Winter has come, but it's never too late to pick up the essentials. Louie's ACE Home Center has all of the tools, heaters, and more to get you through the season. Check out our list to see if you have all of the necessary winter essentials for home!
Living in Reno, Nevada, you're never really sure what the winter will bring. For the days where the temperature is below freezing and dumping snow, our vent-free stoves are the perfect addition to your home. They are easy to install and bring all of the beauty and warmth of a fireplace to your home without the maintenance.
For the warmer winter days (aka anything over 45 degrees), our outdoor fire pits are a must-have! You and your friends can gather around the fire pit, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the "warm" winter's night.
Snow shovels are the go-to winter essentials for home during those winter storms. There are three types of snow shovels, and each of them has a specific function.
Plastic Shovels: Plastic snow shovels are an excellent choice if you are looking for something that is easy to use and lightweight. A common misconception about plastic snow shovels is that they're flimsy, but in actuality, they are able to hold and dispose of snow better than a metal snow shovel. Because plastic shovels can become worn down over time (depending on how much it snows in your area), it is recommended that you don't use this shovel to scrape ice.
Steel Shovels: If you are looking for a shovel that will last you through several winters, a steel snow shovel is the way to go. They are optimal for scraping both the ice and snow from your driveway and pathway. However, because they are made of steel, these shovels are heavier and require more energy to operate than a plastic or aluminum shovel.
Aluminum Shovels: Aluminum snow shovels are a happy medium between plastic and steel shovels. While they are more durable than plastic shovels and much lighter than steel shovels, they tend to bend easily. When you are shoveling your driveway or scraping away at the ice, make sure that you aren't putting in too much force to prevent bending your shovel.
With the temperatures dropping lower and lower, it is time to think about purchasing a standby or a portable generator for your home. Here are a few reasons why a generator should be a winter essential for your home:
Backup Heater: Nothing is worse than your thermostat deciding to bite the bullet just as the cold weather begins to set in. In this situation, you have the ability to call your local repair service and have them send someone over to fix it. But when you are left without power, a huge concern is how you're going to keep your family and yourself warm. These are the times when owning a backup generator comes in handy.
Keep Appliances Running: In the event of a power outage, you want to ensure that all of your appliances, primarily your refrigerator, keep running. Purchasing a generator will not only supply power to your home appliances, but also supply power to your home security system, computers, cell phones, and more.
Winter is in full swing here in Nevada, and we at Louie's ACE Home Center want to make sure that the residents of Reno are fully prepared for the chilly season. Come on in and grab your winter home essentials!
As the seasons change, you might realize you need a different look in your home. A room can lose its luster when it has old paint or wallpaper on it. A proper coat of paint can truly light up a room. This can pair with any style you might like and there are many fun things you can do with paint. For a first timer, things can get confusing which is why we composed a list of painting tips for your home's walls.
You might not realize, but like anything else, walls can get dirty. In most cases, they are left without being cleaned for years (who has that kind of time). As you plan to create a new look in your home the first step is to wipe down those walls. You can remove dirt/lint/dust with a tack cloth. After grabbing a bucket, water, and a cleaner give your wall a well-deserved wipe down. Give your walls a chance to air dry by removing all outlet and light switch covers. Lastly, we don’t want you to get anything on your furniture. One of the most important painting tips is make sure to cover anything and everything!
We all have different styles and ideas of how our houses should look. One of the most important painting tips for walls is making sure you get the right paint. Most hardware stores have services to match your paint. Along with getting the right color to know the difference between oil and water based paints, use denatured alcohol on a rag to wipe existing paint. If paint comes off on the rag the paint is water based. If there is no residue that comes off then you will have an oil based paint.
When you think about paint in a house I’m sure your first thoughts are different colors or plain neutral color. The last thing on your mind is about the different sheens incorporated into colors. This feature is actually very important for certain areas in your house. It either brightens and enhances how your wall looks, giving more detail (shinier sheen). Flat paint is good for a low traffic room such as bedrooms and hallways.
Paint is definitely needed in order to paint a house. However, the tools to apply the product are also extremely important. Having quality materials can help decrease streaks and help apply a smoother finish. When buying your materials, it is better to buy more. The reason is you will spend less time cleaning rollers and less money on running water. If you need a break once you start painting, a painting tip is to cover your brush or roller with plastic bags and keep them in the fridge. This will keep the paint fresh and ready to use once you start your project again. Once the project is finally finished, store your brushes in a plastic baggie. This way the next time you use them they won’t be dried out.
