RISMEDIA, March 15, 2010—Remodeling Magazine recently released its 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report which covers 80 U.S. cities. On a national level, the project with the biggest improvement from 2008 was the attic bedroom addition, recouping 83.1% of remodeling costs compared to 73.8% in 2008. The only other interior project that landed in the top 10 was a minor kitchen remodel with 78.3% costs recouped.

Other exterior projects in the top 10 include midrange vinyl and upscale foam-backed vinyl sliding replacements, which returned more than 79% of costs. In addition, several types of window replacements–midrange wood, midrange vinyl and upscale vinyl–all returned more than 76% of costs upon sale.

Similar to last year’s report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home office remodels and sunroom additions, returning only 48.1% and 50.7% of project costs.

Regionally, cities in the Pacific states of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington once again outperformed the rest of the nation in terms of remodeling costs recouped upon resale. The West South Central region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas; the East South Central region of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee; and the South Atlantic region of the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia also performed relatively well.

The regions that generally returned the lowest percentage of costs were New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont), East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin), West North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) and the Middle Atlantic (New York and Pennsylvania).

Even though they don’t usually return 100% of their cost, a remodeling job that remedies an extremely dated kitchen or bath can make the difference in selling your home. In most cases there will be some easy parts of the job that the homeowner can do on their own to save money. Painting is one example. Don’t look at a remodeling job only from the perspective of resale value. That’s a consideration that belongs in the calculation, but the enjoyment of an improvement is another important factor. If you plan to stay in the same home for the next five years or more, the difference between whether a project that you wanted to enjoy adds 50% or 80% to the resale value becomes less relevant.

Courtesy of the American Homeowners Foundation and the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance, www.AmericanHomeowners.org.

RISMEDIA, March 9, 2010—With springtime around the corner, Ohio State Waterproofing–one of the largest residential basement waterproofing contractors in Northeast Ohio–offers homeowners the following Do-It-Yourself Tips for protecting their home’s foundation and keeping basements dry.

Prevention

-Avoid planting gardens against the house; watering plants next to the outside walls can contribute to water problems

-Use a home ventilation system in the basement to rid air of excess moisture

-Examine grading: Prevent water from accumulating near a foundation by having lawn graded with a minimum of 2-3 inches of drop for every 10 feet, sloping away from the home

Maintenance

-Check and clean gutters after a heavy rainfall and in the spring and fall (once leaves have dropped)

-Realign downspouts so that water drops at the ground surface, not below

-Repair leaky faucets

-Check area where driveway meets the side of the house and ensure gap is sealed

Should water find its way into your basement, use a solution of bleach and water to knock down mold on floor and walls and then apply a waterproof paint on the walls for a new, clean finish.

“Wet basement problems are found in three out of four homes in America today,” said Nicholas DiCello, president and CEO, Ohio State Waterproofing. “Moisture in the basement is not only a nuisance, but can lead to structural damage and health problems. When a foundation shows any warning signs of water leakage it is the ideal time to fix the problem, as water takes the path of least resistance and will continue to cause damage in a home.”

Signs of water can show up in many different forms, including:

-Damp spots on walls: A block on concrete wall will turn dark gray when wet.

-Mold or mildew: The fungus grows in dark, damp areas on a variety of surfaces, causing discoloration.

-Peeling paint: Look for paint that has become discolored and/or that has begun to chip off the wall.

-Rust on appliances or furniture: The rust may begin on fuse boxes or other metal appliances.

-Musty odor: The smell is the result of the decay process associated with mold, mildew and dry rot.

-Dry rot: It typically grows on wood surfaces, causing wood to decay; can also appear as a brownish-black fungus on walls, clothing and other surfaces.

-Cracked walls and floors: Look for horizontal cracks and step-down cracks on walls and in corners.

-Warped paneling: Moisture in the basement can cause wood paneling to bow out of shape.

-White, chalky substance on walls: Known as efflorescence, this is caused by the drying of mineral deposits on walls.

RISMEDIA, March 10, 2010—The Sleep to Live® Institute, a sleep research center dedicated to a holistic approach to researching sleep and its affect on health and wellbeing, in conjunction with researchers from Duke University and the Research Triangle Institute International, is observing National Sleep Awareness Week 2010 with the results of a new study conducted on the most fundamental sleep accessory: the mattress.

The average American purchases a new mattress approximately four times in his or her life, and it is estimated that people spend nearly one third of their lives on a mattress. The Institute studied sleep surfaces and measured factors, such as sleep quality, feeling rested and daytime energy levels. The study was designed to help provide science-based information to consumers to assist them in selecting the right mattress for their sleep needs. Most consumers have a preconception about the type of mattress they need–soft or firm–without considering body physiology, pain triggers and the sleep patterns of a partner.

