Page Category: Tips

Landscaping

Here are some tips from our landscaping team to help you keep your landscaping lush and healthy:

• Maintain a mowing height between 2.5 to 3 inches for most of the season. During summer, increase this by half an inch to 3 or 3.5 inches to reduce water loss from your soil.
• Check your irrigation system for leaks periodically.
• For optimal plant health, water your landscaping as per its requirements and not just every day.
• Apply water directly to the roots of plants and trees to minimise evaporation and water runoff.
• Avoid mid-day watering – instead, water in the early hours before sunrise to lessen water loss through evaporation and daytime winds.
• Choose plants that are native to the arid climate of the Middle East and require less water such as desert rose, flame trees, bougainvillea, neem trees, palms and hibiscus.
• Make adjustments to watering durations as needed; for example, shaded or protected areas may need less water than patches that are always under the sun.
• One of the most efficient ways to water plants in gardens, planters and window boxes is to install a drip irrigation system; through emitters, drip irrigation lets small amounts of water drip onto the base of plants (where it penetrates into the roots) at low pressure and with minimal evaporation.
• Water brown spots by hand and check your irrigation system; lawns usually develop brown spots because of faults in the sprinkler system.

Home fixes

If you run into plumbing or electrical hitches in and around your home, here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Turn off the water to a faulty fixture by using the shutoff valves located under or behind the unit.
• If you notice a leak in the bath or shower, turn off the water at the fixture and arrange for a repair service. Do not use the shower or bath until it has been fixed.
• If there is a leak in the water heater, use the shutoff valve on top of the heater to turn off the water and arrange to drain the water heater.
• If you notice water spots on your walls or ceilings, try to trace the leaks to one location (toilet, sink or tub) and turn off the water to that fixture. Arrange for service through a third party provider.
• If a power outage occurs, inspect circuit breakers, including the main breaker. If a breaker appears damaged, arrange for service. If the breakers are not damaged, turn them all off and back on again, one at a time.
• If there is no power to an electrical outlet, check if it is connected to a wall switch that may have not been turned on before you inspect the circuit breakers. Reset any that may have turned off.
• If a hanging light fixture does not work, you probably have a broken connection along a circuit. Check to see if wall switches, circuit breakers and the bulb has been installed properly.
• If you have a stuck window, use a putty or plastic knife to gently score the edges and prise the window open. Once open, apply a thin layer of paraffin wax around the edges.
• If you’re getting an odour around your home after a long break, the drain pipes may have dried up. Try pouring water down the drains.
• Indoor plants may release an odour if left unattended for long periods. Inspect your plants and prune any rotting parts if necessary.
• To fix a dripping tap, simply unscrew the bolt beneath the handle and replace the worn washer with a new one before screwing the bolt back on. Remember to turn off the main valve first.
• Exhaust fans that spin too slowly are likely to be caused by a buildup of dust and moisture. Clean the fans periodically to ensure optimal performance.
• Clean the railings of any sliding doors occasionally with a toothbrush and then vacuum to remove accumulated grime.
• Clean mildew spots with a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide for a quick fix.
• If you need to increase the flow pressure of your taps, fit them with aerators – they save water too. Simply unscrew the spout, and screw the aerator onto the tap.

Holiday tips

Here are a few things you can do to secure your home before leaving for vacation

• Turn off your water supply till you are back. This will prevent any leaks that could damage your property.
• Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.
• Secure your home effectively; close and lock all windows and doors.
• Discontinue newspaper subscriptions and deliveries to your home.
• Give a key to a trusted friend or neighbour so they can check your villa periodically.
• Do not leave unsecured items on your balcony/terrace that can be easily removed.
• If you have a burglar or intrusion alarm, activate it.
• Lock all valuables and cash in an approved and securely fastened safe.
• Unplug all unnecessary appliances such as televisions, stereos and personal computers (take care not to turn off the power to any alarm systems).
• Unplug or turn off the ringer on all telephones and answering machines.

Gas barbecue grilling safety guidelines

Ensure that you take proper precautions while enjoying a grilling session with family and friends.

• Gas bottles should never be stored indoors – it’s best to store them outdoors in a well-ventilated space.
• If you store your barbecue or patio heater indoors when not in use, you should always detach the gas bottle first and store it separately outdoors.
• Gas bottles should always be stored upright and away from any ignition sources.
• Never use your barbecue indoors because of the risk of toxic fumes, smoke or fire.
• Children should be kept safely away from barbecues and gas bottles.
• Cracked or damaged hoses and/or gas regulators should be replaced before use.
• Check hoses occasionally to make sure they have not perished by brushing or spraying on soapy water and checking for bubbles.
• Check connections to make sure that they are clean and fitting snugly.
• Always read the barbecue manufacturer’s operating instructions.
• When you have finished using your barbecue, turn off the gas bottle first and then at the barbecue controls.
• If you notice any leakage from the valve of a small cylinder, move the cylinder to a safe location at least 20 metres from any possible source of ignition.

In an emergency, dial 997 for Dubai Civil Defence or 999 for Dubai Police.

