Fall home impovement 2015

Fall Get your plants in tip-top shape

love

You’ll

home

improvement Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Is your furnace ready for winter weather?

your new blinds!

Just in time for the

Now’s a good time to get started on a deck

holidays!

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Page 2 | fall hOme imprOvement 2015 | Wednesday, OctOber 21, 2015

get Plants in tiP-toP shaPe for fall By sam Wilmes

sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com

Fall has set in, and winter remains around the corner. As garden and landscaping season comes to a close, a lawn and garden care expert in Albert Lea has several tips to ensure a successful spring planting season.

Now is the time to water your new and stressed trees, shrubs and perennials, said Darnell Reindl, who works in the garden center at the Albert Lea Seed House.

Reindl advised watering deeply and slowly until the ground freezes. “You want the roots to be in a block of ice for the winter to protect the plants from desiccation,� Reindl said.

Reindl also advised wrapping new trees to protect from sunscald and winter rodent damage.

She said diseased leaves should be raked from under trees and composted or hauled to the city transfer station compost site.

She advised cleaning up vegetable and flower gardens and removing diseased plants. see Plants, Page 2

Albert Lea Seed employees Emily Brummer and Missy Owens water plants. sam Wilmes/albert lea tribune

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Wednesday, OctOber 21, 2015 | fall hOme imprOvement 2015 | Page 3

Is your furnace ready for some seasonally cold temperatures?

By sarah stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

Before the cold of winter comes back to the area, follow these simple steps to make sure your furnace is running properly.

Kim Christianson of Christianson Plumbing & Heating said many gas companies are offering rebates for a professional to clean and tune a furnace.

Through Minnesota Energy Resources, which covers the Albert Lea area, the rebate is $35, she said.

A professional heating contractor will check out parts in the furnace including vents, pilot light, air filters and motors, to name a few. After the system is tuned-up, work with the contractor to complete and submit the rebate application.

According to the Minnesota Energy Resources website, the program is for existing homes only. New construction is not eligible. The rebate helps you make sure your heating system is operating at maximum efficiency and can help you avoid expensive repairs.

Customers are eligible for a tune-up rebate every two years, and work must be completed by a licensed HVAC dealer.

The website states funding is limited and can change at any time. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The program application must be received within 60 days of the tune-up.

People can call 866-872-0052 to ask questions about the program.

Aside from the tune-up, Christianson said people need to make sure to change their furnace filter monthly.

“If the filter gets too full of dust, it can shut your heating system off because it’s

PLANTS Continued from Page 2

“If your perennials are free of disease, you can leave the leaves,” she said. “They catch snow which helps insulate the plant and they provide something to look at when the snow falls and melts and falls again.”

She advised planting spring bulbs like tulip, hyacinth, crocus, daffodils

Checklist to be completed by a professional contractor for a rebate • Perform carbon monoxide test and correct any safety issues.

• Check flame characteristics and adjust gas or air if needed.

• Check flue gas path from burner to vent for cleanliness and cracks. Clean and report as necessary.

• Check the igniter for proper operation. Also check the flame sensor and pilot light shut-down controls.

• Check the condition of the furnace air filter. Recommend replacement if necessary.

• Check condition of fan motor and pump motor for boilers. Lubricate bearings as needed.

• Check the operational controls and adjust if necessary.

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restricting air flow,” she said.

People should also make sure to keep the white PVC pipes that come out of the house cleared off from snow. She advised people to be especially careful when snowplowing.

Christianson said people can cover the top of their air conditioners if they choose so leaves or other things don’t fall into it, but she recommended against wrapping air conditioners in plastic.

“The worst thing to do is wrap it in plastic because it needs to breathe,” she said, noting that trapping moisture inside the air conditioner can cause rust.

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and allium.

“A little work now will reap colorful rewards in your garden next spring,” Reindl said.

She also advised to fertilize lawns and kill broadleaf weeds before winter sets in.

She said people should also clean their tools and equipment and get the soil off their shovels and hoes, dry them, then wipe them with oil to prevent rust.

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PAge 4 | fall home improvement 2015 | WedneSday, october 21, 2015

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A beautiful lawn can be the foundation to a happy, healthier life and lead to spending more time outdoors. In fact, 86 percent of Americans consider their lawn important to their home and life.

“A healthy lawn encourages you to live life outside more with your family, friends and neighbors,” said Kirk Hurto, chief science officer for TruGreen.

“There’s no time like late summer and early fall to start preparing your yard for those spring and summertime outdoor gatherings.”

While a recent survey conducted by TruGreen showed that seven out of 10 Americans believe themselves to be knowledgeable about the health of their yard, the lawn care experts at TruGreen offer these helpful reminders to get your yard ready for fall:

Aerating

Aeration involves removal of soil cores to improve water and air movement in compacted soils, and aids in promoting deeper and more root growth and thatch management. Long term, your lawn will respond quicker to fertilizer and water runoff will be reduced when irrigating.

