Home and Garden 2012 by The Chautauqua Star

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&GARDEN April 12, 2012

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

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M&R GREENHOUSES A ‘GROWING’ BUSINESS

BY SCOTT WISE Star Staff Writer

“We are a complete garden center, offering everything from shrubs to planted material, vegetables for your garden, herbs. And, we’re a full-fledge florist,” said Roger Strawser, who own M&R Greenhouses in Sheridan, NY with his wife Mary. “You forgot to mention hanging baskets!” Mary said, with a smile. Established in 1990, M&R Greenhouses is a multi-faceted garden center that has found its niche in a market that shows only shows signs of growth. “We have to roll with the markets,” said Mary. “Change it up a bit.” After starting the business out of their home in 1990, they started renting a location in Sheridan in 1995. In 1998, they purchased an old farmhouse on Rt. 20, not knowing just how much history they were going to find there.

“After we bought the place we’re at now, we put a banner out front that said, ‘future home of M&R Greenhouses,” said Mary. “After a while, the greatgranddaughters of the original owners stopped by to let us know how happy they were that we were keeping and restoring the old farmhouse.” What’s more is that those greatgranddaughters had a photo of the homestead- from 1865. The house was originally built in the early 1800’s. That photo is now on display at M&R for everyone to see. “It was all because of God,” said Roger. “We actually ended up putting the house back together in the exact way that it had looked originally, without even knowing it.” M&R Greenhouses have focused their efforts as of late on their strengths, and developing those strengths to provide the best possible product to their customers. As they say, the proof is in the puddin’, or in this case- the blossomin’.

Roger and Mary Strawser, owners of M&R Greenhouses in Sheridan, are ready to help with all your yard and floral design needs.

“We tried to expand in the past, and it was a struggle,” said Mary. “Now, we’re phasing out some things. The fresh floral designs, the plant materials and the nursery have all been growing. Our product is nicer. As we do away with the extras, we’re focusing on what we do well at.” Because of the focus, the business has done nothing but grow- both literally and figuratively. “When we started dabbling in floral designs 10 years ago, we’d

Call on the Electrical Experts DFT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING SERVICES

Most of us are comfortable changing a light bulb or maybe even installing a new light switch. But beyond that, electrical projects in the home quickly become tricky, and often dangerous, for even the most skilled do-it-yourselfer. Thatís when itís time to call in the electrical experts - DFT Electrical Contracting Services. Backed by 25 years of experience, DFT Electrical Contracting Services and the team of Tim Sanderson, Jim Simpson and Ryan Sanderson serve all of your residential, commercial and light industrial electrical needs. Our fully licensed and

insured electrical experts offer home and business wiring as well as 24-hour emergency service, upgrades to electrical service and electrical troubleshooting and repair. Our wide range of services for the home includes all types of interior/exterior lighting; pool/ jacuzzi/spa wiring; security, fire and burglar alarm systems; internet wiring; upgrades to electrical service and circuit breaker panels; computer, phone and television cabling; home theater wiring; and home generators. DFT Electrical Contracting Services is also pleased to part-

ner with other local businesses that would be doing work to the interior or exterior of your home. When you are having other remodeling, repair work or any other home project that requires the services of an electrician, DFT Electrical Contracting Services will work in partnership with your other contractors to provide the electrical aspects of the project. Put the electrical experts in charge of your next electrical project. Call DFT Electrical Contracting Services at 6790300 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) or 338-0300 (Jamestown).

get maybe 4–5 orders a week,” said Mary. “Now, we’re doing 4–5 a day. Weddings are really exploding. We suggest the bride call ahead to make an appointment, so we can give her our sole attention. We want them to feel comfortable here.” Roger has been spending time and effort learning different ways to bring the whole process into their business. From cuttings, to planting and transferring, the plants make their home at M&R until they go to the customer.

“We have focused on growing them here, rather than bringing them in from the South,” said Mary. “We want to grow varieties good for our zone, things that will make it through winter so people have more success for their gardens and their yards.” Because of the process, it can take 3–4 years for a shrub or plant to be ready to sell, but that’s just time spent sowing seeds to the Strawsers. “We’re also going to set up our fields for a new shrub system,” said Roger. “I’m looking into a pot system, a way to plant the shrubs in bags so the roots stay contained. When folks come out, we’ll just dig it out with a shovel and they’ll take it away.” Currently, M&R Greenhouses is open Tuesday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because hours change seasonally, it is recommended that folks call ahead to check the hours beforehand. Located at 3426 E Main Rd. in Sheridan, M&R can be reached at 672-8849.

