April Checklist

After this year's long winter, spring is a time of renewal for your spirits - and for your garden and home. Now that the snow has finally melted, homeowners are catching up on their spring chores. Here are some of the things every homeowner should add to his or her job list:

• Take advantage of the first warm days of spring to inspect your eavestroughs and downspouts. Have them cleaned of winter debris to keep them clear for the rainy season ahead.
• You can test gutters by running a hose into the eavestrough and watching how the system handles the runoff. Look for leaks, missing or loose hangers and ensure that downspout runoff is directed properly, away from the foundation of your home (but not into your neighbour’s basement!)
• Check the outside walls in your basement for cracks and signs of moisture damage. Flooding is always a problem in the spring, but more people are affected this year due to the runoff from large amounts of melting snow.
• While you’re up on the ladder, do a visual inspection of your roof for cracked and missing or lifting shingles. Also check for loose flashing around the chimney, skylights and vents.
• Wash away winter grime and let the sun shine in! Have your windows cleaned in the spring.
• Check the outdoor caulking around the windows for cracks and missing pieces and have it repaired. Wash window screens by soaking in warm, soapy water and rinsing well before installing. A snug fit will keep your home cooler and more energy efficient this summer.
• Go through your lawn and garden tool inventory. Have power tools and lawn mowers serviced, cleaned and ready to go at the flick of a switch for the gardening season ahead.
• Clean or replace the filters on your furnace, humidifier and air cleaner to improve the quality of air in your home.
• Arrange to have your central air conditioner serviced and cleaned before the first heat wave.
• When the weather permits, start the outdoor cleanup. Give the yard a good raking to get rid of debris and thatch. Turn over the garden beds to ready them for spring planting.
• Check the driveway, walkway and patio for winter damage. Book contractors early to get repairs and sealing jobs underway before the spring rush.
• Examine your garage doors this month. Make sure the seals are snug and the tracks move smoothly. If the garage door opener needs repair or replacement, have it done this month.
• Indoors, refresh your home’s interior with a good cleaning. Have the rugs, walls and drapes cleaned. Clean out cupboards and get rid of clutter. Have duvets cleaned or air them outdoors on a sunny spring day.
• Check that attic fans, kitchen and bathrooms fans and roof-mounted turbine vents are operating efficiently. A well-ventilated home will save you energy dollars and increase your comfort level.
• Poorly-insulated homes can take more than twice the amount of energy to cool than a properly-insulated home. Now is the time to have an energy audit and find out how you can save on both heating and cooling costs.
  

Let Homeservice Club™ take care of your spring chores!
Call 416-925-1111

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GARDENING CHECKLIST
April showers bring May flowers and now is the time to get your garden growing...

• Prepare flower beds for planting by turning the soil, mixing peat moss into clay and clay loam, and adding composted manure for increased fertility.
  
• Prune summer-flowering shrubs and rose, and plant shrubs, evergreens and roses in mid- to late April.
  
• In late April you can start to plant hardier vegetables such as beets and carrots every couple of weeks to ensure a continuous crop.
  In early May, plant summer-flowering bulbs and deadhead spring-flowering bulbs.

  TOOLS CHECKLIST
  As the landscape turns green, it's time to power up your outdoor tools. Keeping gas-powered lawn-mowers, trimmers and leaf-blowers in good working order also cuts down on the pollution these machines emit. Here are some more tips:

• Check the owner's manual for maintenance tips.
  
• Replace the oil and gas at the start of the season.
  
• Clean or replace the air filter.
  
• Clean or replace the spark plugs.
  
• Have blades sharpened.
  
• Tighten loose nuts, bolts and belts.

  Call Homeservice Club™ for all your lawn and garden needs!
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There has never been a better time to update your heating system, replace your ancient air conditioner and retrofit windows and doors.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is offering grants to homeowners who improve the energy efficiency of their home and reduce their home's impact on the environment. Provincial grants are also available.

And now Homeservice Club™ offers energy audits by NRCan-licensed energy advisors, who will sit down with you and discuss your energy options and explain the available grants and how to improve the energy efficiency in your home.

