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CommunityAdvocate

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October O t b 4, 4 2013

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2 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

Energy-efficient windows What a window upgrade can do for your home

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any people have experienced troublesome windows at one point or another. Mold and condensation are unsightly and unhealthy. Years of weathering can make windows difficult to open or close. And drafts can make your favorite room uncomfortable. Installing new windows will not only fix these problems, they can also improve your energy efficiency if you choose models that take advantage of new materials and manufacturing processes.

Brian Ng, communications manager of the Energy Star Residential Branch, said there are now new windows that use a combination of glazings, tintings and reflective glass that helps keep solar heat out of the house.

“Some also use better frame materials that have foam insulation built inside of them that helps increase what is called the U-value of the

build up.

But climate is not the only factor that should determine which windows to buy for your house. A crucial factor to consider is the orientation of your home.

“You will want to install south-facing windows with one SHGC, while northfacing windows will have another,” Ng said.

He added that consumers can visit the Energy Star website (www.energystar.gov) to look for windows based on climate and orientation.

“Make sure the windows meet the local energy code and are Energy Star qualified. Look for the efficient properties on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. The NFRC label displays whole-window energy properties, and it is the only reliable way to compare products. Choose products that are right for your home,” Haglund said. “Use tools found at efficientwindows.org to help educate yourself about the products.”

A third factor is installation.

“Installation is key,” Ng said. He recommended consumers “ask contractors if they have any certifications from manufacturers. Typically window manufacturers have their own certification programs for installation.

There is also a body called the American Window and Door Institute, which certifies window installers.”

He added that if your house was built before 1978, it may have lead paint on it, so homeowners should consult a lead professional before installing new windows.

The Energy Star website (www. energystar. gov) has helpful information for consumers who are looking to replace their home’s windows.

windows, which is a measure of how well the window itself insulates,” he added. “And some windows are filled with

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inert gasses like argon that keep solar heat out of house and that also slightly increases the U-value.”

Kerry Haglund, owner and founder of Haglund Design Inc. and one of Glass Magazine’s “2012 Most Influential Individuals Impacting the Glass and Metal Industry,” said, “The coating in the glazing surface has probably the most impact, but it is these technologies used in combination that have greatly affected the thermal performance of the whole window.”

Unfortunately, those technologies are measured using many technical terms that can be difficult for consumers to understand. U-value is measured on a scale of 0.25 to

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1.25, and the lower the U-value, the better the insulation.

Visible transmittance is the measure of how much light passes through the window, and it is measured on a scale of zero to one. The higher the number, the more light that passes through.

“Solar heat gain coefficient” measures how much solar heat passes through the window, on a scale of zero to one. Ng and Haglund said those in climates that are cold year-round should look for windows with a higher SHCG, while those in yearround hot climates should look for lower SHGC. Finally, condensation resistance is measured on a scale of zero to 100. So the higher the rating, the less condensation will

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Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 3

Protect and preserve Cleaning tips for a home’s flooring and furniture

I

n order to maintain longlasting furniture and flooring, the key is to keep up with a cleaning routine.

The American Home Furnishings Alliance’s(http://www.

FindYourFurniture.com) recommends using some “elbow grease” and patience to make sure furniture will remain in great condition. Easy cleaning tasks, such as dusting and wiping up spills, can help preserve furnishings.

Eric Hayes, U.S. strategic business unit manager for Bona, suggested cleaning your floors as often as possible.

Dust as often as you see fit; it mainly depends on how much traffic goes in and out of your house. You also can use a broom to “dust” the floors.

Nancy Rondina, founder of NancyProtectz furniture socks, suggests that you use a broom that has soft bristles; one with coarse bristles could leave scratches on the floor. Rondina also recommended vacuuming after sweeping to get rid of dirt and sand.

“A clean floor equals a longerlasting floor,” Hayes said.

When it comes to hardwood floors, sweep and vacuum them weekly to trap dust and eliminate debris. Linda Jovanovich, executive vice president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, said to wipe floors with recommended cleaning products on a monthly basis, depending on how much the room is used. Hayes recommended steering clear of vinegar and water and soap-based cleaners; vinegar tends to dull the floor’s finish, and soap can leave an oily residue.

Hardwood floors face several “enemies” that can affect their finishes and shapes, according to the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. Water, pet accidents and other liquids must be cleaned up immediately.

Sitting water can destroy a floor’s luster or warp its shape.

Over time, sunlight can lighten and age wood. Keep flooring out of direct sunlight with drapes or curtains.

Be careful when moving furniture over floors. The Hardwood Manufacturers Association suggested putting glides under the furniture legs to eliminate the chance of scratching the floor.