Superior Decks and Gazebos, Inc. BUILDING YOU THE DECK OF YOUR DREAMS

For well over 25 years, John Keem Jr., owner of Superior Decks and Gazebos, Inc., has built a solid reputation as Western New York’s premier desk specialists. As a result, they are committed to provide the very best quality service to all of their customers. As Superior Decks & Gazebos, they believe that a reputation as an honest and reliable business is the recipe for success. While others seek to profit by cutting corners, or recommending unneeded and unnecessary services to

customers, Superior Desks believes that a good reputation and consistent service will reap bigger profits in the long run. Superior desks operates all year round. Fall and winter are ideal times to build decks because of the cost-effectiveness as well as the reduction of drying and cracking of wood. They are fully insured, take care of permits and offer a two-year satisfaction guarantee. For a free estimate, call 716549-4226 or visit www.wnydecks.com.

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April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

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April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

Gardening Questions? ASK THE MASTER GARDENER

CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE Cornell Cooperative Extension

Perplexed by your peppers or peonies? Befuddled by blight or pondering pruning techniques? The Master Gardener Helpline is your answer! Every Wednesday starting April 11 from 3:00 p.m. at the Frank Bratt Ag Center in Jamestown, master gardeners are available to help home gardeners diagnose plant diseases, identify weeds and insects and answer any gardening questions you may have. There are three ways to reach the Master Gardener Helpline. Interested persons may

call 664-9502 x 224, submit a question online at chautauquacce.shutterfly.com/mg or stop at the Ag Center located near the Jamestown Airport Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Master Gardeners or CCE staff can do a simple pH test on soil, or can help fill out paperwork to have soil tested professionally by AgroOne Services in Ithaca, NY. The Master Gardener Helpline will be open through September, as a valuable resource to gardeners. According to CCE, soil testing is a good idea for those renovating a new garden area or lawn, or for households who have never done a soil test. A

Don’t Just Sit There, Get Growing! BY JANE E. CONROE Conservationist for the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

Aren’t gardens just amazing! This time of year we want them to “Get Growing” so we can enjoy everything they have to offer. Consider planting native plants whose deep roots soak up nutrients and hold the soil. Native plants attract insects and together they become the diverse base of a healthy ecosystem. Since this is the time of year to spruce up those gardens, the Watershed Conservancy is urging everyone “to go native” and “restore your shore.” If your property is near a waterway or a lake, the native plants are a

must. The USEPA has indicated that having a natural shoreline is the number one reason that a lake will be healthy. Shaded streams, mature trees, productive wetlands and bountiful wildflowers are all parts of natural settings here. If you want to keep your property in this natural state, it is possibly the easiest “garden” to maintain. Explore the possibility of conserving your land for many years to come. The Conservancy can help conserve properties in a variety of ways. Contact the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy at www.watershedconservancy.org or Like Us on Facebook or call 664-2166 for technical assistance with natural plantings or creating a legacy of conservation.

test should be done every two to three years to help gardeners assess how much fertilizer and lime their soil needs. Gardeners may over-fertilize and/or over-lime if they do not know where soil lies in fertility and pH. The cost for a soil test is $20 which will save time and money, according to CCE. In addition, homeowners can be assured that their garden or lawn will grow to its fullest potential. Those wishing to have their soil tested, should take several samples from the same general area and mix them up to form a more representative sample. Use a clean trowel or small shovel, free from rust and old

dirt. Place the subsamples in a plastic bucket (a galvanized bucket may throw off the mineral content of your soil) and mix them together. Exclude any rocks or roots, but do not excessively sort the soil. Put the soil in a sandwich-sized baggie. Soil should be air-dried before it is brought to the CCE office. Results take about two to three weeks. Information about the Master Gardener program Master Gardener volunteers are a key link to helping Cornell Cooperative Extension accomplish its mission … to enable people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that

put experience and research knowledge to work… by providing horticultural programs and resources that will educate home gardeners, youth, community gardeners, consumers of horticultural products, and neighbors teaching neighbors. Volunteers can only become a Master Gardener if they have attended a core training course provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County and provide at least 50 hours of annual volunteer service per year. For more information about the Master Gardener program, contact Betsy Burgeson, Master Gardener Coordinator at (716) 664-9502 extension 204.

