List Birmingham - April 2021

List Birmingham - April 2021

M E L V I N ’ S M O N T H L Y M O M E N T S

APRIL 2021

205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM

YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

Colonel Jessep (Jack Nicholson) in “A Few Good Men“ says emphatically: “… you have the luxury of not knowing what I know.” In this edition, I wanted to share some “good stuff” I have learned about real estate over the past 24 years. I hope it is helpful to you. 1. Sewer Line Replacement: Sewer line replacement is expensive. Sewer lines can seem to work perfectly fine, even when they have a problem. When they stop working, the problem is often really expensive.

Suggestions:

large portion of water penetration issues would be solved with some very simple fixes:

a. If you have had a problem with roots, have the lines cleaned every 12–24 months. b. Buy insurance for $8.99 a month from HomeServe through Birmingham Water Works. I usually tell sellers to go ahead and get this insurance before they put their house on the market. There is a 30-day waiting period for coverage, but if a home inspection reveals an issue, this will be the best $8.99 you ever spent. The average cost

a. Clean your gutters.

b. Make sure your downspouts are clean and that they divert water away from your house.

c. Good gutter guard systems are worth the money.

3. Encapsulation: To protect your health and safety, if you have a crawlspace, encapsulation is worth the money. An encapsulated space with a water penetration system will protect your duct work and your home from mold, mildew, and a host of issues. 4. Radon: Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally. The Birmingham area poses a moderate risk for radon. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Your home can be tested for radon. If there are elevated levels, radon mitigation systems typically cost anywhere from $1,200–$2,000. Please let me know if you need a referral to any service providers that can address the issues cited in this newsletter or any housing- related issues — so you can handle the truth!

of a sewer line repair is over $5,000. If you had the insurance for 10 years, it would only cost you about $1,000. Most people should get this insurance.

2. Gutters: Everyone is afraid of water in the basement or crawlspace. Water causes mold and foundation issues. In my experience, a

-Melvin Upchurch

• 1 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM

THE CHALLENGE OF RECYCLING PLASTIC WHY IT’S HARD — AND HOW YOU CAN BE BETTER AT IT!

That Does What ?

Many of us recycle because we believe in the idea. With so much plastic waste ending up in oceans, rivers, and the side of the road, we want to do our part to make the world a little less polluted. So, why is it that plastic recycling seems so complicated? Plastic recycling varies greatly from city to city. Some cities have more comprehensive plastic recycling programs, while others don’t. But no matter the city, most plastic we intend for recycling is not recycled at all — it ends up in a landfill. Part of the reason is that it’s being sorted incorrectly. The other reason is simply ludicrous: Most plastic was never intended to be recycled in the first place — and it’s cheaper for companies to use brand-new plastic than it is to use recycled varieties. Another major problem is the fact that there are several types of plastic on the market, which makes recycling a complicated prospect. Most plastics cannot be recycled together, as their chemical composition varies just enough. If the wrong types of plastics are recycled together, the result is unusable. It’s just too degraded.

5 THINGS TO KEEP AWAY FROM YOUR DRAIN

When it comes to your kitchen or bathroom sink, the only thing that should be flowing down the drain is water. Of course, in the average household, you can call that a pipe dream (literally). So much gets rinsed down our drains, it’s no wonder plumbers are in such high demand! However, there are a few things you should never want to wash down the drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Not only can you end up with clogged or damaged pipes, but you’ll also have to deal with unpleasant, lingering odors. Fats This is one of the worst substances you can send into your home’s plumbing system. Once fat — such as bacon grease — hits the cold pipes under and around your house, it starts to congeal, becoming hard and waxy. Over time, fat will build up in the pipes, resulting in major blockage. High-Fiber Foods Certain foods like asparagus, carrots, celery, corn husks, and potato peels can spell trouble for your drain and disposal. Fibrous strands can get caught in the grinding plate of the disposal, which then build up and cause clogs. Additionally, high-fiber foods don’t wash away well, as fibrous strands can tangle and clump together in pipes. Seeds Seeds can cause serious problems. Large seeds (peach pits) aren’t going to go anywhere and may end up damaging your disposal or getting caught in your pipes. Smaller seeds aren’t much better and can be a challenge for the disposal if they become lodged in the grinding plate and pipe bends. Starches Foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice are heavy and absorb water. Because of this, they can become a thick mess inside your drainage system, much like fat. They can settle and accumulate, leading to, you guessed it, a clogged drain. Paper Paper towels, tissues, and napkins cause problems due to their fibrous makeup. The only type of paper that can safely be put down the drain (or flushed, in this case) is toilet paper. It’s specifically designed to disintegrate in water. And those popular “flushable” wipes should never be put down a drain; despite their advertising, they are not flushable and can do serious damage as they accumulate.

