shares a story about a home in Scottsdale with sever code violations and what that means to the homeowner. (Hint: $$$)
• Rosie's new minimum standards to inspecting a home you're considering buying. Home inspections are not enough now.
• What to do if you have work done that was not permitted.
• We share the feedback we've got on the "Cost versus Value" Report. This should set the proper expectations for certain projects in your area. 
• The state of the remodeling and home buying markets and why you should proceed with caution.

Caller:

• Arlene - She has 'dated' appliances and wanted to know if it could be painted because they are all still in good shape, mechanically.

Recommendation - Yes, they can. Rosie has a few options she can explore and shares a business we know of that could help.

Romey welcomes Beverly with the Arizona Community Tree Council to the conversation to talk about some upcoming events.

• The tree climbing competition in Phoenix!
• Details on the event and what you can see if you attend.

*Discussing "The Great Plumbing Bowl." What it is and how we teamed up with Stampede Plumbing to get it done.

Callers:

• Derek - He wants to add pavers to his front yard but some of his roof lines drain right onto it and he doesn't want to turn it into a swimming pool out there.

Recommendation - Belgard pavers that he can pick up at Marvel Building & Masonry Supply or Oldcastle Superlite should have a great option for hime with their permeable pavers.

*He brought up "Radiant Barriers...." Uh-oh! This is a scam and not a great idea for homes. BEWARE!!!

• Tim - He had tile installed and after a partial install, they noticed it wasn't square. They replaced it, but now they are having to replace chipped tile as they go. What can he do because it's been going on for far too long.

Recommendation - Rosie looks at the pictures and some looked chipped before and after the grout is applied.  We can't really place blame without being involved, but it should not take that long normally.

Caller:

• Bob - He's about to move forward on a remodeling project. The material costs all seem similar, but the labor and management costs very considerably. Is there a cost ratio for this he should be looking for?

Recommendation - The general rule of thumb from coast to coast says that if you have a $9,000 job, $3,000 of that should be materials, $3,000 for labor and the other $3,000 is for supervision and overhead/profit. He needs to read Rosie's Consumer Guide on How To Choose a Contractor.

Letters From Listeners:

• Mary - She watched Rosie's DIY videos on fixing doors that close or open on their own. Can she make an adjustment on the top hinge pin too?

Recommendation - Yes. It's the last one to work on because it's the toughest to reach and work on.

• Chris - Do we have a metal fabricator that we recommend?

Recommendation - Not currently. If you know a qualified company, have them call us.

Our Topic This week talks about Swimming Pools:

• Postorino Pool Service & Repair, Desert Sun Pools, Above & Beyond Pool Remodeling & Omni Pools.....they were all too busy to come in to the broadcast.

Jennifer takes care of the Romero pool and she has some DIY advice to share.

• Avoiding complacency during the winter and why you need to start thinki
• Jennifer loves Ken and the guys at The Swimming Pool Warehouse and the service they provide.
• What they are seing this time of year and adding a little extra products now before you get in.
• Chemical testing kits are used to test PH levels.
• The differences between the potency of different chlorine tabs. Know what you are buying.

Caller:

• Pete - He's putting in a door from his living room to the patio. He needs to create the hole because the window or door company won't do it. Do we know someone who can do it?

Recommendation - He can reach out to the Handyman Connection and they'd be able to do it. If you know of a licensed handman in Northern Arizona or Tucson, let us know!!!

Caller:

• Guy - He wants information on how they install foam insulation into the walls of a standard wood framed home? Is it through the drwall or from the outside, etc.?

Recommendation - Rosie has seen it done both ways.  The ouside is easier, because it's easier to cover up the stucoo with a patch. We investigate why he's adding insulation and what his 1st steps should be. We think he should start with a whole home energy audit to get a strategic plan to save money.

• Matt - He has Above & Beyond Pool Remodeling at his home and loves the work they are doing! He describes what they are up to at his home.

We continue with Matt:  He's really really happy with the work Above & Beyond Pool Remodeling his doing at his home. Listen and give them a call!

 Back to Pool Maintenance with Jennifer:

• Family bonding is a major reason to have a pool!
• Plastering options and why it's not a Do It Yourself Project.
• Acid washing as an option and what to beware of.
• Tom at Postorino Pool Service & Repair hooked Jennifer up with an automatic pool cleaner after most of the kids left the home. Learn why she loves it!

More Details on "The Great Plumbing Bowl" put on by Rosie On The House & Stampede Plumbing.

Text From a Listener:

• Wendy - She wants to add stone veneer to the front of her house but is concerned it's too heavy......

Recommendation - Romey shares advice on how to attach it and what materials to use to adhere the stone to the front surface. It can NOT go directly onto the stucco. Call Marvel Building & Masonry Supply or help.

More Pool Maintenance Tips:

• Acid washing needs to include the stablizer and all the chemicals required for filling it back up.
• A story about Romey and the pool........Not SAFE!
• The importance of safety features. "2 seconds is too long." Keep your eyes on those kids!

Caller:

• Sharon - She heard our caller talking about taking his pool out. She's considering purchasing a new home and doesn't want the maintenance of a pool. What would it cost to take out a standard size pool?

Recommendation - It will run about $5,000 and Rosie explains why and the right/wrong way to do it.

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning!!!