Gleaning an Education BY PATRICIA PIHL Editor

The Chautauqua County Rural Ministry (CCRM) Gleaning Project offers many programs that encourage gardening in our county. This season, the Project will support eleven community and educational garden spaces by assisting with tilling; providing soil amendments, seeds, seedlings and tools; and offering educational experiences. With support from Agriculture in the Classroom’s Kids Growing Food program through Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Gleaning Project will again partner with the Dunkirk City School District, BOCES, and the Boys and Girls Club to provide youth gardens and garden programming. Master Gardeners and Gleaning staff visit participating classrooms once a month leading up to garden planting in June. Activities include starting seedlings on classroom win-

Children planting at Dunkirk School 7, June 2011.

dowsills; exploring a worm bin and discussing the importance of healthy soil; and taking a field trip to Gong Garden CSA Farm in Fredonia. The Gleaning Project was also pleased to offer garden and nature programming at the Dunkirk School 5 After School Program, thanks to support from the 21st Century Grant. Any excess seeds and seedlings recovered by the Gleaning Project are distributed to food pantries and other service agencies; these donations are distributed to hundreds of home and agency gardening efforts. This year, fourteen Chautauqua County agencies have thus far

participated in this program. CCRM’s Cooking and Nutrition Program will partner with the Gleaning Project this season to offer a “Local Farmers, Local Foods” workshop series. Each month, a local farmer will share information about how they grow or raise the food they sell; nutritional and environmental benefits of purchasing food fresh and locally; recipes and meals using their products; etc. Guests will take home a free gift. There is no cost to the workshops, and all are welcome. In addition to these programs, the Gleaning Project focuses on harvesting leftover produce from farmers fields and distributing it to agencies throughout Chautauqua County. There are many opportunities to get involved, for all levels of gardening experience. For more information about the Gleaning Project, community gardening, and the Cooking and Nutrition Program, contact Sarah Sorci, Project Coordinator at 366-1787.

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

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StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

Personal friend of the Gecko CALL FOR A FREE RATE QUOTE BUY YOUR POLICY RIGHT OVER THE PHONE

Timothy Ti th C. C Lynch L h

www.geico.com/local/tilynch

1330 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda, NY 14150 (Across from the Boulevard Mall)

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

Right at Home LIVING LARGE IN A SMALL SPACE AP

Have a Beautiful Garden and Support Audubon CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE Jamestown Audubon Center

Small may be in when it comes to homes, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to decorate. A few simple guidelines, however, can turn a small space from Dilemma to De-Lovely. Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, founder of the decor blog Apartment Therapy and author of “The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces” (Clarkson Potter, 2010), thinks it’s all about light. “The single most powerful influencer in a room is the lighting,” he says. Every room should have three sources of illumination, which will bounce off walls and create a visual expanse, Gillingham-Ryan says. Track lighting is a good alternative to free-standing fixtures if space is a problem. “Track has really improved in the past few years. You don’t have to buy a big section with large lights; there are many smaller, attractive options,” he says. Rather than buy adjustable furniture for a multi-purpose small space, “it’s better to find good pieces that do what they’re supposed to,” he says. For example, instead of an ottoman with a lid that flips into a tray, buy a great ottoman and a great tray. “You’ll appreciate both pieces so much more.” Gillingham-Ryan suggests limiting the color palette of a small room. He likes off-white in all its iterations, with bright white on ceilings. “Keep floors dark they’re calming and grounding, and will make the walls seem higher,” he says. Use accessories, such as a great rug, to add color. “You can’t change your square footage, but you can change the way the space feels,’’ he says. Elaine Griffin, a New Yorkbased designer and author of

