Winter home maintenance plays a very important role in the protection of your home. With the cold weather that winter brings, comes harsh conditions that can be tough on your house. One of the most difficult things to deal with during the cold months of the year are frozen pipes. Here is a brief guide for protecting your home from the detrimental damages that come from frozen pipes.
The most effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to wrap them with foam insulation. It is a good idea to wrap all of the pipes in your home to ensure protection. However, the most important pipes are those that are 6 inches or less from outside walls or are run through areas of the house that are not heated. Make sure that the insulation is wrapped tightly around the pipes to keep out the cold. Also, ensure that the joints are wrapped and taped to ensure protection.
If your pipes freeze, you need to try to thaw them as soon as possible. While it is important to unfreeze them quickly, you need to be strategic so the pipes don’t burst. Thawing an area of the pipe too quickly can cause it to burst.
The first step is to open the taps to the frozen lines and turn up the heat in your house. If the pipe is in a room that is not heated, a space heater can be very useful. Then, you will want to start thawing the pipe in sections, starting closest to the faucet. A blow dryer can be the perfect tool for this, it’s just enough heat to thaw the pipe and not too much.
Shut off the water to your house immediately. If you don’t know where it’s at, I would recommend that you go find it now. Generally, the main water valve is located near a water meter. This is the main source of water into your home and if it is shut off quickly, the damages from a burst pipe will be minimized.
Louie’s ACE always has a stock of winter home maintenance supplies and experts to answer your questions. Protect your home this winter and give us a call!
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.
When you’re searching the aisles for the best product to use for your upcoming project, it’s good to see a familiar brand in Nevada hardware. One that you already know and trust. When you’re looking for a drill that is durable and built to last, you’ll probably look at a Craftsmen or a Black and Decker. And if you want the best wood fire grill you’ll most likely head straight for the Traegers. At Louie’s, we’re happy to share with you the quality national brands that you know and trust.
Toro creates high-performance landscaping equipment ideal for homeowners. At Louie’s Home Center, we carry various Toro lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and string trimmers that are perfect for maintaining your lawn and garden this summer. Summer is the perfect time to get your yard looking its best, and to get there you should use the best products to care for it.
One of the most popular brands of lawn food, soil, and weed control is Scotts. You’ve probably seen the name placed inside the green oval on their packaging in stores, and Louie’s is proud to be one of them. If you’re looking for a green and luscious looking lawn this summer, give Scotts brand products a try.
If you want a cooler that can handle trekking through your summer adventures with you, then a Yeti cooler will be your go-to. Not only does this brand carry high-quality hard and soft coolers, they also make stainless steel, insulated thermoses, mugs and tumblers. You can depend on the durability of Yeti products, and you can pick up one of these coolers or tumblers right here at Louie’s.
This is another brand that puts out high caliber products that you can count on. Stihl creates outdoor power equipment that will last throughout the seasons. At Louie's, we offer battery operated Stihl products that will not only keep your yard in tip top shape, but these battery powered items are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. From chainsaws to hedge trimmers, Stihl carries a wide variety of outdoor tools which will come in handy for the summer season.
Craftsman is a well known brand of hand and power tools. When you're looking for something reliable and durable, you may want to consider using a Craftsman tool. They have a wide variety of screwdrivers, hammers, saws, drills, and so much more. And you can now find Craftsman tools at Louie's Ace Hardware.
At Louie's, we strive to provide our customers with the best hardware products and hardware rentals available. Whether it be for purchase or rent through ACE hardware rentals, our friendly employees are experts at finding the best brand for you. Whether you're concerned about your budget or have a specific product in mind, we can help you decide. Connect with Louie's Ace Home Center or view our products and hardware rentals today!
Being a homeowner is a job in itself. Homes require regular maintenance in order to properly function and provide the protection you need. Luckily, keeping a routine of regular maintenance can help ease the workload throughout the year. Here’s our helpful home maintenance checklist to help ensure you don’t miss a thing.
These are home improvements that can be done at any time of the year and should be done regularly to ensure they remain functioning properly. Be sure to check these things between every month and every few months.