Furniture is another important home decoration that

must be cleaned routinely. To protect upholstered furniture, Abe Abbas, furniture writer for About.com, recommended using fabric protectants and stain repellents, such as Scotchgard products. Fabric usually is pretreated at the furniture mills, or retailers will sell additional fabric protection “as a five- to

seven-year warranty against accidents,” according to Abbas.

If you want to put on a fabric protectant yourself, products can be found at supermarkets and hardware stores. It takes about 15 minutes to spray and two to three hours to dry.

“Please remember that even with Scotchgard, you can’t

let spills sit there for a long time, as liquids can permeate the protective layer and seep through,” Abbas said.

For commonly used furniture pieces, use protectant about every six months. The arms, headrests and seats need the most protection, according to Abbas. Don’t forget to treat

loose pillows and the backs.

Patricia Bowling, vice president of communications at the American Home Furnishings Alliance, suggested vacuuming regularly to remove dirt, whether or not your furniture has been treated with a fabric protectant. Dust the piece with a soft cloth and polish.

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4 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

New options in shower design

By Rooms with a View

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econd only to kitchen modernization, residential bathroom renovations are quickly rising to the top of the list for homeowners today. The bath, and more specifically the shower, is changing drastically due to improvements with installation technologies and

increasingly vast offerings of finish materials. While marble, travertine and other natural stones are timeless options, there are numerous alternatives available. Porcelain tile can now offer the look, and even feel, of natural materials without the maintenance. Decorative options in tile are practically limitless; glass blends, patterned stone

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mosaics, hand-made decoratives, embossed metallics, water-jet carved stones, and many more. Accents can be incorporated in a variety of areas, from the shower walls to tub surrounds and mirror frames.

In the past, acrylic and fiberglass shower surrounds were the standard, and sometimes the only, solution for showers. This is no longer the case.

Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiles are durable options in shower installations. Building a stable and long-lasting foundation for these materials has been a challenge over the years. Integral shower waterproofing is crucial in ensuring a tile installation that will stand up to daily use.

Schluter® Shower Systems are easily becoming the industry standard for water tight shower installation. Schluter is a European company that has been established for over 30 years and is rapidly making

a name for itself here in the United States. This integrated system is specifically designed to support the installation of porcelain, ceramic, and stone tile without the vulnerabilities of conventional shower construction.

Unlike traditional shower pan liners in conventional assemblies, Schluter waterproofing membranes bond directly to the mortar bed to protect it from becoming saturated with regular use. In addition, the Schluter KERDI membrane protects wall cavities from vapor penetration, efflorescence, and mold growth. What makes this system so unique? The waterproofing material is installed on top of backing materials, rather than behind or below. This eliminates the potential for moisture to seep into the mortar bed or the tile backer on the walls, and thus allows the tile covering to dry between uses.

The newest introduction to the Schluter family is the S c hluter KERDI-LI NE drain. The KERDI-LINE drains are a low-profile option that is designed specifically for bonded waterproofing assemblies, such as the Schluter Shower System. These linear drains allow home owners options such as curb-f ree, seamless shower installation and larger format tile.

Rooms With A View is a full-service design showroom and authorized Schluter Dealer, Showcasing and specializing in tile and natural stone. Our various other offerings include hardwood, cork, plumbing fixtures, countertops, cabinet hardware and a wide array of interior finish materials. We invite you to visit our showroom to discuss your next project with us! We are located in Colonial Plaza in Westborough. You may also find us online at www. roomswav.com.

Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 5

Time for a furnace tune-up Fall is the perfect time for a furnace tune-up

A

s the temperature changes from summer warmth to fall coolness, it’s the perfect time to schedule a tune-up for your furnace. Doing so now, while your furnace is working, prevents the nightmare of a dead furnace in the middle of winter, with its lofty costs for an emergency visit by a repairman, which can run you hundreds of dollars in just a site fee and another potentially hundreds more for repair parts and labor. If your furnace has been operating on straining parts for a long time, you may also run the risk of expense and hassle of having to get an entirely new furnace. That can be prevented by making a simple phone call now to a reputable heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, company to set up your annual furnace checkup and tune-up.

When you do call an HVAC company, be sure to ask for a technician who is NATEcertified. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and is an HVAC industry certification of quality. NATE-certified technicians can spot wear and tear in a multitude of furnace systems, and a reputable one will suggest needed new parts in addition to cleaning the existing ones.

Another benefit of scheduling a furnace tune-up is that your furnace warranty might require it. Check your product manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends tune-ups and what the warranty states about regular maintenance schedules in order for your warranty to remain in effect.