“Design Rules” (Gotham, 2009), says a welcoming foyer is near the top of her list for small spaces. “It’s an important part of the psychological experience of coming home. I like to create a ‘faux foyer’ by sitting a decorative cube or box adjacent to the door with a tray for mail, and perhaps a shelf above for keys, a flower and a fragrant candle. Mount a mirror above the shelf,” she says. In the living area, “avoid the temptation to put your sofa on the long wall. Put it on the short wall, and you’ll have more room to create décor zones,” Griffin says. Loveseats - popular purchases for small apartments are a “no-no.” Truthfully, they only sit one. Go for the better proportioned 72-to-76-inch “apartment-sized sofa.’’ In tiny bathrooms, Griffin says, “I’m a big fan of wall-mountable, square mini-shelves, which I station in multiples behind the door. Save the most visible space above the toilet for art.” Janice Simonson, IKEA’s design

spokesperson, seconds that approach. “Often people only look at the ‘footprint’ of the room,” she says. “Look for space on the verticals - railings, hooks and shelves on doors and walls can hold baskets and clothing, and serve as drying areas for laundry.” She thinks many people err by buying too much storage, ending up with more stuff that takes space. “Take the time to plan; don’t buy anything till you’ve moved in and unpacked, to see what’s needed,” she says. Some other general tips: Downsize. What do you need and what can you live without? Rip all your CDs to a hard drive, then sell or donate them. Get rid of anything you rarely use. Sight lines are important. Benches, open shelves, furniture with legs, light materials _ these help the eye perceive a room as more spacious. Mobilize. Rolling tables and carts can serve as dining, work or play pieces.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is sponsoring a garden fundraiser, a way for you to have a beautiful garden and support their gardens at the same time. Gardens are one of Audubon’s teaching resources. Thousands of school aged children tour the Center and visit the gardens with great enthusiasm and lots of questions. Visitors to the annual Monarch Butterfly Festival in August learn which plants are good caterpillar food and which are good as nectar plants for adult butterflies. Barbara Case, lead garden volunteer, and her crew of gardeners have organized a special fundraiser to benefit Audubon’s gardens. Half of every purchase made through Flower Power Fundraising will come back to Audubon. Flowers have been selected that are appropriate for our area, and flower power will deliver them directly to your home at the correct time for planting. Two noteworthy selections are purple liatris and pink coneflowers, native perennials that will come back year after year. This fundraising campaign ends on Friday, April 27. The sooner you order, the sooner you plants will be delivered. Orders can be placed at http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/ campaign?campaign_id=10933. You can also place an order by clicking on “Calendar of Programs/Events” under Quick Links at http://jamestownaudubon.org and following the links. While most of the Audubon property is wild, there are several cultivated gardens on

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is sponsoring a Garden Fundraiser, a way for you to have a beautiful garden and support their gardens at the same time. Pictured here is the Education Garden one of Audubon’s several cultivated gardens. (Photo by Barbara Case)

which volunteers work tirelessly. The Education Garden near the front door, a showpiece for the Center, is filled with native plants and labeled for educational purposes. Bob’s Garden, in the front lawn of the Center, is named in honor of one of Audubon’s early founders, Bob Hallquist, and is actually several gardens in one: a butterfly garden, kitchen, sensory garden and a dye and everlasting garden. The bird garden at the rear of the building provides a safe haven for wild birds and other wildlife. All Flower Power fundraising purchases will help Audubon achieve one of this year’s goals: to upgrade and expand their variety of gardens, to add both beauty and educational value. The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sundays 1:004:30 pm. The Sanctuary’s five and a half miles of trails, eagle viewing, arboretum, and these enchanting gardens are open dawn to dusk every day. For more information, call (716) 569-2345 or visit www. jamestownaudubon.org.

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April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

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Remember the Ceiling When Decorating A Room AP Ceilings are the Rodney Dangerfield of homes. They get no respect. But there are plenty of easy ways to make over this oft-overlooked area, from the quirky charm of Victorian-era, pressed-tin tiles and beadboard to a simple splash of color. “Historically, ceilings were highly decorated, but it seems as houses have become more modern they have been forgotten,” says San Francisco-based interior designer Cecilie Starlin. “Once again, though, ceilings are starting to get the attention they deserve.” Here are some suggestions _ from the simple to the complex _ to transform your ceilings from drab white squares into the focal point of a room. CEILING MEDALLION Probably the easiest way to bring the eye upward in a room is with a ceiling medallion, a white or colored decorative disk typically mounted around a lighting fixture. The pieces come in a variety of styles and can be found in any home improvement store. Another bonus? Today’s lighter polyurethane models are much simpler to install and easier on the wallet than those from decades past, says Alex Bandon, online editor of Thisoldhouse. com. `I personally like that look in the bedroom,’’ she says. ``It’s a really unusual thing, but it makes a simple bedroom much more romantic and exciting.” PAINT If you have tall ceilings or want a cozy feel, extend the wall color onto the ceiling, or go bold and throw a darker or contrasting color up above to make the area appear smaller. “Color on the ceiling is not forbidden,” Bandon says. It’s

