courtesy of shutterstock

Beneath the Surface
What's under your feet, on top of your counters and alongside your sink?
The surfaces we take for granted deserve our care and attention, too.

Maintain your Surfaces the Right Way
For Acid Spills
When there are accidents with orange juice, wine and other acidic substances, don't wipe! Instead, top the area with multiple clean towels until the liquid is entirely absorbed. Then you can use warm, damp clean towels to blot the area until the remaining stickiness is gone. If a stain remains, your best bet is to immediately reach out to a professional.

For Everyday Dirt & Grime
Icky fingers, minor spills, food, dust, oils and more can jeopardize the integrity of your sealer, as well as stone, grout, carpet and fabrics. Carpets should be cleaned professionally every six months while hard surfaces should be deep cleaned and sealed at least once every 18 months. Choose a company that uses EPA-approved non-toxic, non-corrosive solutions and pro-quality sealers that may be guaranteed as long as that company maintains your surfaces. Keep them in good condition between pro cleanings by using water-based solutions and soft cloths at least once a week.
Surface Busters 312-2369

Have a Bare Concrete Surface?
Consider Concrete Coatings that are Four Times Stronger than Epoxy
Take a look at this gorgeous back patio the ALLBRiGHT Concrete Coatings crew just professionally coated! The homeowners absolutely love the look and feel of their new patio.
As part of the preparation process, they used 600-pound floor grinders to profile the concrete, followed by crack and pit filling with a proprietary concrete mender to ensure a lasting finish. The ALLBRiGHT polyurea concrete coatings are four times stronger than epoxy and are guaranteed not to crack, chip or peel and can professionally coat a variety of bare concrete surfaces including garage floors, driveways, walkways, patios and pool decks. Free onsite estimates are available.
ALLBRiGHT 846-2928

What's your 2020 Vision for your Home?
It's a new decade, Babe. Is your home ready for the Roaring '20s? We see smart revisions,
new furniture and upgrades galore in your future.

See New, Easy-care Furniture
In 2020, we envision less time maintaining (Or stressing about.) what we have and more time enjoying it. New fabric blends, available in hundreds of colors and styles, are easier to clean than ever - making them top choices for homes that are entertaining, pet and kid friendly. Right now, A Royal Suite is celebrating the grand opening of their third location with discounts up to 70 percent off throughout the store.
A Royal Suite 259-7000

See Digital Favorites Transformed into Art
Having a high-end camera in your pocket is an incredible advantage - you've captured so many wonderful memories! But how many have you actually printed and displayed? In 2020, we're resolving to make memory magic by having the best of the best professionally framed with acid-free heirloom-quality mats and more.
FASTFRAME 291-1325

See the Same Spaces, Reimagined
You're in your home more than any place else - shouldn't you love to live in it? In 2020, resolve to feel truly at home, thanks to well-designed spaces crafted with function and aesthetics in mind. And you don't have to do it on your own - leave the custom upholstery, furniture selection, layout, color selection, fabric choices, lighting and staging to a professional designer to celebrities with 15 years experience. Consultations are complimentary through January.
Courtney Michaels Interior Designer 390-5925

Water Wise in 2020
In the SCV, water is kind of a big deal. Being water wise in 2020 means knowing when and how to preserve it - or prevent it.

Water Damage?
Call a Restoration Expert First
Between holiday strains (Extra guests, extra showers, extra dishes, oh my!) and winter rains, water can be our best friend - or worst enemy - this time of year.

When a pipe bursts, a roof leaks, a dishwasher overflows or water seeps, immediate action is necessary to stop the flow and minimize the damage. Calling a restoration professional first can prevent additional secondary damage like mold and mildew and, if you need to be temporarily relocated, get you back home faster.

"Water remediation is more complicated than it seems, when done correctly," says Joel Moss, co-owner of Paul Davis Restoration of Santa Clarita. "Some homeowners think that if they just mop up the surface water, all is well - but there can be incredible damage done to flooring substructures, drywall and more that can lead to very pricey replacements and health risks when not addressed promptly."

An appropriate restoration after water damage, according to Moss, will include a thorough assessment; pro-grade water extraction; drying of all affected areas including walls, carpet, padding and furniture; cleaning and restoration of affected possessions like clothes, linens, books and documents; remediation of any mold or mildew damage; reconstruction services and storm repair, as needed; and location and repair of cause, so that the issue doesn't happen again.

The good news is that your insurance company should cover most water-damage incidents. "We work directly with every insurance company to reduce the stress on our clients," says Moss, "because having water damage can be stressful enough!"
Paul Davis Restoration of Santa Clarita 310-0884

SCV Water's 2020 Gardening Classes will Teach You How to Care for your Landscape Year-round
SCV Water has a comprehensive free gardening class program to help you care for your landscape. Find a class that meets your specific needs or try them all! Dive in and learn something new that you'll be able to use in your landscape.

Each month there are two types of classes:
Saturdays from 9am to 12pm One Time per Year
These foundational classes provide an in-depth look at a variety of landscaping topics including proper pruning, water-wise vegetable gardening, planning your landscape project from design to construction, drip irrigation, landscaping with perennials, shrubs and native plants, the basics of sustainable landscape, proper turf care and substitutes, controlling weeds/pests/diseases, trees for the SCV, SCV soils and fertilizers and how to remove a lawn.

Evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Offered Two Times per Year
These classes focus on sustainable landscaping - from planning and plant selection and care to design, irrigation and maintenance. Choose from topics like creating a landscaping plan and budget, designing a sustainable landscape, the top-30 plants for the SCV and their care, irrigating a sustainable landscape and maintaining a sustainable landscape.
Log on to register. yourscvwater.com