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Thursday Oct. 26, 2017
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
Make your home safe, efficient for winter
(BPT)
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f chilly temperatures make you want to snuggle under a blanket in front of a roaring fire, just think about your poor water pipes that can’t escape the cold. You can’t wrap your home in a warm, protective blanket when winter arrives, but a few winterization steps can help ensure your home weathers the winter safely. “Winterizing is definitely an important way to protect a home from the ravages of snow, ice and harsh temperatures, but it’s also an opportunity to boost a home’s energy efficiency,” says Chris Williams, merchandising director at Lowe’s. “Some of the easiest and most effective winterization projects can also contribute to energy savings throughout the year.” Here are seven projects to improve energy efficiency and prepare your home for winter: Inside · Protect pipes: Any plumbing pipes that run through uninsulated areas such as a crawl space or attic are at risk for freezing if temperatures plummet. Seal any cracks or openings where pipes exit the home, and fit unprotected pipes with pipe sleeves. Insulating pipes can reduce heat loss that makes your water heater work harder and use more energy, and raise the water temperature 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. · Add weather stripping to doors and windows: If your home is drafty, adding weather stripping to seal air leaks can reduce heating bills as much as 20 percent, the DOE says. Identify places where air leaks occur in your home, and choose the right weather stripping for each area. · Caulk around windows and doors: Air can also leak through minute cracks around windows and doors. Sealing such cracks with caulk further reduces the air leaks that make your furnace work harder and your home feel drafty · Add insulation: Insulation can make your home stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, and help your heating and cooling sys-
A key area to focus on for winter (BPT)
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rom the holidays to coldweather fun like ice skating and skiing, winter promises its share of good times. Preparing your home for winter’s weather extremes can help ensure that you get the maximum enjoyment out of the season, while protecting your home’s vital systems and indoor comfort.
tems work more efficiently. How much insulation your home needs depends on factors such as where you live, how old the home is and how well it was insulated to begin with. If you’re unsure how much insulation your home needs, check out the Energy Star insulation guide. Outside · Protect outdoor plumbing: Whether you have an outdoor shower or a simple hose connection, it’s important to protect outdoor plumbing from freezing. Water freezing in outdoor pipes can cause severe damage and costly water leaks. Turn off water flow to outdoor pipes and flush the water from the system. Remove and store garden hoses for the winter. If you spot any cracks or problems, take care of them right away. Finally, add insulation, such as a hose bib cover to outdoor faucets. · Prepare the lawn for winter: A healthy lawn requires less watering and work in spring than one that’s been ravaged by winter’s rigors. Keep grass mowed until it stops growing, and rake leaves and grass clippings to maximize sun exposure for grass. Mulch around plants and trees to protect them against harsh weather and freezing temperatures. · Clean windows: Sunlight is a natural, cost-effective way to help keep your home warmer during winter. Opening drapes and blinds can maximize the amount of sun that enters a room and help warm it. However, dirty windows can reduce the amount of sunlight that gets through the glass. Plus, clean windows will help make your home feel brighter and lighter during the darkest days of winter. For more energy-saving winterization ideas, visit www.lowes.com.
“Winter weather can take a toll on homes, so it’s important to take steps to protect systems like HVAC and plumbing before cold weather arrives,” says Emily Lewicki, brand manager with Luxaire. “Properly winterizing your home can help keep it more comfortable, prevent damage from cold and ice, improve efficiency and help reduce heating bills.” Lewicki recommends vital winterization steps to get your home ready for the season: Prepare your gas furnace. During the summer, you probably didn’t think much about your furnace, but as winter approaches it’s important to make sure all elements of your home’s heating system are in top working order. If you haven’t already scheduled a professional service appointment for your furnace, now is the time. A professional technician is best equipped to ensure that furnaces are ready for winter. Meanwhile, steps you can do yourself include: · Remove any items that might have gotten stored near the furnace during the summer. Likewise, make sure air returns and vents are clean and not blocked by furniture or other items. · Change the air filter. If you have trouble remembering when it’s time to replace filters, try setting reminders on your smartphone according to the furnace manufacturer’s recommended schedule. · Update your thermostat’s programming to reflect your winter schedule. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one; a properly programmed thermostat can reduce energy bills up to $180 a year, according to the ENERGYSTAR.gov website. If your current furnace is more than 10 years old and frequently needs repair, consider replacing it before winter gets into full swing. Extreme cold can make a worn furnace work harder.