“something you can play around with a bit.” Go with a flat paint on ceilings to minimize light reflection and mask imperfections, says Puji Sherer of the eco-paint manufacturer YOLO Colorhouse in Portland, Ore. “Since ceilings are not in danger of greasy fingerprints and the regular wear and tear that walls receive, higher gloss finishes are not necessary,” she says. PANELING For a classic New England cottage look, you can’t beat the charm of wood paneling such as beadboard on the ceiling. Amy Matthews, a contractor and host of the DIY Network’s “Sweat Equity,” prefers the ease of gluing and nailing larger beadboard sheet panels to the ceiling rather than tacking up individual tongue-and-groove pieces. The panels, which can be cut

with a power or handsaw, should be nailed to ceiling joists, and can then be stained or painted. Bandon likes the look in bathrooms, where wainscoted walls are common, or on front-porch ceilings, in a traditional lightblue color that was thought to keep insects away. PRESSED-TIN PANELS These are a popular ceiling option if you’re looking for a folksy, vintage feel, and they also come in larger patterned-metal sheets for easier installation, Bandon says. The panels can be nailed in place with a hammer or nail gun onto furring strips that must first be nailed up, according to thisoldhouse.com. Overlap the edges and seal the panels with a clear polyurethane or paint them with an oil-based paint. DROP PANEL CEILING

Many people shudder at the thought of a drop panel ceiling, envisioning the white utilitarian grids and fluorescent lighting common in 1960s basements and office buildings. But Matthews says today’s drop ceilings are handsomer, designed in many more colors and textures. Several companies even make individual panels in materials such as wood and tin that fit into existing metal grid systems, giving homeowners a cheaper way to bring their drop ceiling into the 21st century, Matthews says. COFFERED CEILING Originally used during the Renaissance and popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coffered ceilings are one of the more complex ceiling projects, but also the most formal and dramatic. The process involves attaching flat or more intricately molded

beams to the ceiling to create a square, grid-like pattern that is then typically trimmed out with crown molding, Bandon says. It drops your ceilings down, so use caution in a small room, but it adds instant classic elegance to a dining or living room. “It’s a great way to hide flaws in your ceiling,” Bandon says. “It’s also a great way to hide duct work or something you have to put in your ceiling.” Building a soffit box around the perimeter of a ceiling also can give the look of a layered, cofferlike ceiling, says Ken Collier, editor-in-chief of The Family Handyman magazine. Install recessed lighting in the soffit box or run downlights along the top to make the light “kind of wash along the walls. It looks very dramatic,’’ Collier says.

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April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

Reduce Energy Use COUNTY TO HOST FREE HOME ENERGY WORKSHOP

Chautauqua County will host a free Renew Chautauqua County Home Energy Workshop Thursday, April 19, 2012, 7:00‐8:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk to help residents understand programs available to help them reduce energy use and annual energy costs by an average of $700. Chautauqua County residents will learn about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) program that uses a “whole‐house” comprehensive energy assessment approach to help residents save energy. They will be able to sign up for a free or reduced‐cost energy assessment, cash‐back incentives and low‐cost financing options from NYSERDA for making energy‐efficiency improvements to their homes. The evening will feature opening remarks fromBill Daly‐ Director,Chautauqua County Dept. of Planning & Economic Development. Expert presentations will be made by Renew Chautauqua County and the Western New York Energy $mart Communities Program, an Independent Contractor to NYSERDA to perform customer outreach. Local Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors and providers of home improvement and renewable energy systems will be on‐hand so residents can network, learn more from experts and even sign up for

a free or reduced cost home energy assessment following the presentations. The meeting will also focus on available cash incentives and low‐interest loans from NYSERDA, as well as other opportunities available from National Fuel, National Grid, NYSEG, and the Federal Government. To sign up and be qualified for a free audit, residents should bring their utility bill account number, a copy of a recent bill, or a record of their past 12 months of energy use. The energy assessment is available through Green Jobs‐GreenNewYork, a statewide program that uses revenue from the sale of carbon emission credits to support energy efficiency measures and jobs in the clean energy sector. All Chautauqua County homeowners are encouraged to attend the workshop. Each of the first 100 residents to pre‐ register and attend the event will receive a free Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb. Just one ENERGY STAR qualified CFL lasts up to 10 times longer than a traditional light bulb and can save you$70 over the life of the bulb. Pre‐register for the workshop at www.RenewChautauquaCounty.org or call toll free at 1‐866‐495‐2959. Walk‐ins are welcome.