Among the upgrades that qualify for NRC grants ranging from $100 to $3,500 to a maximum of $5,000:

• Replacing heating equipment with Energy-Star qualified oil or gas furnaces or heat pumps
• Installing electronic thermostats for electric baseboard heaters
• Upgrading wood-burning appliances
• Installing a heat recovery ventilator
• Replace your central or window air conditioner with an Energy Star qualified unit
• Installing a solar domestic hot water system
• Replacing your hot water heater with a gas water heater or condensing water heater
• Insulating your attic to various RSI levels
• Insulating the basement
• Insulating the crawl space
• Increasing the air tightness of your home through air sealing
• Retrofitting windows, doors and skylights with Energy Star qualified models
• Installing low-flush or dual-flush toilets
  

To qualify, you must have an energy audit by an NRCan-licensed energy advisor. The auditor will conduct a detailed on-site assessment of your home's energy use from the attic down to the basement. They then provide a personalized report, including a checklist of recommended retrofits to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The report will also detail the grant amounts for each eligible upgrade. Once the retrofits have been completed they will do another assessment of the improvements.

HOMESERVICE™ NOW OFFERS LICENSED ENERGY AUDITS
Call the Club to arrange an appointment and find out how you can save!
(416) 925-1111

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Decks provide the ideal solution for many problem backyards:

• Irregular or uneven lots can be transformed into usable living space with a simple platform deck.
  
• Decks have a levelling effect on uncomfortable slopes in a landscape.
  
• Boring facades receive new interest with decks that wrap around the house, opening up the indoor living spaces to the outside.
  
• Multi-level decks create terraces of living space on sharply-sloping and ravine lots.
  
• Flower boxes, lattice panels and gazebos can all be incorporated into your deck design to mask unsightly views and provide privacy.
  
• A deck can make the most of small spaces with built-in benches, planters and cooking bays.
  If your yard has little shade and/or privacy, overhead trellises and privacy screens can protect you from the hot summer sun - and nosey neighbours.
  PLAN BEFORE YOU BUILD
  
• When planning your deck, consider how it will be used by your family: Will you do a lot of entertaining? Will you need a play area for children? Would you like to incorporate a hot tub?
  
• Take into account the surrounding landscape when deciding on a deck design. Trees or a backyard creek should not limit the structure of your deck. Building around these natural "barriers" will increase the beauty of your deck.
  
• Creating different levels of deck area will add to the functionality of your outdoor living space. You may opt for a large main deck with different levels for a hot tub or play area, sun or shade. Different elevations are also ideal if you plan to build your outdoor living room in stages, adding to it each year as the budget allows.
  FINISHING TOUCHES
  Railings - Not only are they required by most building codes, railings also add a decorative touch and serve to define different parts of your deck. On low decks, an extra wide railing can double as seating. Top the railings off with decorative caps to add even more architectural interest.
  Deckscaping - The simple lines of a deck are the perfect backdrop for your favourite plantings. Raised garden beds and planter boxes around trees add architectural interest. Add a water feature, such as a pond or fountain at the edge of the deck for a touch of zen.
  Storage - Put the space under benches and raised decks to work as storage for cushions and garden accessories. Design a barbecue area with built-in storage and counter space for easy entertaining.
  Lighting - Low-voltage lighting is a must for your new deck. Uplight your favourite trees and gardens but plan for functional lighting on stairs and at entrances. It's the added touch that brings your outdoor space to life in the evening and beckons guests to linger.
  
  Large or small, your new deck is sure to bring you hours of enjoyment and relaxation while adding to the value of your property.

  DECK DESIGN AND REPAIRS - CALL THE CLUB FOR A FREE QUOTE.

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Spring has sprung and it's time to tune up your gas grill. Here are some tips from Weber to get you cooking with gas:

• Check the gas hose for cuts and cracking. If it's necessary, replace with only factory-authorized parts to ensure safety.
  
• Check gas connections with a soap and water solution. Bubbles indicate a leak, so shut off the gas, tighten the fitting and re-test.
  
• Clear controls, valves and burners of dirt, leaves and cobwebs to ensure proper combustion and ventilation.
  
