January 2019

Happy New Year! January is Radon Action Month - and we're offering 10% off our radon testing - take advantage! and learn about the dangers of radon. Being indoors for the winter can raise awareness of the state of our homes. In this month's news, you'll learn some tips about decluttering and organizing your house. Has your basement ever flooded due to frozen pipes or other problems? Winter is a common time for basement flooding problems, read our tips on what to do about basement flooding.

January is National Radon Action Month

• Breathing radon in your home can cause lung cancer.
• Radon has been found in every state - radon levels can vary greatly from home to home even in homes next to each other.
• Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air represented as pCi/L, a measurement of radioactivity. Average indoor levels are 1.3 pCi/L - outdoor levels average 0.4 pCi/L. If your indoor level is between 2-4 pCi/L you should consider fixing it, and if it is at or above 4 pCi/L it is recommended you fix it.
• Radon tests are easy - they last between two to seven days and are non-intrusive. Call Sterling Home Service to get a qualified tester to administer a radon test for your home.
• You can fix a radon gas problem. There are professionals available to implement measure to reduce the radon in your home. New homes can also be built with radon-resistant features.

11 Tips for Decluttering and Organizing

  

• Mementos - save one item per “theme”
• Take photos of things to ‘Save” and retain the memory
• Take small bites - resolve to do one system/room/category at a time
• If you haven’t used it or needed it in a year you can part with it
• Use Peter Walsh’s 10-minute declutter exercise - 2 trash bags, 10 minutes, put trash in one bag and donations in the other - the exercise starts as a superficial decluttering but if you add it to your weekly routine you’ll make real changes in the amount of clutter in your home
• Paper is a deep issue. for now designate a place: mail, coupons, magazines, catalogs

• Don’t buy storage containers or systems until you’ve decluttered and inventoried the things you are keeping.
• Designate a place for every single thing. 
• Keep it up. Now that your stuff is newly and neatly organized you’re not done. Every system requires upkeep.
• Keep counters clear. Put everything in its place.
• Store items in a way that makes it easy and obvious to see what you have. Fold and store clothes in a single layer (see the Konmari method for folding and storing clothes for ideas), organize your pantry with taller items at the back, and use clear containers and bins.
• Use boxes and trays to separate items and organize drawers - organize items by size. 

When Your Basement Floods

A flooded basement is no picnic. What can you do about it? Below are a few tips to help you prevent flooded basement situations and also what to do if you do find water soaking the floor.

• Insulate pipes - cold pipes can freeze and burst
• Be vigilant when new appliances or plumbing is installed - if the installation has anything to do with your plumbing do your research and ask questions until you understand. If you can get a guarantee for work against flooding, get one.
• Be cautious what you flush  - diapers, feminine products, paper towels, can clog the main drain causing water to back up.
• Take action - the longer you wait to deal with even a slow leak the more damage you can expect and thus a higher bill.
• Never put carpet in the basement - Carpeting has to be professionally cleaned or torn up, hauled away, replaced and installed.  Opt for tile or another water-resistant flooring.

If you do have a problem with water in your basement, call for professionals right away - check our list of Preferred Contractors. 

New Year's Resolutions