Fall is a great time to take on general home maintenance projects because of the moderate temperatures and dry weather. Start your home maintenance checklist by first inspecting the interior and exterior of your home, then, get started. Here are some things you can do to help prepare your home for the colder weather:
It’s important that you adequately prepare for the winter season. The last thing you want happening is a burst pipe or a heating unit that doesn’t work properly. Here’s a list of things you’ll want to check before the cold weather takes over:
This is the perfect time to get your home back to looking its best. Hopefully by this time the weather has calmed down and you can get your home back in order. It’s time to welcome the warmer weather and prepare your home for the heat. Use this spring home maintenance checklist as a guide:
You want to do as much maintenance as you can before summer really hits so you can make the most out of the hot weather and long days. Most of the necessary home improvement projects for the summer season can be done in the spring. Here’s some things you can tackle in the summer:
Louie's Ace Hardware has all the tools you'll need to complete any home improvement project you want to tackle. Our highly knowledgeable staff are happy to help you find the best tool to use in your DIY project, and can help guide you in the right direction to a successful home improvement job. Connect with us today, or view our products list!
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!
Are you bored with your kitchen? Is your kitchen in need of a change? When it comes to refreshing your kitchen, the possibilities are endless! And kitchen cabinets are a great place to start. Depending on your budget, there are many options to refresh your kitchen cabinets. From simply polishing your cabinets to replacing them all together, Louie’s Ace Hardware has tips and supplies to help you along the way.
If you aren’t looking to spend a lot of money or invest a lot of time, simply cleaning your kitchen cabinets can make a noticeable difference. Removing the dirt and grease that builds up over time and restoring the shine will make your kitchen cabinets look and feel like new.
Contrary to popular belief, kitchen cabinets are actually one of the dirtiest areas in your home. There are few others that are more exposed to grease, dirt, and bacteria than your cabinets. With some of them being at children and pet level, germs can collect quickly. And with food being prepared above them, spills are not uncommon and the food can leave a residue even after wiping it up. Properly cleaning your kitchen cabinets will give them an improved look and keep your family protected from bacteria and disease.
Here at Louie’s Ace Home Center, we offer two great cleaning products for your kitchen cabinets: Magic’s Cabinet & Wood Cleaner & Polish Spray and Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Magic’s cleaner works to get dirt, dust, food stains, grease, and water marks off your cabinets. After removing the unwanted stains and dirt, your cabinets are left with a protective coating to resist more stains. Magic’s is recommended for all wood surfaces and can be used on painted and laminate cabinets and cabinets with a lacquer finish.
Murphy’s Original oil soap works great on wooden cabinets, floors, and furniture.
Over the past several years, painted cabinets have become extremely popular. This new trend gained its popularity because it is modern, simple, and low cost. When painting your cabinets, there is a set of steps that can be followed to ensure the best results.
Once the paint has dried, you can re-attach your cabinet doors and enjoy your beautiful, new kitchen cabinets!
Looking for a cheap and easy way to change up your kitchen? Simply add new knobs and pulls to your kitchen cabinets and notice the difference. I know this trick almost sounds too good to be true, but it really works!
Cabinets are a significant part of homes because they take up so much space. If they are plain, they can make the whole room feel dull. Kitchen cabinets are no exception to this, as cabinets usually take up the majority of the space. People usually think to change the lighting or the cabinet color or appliances, but the simple fix is usually forgotten. Because knobs and pulls are a small, inexpensive part of your kitchen, they are often overlooked.
If you take advantage of this minor change, you won’t regret it. Stop by Louie’s Ace Hardware to check out our selection of knobs and pulls and thank us later. Once the new accessories are installed, your kitchen will be given a whole new look.
Out with the old and in with the new. Sometimes, the best way to go when it comes to your old kitchen cabinets, is to simply replace them. Although painting them or changing the hardware will make a significant difference, replacing them might be necessary. You can change the color and knobs, but you can’t change the cut of the wood, the size, or the design.
If you are looking to completely replace your current kitchen cabinets, Louie’s Ace Hardware can help! We carry products of the leading cabinet manufacturer for over 50 years, Wellborn Cabinets. Wellborn offers a wide variety of options to choose from with 6 individual product lines. We provide their products because Wellborn has high quality, durable cabinets.
Whatever you decide to do, Louie’s Ace Hardware wants to help! We have the best cleaning materials and paints, a wide variety of knobs and pulls, and the highest quality cabinets to choose from. We also offer a variety of ACE hardware rentals. If you have any questions about the products we sell, please contact us!
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.
