Don ’t M ov e - I mprov e
MAY 2011
Thinking About Buying, Selling, Remodeling, Adding On To Your Home Or Splitting Up Property? Consider a property survey to protect your major financial investment. A property survey describes, maps and locates land ownership boundaries and corners, land features and man made improvements. A property survey must be performed by a Professional Land Surveyor who has been licensed by the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design. The legal description of your property and related records will be evaluated. The property survey will locate, measure and monument the property boundaries and corners so they can be easily identified. This survey will be completed in compliance with applicable state, county and other local government laws, codes and regulations. As a property owner, it is important to be informed of any property description, boundary loca-
tion, trespass, encroachment or other related problems that are present prior to purchasing, selling or making any costly improvements. Upon completion of the property survey, it is recommended that the boundary corner monuments be protected and preserved by the property owner. A survey can assist with the planning of your proposed improvements. The survey will provide a clear understanding of the site’s opportunities and constraints to assist with providing an economical design when developing your overall plan. When applying for construction or land use permits, documentation may need to be provided that illustrates the amount of impervious coverage that exists on a lot prior to development and post development, what the required setbacks are and compliance with these standards, how is the property to
Green Is Good for the Home: Choosing the Best Eco-Friendly Options
be used or divided and how will any potential impacts be minimized as a result of the proposed improvements. A survey can assist with providing this information and put the compliance responsibility on the appropriate professionals. Depending on the proposed improvements, many local jurisdictions may require a property survey. Awareness of your local jurisdiction is essential in ensuring compliance with the appropriate regulations. Completing a property survey can be considered an inexpensive insurance policy on protecting your most valuable investment. Information provided by Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
Basic Home Care May/June 1. Check and clean mechanical ventilation system (HRV/ERV). Check your manual and follow manufacturer’s recommendations. 2. Clear air intakes, exhaust and meters of debris, nests, etc. 3. Check gutters and downspouts and clean if needed. 4. Be sure to check settling after spring thaw. 5. Open outside hose connection. 6. Check and clean central air conditioning system. 7. Check landscaping sprinklers to ensure proper alignment (do not let them soak your siding or foundation). 8. Replace air conditioning or furnace filters monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. 9. Clean A/C condenser.
When making renovations to the interior or exterior of the home, consider green building materials.
From paints to flooring to carpeting, the options in green building materials have expanded by leaps and bounds. With so many environmentally friendly options available, homeowners may have difficulty determining what are the best and most cost-effective buys. Eco-friendly options to choose may differ based on geographic region and what installation procedures are well known by local carpenters and builders. For example, a person in a drought-stricken region may want to look for items that conserve water. However, there are certain items that are “green” across the board. Insulation One of the most environmentally friendly things a homeowner can do is to improve the insulation in his or her home. Adequate insulation reduces the amount of heat and cooling loss, which then reduces the amount of energy needed to cool or heat a house. There are many materials from which insulation can be made; many are recycled materials, such as glass or even cotton. However, cellulose -- a plant material -- is one of the more cost-effective and greener options available. Look for the highest “R” factor on the insulation. The higher the number, the greater the resistance to heat flow.
Framing Thinking about adding on another room or remodeling an existing one? Then consider using sustainable harvested wood products. They may be more costly, but they’re certainly a greener option. Some construction materials are made from salvaged wood or items made from composite materials. Wood that bears the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo means it was grown and harvested without depleting or destroying natural surroundings. Windows Just like insulation, windows are essential to protecting against heating and cooling loss. Inadequate windows could be costing homeowners hundreds of dollars in energy waste from drafts or air leakage. New windows are generally rated on a number of factors: air leakage, condensation resistance, U-factor or level of insulation, and solar heat gain, or the window’s ability to block heat from the sun. Homeowners can talk with a window professional to determine the right windows for the climate and direction the windows face.
10. Inspect pressure and temperature valve on water heater. 11. Maintain proper grades throughout the property.
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12. Inspect roof for damage and make repairs when necessary. Flooring One of the most eco-friendly options in flooring is using a sustainable product, such as bamboo or salvaged or FSC wood. It is milled using less energy than many other flooring materials, such as stone or tile. When choosing bamboo, however, work with a reputable retailer. Much of the bamboo used comes from China, where toxic chemicals or poor manufacturing procedures can reduce the environmental benefits of the product. Wood looks good in any room, but in rooms where moisture may be an issue, such as kitchens and bathrooms, consider cost-effective materials like tinted concrete. Concrete enhanced with added recycled industrial ash, recycled glass and other materials decreases the amount of cement that has to be mixed and used.