Fire safety

It’s crucial that you take precautions to ensure your home is always protected against fire hazards.

• Conduct regular maintenance of the smoke/heat detectors within your villa.
• Refrain from smoking in non-designated areas.
• Refrain from storing flammable liquids/materials in your garage or balconies.
• Avoid overloading electrical circuits with too many high voltage appliances, such as televisions and computers.
• Don’t throw cigarette butts – lit or otherwise – from your property.

Did you know? It is an offence punishable by law if your detectors are not working properly or they have been obstructed, as this poses a risk to the entire community.

Air conditioning

Here are a few steps to ensure your air conditioner is working flawlessly all year round.

• Ensure that you service your air-conditioning unit at least once a year.
• Enlist only qualified air-conditioning service personnel.
• Ensure that clogged/dirty filters are routinely cleaned or replaced.
• Clean and flush the unit’s drain line regularly to prevent excess moisture.
• Keep external doors and windows closed.
• Keep windows, which are exposed to the sun, shaded by using internal blinds or curtains.
• Make sure you go through the energy-saving factsheet for more information.

Pool safety

Remember to always exercise caution when at the pool to ensure everyone has a great time:

• Never leave babies or children alone or in the care of another child, while in or near pools, spas, or wading pools – or near bathtubs, lakes, irrigation ditches or other open bodies of water.
• Remember, an infant can drown in just one inch of water – so make sure the supervising adult is always within arm’s length of the child with their full attention focused on them at all times.
• The supervising adult should not be engaged in distracting activities, such as talking on a telephone, socialising or tending to household chores.
• Parents and caregivers should learn CPR or BLS (Basic Life Support).
• Supervising adults should make sure they do not leave any pool toys in the water as a child could fall in while trying to retrieve them.
• Toddlers, youngsters with an intellectual disability and children with seizure disorders are particularly vulnerable to drowning, but all youngsters are in danger if unsupervised in or near water.
• Even a child who knows how to swim may drown a few feet from safety.
• Consuming alcohol at a public swimming pool is against the law.
• If you have any illness or infection (such as a cold, sore throat, athlete’s foot or diarrhoea), please don’t spread it around; once you are better, you can use the pool again.
• Visit the bathroom before you use the pool!
• Take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes or check diapers every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Change diapers in the bathroom or diaper-changing area and not at the poolside, where germs can get into the water.
• Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Shower with soap before you start swimming (then rinse yourself under the shower at the pool before you swim).
• Don’t swallow the water you swim in.

Pets

Reem is a pet-friendly community – but it’s important to ensure that your animal friends never disturb other residents:

• Dogs must always be kept on a leash when outside the boundaries of your home, except at the dog park.
• Any dog waste deposited in the community must be promptly removed and properly discarded in a sanitary manner by the dog handler.
• All pets must wear appropriate identification tags at all times when outdoors
• Dog owners must ensure their animals do not make an unreasonable amount of noise or disturb neighbouring residents.
• Abandoning pets is strictly forbidden, and offenders will be reported to the authorities. If you cannot commit to caring for a pet, do not get one.

Pest control

Keep your home pest-free by following a few simple steps

• Do not leave buckets, pet bowls, containers or any other objects where water can stagnate outside your home.c
• Fountains and water features should have moving water. If not in use, the entire water feature must be drained and emptied.
• Do not allow excess water to accumulate in planter boxes.
• Clean out birdbaths and bird feeders daily and replenish with fresh water.
• Do not leave empty cardboard boxes lying around your porch or lawn – they maintain the ideal moisture and temperature for pests like cockroaches to thrive.
• Do not leave food out for strays in the community – it attracts even more pests. Moreover, pet food is often reinforced with micronutrients like vitamin K that may help rodents help build immunity and develop resistance to rat poisons.
• Collect fruits as soon as they fall from the trees in your garden.
• Dog waste can offer flies a breeding ground for weeks – ensure that any waste produced by your pets is discarded in the provided dog bins.

Landscaping

Here are some tips from our landscaping team to help you keep your landscaping lush and healthy:

• Maintain a mowing height between 2.5 to 3 inches for most of the season. During summer, increase this by half an inch to 3 or 3.5 inches to reduce water loss from your soil.
• Check your irrigation system for leaks periodically.
• For optimal plant health, water your landscaping as per its requirements and not just every day.
• Apply water directly to the roots of plants and trees to minimise evaporation and water runoff.
• Avoid mid-day watering – instead, water in the early hours before sunrise to lessen water loss through evaporation and daytime winds.
• Choose plants that are native to the arid climate of the Middle East and require less water such as Desert rose, Flame trees, Bougainvillea, Neem trees, Palms and Hibiscus.
• Make adjustments to watering durations as needed; for example, shaded or protected areas may need less water than patches that are always under the sun.
• One of the most efficient ways to water plants in gardens, planters and window boxes is to install a drip irrigation system; through emitters, drip irrigation lets small amounts of water drip onto the base of plants (where it penetrates into the roots) at low pressure and with minimal evaporation.
• Water brown spots by hand and check your irrigation system; lawns usually develop brown spots because of faults in the sprinkler system.