Sometimes it seems like my family is allergic to our house. What is going on?

Indoor allergens are no different than they were 50 years ago. The difference is in the houses. As we have "tightened" up our houses to conserve energy, the allergens that used to escape, are now trapped in the house. As you become sensitized to allergens over the years, you can develop respiratory problems. My best advice is to ventilate your house properly. Eliminate things and places that dust and dander can collect. If you can't eliminate them, keep them clean. Bath and groom your pets often. Use plastic, wood or washable materials for window coverings and clean them once a week. Check your houseplants. Re-pot them if the roots are moldy or keep plants outside. Wash your bedding once a week in water that is at least 130 degrees. Reduce the humidity in the house to less than 50%. Use high efficiency vacuum cleaner filters. Never store more than a few prices of wood indoors-as wood dries, it releases mold spores. Keep trees and shrubs at least 3' away from the perimeter of the house to keep the water away form you foundation. A little common sense goes a long way. Regular and thorough cleaning of places where allergy-causing pollutants are likely to grow-including the kitchen, bathroom and basement-will keep them at a minimum.

Now that the snow has melted, I see my wood deck and it looks terrible-what do I do?

A good cleaning (or possibly stripping, depending on how you are going to finish it)) of the surface is first. I would suggest staining the deck boards vs. painting. Stain works by penetrating the wood, Paint forms a tough film designed to block sun and water. Paint is OK for vertical deck surfaces, but stain is best for the decking. Why? Paint develops hairline cracks when wood expands and contracts. Rain seeps in and is trapped beneath the paint, preventing the surface from dying out. There are clear finishes that show the wood grain. Semitransparent have some pigmentation. Opaques or solid color stains have more pigmentation to conceal minor flaws. When it comes to opaques, more is not better. 2 or more coats can cause the pigment to build up into a paint-like film instead of being absorbed. To avoid lap marks: Apply finish to the full length of 2 to 4 boards at a time. Remember no finish does everything or lasts forever. You can start with a clear finish and next time switch to a semitransparent or opaque, but sorry you can’t reverse the order. Even if you are not much for reading directions, do check the label on the can before purchasing. Not all stains are created equal! (4/09)

My heating bills skyrocketed this winter. Is there anything I can do to increase my homes energy efficiency?

You are not alone with those increased bills and YES there are many things you can do to help increase your homes energy efficiency. Here are several ideas to consider for saving money or increasing the resale value of you home. Caulk and seal every opening. Install more energy efficient windows. Replace your heating system with more energy efficient version. Replace your hot water heater with more energy efficient version. Replace your refrigerator with more energy efficient version. Install additional attic insulation. Install a programmable thermostat. Install compact fluorescent lighting. Install low-flow showerheads.

What are some spring maintenance tips?

Clean your gutters and downspouts of debris. Make sure they are clear at the ground also. Extend downspouts as far away from the house as possible. Check around the foundation for ground that settled over the winter-be sure the water will drain away from the house. Clean up any outside debris around your furnace vents, dryer vents, AC unit and meters. Look for shingle damage along the edges of your roof and up the valleys from any ice dams from last winter. While you're up there, check your soffit and fascia for any signs of deterioration. Clean off outside light fixtures and any outside outlets. Check the hose bibbs inside and out, to make sure they will function properly when you need them. Make the repairs as soon as possible or make an appointment to have someone do them for you. Little problems are much less expensive to fix than BIG ones.