As a smart consumer, be ready to look up prices of parts at http://www.furnacepriceguides.com/gas-furnace before your furnace repair technician’s visit so that you’re familiar with potential parts and labor costs. It’s also a good idea to keep that site bookmarked and easily accessible when your technician suggests any repairs or changes.

Of course, the technician’s company sets the prices, but at least you’ll have an idea of the average ballpark price.

When you get your furnace tuned up, you also arrange for the following:

Money spent on a furnace tune-up may potentially save hundreds or thousands more later.

• Saving energy. Regular maintenance can improve some furnace models’ efficiency by about one-fourth. When your technician removes dust from the air ducts as part of your tune-up, your system will run more easily and use less energy, which cuts down on your expenses. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation report that regular furnace tune-ups and replacement of parts can result in cooling energy savings of 30 to 50 percent.

• Reduce air pollution. Wellmaintained heating and airconditioning systems will minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and some parts may be Energy Star-marked for eco-friendly use.

• Keep your family safe. A tuned-up furnace may be less likely to create dangerous and life-threatening carbon monoxide leaks. Your technician will test for leaks, encourage you to place a new carbon

monoxide detector by your system, and also advise on additional safety hazards that are found.

• Extend the life of your system. A tuned-up furnace working with less effort creates less wear and tear on parts and on the system as a whole.

Tune-ups extend the life of your furnace, perhaps even preventing you from having to buy a new one any time soon.

• Prevent costly breakdowns.

It’s not just a full system replacement that can be the danger. Your furnace might stop working because a part is not functioning properly. The broken part will cost money to replace, in addition to labor costs. Regular tune-ups can prevent these types of occurrences.

Rather than perform a tuneup yourself, instead appoint yourself the guardian of your newly tuned-up furnace by changing the filters regularly and keeping flammable items far from your furnace.

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6 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

Tool time Winterizing your garden tools

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ou may be looking forward to a respite from mowing the lawn and pruning the hedges during the winter. But before you close the shed door on your gardening chores, make sure your tools are cared for so that they’ll be fresh and ready next spring when you need

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Taking the time to properly clean and store your tools after the busy fall season will help ensure they will be ready for you to use come spring.

them. The time you take now will save you time and money next year.

You’ll need a wire brush, a steel wool pad, sandpaper, a few old rags and a pair of gardening gloves. Use the wire brush to remove stubborn, caked-on mud. Use the steel wool to wipe away rust.

If necessary, soak the tool in

a solution of white distilled vinegar before rubbing with the steel wool. Clean and smooth wooden handles with a fine sandpaper, and finish up by wiping them with linseed oil or paste wax. Sharpen any tools that need it using a file or sharpening stone.

Wipe down each tool with a damp rag, and let them air

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dry completely. Keep in mind that you may have used a spade or other tool to dig up diseased plants. If so, add a bit of rubbing alcohol to the rag to reduce the chance of bacteria living through the winter; you don’t need to rinse the alcohol off. Spray a lubricant (like WD-40) on moving parts to reduce friction, or coat with used cooking oil or motor oil.

Get a bucket of clean, dry, coarse sand, pour in a few cups of motor oil (new or used) and place the metal parts of smaller hand tools in the sand up to their handles. This will help keep the parts lubricated and clean during the damp winter months. Hang rakes, shovels and other long-handled garden tools from wall hooks or a pegboard to keep them off of the cold, damp garage floor.

Bring in the garden hose(s) from outside. Make sure the hoses are empty and dry.

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Now is the time to inspect hoses and repair any punctures with hose repair kits or plumber’s tape. Coil empty hoses loosely, and store flat or on a hose reel, making sure there are no kinks. Don’t hang hoses on a nail or hook, as they will stretch and could crack.

Make sure outdoor faucets are turned off and sprinkler heads are drained, clean and dry.

Avoid storing gasoline in lawn mowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers. Most lawn mowers have small tanks and can be run until the fuel is gone; some larger riding mowers have drainage valves.

Stored gas and oil will degrade over time and should be used or safely discarded.

Wipe the mower blades clean and sharpen them; dirt, residue and cut grass can rust and pit the blades. Pull the spark plug out and spray the socket with a lubricant, and then turn the motor once before replacing the plug. For electric weed whackers and electric leaf blowers, inspect the cords and repair minor wear with electrical tape, or replace severely frayed cords and plugs. Wipe down the exterior of your motorized gardening tools with a damp rag before winter storage.

Wheelbarrows and wagons need to be wiped clean, as well, and be sure to lubricate wheels and other moving parts. Use a rust-inhibiting spray paint wherever there are chips in the paint. Make sure the tires are filled with air, and avoid dry-rot by storing the conveyer on ground high enough that it will not sit in standing water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse pesticide sprayers, and hang them upside down for storage.