Don’t be fooled, taking on a painting project can be exciting. However, it is a long process and knowing some painting tips for walls will help make this adventure a little easier. First, use low odor and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints for a safer environment for you and your family. When you finally choose a color make sure to use contrasting trims to make the room pop. Also, if you are using dark paints make sure you let the wall dry for 6 hours between coats. This way you won’t rewet the paint causing streaks and patches to happen during your next coat. Lastly, make sure to save some of your paint for future touch-ups throughout your house.
Looking for a paint match or materials in order to paint your home? Check out Fallon's local hardware store, Louie's Ace Hardware. We will have everything you need to get you started on your next project! We offer ACE hardware rentals such as paint sprayers and fixture sprayer rentals for your painting project.
For those on the fence, we put together a list of four of the best reasons to buy a swamp cooler this summer.
Let’s be honest, sometimes one of the best reasons to get a swamp cooler in Fallon is to save money. According to ConsumerEnergyCenter.org, swamp coolers use up to 75 percent less energy than air conditioning, saving on average about $150 a year. Use those savings for the next vacation with family and friends.
An air conditioner will generally take longer to cool the house and it may take a while to meet your level of comfort and satisfaction. Mobile swamp coolers eliminate that problem by targeting your area of recreation, cooling the air in a few minutes.
This benefit is for those choosing a mobile swamp cooling system.
For those considering a big swamp cooler to replace an air conditioning unit, you’ll find the savings to be worth it. According to the National Association of Home Builders, a big swamp cooler costs between $700 and $1,000, whereas central air conditioning units tend to cost several thousand dollars.
Simply put, swamp coolers use moisture to produce fresh, clean air. Nevada has always been a dry climate, but adding a little moisture to your room can benefit your skin’s complexion.
If you’re ready to join the swamp cooler revolution, come in to Louie’s ACE Home Center today and ask us how we can keep you cool this summer.
Long a tradition for some families, canning has seen resurgence in popularity alongside the growing admiration for mason jars. Food that has been canned can last for years, extending the life of your food and preventing waste, and now even more so than ever there are great ways to add personal touches to your canned food making them great gifts for friends and family.
Methods of CanningThere are two methods of canning, each corresponding to the type of food you are looking to can. It is important that you choose the correct method for what you want to can. This can be crucial in ensuring your food isn’t susceptible to bacteria.
Water Bath Canning: This method is used for foods and vegetables with acidic content. This is what you use for jams and jellies as well as for pickles. The process of water bath canning is fairly easy, and is a great starting point for beginner canners.
Pressure Canning: Using the pressure canning method is for foods with low acidic content including vegetables, meats and poultry, and seafood. This particular method requires a lot of attention because if the process is done incorrectly, this food can spoil very easily.
While there are two different methods depending on what you’re planning to can, there are things to keep in mind with both methods that are important to making sure your food is properly canned, thus making sure your food is optimally protected.
For both methods, be sure to select your favorite recipe and follow those instructions carefully. It is important to reduce the entry points for bacteria before the food is placed within the jars. When done correctly, food is edible for one to five years depending on what you’ve canned.
With the Mason jar trend at a peak, there are more options than ever to add a personal touch to your canned foods. Lots of DIY elements including chalkboard paint on the lids or die-cut labels are great ways to add a personal touch, especially when gifting things such as jams to friends and family.
One thing we have here at Louie’s ACE that we love are the purple heritage jars; they resemble desert glass and are special edition, which means as soon as they sell out, they’re gone!
Visit Louie’s ACE today to see all of our food canning supplies!
If you can’t remember the last time you tested or replaced your carbon monoxide or smoke detectors, then you’re likely putting your home, and most importantly your family at risk.
Both your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors follow a similar testing schedule. These safety devices should be tested monthly, and if they are not hardwired, should have their batteries replaced twice a year. Even some of the hardwired devices will have backup batteries that allow for them to continue keeping your family safe even in the event of a power outage.
It is likely that some devices require less frequent checking, as per the directions in their manual, but it is always best to aim on the side of caution and check more often then not.
1. Have a family member stand in a distant location from the device in your home, this will help you ensure the volume of the smoke detector is loud enough.