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When it comes to increasing lawn thickness and health, overseeding can be essential. It can help discourage future weeds while also aiding recovery from summer heat, disease and insect activity. Seeding during late summer or early fall will give grass the maximum time to develop a deep extensive root system and mature before the onset of winter stresses. Aeration is recommended when overseeding to give seeds more soil contact and provide a moist, protected

environment required for germination.

Feeding

Fall feeding gives your landscape the nutrients needed to prepare for a healthy, green spring revival. Hiring a trained specialist with a plan customized to your region will help trees and shrubs thrive. If you fertilize your own lawn, make sure to follow the product directions and sweep all fertilizer that may reach pavement back onto your lawn.

Maintaining health and appearance

Throughout the fall, there are things you can do to maintain your yard’s appearance and health, Remove fallen tree leaves and debris from your lawn. Studies have shown mulching tree leaves back into your lawn effectively clears away tree leaf debris that otherwise can become matted and damage your lawn over the winter.

Lowering the mower height by one or two settings the last couple mowings before winter reduces grass diseases associated with snow. Avoid walking on frost-covered lawns as doing so may cause brown footprints to appear later that can remain visible until spring. Clean and edge landscape beds, leaving no more than two to three inches of mulch in the beds.

Pruning

Pruning is an essential maintenance practice for trees and shrubs. Landscapes can quickly become overgrown if not cared for, but yearly pruning will maintain trees and shrubs to an ideal size and shape. Remove dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to prevent rot organisms from invading the trunk and stems of plants.

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WedneSday, october 21, 2015 | fall home improvement 2015 | PAge 5

Now’s a good time to get started on a deck Simple StepS for a great outdoor Space by Spring While homeowners think of spring and summer as the premiere seasons for outdoor projects, that’s no reason to let dreams of a new outdoor living space hibernate through another winter. A big part of building your dream deck is the prep work — much of which can be done during the offseason so your new space can be ready come warm weather.

Here are some tips for getting started:

Plan ahead

A typical deck project can take six months (or more) from planning to completion, making now an ideal time to get started. To get things going, put together a timeline and checklist. Helpful resources and samples can be readily found online.

Partner with a professional

Unless you plan to build the deck yourself, the first item on your to-do list should be hiring a contractor. Quality deck builders book projects well in advance and often have a waiting list by spring. By doing your research early, you can pre-book for the following season. Fall and winter are ideal times to conduct interviews, review portfolios and gather references.

Design your dream

Designing your deck is fun but timeconsuming. Starting early allows you to complete the process with maximum creativity and minimal stress. Ultimately, a deck should be designed around how you plan to use it — for example, relaxing, entertaining, etc. Beyond function, consider views, sun and shade, and entrances and exits from the home and into the yard. All of these factors will have an impact on your deck’s size, shape and scale.

Decide on decking

It’s important to choose quality materials that withstand wear and tear. A highperforming, wood-alternative is easy to maintain and defends against severe weather and mishaps. Composite decking is resistant to fading, staining, scratching and mold, leaving homeowners with less work and more time for relaxation.

Think beyond the boards

Often overlooked, substructure and

Much of the planning for a new deck can be done during the offseason. provided railing can have a tremendous impact on the performance, appearance and cost of a deck.

For the substructure, talk with your contractor about the differences between materials. Steel deck framing, for instance, offers stability and durability benefits over wood, plus greater design flexibility, sustainability, safety and fire resistance.

Railing adds both safety and style to decks. Available in a wide array of styles, shapes and materials, you can tailor your railing to personalize and frame your outdoor space.

Understand costs and value

To ensure your dreams remain within reach, keep costs in mind throughout the planning process. Several factors will affect material and labor costs, including the size and shape, along with any extras you may want to incorporate.

Account for add-ons

When planning your deck, have fun exploring the many options that are available for customizing your design.

You’ll need to decide early on if you want to incorporate integrated features

like built-in benches, planter boxes and storage, and budget accordingly for extras such as a pergola, fire pit or lighting, which can add comfort, character and convenience to your outdoor retreat.

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Page 6 | fall hOme imprOvement 2015 | Wednesday, OctOber 21, 2015

How to PrePare windows for winter

By Colleen Harrison

colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com

As the weather gets cooler, more residents will want their homes to be warmer. One way to accomplish this is to make sure the windows and doorways of a home aren’t letting any cold air in or warm air out.

Josh Flatness, operations manager at Southern Lock & Glass, said newer vinyl windows are replacing the old onepane glass windows that used to fit into wooden sashes. The newer windows are insulated, making storm windows unnecessary, and use two panes with air space in between.

For quick fixes in-between replacing windows, weather stripping and window film kits can be used to help reduce drafts. The plastic window film kits can be a nuisance, though, as they make windows unaccessible during the time they’re up.

Flatness said Southern Lock & Glass can replace windows year-round depending on a customer’s preference, but that the ideal time is usually in the spring or fall — when either air conditioners or furnaces aren’t needed yet. As the seasons get cooler, he said the business is kept busy with a lot of screen and window repairs as more residents begin to think about keeping their homes warm and their heating bills down during the winter.

