General Information

General Information

Why does my water look yellow?

Maintenance and repair work, nearby construction, or water companies maintain their systems with an annual flush program which scours away rust, stir up particles and other debris stuck on the pipes. Your water absorbs the rust/debris and becomes yellow. If the water coming out of your cold water tap is clear, it’s likely a problem with your water heater. Water heaters are a common source of yellow or browning discolored water. Iron and manganese in drinking water are not a health risk or concern.

How can I maintain the recommended humidity percentage levels in my home?

Will buckets of water help maintain humidity levels in my home?

 Should you perform a search for answers to these questions you will discover articles which will advise the practice of leaving buckets of water around the house will be beneficial in maintaining recommended humidity levels in the house. You will also find as many articles stating that this practice does not maintain proper levels of humidity in the house. There is a solution and recommendation to increase the humidity percentages in your home, and that is to run a steam humidifier or bring water to a boil. These preferred methods will convert liquid water into a gas (water vapor) which when released in the air will increase the humidity levels in your home.

For the last three years I have been collecting humidity percentages, utilizing a hygrometer (humidity meter gauge), on homes which had water buckets strategically placed throughout the home and those who did not have water buckets placed in the home.  To establish a baseline, the recommended humidity percentages in the winter months is <40% and for the summer months it is 30-45% humidity. The summer readings which I have collected averaged 38% humidity on homes with or without water buckets placed throughout the home. My reading would fluctuate from house to house by +/-1to 2 percentage points, but collectively the readings would average 38% humidity. The biggest factor effecting my readings was which day of a particular month was the readings taken. I would gain a greater variation in my reading dependent on the day/day and month/month visits. I found that the readings collected were greatly impacted and variation in percentages based on the weather; humidity percentages and Dew Point readings outside the home on any particular day.

I’m not making a recommendation one way or the other. Also, the data collected was not a scientific controlled study or a statistical controlled analysis. I was personally curious about this subject matter and decided to collect data using a hygrometer in conducting my own study. I’m only sharing the results of my study and the actual humidity percentages data collected over the years period.

Can roaches come up through toilets and/or drains?

Although sewer roaches are found in toilet, bathtubs, or kitchen sinks roaches do not come through the drain pipes, unless the sewer pipe line is damaged or fractured, and/or gaps found around pipes/wiring, foundations, building veneer. Most sewer roaches come from the ground and are attracted to water pipes and sewer lines because of the dampness/moisture. They burrow into moist areas under the landscape like, planter boxes, gravel, river rocks, and sprinkler/water meter boxes, leaky pipes or wet bathmats. Roaches are also attracted to food particles left on dirty dishes, a trash can under the sinks, and crumbs on the table/counter/floor.

Why would I find a scorpion in my sink or bathtub?

 Scorpion will climb walls and ceiling and may find themselves in a sink or tubs. They could find themselves in a sink or tub as they seek water, then they are unable to climb out. Another scenario is a scorpion could simply fall from a ceiling into a sink or tub.

How to store your Golf Cart during the Summer months

Long periods of storage can negatively impact your golf carts batteries, but there are several steps you can take to ensure your batteries will power your golf cart. Before putting your golf cart batteries in storage be sure they are fully charged to maximize battery capacity and overall life. Storing discharged batteries may cause irreversible damage to your batteries.

Step by step process to store golf cart for the summer;

1. Fully charge batteries
   • Key off and remove key
   • Insure battery cables and connections are clean
   • Disconnect all 12 volt accessories (prevent from pulling current & draining the battery level)
2. Refill water level
   • Refill water levels to ¼” above plates (distilled water only)
     • Only add water when batteries are fully charged. Adding water when fully charged will cause electrolyte to overflow
     • Use battery fill bottle to prevent spilling and overflowing

3. Charge a second time
   • Once your water levels are full and batteries fully charged, charge again for one to two hours.
   • Consult instructions from the battery manufacturer to ensure proper charging and watering practices are followed.
4. Disconnect battery charger
   • Make sure you disconnect the charger from the AC outlet before unplugging the cart.
5. Store
   • Do not leave charger plugged in all summer
   • Disconnect the first battery cable; all main positive and negative connections
   • Do not engage the parking break, secure cart from rolling
   • Lift golf cart of the floor and secure with jack stands; front and back or add additional air to tires to prevent flat spots
   • Optional if applicable; Tow/Maintenance Switch
   • A tow run switch is used in golf carts with a separate ‘excited motor’ and corresponding ‘controller’. This excited motor draws a small amount of power at all times, even if the vehicle is not in use. This switch should be turned to “tow” anytime a golf cart is to be stored for a long period of time. This will ensure the charge will last as long as possible during your absence without the controller draining the batteries. Caution: consult instructions from the golf cart manufacturer to ensure proper practices are understood and followed.

Scorpions during the Monsoon & Summer months

August and September are typically the worst (most active) months for scorpions. While we use the very best pesticides and methods in doing them in, you as the homeowner can aid in the battle by properly sealing the home – ‘tightening up’ the physical barriers needed in keeping scorpions out of your home and garage. It takes only a 1/16 inch opening for a bark scorpion to get through and while the scorpion may have already tracked through our plant granules, powder and spray barriers, it usually takes 9 to 39 minutes to absorb through its’ exoskeleton and start taking effect and even longer to fully kill the scorpion – no matter what you’ve heard, there are no ‘immediate’ kill products for scorpions. So proper sealing is crucial, critical areas are all entry points into the home: doorways, windows and garage door corners. Check to make sure all doors are snug and have proper weather stripping all around, if you can see daylight coming in, it’s not properly sealed. Sliding glass doors should also have proper seals and be properly on their tracks. Check all windows so they close properly and are tight as well, having exterior screens on all windows provides another barrier. Garage door corners often have large openings due to the wood or vinyl strip pulling away from the home – it is recommended to place glue traps inside those garage corners. These vinyl strips should be replaced every few years along with the rubber gasket that runs the length and bottom of the garage door. Standing inside your garage with the door closed, look for daylight coming in at the corners and if you have a concrete seam down the center you can fill with a clear silicone caulking to block that opening.

2020 Hottest summer on record (since 1896)

This summer in Arizona temperatures soared above 119 degrees, and the weather service issued 50 most sever heat alert, along with the lack of clouds, rain, and storm activity some plants will not survive even with adequate irrigation. This year (2020) it’s only September and we continue to break, no smash, records for number of days above 115*, number of days (50) above 110*, and number of nights (28) with lows of 90 plus. I are into October and we continue to see 100+ temperatures and continue to break old records. High heat affects plants in many ways. Seeds may not be able to germinate; fruits or seeds may not form or will drop before maturing. Growth can be stunted, plants can die or be weakened and attract pests and diseases. These observable reactions occur because of the adverse effect high heat has on internal and microscopic activities within the plants. Problems arise in photosynthesis, the formation of hormones, enzymes and defense chemicals; in the intake of water and carbon dioxide, in weakening of the cell membranes.