Trends & Innovations In Bathroom Remodeling Print

Jay with Scottsdale Weed Control & Fertilization shares his story and how he got in the business.

**He and Rosie talk about the benefits of pre-emergent and how he transformed Rosie's yard.

Caller:

• John - 3 Questions.....how to solve spurge, what happened to all the puncture vine and how to solve world peace?.?  (He's heard there was a puncture vine weavel that killed it)

Recommendation - Puncture vine is still here and there are several products out there to treat it. For the spurge issue, there's a fertilizer to fix that as well.  Pre-emergent is the key again.

• John - He has an agave plant and the bloom that's shooting into the air...should he cut it off or leave it?

Recommendation - Let the bloom go and the plant will die on it's own, so enjoy the bloom while it lasts.

Callers:

• Brian - He has a citrus question...is it time to prune, fertilize, etc....He also has 3 navel orange trees and he loves them, but they are not growing equally. How should he care for them?

Recommendation - Fertilizer is the key and Jay's tip is to remember to do it on Valentine's Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Make sure the citrus food is made for Arizona.  Watering is the next key, especially in the summer.  Lastly, treat them like a bush, because they are not actually a tree.  "Less Is More" when it comes to pruning.

• Peggy - She has a new chilean mesquite tree and the leaves are turning yellow. She thinks she's caring for it, according to the instructions. Is that okay?

Recommendation - It's a tree that's not native to our colder winter (compared to even further south) It could be trying to go dormant and it's not uncommon for them to lose all their leaves. Fertilize every 6 months and she should be good to go.

• Kathy - She has a weed, she calls "Carrot top" weed all over her yard, plus some mushrooms in the lawn after cutting down another tree. Can we help?

Recommendation - The "Carrot Top" weed sounds like water crest weed. Pre-emergent twice a year to prevent the additional water crest. Once she has a strong healthy lawn, it will choke out all the rest of the weeds and other issues.

• Cal - He has a Palo Verde tree and his neighbor told him that the mistletoe plant and it can be dangerous?

Recommendation - It sounds like it is a desert mistletoe and it's actually a parasite. It needs to be removed and Jay walks through the steps to removing it safely.

• Jackie - She has a large yard she loves and she hasn't had much love. She wants roses and wants to know if there's a variety that would be successful here?

Recommendation - It sounds like she knows what she's doing and roses definitely grow here.  It needs supplemented soils, like she's doing already and lots of water. Pay for a quality rose bush and this is a great time to do plant them.

Callers:

• Robert - Last year he had a great peach crop and this year, the birds "sent text messages to each other" and destroyed half the crop. What should he do?

Recommendation - For big, juicy fruit, he needs to prune out several of the peaches to that the nutrients aren't having to support so much fruit.  1 Fruit every 10-12 inches down the branch.  To keep the birds out, prune down the size during the winter to add netting. That's about the only way to keep them out.

• Martha - Her hibiscus plant leaves are turning yellow. Does she need to worry about it?

Recommendation - Probably not an issue. It's cold for the plant and a lot of them are struggling. Just make sure it's not getting too much water.

• Kathy - Is pomegranate a tree or a bush? How should she care for it?

Recommendation - It's a bush and could be pruned this time of year. They need a lot of water too!!

(Ray shares a pet peeve about grass coming up in between the rocks in your yard)

Thanks to Ray with Scottsdale Weed Control and Jay with Harper's Nursery!!

We cover an issue from last week about Radon: 

• Rosie share when and if she should be concerned. 
• Short Term Test Kits vs. Long Term Test Kits.They're inexpensive and could help make sure you're safe. 
• Run tests when the home is the most secure. (no windows or doors open, etc.
• Radon is a leading cause of cancer, so be safe!
• If you need help to get rid of it, call Arizona Foundation Solutions.

Callers:

• Glen - He can't get his shower handle off, because of all the corrosion. How can he remove it?

Recommendation - We walk through several steps to removing it and some of the issues he may run into.  Using heat can often break lose hard to remove parts. Rosie also shares tips on saving money when replacing these parts.