Most plastic is imprinted with a small number inside of a triangle — typically 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. This is not an official symbol that says the plastic is recyclable. It only tells you what type of plastic it is. In some communities, plastics labeled “1” and “2” can be recycled together. Sometimes, plastics labeled “4” and “5” have to be separated to be recycled. Some communities cannot even process certain types of plastic, and those will end up in the landfill no matter what. So, what can you do to be a better recycler? Make sure you’re recycling according to your community’s guidelines. Check your local waste department website for details on what types of plastic they can and cannot process. Alternatively, reduce the amount of single-use or limited-use plastic you use. Instead, use glass products when possible. Glass products last much longer than plastic, they’re better for the environment, they’re healthier — and they’re infinitely recyclable!

2 • 205-223-6192

BOOST YOUR HOME’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

With These 3 Products

With the development of accessible, affordable technologies and home products, improving the energy efficiency of your home is easier than ever. On top of that, many of these products give you more options for home automation so you can save money and stay comfortable without even thinking about it. Here are three investments that will boost your energy efficiency right now.

A Smart Thermostat

The great thing about smart thermostats is that they offer more programmable options than traditional thermostats. For example, you can buy a thermostat that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and is controlled by an accompanying smartphone app, no matter where you are. Another awesome feature is that smart thermostats will turn on and off based on your schedule and temperature preferences. In the long run, this feature can save you money and energy.

A Smart Water Heater

Generally, water heaters are not the most energy efficient — especially if you’re in a household where hot water is in constant demand. But with a smart water heater, you can change that. Much like the previously mentioned thermostat, you can control a smart water heater remotely or set it to heat water according to a specific schedule. This way, the heating elements aren’t running all day, every day. They come in tank and tankless varieties, though tankless is the way to go to maximize energy efficiency without taking up much space.

Next-Generation Insulation

While you might be familiar with fiberglass insulation, an industry standard, there are much better options that help you maintain the temperature in your home. For existing homes, spray foam insulation is the best option, as it is the easiest to install and can still save energy. It’s also ideal for insulating attics, basements, and hard-to-reach spots. For new homes or more involved renovations, insulating concrete forms are the most energy-efficient option.

SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE

... continued from Cover TAKE A BREAK

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

-Melvin Upchurch

• 3 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM

205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE

1

You Can’t Handle the Truth!

2

Never Put These Down the Drain!

Why Is Recycling Plastic So Complicated?

3

3 Home Products That Can Slash Your Energy Bill

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

4

5 Herbs That Thrive in Low Sunspots

THROW SOME SHADE AT YOUR PLANTS 5 HERBS THAT THRIVE IN LOW SUNSPOTS

An herb garden is a wonderful addition to any home. They attract honey bees, offer pleasant, mild aromas, and are ideal for the home cook. But there’s often one issue homeowners and apartment dwellers face: too much shade. However, several varieties of herb thrive in partial (2–4 hours of sun) or full shade (less than two hours).

Cilantro: Partial shade — grows fast and thrives in cooler temperatures.

Chives: Partial shade — it won’t flower as much in shade, but its culinary value isn’t affected.

Mint: Partial to full shade — grows fast and thrives in many conditions.

Oregano: Partial to full shade — like mint, it’s easy to grow and makes a great addition to many dishes.

Parsley: Partial shade — the Italian variety is a biennial herb and has a two-year growth cycle, but you don’t have to wait to harvest.

4 • 205-223-6192

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com