Inspect your tools for any missing pieces, and replace those pieces before storing your tools for the winter; after several months of nonuse, you’re liable to forget until you go to use it again in the spring.

Spray hinges and moving parts with a lubricant. Store your equipment inside if possible, but if you need to store anything outside, make sure it’s off the ground and covered with a tarp for protection.

Hanging a dry-erase board in your garage or garden shed provides a good place to mark any necessary reminders you will need to start the season.

Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 7

Simple fall landscape ideas to improve your home’s appeal and value

By Rosado & Sons, Inc.

F

rom simple landscape upgrades, planting, lighting projects and major construction, there are many ways to greatly enhance the appearance of your home, help you enjoy more family time and considerably increase market value. All it takes are a few ideas, vision and design plan and you’re well on your way to creating an enviable landscape.

Here are some basic suggestions for improving your home’s functionality, curb appeal and value for years to come: *Colorful and vibrant fall flowers, gardens, beds, shrubs and trees add significant value and aesthetic appeal to any home.Trees and shrubs provide shade and privacy, but because they take years to grow and mature, this is one of the first investments a homeowner should consider. *Landscapers are busiest in the spring and summer, so it’s a good idea to plan in the fall.

Often times, fall discounts are available.The simple installation of a brick, paver and/or stone entrance and border along a driveway can bring the asphalt to life and provide an elegant look and prevent lawn damage.

A granite mailbox post and lighted pillars at the driveway entrance add a beautiful finishing touch. *A simple patio, retaining wall, walkway, sitting wall, steps, pergola or the ultimate outdoor sitting and kitchen area, adds value, functionality and years of enjoyment season after season.

Landscape construction professionals can provide hardscape design ideas and suggestions for various product/material selections and multiple price points. *Water features such as a fountain, pond or waterfall provide a tranquil and relaxing environment right at home.

Enjoy the calming sounds and sights by surrounding water features with natural stone, rocks, flowers, water thriving plants and statues. *With cool nights ahead, an outdoor fireplace or firepit warms the air and adds months of enjoyment, relaxation and a great outdoor entertaining spot.

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landscape lighting? With the days getting shorter, outdoor spaces are more inviting, secure and appealing. Lighting can illuminate your entire home, outdoor living areas or just a few trees, gardens, stairways and

walkways. It’s amazing what a few lights will do. *Well-maintained lawns are a must and require regular evaluation, seeding, irrigation, multi-step fertilization program and fall lime application

for a healthy and attractive landscape. *Re-mulch, weed throughout and naturally prune shrubs for a neat and finished look *Fall core aeration and overseeding will greatly enhance the

appearance of a lawn and improve oxygen levels in the soil, reduce compaction, decrease weed/ insect disease and increase effectiveness of applied fertilizers and lawn treatments.

Aeration will stimulate root growth which will increase lawn density and produce a lush, green lawn in the spring. *Establish a plan and budget for your home improvements and discuss your preferences and options with your landscape consultant. Based on your needs, schedule the projects to be done one at a time, area by area (such as front, side and backyard areas) or season by season!

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8 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

Transplanting bushes What to do and what to avoid

F

all is the ideal time to transplant bushes and shrubs because that’s when they ’re not in bloom.

“In areas with colder climates plants go dormant, meaning their growth slows and planting or replanting them isn’t as much of a shock,” said Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s home expert. “Since they’re a little sleepy, they don’t mind as much.” *Transplant Prep Look for the right location to move the bush, taking into consideration how much sun and water the area gets. Try to plant bushes with similar sun and watering needs close to each other for easier maintenance.

Before you start digging, make sure it’s safe to do so.

“Check with your municipality to ensure there are no buried wires before you dig,” Manf redini said. “Even a shallow hole could be close to buried wires or pipes.”

When transplanting bushes, follow the advice of experts to help protect your investment.

Getting Started Landscape designer Cathy Stein of Eclectic Design Choices advises prepping the bush for transplant in the fall and completing the move in mid to late winter.

In fall’s cool weather, she suggests pruning the shrub to

“help lessen transplant shock and make the shrub easier to dig.”

Use a sharp shooter shovel to cut around the root ball.

“This will allow the shrub to regrow some feeder roots within the root ball before you transplant it,” said Stein.

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Digging the Hole “Transplanting in the fall is all about the hole you dig, what you put in it and the temperature when you do it,” said Manfredini, who stresses that transplanting needs to be finished “at least two weeks before temperatures are consistently lower than 45 degrees.”