• Check burners for spider webs and clean out if necessary.
  
• After positioning barbecue, check screws, bolts and connections for tightness.
  
• Give the barbecue a thorough cleaning. Use a brass grill brush before each use.
  For more information, Weber operates a Gill-Line at 1-800-474-5568.

  NOW YOU'RE COOKING - CALL THE CLUB
  FOR ALL YOUR HOME REPAIRS!
  (416) 925-1111

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The best part of spring cleaning is opening the doors and windows to welcome fresh air and sunshine. Why not add to that spring freshness with natural cleaners?

Taken from the flowers, bark, leaves, and other parts of plants, essential oils are as natural as fresh air and sunshine. Many have their own properties as disinfectants, grease cutters and deterrents to pests -- and they impart fresh and pleasing aromas that linger long after your chores are finished.

Natural cleaning products are increasingly available in stores, but you can also easily and economically make your own mixtures with just a few basic ingredients. Chances are some of these ingredients, such as baking soda, white vinegar and borax, are already in your cupboards.
One hundred percent pure essential oils can be found at natural products stores or online at www.auracacia.com.

Homemade natural cleaning products are versatile; many can be used for a variety of tasks. Because essential oils are in a highly concentrated form, often only a few drops are needed for a solution that can take you through several cleaning cycles. Not only do you save money -- your homemade cleansers will work just as well as commercially produced cleaners without harming the environment.

"Choices abound," says Tom Havran, aromatherapy product developer. "From pine or lemon oil, whose essences suggest more traditional cleaning aromas, to tea tree and grapefruit, which people might not think of as cleaning ingredients."

Not sure which oil to start with? Here are some of Havran’s suggestions:

* Pine is inexpensive and clean smelling. It is effective as both a disinfectant and deodorizer.

* Lavender has a pleasing scent, is anti-bacterial and deters insects such as moths.

* Tea tree oil has a sharp, spicy scent and is a good disinfectant and deodorizer.

* Lemon is fresh and clean smelling. It's also acidic, providing antibacterial and antiseptic cleaning properties.

* Grapefruit has a clean and uplifting aroma that eliminates odors -- even strong pet odors.

Making your own cleaning products with essential oils can be as simple as mixing 15 to 20 drops of any essential oil into a cup of baking soda, letting the mixture stand overnight so the oil can be absorbed, and then sprinkling the powder on carpet before you vacuum.

You can also make a quick and easy disinfecting toilet bowl cleanser by combining one cup of water, one-quarter cup of liquid castile soap and 20 drops of white thyme, lavender or lemon essential oil in a 22-oz. spray bottle.

Spring is a time of renewal that offers a perfect opportunity to replace chemical cleansers with pure and natural essential oils. Your whole family, including your pets, will benefit.

For more spring-cleaning formulas you can make yourself with essential oils visit www.auracacia.com/springcleaning. While you're there, be sure to get more information about Aura Cacia's live chat on Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils, April 17, at 7 p.m.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

HOMESERVICE CLUB™ CAN HELP WITH ALL YOUR SPRING CLEANING!
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The home is the centre of our entertaining worlds: the place where we gather and connect with family and friends. As a result, more Canadians are looking to expand their living space or change the style of their rooms to create a welcoming, functional home.

"According to recent studies, seven in ten Canadians are planning some type of home renovation in the next two years, with over half saying renovations would take place within the next 12 months," says Anita Griffin, brand manager for Delta Faucet Canada. "Spring is the perfect time to start a renovation, but the task can be daunting and requires careful planning."

Griffin offers these tips for those looking to renovate their homes this spring:

. Prioritize your wish list. Two of the most desirable rooms to renovate are the kitchen and the master bathroom. When creating your wish list, think about functional details, such as how you work in the kitchen.

. Start with a budget. Determine your budget and what you want to achieve. Always include a ten per cent contingency fund to cover unexpected costs. Working it into the original budget will help prevent unpleasant surprises later on.

. Research. Look through home décor magazines and clip items that appeal to you. Determine what features, styles and colours you want for your space. Remember that classic styling has longevity and will work as your family and your tastes evolve.

. Seek professional advice. Contractors, engineers and interior designers can help you uncover what is possible in your space and are able to provide you with a general idea of cost and the length of time the project will take.

. Check local building codes and by-laws. Ensure you have all the required permits and permissions to complete your renovation.

. Consider the environment. Think about ways to make your new space eco-friendly. For example, adding a water-saving faucet to your new kitchen or bathroom not only reduces waste but will save on your hydro bill.

. Complete the look. Once you have the overall look and feel of the space established - modern, traditional or transitional - choose fixtures such as faucets to help create the space of your dreams.

More information is available at www.deltafaucet.com.

www.newscanada.com

FOR THREE FREE ESTIMATES ON YOUR NEXT RENO, CALL HOMESERVICE™!

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Spring is here and it's time to make your outdoor living space as inspiring as indoors. A beautiful garden adds another 'room' where you can enjoy the season in all its glory.

Start your makeover by giving a lift to weathered outdoor furniture. Let the palette of your flower beds inspire you and paint chairs to contrast or complement the focal point.

According to the experts at Rust-Oleum, the options for giving your chairs flower-power are endless:
* Dingy plastic chairs can be brought back to life with paint specially formulated for plastic. There is a multitude of colours to choose from that will give a rich glossy finish in one easy application-no priming required.
* Bring the cafés of Italy to your own backyard by adding classic finishes like Tremclad's textured bronze to your cast iron patio table and chairs.
* Remember that old wooden bench that's been left forgotten in the corner of the yard? A pastel shade and a new location can take it from trashy to tranquil and offer a great new refuge for reading and relaxation. Try Painter's Touch meadow green or blue sky paint.
* That old Muskoka chair still has some life in it yet. Tighten the screws and give it a quick sand. Finish with a bold new coat of paint, accessorize with indoor/outdoor throw pillows and in no time at all you've got the perfect perch for a warm afternoon.
* And don't forget the wicker chairs - they too can be spruced up for the season with some T.L.C. and some well chosen paint.
* If 'wild' is your style, try polka dots, geometrics or paint-splatter. Pattern is back - so is colour - make a splash in your garden this year.
More inspiration can be found online at paintideas.com.

www.newscanada.com

HOMESERVICE CLUB - YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN EXPERTS
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MEDICAL AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Our travel experts use these true cases to illustrate the need for medical and cancellation insurance when you travel:

1) 35 year old couple travelled to a Caribbean Island Feb. 2008. They decided to purchase Insurance.
While on holiday and walking near the beach, a coconut fell from a tree and landed on the toes of the female, who suffered a sprain. They were directed by our Insurance company to a local hospital, where she was treated, and the
insurance company covered all costs on the spot. The holiday was resumed and enjoyed.

2) A couple in their 50's purchased Cancellation & Medical insurance. Male fell down home stairs while taking suitcases down to the taxi, which was waiting to drive them to airport.
Result: a broken foot. The insurance company paid for entire amount of the vacation which was nonrefundable by Tour Operator. Three months later, they used that money to go on another vacation.

3) A client, mid 40's suffered a mild heart attack, which was not pre-existing, while in Florida.
He did NOT purchase medical insurance. The hospital bill for three days was $75,000. His credit card was insufficient to pay. His wife had to fly home to Toronto to arrange for a bank transfer to pay the hospital bill. The Hospital refused to release him without payment, and charged $5000 per day until the bill was paid in full.

The Morale of these stories: DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT PURCHASING ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE!

LOOKING FOR A QUIET ADULT AREA OF A CRUISE SHIP?
Princess plans to add adult-only decks to its entire fleet of ships. Only the Crown & Emerald Princess currently have this "Sanctuary". Kids free, low-music zones have become increasingly popular.

The Sancturary is a roped-off area that was initially free, but became so popular, the line quickly began charging a $10.00 fee for about 4 hours of relaxation time. Lounge on plush furniture, listen to piped in spa music, while stewards bring around chilled face towels and Evian water atomizers.

Carnival Cruise Lines took a cue from Princess and began adding adult-only "Serenity" areas to its ships this year.

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