Page 2D • Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017
Real Estate
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
Upping your laundry room’s wow factor (BPT)
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oing the laundry is no longer relegated to dark, musty basements where no one cares to go. Thanks to modern technology, great design and access to innovative ideas online, laundry rooms have moved upstairs and come into their own. In fact, laundry rooms today are right up there with dream kitchens and dream bathrooms — and the more style, function and “wow factor,” the better. “Laundry rooms are no longer just utilitarian,” said Anitra Mecadon, TV personality and award-winning interior designer. “People want stylish, healthy environments where they can relax, multitask and have some fun while doing the laundry.” Below are four ways Mecadon recommends to ramp up the wow factor, function and allure of your laundry room: · High-tech appliances: When looking for washers and dryers today, there are more features than you can imagine. You should consider your needs and desires before starting your search — and we’re talking about more than gas or electric, front- or top-loading, color, budget and space parameters. Today’s “smart” appliances offer custom wash cycles, wrinkle removal, steam cleaning, less noise, delayed start times, moisture sensors with allergen and sanitize cycles and more. There’s even a machine that washes two separate loads with different setting options at the same time. And nearly every machine today is Energy Star-certified for
energy efficiency. · Loads of style: Laundry rooms today can be decorated to complement other rooms in your home — and Pinterest and Houzz offer loads of pictures online to spark your creativity. Laundry rooms can be country French to modern, whimsical to multifunctional — and it’s not unusual to see them in bold or soothing colors, with comfy chairs, statement lighting, flatscreen TVs and docking stations to play music or charge tablets and phones. They also can include windows to let in natural light. If you think white and stainless are your only color options, think again. They can be turquoise, burnt orange, glacial blue, fire engine red, kelly green and even black stainless. · Function galore: Washing and drying are only part of doing the laundry. There’s sorting, folding, hanging and ironing — and each of those steps needs its own space, supplies and storage. Baskets for sorting and carrying laundry can be wicker, plastic or wood and stored for all to see or out of sight. Counters for folding can be granite, marble,
quartz, butcher block or laminate, and many people put them over their washers and dryers as well as around the room. Drying racks made of ladders or upcycled cribs can be creative and functional. Ironing boards can be stand-alone, foldable and stored in cabinets or retractable and out of sight. Washers and dryers can be big or small, stacked or all in one — and even put on pedestals. · High-performance drywall: When laundry was relegated to the basement, part of the dread of doing laundry was the thought of being surrounded by dampness, mold and mildew - sometimes from washing machine water hose failure causing mold to grow within the wall cavity. Because your washer and dryer introduce water, moisture and heat into the room, it’s important to use drywall with extra protection for your laundry room walls and ceilings — such as moisture-, moldand mildew-resistant PURPLE XP drywall by National Gypsum. PURPLE XP (Xtra Protection) — products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for indoor air quality, while aiding in the creation of healthier indoor environments. “I love that prettier and more functional laundry rooms are becoming places people want to hang out and do laundry, but it’s important to think about what’s behind all that style and function — and that’s their walls,” said Mecadon. “Walls and what they’re made of are important and they’re not all the same.”
Real Estate
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 • Page 3D
5 tips to redesign with kids’ safety in mind
(BPT)
Electrical
Furniture and decor
mart homeowners take a strategic approach to home improvement projects such as redoing a playroom, living room or bedroom to keep kids’ safety in mind during the redesign process.
Electrical updates should always be made with curious kids in mind. It’s easy to update outlet covers to sliding plug options. With these you never have to worry about replacing the outlet plug again because it closes automatically when not in use.
That vintage armor will look perfect in your just-redone space ... until your kids start to pull out the drawers and roughhouse around it. Tip-overs are another Top 5 Hidden Hazard by the CPSC, which notes in the U.S. a child is sent to the emergency room every 30 minutes as a result of falling furniture.
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By being proactive today, you can ensure your entire family can safely enjoy the results of your home improvement project. Here are the top five things to keep in mind to create a stunning yet safe space for your family: Window coverings Corded window coverings are a Top 5 Hidden Hazard in American homes, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dangling or accessible cords on window coverings can pose an accidental strangulation hazard to infants and young children. The Window Covering Safety Council recommends only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords be used in homes with small kids. Consumers can easily identify products best suited for homes with young children by looking for the Best for Kids certification label on the packaging of a large variety of products. Window covering products that qualify for “Best for Kids” either have no cords or inaccessible cords. In order to be eligible for this certification, manufacturers must submit their products for third-party testing to determine if they meet the Best for Kids program criteria. (See windowcoverings. org for additional information.)
Larger electrical enhancements can help as well. Streamline the aesthetic of your space while eliminating cords by updating wall lighting. For example, a few sconces might replace reading lights, plus they’re high enough to keep out of reach of young kids. Another example: a new dimmable ceiling fan provides safe air circulation with customizable light output. Smart home upgrades Technology is a home improvement game-changer that can make spaces more livable and safe. Smart window and door locks can be installed throughout the home. Kids can now securely enter without a key and parents are sent an alert at that time. You can also set alerts for windows left open so you know to close them to reduce fall risks.