2. Press and hold the test button hopefully producing a loud, piercing noise. If it sounds faint or non-existent, then try replacing the batteries and try pressing the test button again.
3. Clear any dust or cobwebs that may be on the smoke detector, these can muffle the sound, and reduce the alarm’s effectiveness.
4. Try testing it with real smoke by lighting a match and blowing it out directly below the safety device. If it doesn’t go off, consider replacing the batteries.
1. Hold down on the testing button
2. Wait for the beeping noise
3. Release the button
4. Replace the batteries if you hear no beeping
No matter how strict you are in keeping a maintenance schedule for these safety devices, your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are not everlasting. If any of these tests are conducted and batteries do not fix the issue, it is likely time to replace the safety device.
It is also important to replace these items according to the standards within their manual, with a general rule of replacing:
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are important safety devices for your home. They can detect the undetected and can let you know of danger before it’s too late.
If you think your safety devices are past their prime and its time to replace them, then stop by Louie’s ACE Home Center today! We are more than happy to help you find the right replacements that will guarantee your family is safe.
Whether you are looking for a bounce house or cotton candy machine for your child’s birthday party, or tables and chairs for your next big family gathering, the last place you may think to look is your local ACE Home Center. Although we do offer ACE hardware rentals, we offer ACE hardware party rentals as well.
But, there is a little known secret to throwing any kind of party in and around Fallon. Louie’s ACE Home Center is more than a hardware store. We offer ACE hardware rentals and ACE hardware party rentals. It has tents, bounce houses, tables, chairs, and even cotton candy machines to rent. Locals know Louie’s is the best place to get rentals in Fallon.
You can plan a party on budget when you go to Louie’s ACE Home Center for your party rental needs. Here are just a few creative ways you can use party rentals to add happiness to any type of gathering.
Bounce Houses are lots of fun. But, did you know adults can enjoy them too? Consider adding a bounce house to your company event and giving adults permission to jump. At Louie’s ACE Home Center, you can find bounce houses that are rated for all ages fun.
The temperature is dropping, but that doesn’t end your ability to have an outdoor event. Tents with walls hold heat well. Or, place the tent against a structure during the day for shade and residual warmth.
Tables and chairs can be used year-round. Expand your indoor space by adding tables and chairs in your living room for Thanksgiving dinner. Or, pair up tables and chairs with one of our tents for a comfortable fall outdoor luncheon.
Cotton Candy Machines: Cotton candy machines make great party additions. They are also good for fundraisers. School is back in session and your fall fundraiser could include delicious cotton candy with one of the machine rentals from Louie’s ACE Home Center.
So, you see, there are many creative uses for ACE hardware party rentals and you can get all of them at Louie’s ACE Home Center in Fallon. We have also expanded our party department to include balloons, pinatas, tablecloths, napkins, plates, and much more!
The first snowflakes of the year have fallen and, if you haven’t begun winterizing your sprinkler system, you need to. Split or ruptured pipes can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair.
We have put together some easy, step-by-step instructions on how you can winterize your sprinkler system yourself. We recommend the same technique used in the northeast, the blow out method, for winterizing a sprinkler system.
This method gets all the water out of the lines and is an easy and effective way to winterize. You can get all the parts for this do-it-yourself project at Louie’s ACE Home Center.
Use an air compressor with an 80 to 100 cubic foot per minute (CFM) rating. Make sure the sprinkler system you want to winterize has a mainline for water of 2-inches or less. You can purchase an air compressor, or rent one from our ACE hardware rentals. We have all the hook ups as well.
Locate the air hose connections. Make sure you use a connection located after the PVB back flow preventer. In the Fallon area, homes built in the last 15-20 years have a back-flow preventer on the sprinkler system. If you don’t have one, crack the pipe and the sprinkler valve and connect the air hose there to assist you in winterizing the sprinkler system.
You can make your own attachment (a jig) and connect it to your irrigation system. We can help you locate the parts and make it. Jigs are made with a washing machine hose, cut to 18 inches, a quick coupling, and a threaded to bared connector to combine the coupling and the hose. Screw it into the existing hose bib.
Trace the pipe back or locate the main water meter for your house. Make sure no new water can flow into the lines.
Most systems have a drain plug or sill cock drain. Open the valve and drain it into a bucket. Allow the pipe to drain completely. Go outside and close the back-flow isolation valves. Open and drain the test cocks on the PVB.