Better Sleep, More Daytime Energy

As part of the study, participants slept on a full spectrum of mattresses ranging from soft to firm. Researchers found that body type, including spinal curvature and flexibility, factors heavily in determining an individual’s proper sleep surface. When participants in the study had the correct sleep surface for their specific body types, they experienced significantly greater sleep time (increased minutes asleep), improved sleep efficiency (the percentage of time asleep) and increased daytime energy. Additionally, participants experienced a decrease in morning pain on the properly selected mattress.

“When it comes to choosing a mattress, this study suggests that consumers need a mattress that is appropriate for their specific body type,” said Dr. Robert Oexman, director of the Sleep to Live Institute. “Our research discovered that a mattress with proper support and comfort can decrease morning pain, the amount of time spent awake when trying to fall asleep and the feeling of restedness when you awake, demonstrating that one firmness does not fit everyone’s sleep needs.”

For more information, visit www.sleeptolive.com.

RISMEDIA, March 10, 2010—Spring is the season for de-gunking, degreasing and de-cluttering. According to a new national survey in the April 2010 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, spring cleaning is an annual ritual for 58% of women in U.S. households. Twenty-five percent of women do it to get organized and 25% do it to keep a healthy home. ShopSmart’s ‘Clean Smarter’ feature goes room by room to help readers rid every nook and cranny of dirt, dust, smells and germs.

“Not only is it satisfying to make things look, smell and sparkle like new, it’s also a good investment of your time. Appliances, carpets, furniture and fixtures that are maintained will work better and last longer,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “To make spring cleaning and regular weekly chores easier, ‘Clean Smarter’ offers the following tips and tools that work but are easy on surfaces and minimize the use of harsh chemicals that can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs.”

Bathroom:

Mirrors: Skip window cleaners and instead use warm water and soft, lint-free cloths. Use one damp cloth to wipe down and dry immediately with another cloth.

Toilets: This is one area where you should use an abrasive cleaner like Comet and Ajax.

Showerheads: Clean regularly with a sponge and cleanser. To unclog scaly deposits, simmer a metal head for 15 minutes in one part vinegar, eight parts water.

Shower walls: Wipe weekly with warm soapy water. If soap scum remains, spray with a bathroom cleaner, let stand for 5 minutes, then rinse. Attack dirty grout with a bleach-and-water dipped toothbrush.

Bathtubs and sinks: Tackle porcelain stains with a mix of one cup bleach and one quart of water, leave for 15 seconds, then rinse. Use warm water and vinegar on mineral deposits.

Bath and shower mats: Machine wash in hot water regularly. Scrub rubber mats with warm water and dishwashing liquid. To remove mildew, soak in a bleach solution and rinse dry.

Kitchen:

Refrigerators: Clean from the top down. Empty all contents and wash surfaces with warm water and liquid detergent. Use a toothbrush or cotton swab to clean rubber gaskets, then clean the coils under and behind the fridge at least once a year with a coil-cleaning brush and vacuum.

Ovens: Remove crumbs and debris after each time you cook and wipe down so grime doesn’t build up. For stubborn grime, soak the window with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Microwave ovens: Wipe down with a hot, damp cloth. Scrape off baked-on foods with a credit card. To mask odors, run the oven for one minute with a bowl of lemon juice and warm water inside.

Sinks: Wipe down acrylic, fiberglass or stainless-steel sinks with a sponge with hot water and liquid detergent. It is safe to use scouring powder and warm water on porcelain, enamel or glass.

Dishwashers: Use a toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water and work your way around the edges. Check the filter if it’s removable and the floor periodically to remove debris. Restore shine to stainless-steel interiors by wiping down with white vinegar.

Living Areas:

Upholstery: Vacuum sofas and chair cushions regularly using the upholstery, dusting and crevice attachments. If possible, remove the covers to wash or dry-clean. Once a year, air out and clean the cushion inserts, too. Dry clean feather- and down-filled cushions; machine wash polyester filled cushions.

Carpets: Vacuum at least once a week, but do it more often where there’s heavy foot traffic to prevent dirt from unevenly wearing down carpets. Move furniture and vacuum underneath every six months, if possible. Also vacuum the backs of rugs occasionally. To remove ground-in dirt, shampoo or deep clean carpets every year or two. If your carpet has a significant amount of ground-in dirt and stains, you might want to hire a pro.

For more information, visit www.shopsmartmag.org.