Another smart home improvement to consider: motion-activated sensors. These sensors can be placed anywhere you don’t want children to be. For example, when your child opens the front door before you wake or he tries to get into the medicine cabinet, you’re sent an alert to your phone that makes you immediately aware of the activity.
Furniture, TVs and appliances can tip over and crush children, so take an extra step to keep kids safe. Always stabilize furniture, decor and any other items that could fall over. Safety anchors and brackets are widely available online and at retail home improvement stores. They are quick and easy to install and may save a life. (See www.anchorit.gov for additional information.) Interior paint Painting a room is one of the most affordable yet dramatic ways to refresh a space. However, not all paint is created equal. To maintain high indoor air quality and a safe area for curious kids, be a selective shopper with interior paint. Before you select your hue, research paints that are appropriate for children. Look for zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) labels and environmentally friendly options. When in doubt, ask at the paint counter which paints are best for sensitive family members. You’ll love your updated home even more when you can trust it is safe for you and your children. With these simple tips you can create a space that is secure, stylish and safe for all.
Real Estate
Page 4D • Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
A lead-free and paintable telescoping sleeve can cleverly camouflage roof vent pipes and reduce unwanted sight-lines.
Two roof areas you can’t afford to overlook this season
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s summer gives way to changing colors and colder nights, now is an ideal time to tackle
the necessary home maintenance projects that get put off during those sun-filled months — especially when it comes to one of the most protective and necessary aspects of any home, the roof.
Cold weather can aggravate a roof
moisture and reducing heating costs — and
securely to form a weather-tight seal.” With
many sealants are especially designed to
Pipe Boot, no specialty installation tools are
adhere directly onto exterior surfaces. Even
needed as the telescoping sleeve allows for
the tiniest cracks and gaps can allow mois-
varying pipe sizes and can withstand frigid
ture to enter, not to mention rodents, squir-
winter temperatures via a patented design. It
rels and other unwelcome varmints.
comes in four color options, and is paintable
Don’t be a welcome mat for squirrels
Another area to closely inspect is
the roof venting pipes. One of the more
to cleverly camouflage the vent pipes, reducing unwanted sight-lines. Enlist the pros when there’s trouble
common roof problems involves cracked
and quickly turn minor defects into costly
rooftop venting pipes made with cheap lead
professional can lead to much bigger issues.
repair bills; in fact, the latest “Cost vs.
tops as they eventually corrode over time.
For example, squirrels quickly reproduce
Value” report from Remodeling Magazine
To make matters worse, squirrels and other
and can potentially gnaw on electrical wiring
estimates the average roofing replacement
critters are known to relentlessly chew their
or crawl into difficult-to-reach wall spaces,
cost at over $20,000.
way into a home via these thin pipe flash-
making extraction a nightmare. It’s a wise
ings as the lead entices these unwelcome
move to seek out a reputable roofing special-
varmints to gnaw at them, thus providing
ist, especially when it involves roof damage
interior access for damaging rain, snow and
from weather or critters, or both.
So, whether you’ve already no-
ticed signs of wear on your roof or just want more “overhead” peace of mind, pay special attention to two seemingly small
more pests once whittled away.
Waiting too late to call in a certified
The roof is no place to cut corners,
A common roof problem involves cracked rooftop venting pipes made with cheap lead tops that eventually corrode over time versus a lead-free option.
aspects of the roof that homeowners often
overlook:
problem throughout many areas of the
minor roofing issues can put your home and
United States, especially older homes,”
valuables at risk. To learn more about pre-
explains Amanda Williams, marketing
venting costly squirrel damage on the roof
manager at Quarrix. “This is exactly why
gutters, skylights and roofing vents then
with a lead-free Quarrix Pipe Boot or review
we developed a durable, lead-free and
utilize the correct caulking, patching and
a thorough seasonal roof maintenance check-
easy-to-install vent pipe flashing called
sealants. The easy act of sealing these areas
list, simply visit: Quarrix.com/Checklist or
Pipe Boot that simply slides over the exist-
can make a big difference in keeping out
call 800-438-2920 for more information.