Callers:

• Brian - His home is getting fairly old and he's concerned about his water line breaking. Should he be worried?

Recommendation - It's not something you usually fix before it breaks, but if he has no other issues, he shouldn't worry about it too much.

• Chris - He has Spackle and the painter did not use primer and now they can see the the discoloration at certain times of the day. How can they solve this?

Recommendation - Apply a stain blocker about twice the size of the effected area and then back it up with three more coats of the color you'd like and he should be good to go.

Harold Perkins with the Galaxy Lending Group joins us to talk about some changes in the mortgage industry that good be great news for you!!!

• Interest Rates are LOW LOW LOW!
• Insurance Rates and fees Are LOW TOO!

Callers:

• Patrick - His Father-In-Law just passed away and he was in the middle of building a home.  The flooring is not done yet and he wants to know if it's worth spending the money to finish the flooring or just leave it for the new owner's?

Recommendation - He needs to talk to a realtor he trusts first. Rosie thinks it might be a good idea, but there are pros and cons he needs to sort out with a trusted realtor.

• Page - He wants recommendations on treating and sealing his granite counter-top.

Recommendation - Yes! He needs to seal it and he can call Aztec Marble, Granite and Interiors.

Don't forget to sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation, here!!!

Callers:

• Tim - He wants to build a storage shed/workspace in his backyard and he's limited by the H.O.A. & wants our recommendations on the roof.

Recommendation - There are several options Rosie recommends and depending on how he does it, the roofing material will need to be correct.  Just follow the H.O.A. rules so he doesn't have to take it down later.

• Dick - He's putting in a covered patio and he wants to know if we recommend cement or polymeric sand as a foundation and does the sand need to be put in the joints?

Recommendation - Rosie walks through the process and he loves the Belgard products from Superlite in Tucson or Phoenix.

**Kurt shares his "American Success Story" with us!

• Rosie and Kurt discuss the Cost versus Value of bathroom remodels.
• Average Costs, depending on needs.
• Are you staying in the home (aging in place) or a remodel for function.
• Don't get "sticker shock."  Understand what it takes for a transformation.
• Using magazine photos or HOUZZ.com
• Don't go cheap! It's the most used room in the house.
• Benefits of a "Walk-In Tub".....great for rehabbing after injuries, etc.

Callers:

• Alfred - He has a tub in his home and he's never used it. He's had several estimates for replacement and the pricing varies so much, how does someone know which company to trust?

Recommendation - Obviously, make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded first.  Next, read this article on "Choosing A Contractor"

**Ask yourself, if everything goes wrong....who do you want walking up your sidewalk to fix the problem?

**Kurt shares how he answers Alfred's question...

Rosie and Kurt talk about the importance of the contractor you choose having the proper insurance.

• You could be liable for accidents on your property if they aren't insured.
• Repercussions for sub par work are harder to remedy.
• They discuss common mistakes they both run into they wish homeowner's would avoid.
• Functionality versus Design
• Put drawers in cabinets to make the space usable and functional.
• "grab bars" are important as you get older.
• Your bathroom DOESN'T have to look like a hospital bathroom.

Callers:

• Tom -  He's considering a bathroom remodel and he loves the "fossil tiles."  Is having a natural limestone tile reasonable and what kind of sealing is required.

Recommendation - The water barrier is behind the limestone and the pan at the bottom has to be installed properly and limestone should be sealed at least once a year, possibly twice.

Quick Tip from Kurt - Spray RainX on brand new showers to prevent mildew and water stains.

• Andy - He has a walk-in tub and he hates sitting on a cold seat every time he walks in. Is there an after market product to install that heats the seat?

Recommendation - Kurt has not heard of a product for this purpose. He could try sitting on a towel....

The crew gets silly and have fun talking about the new "hands free" toilet!

• The crew discusses pricing and how Kurt goes about coming up with the overall remodeling costs.
• Lighting has become another integrated part of the bathroom.
• TV's in bathrooms?
• Steam Showers
• Aging in place

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning from 8 to 11!!!