Pressure Washing Need For Florida Homes

This is a clean tile roof in Florida

Florida is the Sunshine State.  Warm sunny days and blue skies most of the year are the reason that so many people choose to live in this state.  I personally never want to go back to snow, ice, and the freezing cold winter months experienced up North.  

What price do we pay to live in this paradise all year?  When rain and warm days combine, the result can be mold, mildew and algae on the outside surfaces of our homes.  The roof (normally terra cotta colored tile) can appear blackish, the sidewalks green or black, and even the concrete driveways become discolored over time.  

This sidewalk needs pressure washing

 

What can be done about all this unchecked mold, mildew, and algae growth?  There is an answer:  a pressure washer.   A pressure washer is a machine that uses high pressure water mixed with a chemical such as chlorine.  A small engine powers the pressure washer which sends high pressured chemical water out to treat the mold and mildew. This is a very effective treatment that lasts approximately 6 months or more.  

This is a pressure washer

Can homeowners purchase a pressure washer?  Yes, they may, or they may contact a professional that does the pressure washing for them.  I have a list of pressure washer professionals that I refer my customers to if needed.  After a season or two, the pressure washer equipment will pay for itself, but for those who would rather not do the pressure washing themselves, a company that specializes in pressure washing can be well worth the money spent.  How valuable is your time?  To do a complete pressure washing on a Florida home takes a half day or more.  It takes strength and if you don't know how to work the equipment, you can get injured.  

Every homeowner in Florida that wishes to sell their home should have a thorough pressure washing done on their home prior to potential buyers seeing the home.  Fresh clean sidewalks, entrance way and driveway will be one of the first things that a potential buyer will notice.  

In Florida we have sunny days and blue skies most of the year. Unfortunately, the warm weather does encourage the growth of mold and mildew.  A pressure washer can clean your discolored tile, sidewalks, and pavers.  It may be a busy job once or twice a year to pressure wash your property, but what would you rather do, pressure wash or use a snow blower?  If you are ready to experience sunny days as a Florida homeowner, let's talk.  

New Construction Home Benefit

One reason that buyers may choose to buy a new construction home is that many newer built homes have energy efficient upgrades that make monthly utility bills more affordable than it would be with an older (more than 10 years old) home.  There have been many energy efficiency improvements in the past 10 years.  It is important for sellers to understand that potential buyers will compare their listed home for sale to new construction homes within the same price range. 

Look for energy efficiency in new construction

If a new product (home or appliance) uses 20-30% less energy than is required by federal standards, it can qualify for ENERGY STAR certification. There are strict guidelines for a new home to qualify for Energy Star certification which is an international standard developed by the EPA. For more information, click this link:  https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

What features should you look for in a newly built home to know that you will receive energy efficient benefits?  First, ask if the builder has an Energy Star certification.  Many builders use energy conserving materials and practices but don't have this actual certification. Remember that this is not an easy certification to attain.  Do you think that it is important to purchase a home that has this certification? Let's talk.  Always ask about the cost savings features of the home.  Ask about the type of insulation, windows, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC), lighting, faucets/shower heads, water heater, and appliances that will be used in the construction of your home. 

To measure a home's energy efficiency, a Home Energy Rating System, or HERS is used to score a home.  This scoring system is set by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and it measures a home's energy efficiency in relation to a HERS reference home which has a score of 100 on the HERS index.   This is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home's energy performance.  For more information, please click this link:  http://www.hersindex.com/energy-efficiency-hers-index-score/

If you have an older previously-owned home to sell, should you feel hopeless about your home's energy efficiency?  No!  There are many things that you can do to make your home more energy efficient.  In Tampa, Florida,  the electric company (TECO) has a free energy audit.  An energy specialist will inspect your home and let you know what you can do to lower your energy bill.  For more information about this program, click this link:

http://www.tampaelectric.com/files/content/EnergyEfficiencyProgramOverview.pdf

Do you have questions about buying a home or selling your current home?  Let's talk.  

This is the goal for buyers and sellers 

Contact me: Diane at DianeAcken.com

  

Alligators in Florida?

I work with a lot of people moving from areas other than Florida. A question that I hear frequently is, "are there alligators in Florida?" Usually this question is asked with a very frightened look on their face. I answer and try to alleviate their fear.  

Alligators are native to Florida.  Most freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers (including wetlands) are home to alligators.  They also have been known to live in and near brackish (salty-fresh water combination that occurs in estuaries) water.

One of many beautiful ponds in Florida.  No alligator in this photo, but the pond is home to at least one alligator.

 
People who live in Florida have seen alligators living in the wild. It is very common to see a pond with an alligator swimming in it. There is an alligator in the pond near my home. Most Floridians are not frightened of alligators because alligators usually live quietly in ponds or lakes and rarely bother people.  

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the alligator diet includes prey that is abundant and easily accessible. Alligator information in this post is from:
http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/facts/

Young alligators eat insects, amphibians (i.e. frogs), small fish and other invertebrates.  Mature alligators eat larger fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, and birds.  

I tell people who are new to Florida:  

If you live on or near a wetland in Florida (many people do), 
DO NOT allow your small pets to wander near the water.

As stated, alligators eat what is accessible.  They rarely leave their pond/water to hunt.  Most of what they need to survive lives in or near the pond.  If your dog or cat is accessible...they can be prey for the alligator.  As a Florida homeowner, you need to know this.  If you are a cautious pet owner, you should not have a problem with alligators.  

Alligators do need the Florida sun to warm their body temperature. Frequently, you will see an alligator sunning itself on the land beside the water where it lives.  The alligator usually means no harm to people. 

This alligator lays in the sun on the bank of a neighborhood pond

TIP: DO NOT APPROACH AN ALLIGATOR IN THE WILD

Alligators can bite and even a small alligator bite can result in injury or infection.  

In your previous home location, you may have been able to swim in a nearby lake or pond.  Pond swimming is not recommended in Florida. Alligators are native to Florida.  They are here, but you need not be too frightened.  Allow them to live in their habitat without disturbing them. Soon, as a Florida homeowner, you will be able to tell your visitors about these interesting animals.  If you want to see alligators up close, I recommend going to Lowry Park Zoo or Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.  Let's talk, I will tell you about other Florida locations for visitors to see Florida alligators up close in their natural habitat.  

If you want to swim, head to the beautiful Florida beaches or the swimming pool at home or nearby.  It would be extremely rare to find an alligator in a pool or beach/gulf/ocean.

If you have any questions about alligators or finding a great home in Florida, let's talk.  

You may contact me by e-mail:  Diane at DianeAcken.com