Keep the valves closed and attach the air compressor hose to the fitting. DO NOT run a compressor with an open valve. It can lead to a damaged zone valve gate.
Start with the zone which is highest in elevation and furthest from the compressor and turn it on. Blow out each zone for two minutes. Do this until no water can be seen coming out of the heads. Repeat the process until it is dry.
Disconnect the air compressor and release any air pressure from the lines. Open and drain all test cocks on the PVB to make sure no water is left inside.
You do this to ensure any trapped water is gone from the upper areas of your system. Turn and leave these valves at a 45-degree angle to complete winterizing your sprinkler system.
If you rented the compressor from our ACE hardware rentals, don’t forget to return it in a timely manner so someone else can use it to winterize their sprinkler system. Happy winterizing!
Are you ready to start planning for your spring and summer camping trips? A few months ago we showed you how to winterize your RV to get ready for the colder months. Now, we'd like to share our best tips for de-winterizing your RV, so that you can be on the way for your next adventure.
Before you go out for a trip, make sure you check your RV for gaps, cracks, and tears. You’ll want to fix these before the season starts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Imagine spring cookouts, breezy air, and a lush, green lawn to enjoy it all on. In Fallon, Nevada, keeping a nice lawn can take a lot of work. Unlike other climates, it takes the use of sprinklers and regular upkeep to keep your grass bright and vibrant. With that comes regular maintenance, especially after the winter season. Luckily, at Louie's Ace Hardware, we have all of the lawn care hardware rentals that you need to have the yard that you've been dreaming of.
After the long winter, thatch can build up and prevent your grass from looking its best. When the dead grass that gets stuck between living grass and the soil is not able to receive proper air, water, and nutrients, your lawn can look less than stellar. At Louie's Ace Hardware, we carry all the lawn care hardware rentals you need to remove thatch and restore your lawn to its prime.
It's that time of the year again! Time to aerate your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to get to get to the grass roots. If you're lawn is looking dead and colorless, this is a great way to alleviate soil compaction. In dryer climates like Nevada, aerating can save your lawn. Stop by our hardware rentals department for all the equipment you need to get your lawn looking in tip-top shape!
Weeding or digging a garden by hand can be tedious and time consuming. That's where a rototiller comes in hand. These handy tools can make gardening a breeze. We carry them as a rental item, so that you can have the added convenience without the pressure to store them throughout the year.
A lawn roller can be great for erasing damage caused to your lawn throughout the winter. You can flatten ant and mole hills quickly, and make your lawn look flawless.
There's nothing that says spring more than a lush lawn. So what are you waiting for? Stop by to check out our ACE hardware rentals you may need for your lawn and garden this season. We make lawn care and other hardware rentals easy and affordable, and our knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to assist you. Want to inquire about our hardware rentals? Give us a call. We hope to see you soon!
With winter upon us, our homes are much colder and our electricity bills are skyrocketing. Turning up the heater is the first thing we do as soon as we feel the cold, but there are other alternatives. If you invest in the appropriate window coverings, you won’t have to run the heater as often and will save a bunch of money. Although, purchasing blinds can require a large upfront payment, you are making an investment in your home and it will pay off.
Of course it does! Windows are the greatest source of cold into and warmth out of your house. It has been said that windows account for 40% of heat loss in homes. You spend all this money on a heater, just to lose almost half of it to the outside. Window coverings wouldn’t allow this loss to occur. If you are able to trap a layer of air in between blinds and the window, the heat won’t be able to escape and cold won’t be able to enter.
Making the most of the newest addition to your home is actually quite simple. The best way to control the temperature in your home without touching the thermostat is to time the opening and closing of your blinds. During the day, you are going to want to open the blinds to let in all the sunlight and warmth. However, when dusk falls, close the blinds to keep the natural heat inside and the cold out.
Because every home and customer is different, there is not a one-size-fits-all window covering. The perfect window covering for you depends on the style you are looking for, the size of your windows, and the cold protection you desire. Louie’s Ace Hardware offers a wide variety of mini-blinds and basic rollers to fit any need. In addition, at Louie’s, you are able to special order products from Hunter Douglas. Whatever your style, we have you covered!
For other home projects, we also offer ACE hardware rentals if needed. Contact us today!