He said the prices for windows through the business depend on each situation as all orders are custom cut and made.

Southern Lock & Glass does free estimates and evaluations, and that quotes for windows can usually be given within a day or two. Window replacements usually need at least three weeks of lead time for the materials to be measured out and cut to order. This way, Flatness said the new windows fit right into the window’s opening and nothing needs to

Josh Flatness is the operations manager at Southern Lock & Glass. His parents Keith and Angie Flatness own the business, and his brothers Brady and Dalton Flatness also work there. cOlleen harrisOn/albert lea tribune be done to the surrounding trim of the interior or exterior of the home unless requested.

The newer windows also provide UV reflection, making them more energyefficient and cost-effective.

that both scenarios can be easy fixes, and called Southern Lock & Glass a “one-stop shop,” as customers only need to call the one business while Flatness and others see windows, Page 8

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Other places to look for air leakage during the colder months are around garage doors. Flatness said if a seal is worn or damaged, or if the alignment of a garage door is off, air can come in and lead to ice or snow buildup. He said

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Wednesday, OctOber 21, 2015 | fall hOme imprOvement 2015 | Page 7

Make cost-conscious home upgrades for fall If you’re looking for ways to improve your home but don’t have the budget for a full-scale renovation, look at upgrades that add instant value with a smaller investment.

Projects that enhance existing features or add new functions to the home are smart ways to spruce up the aesthetics and improve livability without breaking the bank. In between extreme weather seasons is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects, so this fall consider some small-scale projects that can make a big impact on your home.

Revitalize worn woodwork. Nothing ages a home’s appearance faster than tired, weathered woodwork on the front porch or back deck. These structures are typically major focal points of a home’s exterior, so sprucing them up can go a long way toward transforming the overall aesthetic. A fresh coat of stain or paint is a minimal investment to bring fresh life back into your entryway or backyard living space.

Pull out a new kitchen look. If changing out the cabinets isn’t an option, you can still create a new look with a minimal investment. Wipe down cabinets thoroughly and apply a coat of paint to make them look their very best, then look for subtle changes that bring a wow factor, such as new hardware. Simply changing out dated pulls for a more contemporary look in a new color can bring a new mood to the room. Clear away clutter and add some fresh accessories for a whole new look.

Punch up the power. Adding function can be as valuable as aesthetics when it comes to enjoying your home to the fullest. When bad weather or other factors interrupt your power supply, a standby generator lets you run appliances such as air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers, lights and electronics, minimizing the inconvenience of a power outage. For extended outages, a

Making updates to your home is a natural part of ownership and a good way to protect and grow your investment.

Fortunately, making a big difference doesn’t always have to come with a big price tag attached.

Plan ahead to save

Before embarking on a home improvement project, there are several steps a homeowner can take to manage the time and expense while making the effort run more smoothly.

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DO IT RIGHTWAY THE 1ST TIME Adding function, such as a generator, to your home can be just as important as aesthetic improvements. prOvided generator can even save money, preventing unexpected costs from spoiled food or hotel stays. Hooked up to a home’s existing propane or natural gas line, a standby generator system, oftentimes called a home generator, switches on by itself when power fails. Look at new lighting. The lighting in a room has a significant impact on its overall feel: a bright, airy room exudes energy while a dimmer, soft illumination evokes a cozy impression. Changing up the lighting can completely transform a space. Use window treatments such as drapes and blinds to control natural light and lend a stylish addition to the room. Floor and table lamps are ideal for more subtle task lighting, while overhead fixtures

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Explore a new floor. Over time, the rich pile of new carpeting loses its inviting spring, and once-sharp grout lines fade and crumble. If a thorough cleaning still leaves your flooring looking drab, it may be time to explore alternatives. Replacing heavily worn carpet in high traffic areas with a more durable option such as wood or tile may not only improve the look, but also prove a smart investment as it wears better in the future.

If you still enjoy the look of your tile, consider removing and replacing the grout, then sealing it to protect the finish. Don’t feel beholden to the original color; a new shade can introduce a whole new color dimension to the room.

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Page 8 | Fall home improvement 2015 | Wednesday, october 21, 2015

WindoWs Continued from Page 6

Flatness said newer vinyl windows are going into more homes, elimnating the need for storm windows. The newer windows are insulated with air space in between two panes. colleen harrison/albert lea tribune

You’ll

take care of the rest.

Along with residential window, screen and garage door repair and replacements, southern Lock & Glass also offers mirror and glass shower enclosures, as well as locksmith services. Commercially, the business also works on storefronts and has worked with various metal, steel and other hardware.

The business has five full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Flatness’ parents Keith and Angie Flatness own southern Lock & Glass, and his brothers Brady and dalton Flatness also work at the business. southern Lock & Glass, at 717 Marshall st. in Albert Lea, will move to a new location near Fleet Farm supply by the end of the year at 316 Main Court in Albert Lea. The business’ hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment. it can be reached by calling 507-3739446, and emergency services can be reached by numbers listed on the voicemail during off-hours. For more information, look to southernlockandglass.com or to the business’ Facebook page.

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