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

7 Spring Insurance Hazards: Are you covered? BY MARGARETTE BURNETTE Insurance.com

Springtime is the season of warmer temperatures, melting snow and soothing rain showers. While the mild weather is refreshing, it can also reveal damage inflicted by a long, cold and snowy winter. In addition, spring floods and hail damage can be the source of new headaches. All of this can spell unexpected trouble if you’re a homeowner or driver, says Jack Hungelmann, author of “Insurance for Dummies.” “These problems are common, but home and auto insurance policies don’t always cover them,” he says. Here are eight spring hazards that may or may not be covered by standard insurance policies. 1. Spring flooding When winter snow starts to melt, rivers and creeks may rise. Mix in some spring rains, and there is potential for flooding in many parts of the country. While a standard home insurance policy covers water damage from sudden occurrences – such as burst pipes – it will not cover destruction related to spring floods. Fortunately, you can buy flood coverage from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These policies may cover the building, foundation and contents of a home. Pricing and availability details are at floodsmart.gov. Flood insurance has restrictions, though, such as coverage limits and exclusions for basement improvements. And coverage usually does not kick in until 30 days after the insurance is purchased – although there are exceptions to this waiting period, such as when a

lender requires you to purchase flood insurance as part of a new home loan. 2. Ice dam damage When wintry snow or rain falls, melts and refreezes on rooftops, ice on shingles can form a dam that causes subsequent snow melt or rainwater to back up. Those backups may allow water to leak into the home and ruin walls. Fortunately, you can usually file a claim with your homeowners insurance. “Water damage from ice dams generally would be covered, but check with your insurer to make sure you know the details of your policy,” says Mark Carrasquillo, an account executive with E.G. Bowman insurance company in New York. While damage to our walls is likely to be covered, your insurance company will not pay to remove the ice dam itself from your roof. 3. Pothole damage Driving through a pothole may ding up your car or cause damage, but you’re typically covered when you have collision coverage with your car insurance. If you don’t have coverage, however, you’re likely stuck with paying for the costs out of pocket. 4. Cracked driveways The freezing and thawing of severe ice and snow could encourage cracks in your driveway come springtime. But those cracks are considered wear and tear, so you probably won’t be able to make an insurance claim for damage under a basic policy. “Even so, read your insurance policy to make sure. Don’t assume it’s not covered unless you see it in writing,” says Paul Neleman, vice president of sales and marketing for Actec Systems, a third party company

in Atlanta that handles property and casualty claims intake for the insurance industry. One exception is if your neighbor somehow damaged your driveway – perhaps when laying out salt and sand to melt ice, Neleman says. In those cases, the neighbor’s homeowners insurance may end up responsible for the bill, he says. 5. Hail damage Springtime storms can bring hail that destroys siding and roof shingles. Fortunately, homeowners are usually protected under their home insurance policies, says Hungelmann. And if a window breaks because of a storm, that’s typically covered too, along with resulting water damage, he says. 6. Flattened bushes, trees or landscaping If a freak spring snowstorm flattens your prize bushes or spring rains wash away your landscaping, don’t expect home insurance to cover your losses. “The repair of these items is usually considered maintenance on a home,” Carrasquillo says. 7. Rust damage from salt Cars that drive through winter snow may become damaged due to the salt that’s used to help melt snow that’s fallen on busy streets. However, if the salt causes rust-related damage to your car, it’s usually considered wear and tear, and isn’t covered under typical auto insurance policies, says Carrasquillo. The good news? Rust damage isn’t as much of a problem with newer cars as it was in the past, Carrasquillo says. But to be on the safe side, he recommends thoroughly washing any vehicle that’s exposed to salt or other potentially corrosive substances now that spring has arrived.

April 12, 2012 Edition – Home & Garden – D

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