ing vent, nails into place, and then twists
Seal it, patch it
Be sure to check for any gaps around
“Squirrel infestation is a very big
and no matter the season, even seemingly
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
Real Estate
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 • Page 5D
Picking the right type of insulation for your home
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ith the imminent approach of dropping temperatures, many people reach for their sweaters as they run out the door. In a bittersweet farewell to summer, boats are hauled out of the water and taken in to be winterized. Wool sock purchases start to soar, and Instagram is filled again with pumpkin spice latte images. And, don’t forget those pet owners who dress their dogs in miniature rain jackets and scarves. It is officially fall. Often, in this natural progression toward hibernation and all things cozy, preparation for your house is forgotten. Insulation for the home can seem intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from digging deeper. You’ll find that proper insulation is key for superior home comfort and increased energy savings. Read on for some easy-tounderstand information on why your home may need its own new sweater this winter to help you stay warm. Why is insulation important? There are two huge reasons: consistency and savings. First, insulation helps keep your home at a consistently comfortable temperature. Second, insulation creates a more energy-efficient home, saving you up to 20 percent in heating/cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). To put that in perspective, the typical U.S. home has a heating/cooling bill that accounts for almost half of its energy costs each month — meaning you could save 10 percent of your overall energy bill. What type of insulation do you need? As for most things in life, it is important to know your options. Three of the most common types of insulation for home DIY are fiberglass batts, rigid foam panels (such as expanded polystyrene, or EPS) and mineral wool. Look below for the advantages and disadvantages of each. Fiberglass · Pros: non-flammable, inexpensive · Cons: difficult to install properly without leaving gaps, which renders the insulation much less efficient; handling danger due to glass powder and small glass shards
EPS rigid foam panels
· Pros: excellent sound and temperature insulation; inexpensive; easy to install · Cons: must cut pieces to fit around pipes, etc. Mineral wool · Pros: easy to install; flame resistant · Cons: more effective when combined with other forms of insulation (meaning more work to install); higher price For self-installation in your home, EPS offers many benefits other forms of insulation do not. Other forms of insulation (like fiberglass or mineral wool) require more safety precautions, like protective wear and training for proper installation. “EPS provides the best insulating performance — ‘R-value’ — per dollar of any insulation,” says insulation expert Paul Kopelson, regional sales director for Insulfoam. “Other forms of insulation are challenging to install without leaving gaps and wrinkles that can cut the efficiency of the product in half. It’s important as a homeowner to know that your insulation will do what it’s supposed to, and do it well.” What’s next? I nhale confidence, exhale doubts. With your new knowledge of
insulation types, a quick trip to a local home improvement store will arm you to better understand the options. Nationally, stores like Home Depot stock a wide range of insulation products, including EPS options such as R-Tech insulation. Regionally, other retail and lumber dealers carry these items. Check them out, and get ready for a warmer winter. Your house (and your energy bill) will thank you.
Page 6D • Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017
4 DIY home upgrades anyone can do in a day (BPT)
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o-it-yourself home projects are sweeping the nation, and it’s easy to see why. DIY is typically budget-friendly and fulfilling to complete; simply find the right project to match your skill set and needs. To get started, here are four inexpensive projects that can by tackled by any DIYer, each of which will have an impact on the entire home. · Make a hardware swap. Replacing your kitchen cabinets changes the entire look of your kitchen — but it’s expensive and requires considerable skill. For a simpler, smaller project that can still have a big impact, replace the hardware on your cabinets instead. Select the hardware type first — knobs for doors and pulls for drawers, for example — then move on to style. Crisp, sleek hardware goes best with a modern kitchen, while more detailed offerings work well with classic, traditional kitchens. · Refresh your space with a fresh coat of paint. Repainting a wall or room is the perfect way to showcase your style, without breaking the bank. The Unity palette from SherwinWilliams 2018 Colormix Forecast offers unique color choices that pair together perfectly, making it easy for homeowners to create a cohesive look in their space. Try going bold with pops of peacock on an accent wall, such as Sherwin-Williams 2018 Color of the Year, Oceanside SW 6496, or you use the palette’s grounded browns to put a new spin on traditional hues. It’s easy to recreate a space that reflects who you are, without making expensive renovations. · Illuminate a simple change. It doesn’t always take a huge change to reinvent a room; it can be as easy as changing the light fixture. You could choose to repaint your existing chandelier, or you could give your ceiling fan a new look by replacing the blades. If you’re on the crafty side, try making your own shade for an existing lamp with some of your favorite fabric. · Invite people to your gallery. Can’t decide on the one perfect image for your wall? Then why not go for several? Gallery walls are a great way to show your favorite prints and photos artistically. Pick the wall and apply a fresh coat of paint before building your gallery — after all, this wall will now be part of the exhibit. Once the wall is ready, pick your photos or prints and set them in frames you love. Now the fun part: lay your works of art on an open floor space and rearrange them until you find the perfect layout. Once you’ve found it, grab your hammer and nails and bring your gallery wall to life.
Real Estate
THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS