Here’s some helpful advice on carpet maintenance and things you may want to know about carpet expectations.

Vacuum carpeting frequently to avoid the buildup of dirt and grime.

Eliminate carpet-shedding fibers as they appear. Loose carpet fibers will work their way to the surface for quite sometime. This is known as fluffing or shedding. Vacuum these fibers as part of your routine cleaning. If a tuft of carpet appears which is longer than the surface rounding carpet, do not try to pull it out. It is probably attached to the backing and simply needs to be trimmed to the height of the surrounding tufts.

Visible carpet seams are to be expected and are not an indication of a fault in the carpet. Most rolls of carpet are produced in 12-foot widths. This dictates that most of your rooms will have at least one seam.

Professional installers will attempt to install your carpet with minimal amount of seams and without excessive waste. Seams are most visible in a new home before it has been furnished and occupied. Visible seams are not a defect unless they have been improperly made or the material is defective. The carpet is durable but requires maintenance and care. Color variations and shading may be noticeable, and depend upon the surface texture and pile fiber of the carpet.

In high traffic areas and carpeted areas adjoining hard surfaces, it is recommended that an un-backed cotton throw rug be used to minimize carpet soiling.

Remove spills immediately. Stain removal is easier if it is done promptly.  See manufacturer recommendations for recommended carpet cleaning products. Cleaning products should be tested on a section of carpeting that is not obvious. Do not use cleaners that have not been tested and certified for the carpeting materials in your home.

Thoroughly clean your carpets at least once each year. While do-it-yourself carpet shampoo devices can be effective, consider a professional carpet cleaner. The professional equipment, materials, and experience will add years of life to your carpets.

Now that you know what to expect from your design appointment from one of our previous posts, here are some of the tips and guidelines to help you prepare for your design meeting.

First of all, seize the opportunity! You may have already asked yourself “why should I upgrade now when I can do it on my own after I move in?” With Fulton Homes, you will experience one stop shopping in your own personal appointment with a trained consultant. In most cases, you will be able to roll the cost of the options into your loan. Nevermind having to race all over town from one store to the next in search of the right products and reliable installers. Now is the time to install options without disrupting your home. Changing your ceramic tile, carpet, hardwood or other products after you move in can be an extensive process. Be advised that you may risk damaging your home and it can sometimes void your warranty on other installed products.

Your Fulton Homes contractors have been carefully selected. They have the proper insurance, quality assurance practices and warranty commitments that provide you with the peace of mind that you will receive quality products that are expertly installed. Lastly, we encourage you to make the most of your selection meeting by bringing with you a cushion off your sofa, a fabric swatch from your new chair, a paint chip or even a picture from a magazine of a beautiful room that inspired you.

We hope these tips will help you in preparation for your design meeting. If you would like any further tips, please let us know by leaving a comment here!

Be KOOL is an is educational partnership with KOOL FM that offers weekly recognition and prizes to junior high school students for academic achievements. It culminates with four $4,000 scholarships which are awarded in June to the four outstanding KOOL scholarship winners. The Fulton Homes Be KOOL Stay in School Program recognizes students who have made a strong commitment to their education and community. Valley residents may nominate junior high students from Maricopa County public, private and charter schools by submitting a form describing the student’s achievements and qualifications. Co-sponsors Fulton Homes and KOOL Radio, along with representatives from local schools evaluate each student for scholastic, extracurricular and attendance achievements and choose one weekly winner who receives a backpack full of prizes. For more information or to fill out a nomination form please visit www.koolradio.com.

You can enjoy big energy savings at the window with some of the most energy efficient window covering products and you may also qualify for a Federal Tax Credit of up to $1500! Read on to learn more:

1. Purchase any qualifying energy-efficient Hunter Douglas products within the following collections:
   • Alustra^® Duette^® Architella^® honeycomb shades with certain fabrics and options*
   • Duette^® Architella^® honeycomb shades with certain fabrics and options*
   • LiteRise^® TrimKit (for use on certain Duette^® and Applause^® honeycomb shades)*

   * For a detailed list of the qualifying products and restrictions download the Manufacturer’s Certification Statements available on this page.

2. Save your original purchase receipts for the amount paid for the qualifying Hunter Douglas products. (Measuring and Installation charges are not eligible for this tax credit.)
3. Download the Hunter Douglas Manufacturer’s Certification Statements (available at left here). Print out the certificate and take it along with your sales receipt to your tax professional to determine your eligibility for this tax credit.

Solutions to common ceramic tile problems

As part of giving back to the community, Fulton Homes has created a Fulton Cares section which highlights the many ways in which we are building energy efficient homes, and helping the environment at the same time.

At Fulton Homes, we use energy efficient building processes that make the homes we build today far more efficient than those of just 3-4 years ago.  We have a Power Wise certification from a third party testing group in all of our east valley homes.  We use 13-14 SEER AC units in all of our homes, Low-E windows, higher insulation, and most of our appliances are Energy Star certified.  The homes built today are far more efficient and cost less to operate than used homes.  Take a look at the items below to see how Fulton Cares.

• Energy Efficient GE Appliances
• Shaw Flooring Recycling Program
• Masonite Doors
• Kohler Bath Fixtures
• Moen Bath Fixtures
• SRP PowerWise Homes
• Trane Clean Effects
• Fulton Homes Lumber Recycling
• Fulton Homes Insulation Program
• Fulton Homes HVAC Systems

Click here to read more about our ENERGY STAR participation.

Fulton Homes Kicks-Off Summer Fence Patrol Initiative – Valley Water Safety Program Encourages Parents take Measures to Protect Kids around Water

The Fulton Homes Fence Patrol is once again gearing up to prepare families for the 2010 summer pool season. The Fence Patrol program, which was founded by Tempe-based Fulton Homes, aims to educate parents about keeping children safe around pools. As part of the program, Valley residents are encouraged to nominate themselves or a family for a free pool fence.

From now through July 25, Fulton Homes will be teaming up with KMLE Country 108 FM radio to award Valley families a free pool fence plus installation. The Fence Patrol program will kick-off Thursday, April 22, from 5am to 9am at Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Restaurant on 37^th Street and Van Buren. Valley-favorite radio personalities Tim & Willy will begin the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol with a live remote at the restaurant. Already in 2010, four deaths, including three children, have resulted from 21 water related incidents this year, according to childrensafetyzone.com. In 2009, 49 deaths, including 16 children, resulted from 153 water-related incidents. The fences are specifically designed to meet city codes for optimum safety.

“As the hotter months approach, families will be taking off the pool covers and spending more time outdoors,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “Drowning incidents can happen in seconds, and they can happen to any family. Pool fences are one preventative measure families can take in making sure they never encounter one of these tragedies. Fulton Homes knows that every fence is an effort towards lowering the saddening statistics.”

The first pool fence is scheduled to be awarded to a deserving family and installed on Tuesday, May 4. Fulton Homes in conjunction with KMLE 108 FM and Ironman Pool Fences will continue to award a new family each week for twelve weeks following that first May 4 installation.

Fulton Homes has always been a proud proponent for Water Safety in the Phoenix area. The long-running Two Seconds is Too Long campaign has helped raise awareness of the tragedy of child drownings. The “Fulton Homes Fence Patrol” pool fence program has helped hundreds of people equip their homes with barriers to help prevent youngsters from falling into the pool. The company also supports the Valley of the Sun YMCA, providing swimming lessons to disadvantaged youths who learn valuable life skills, including personal safety and growth, stroke development, rescue and water sports.

Fulton Homes views homebuilding as more than just bricks and mortar construction. “Fulton Homes not only wants to provide Valley citizens with great housing options, but we also seek to promote the safety and wellbeing of the community we serve,” Fulton added.

Interested parties have until July 4, 2010 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.

Exterior Finishes

The primary exterior finish on Fulton Homes is stucco and wood fascias. Some homes have stone or brick accents. These finishes were chosen for their beauty and durability in this area. Because they are exposed to constantly changing weather changes, the exterior finishes on your new home require routine maintenance and care. We recommend that you inspect the exterior surfaces of your home every three months.

Stucco
Stucco is a cement product and takes approximately 28 days to cure or harden after it is applied. Stucco is susceptible to cracking due to expansion and contraction. Cracks should be expected during the lifetime of the home due to fluctuating temperatures. This is normal and does not reduce the function of the stucco in any way.  The white, powdery substance that sometimes accumulates on stucco surfaces is called efflorescence. This is a natural phenomenon and cannot be prevented. Consult your home center or hardware store for commercial products to remove efflorescence.

Other suggestions for maintaining the stucco on your home are:

• Avoid spraying water from irrigation or watering systems on stucco surfaces. Check the spray from your lawn and plant irrigation system frequently to make certain that water is not spraying or accumulating on stucco surfaces.
• Keep dirt a minimum of 6-8 inches below the bottom of the stucco finish. Do not pour concrete; construct masonry or brick walls or place dirt on, or up against, the stucco finish.

Wood
Wood is found throughout your home. Because wood is natural, porous material, it requires protection with paint if it is exposed to the elements. Inspect your exposed wood surfaces frequently. If you find cracking or peeling of the paint, sand the area and repaint it promptly. All exterior wood on your home will require repainting every two to four years or more if necessary.

Surfaces that receive direct sun in the morning and mid-afternoon will require more frequent repainting. Inspect these surfaces every six months. Repaint every year or as needed.

Split or damaged wood, particularly on the ends of beams, should be repaired or repainted to avoid further damage. Small splits on the ends of beams are called checking. This is normal and does not affect the integrity of the beams. The natural drying of wood can result in gaps and splits in wood molding and trim parts. Nails can work loose. Reset all popped nails and reposition trim parts that have been moved by natural drying of the wood. In case of severe warping, replace the trim parts. Fill any cracks with commercial wood filler and use touch-up paint.

Fencing
Please note that fencing height around your home may vary from that in the models and from homes with different grade elevations.

Do not add to the height of your fence. Your fence footers are engineered only for the existing height. You’re C.C. & R.s., homeowners association and local building authorities also govern the height of your fence.

Gates
Wrought iron gates with wood slats require annual sealing or oiling of the wood. Sprinklers should be directed away from gates to avoid discoloration.

Wrought Iron Fencing
The fencing on your property may be made of wrought iron, an attractive material that adds beauty to your home. Wrought iron is subject to rusting if it is not maintained properly. Use touch-up paint on nicks and scratches every six months or as needed. Repaint every one to two years. The wrought iron portion of the gates should be inspected for corrosion on a regular basis. Use touch-up paint or repaint as needed.

Fulton Homes, KNIX and the Dairy Council of Arizona are proud sponsors of the Teacher of  the Week program. All you have to do is tell us why your teacher should be the teacher of the week. Teachers that are selected will $300 in cash plus special prizes! To find out who the teacher of the teacher of the week is, listen to Ben and Matt every Friday morning on 102.5 KNIX.

Want to nominate a teacher? Click here! For a list of past winners, click here.

ENERGY STAR recently sent us a letter of thanks for our continued partnership with them. By building ENERGY STAR qualified homes, we are doing our part to help protect the environment while offering consumers new homes that are more comfortable and save money on utility bills.

Fulton Homes has built a total of 287 ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes in 2009. This is equivalent to:

Based on the number of qualified homes we built last year, we have been informed that we qualify for the ENERGY STAR for Homes Leadership in Housing Award We are very proud to receive this award!

How many ENERGY STAR appliances do you have in your home?