It is important to avoid disturbing the roots. When digging a hole, make sure it’s twice as large as the bush’s root ball. Manfredini recommends a hole that’s two feet wider than the plant’s footprint.

“This will allow a root ball to stay in place for the move,” he said. “Older, more established plants, meaning those that are 10 years old, may be more difficult to move and would require an even bigger hole.”

Some shrubs may be too large for you to transplant on your own. If so, get transplanting help from fellow gardeners or hire a professional to

handle the move.

Dig around and below the plant, making sure the hole is “at least two feet below the base of the roots,” said Manfredini.

Next, pull the shrub from the soil and prepare to move it to its new spot.

“The new hole should be as big as the one you just dug,” Manfredini said. “Place some compost in the base of the hole -- about 2 inches -- and place the plant in the hole.

Surround the ball of the plant with a 50-50 mix of compost and top soil.”

Best Bushes Most bushes are safe to transplant and should do well if taken care of properly.

“Evergreens are one of the most hardy of plants and stand the best chance of being successful and growing well come the spring,” said Manfredini.

Still, some transplant better than other. “The one shrub that comes to mind that I find does not transplant easily is rosemary,” Stein said.

Watering Watering is essential to your shrub’s growing success. “Be attentive to watering for the first year after transplanting,” said Stein.

Surround the bush with a few inches of mulch to help the shrub maintain moisture.

Avoid fertilizer and simply let the bush get used to its change in location.

Don’t be discouraged if the bush doesn’t seem to grow much in the first year or so after the transplant, since transplanted bushes typically need extra time to settle in to their new environment.

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Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 9

Tree Care

Cleaning Service

By Cleo Silva

What are tree suckers, and how can you get rid of them?

I

f you notice a large number of “little branches” growing upward from the older, established limbs of the trees in your yard and landscaping, that ’s likely not your plant growing new limbs. Instead, those thin branches are more likely to be “suckers,” which can present a danger to your tree’s health and growth.

According to Steve Nix, from the About.com guide to forestry, tree-sucker sprouts are “vigorous, upright shoots that grow from dormant buds on older wood.” They are seen most often on landscape and fruit trees, and are often an indicator that your tree has an injury or dead wood sections.

“The tree is trying to compensate, using these sprouts to increase vigor,” Nix said, “but these suckers need to be removed as soon as possible so that the tree can direct its nutrients to the established trunk, major limbs, smaller branches and leaves that comprise their structures.”

This is not a do-it-yourself job. If you were to tear away those thin sprouts, you might injure your tree’s core or create “wounds” that will soon turn into ugly mounds on your tree branches, where your tree has developed a scar to protect its vulnerable inner core. And depending on your type of tree, the spot where suckers are cut away might need to be treated with a special sealant that is formulated for your tree’s particular type.

A tree service, with its team of professionals, will be able

to assess the exact variety of tree or trees in question, assess how long your suckers have been growing, and configure any natural sealant needed on your bare wood spots. They can then schedule a day for their workers to safely access those branches that are higher up using a cherry picker. Professionals also have the proper cutting tools to saw off suckers where needed - and do so right at the same level as the branch for the most attractive result.

If your tree looks sparse after you remove the suckers, don’t fret. You’ve just thinned the tree so that sunlight can reach more of its leaves for nutrition and photosynthesis.

When suckers are gone, so too are any pests that may have made a home in them.

Once your suckers are removed, you will want to ensure that you do not allow them to take over your tree again. Here are some tips to help: 1. Keep your trees in good health. Very often, trees will start to grow suckers when they experience stress, such as overwatering or underwatering during times of drought, or when the tree is experiencing disease or pests.

Take a good look at your trees often to assess any signs of disease or pest damage, and talk to your local nursery’s tree specialist to get detailed instructions on how much water your particular kind of tree needs. Older trees might escape your watering regimen, particular if you think

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You may never eliminate tree suckers, since your tree is doing what it does naturally.

But with regular care and careful removal of suckers before they grow too large, your tree will continue to grow full and healthy for many years of enjoyment and full value of your investment.

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regular rains are enough for it. Your tree may need more water. Or less. If your sprinkler system for your lawn douses your tree, or if your tree sits in accumulated water after rainstorms, suckers may grow. So you might have to adjust your watering plans, or arrange drainage away from your tree roots to correct the problem. And of course, you might need to have your tree professionally treated for pests or use an organic pest repellant.

2. Don’t over-prune your tree. You might think you’re helping your tree by pruning it several times a season, but over-pruning can actually stimulate the growth of tree suckers.

Prune regularly. Regular, healthy pruning accomplished on a schedule recommended by your nursery tree expert, done at the proper time of year for each of your tree varieties, can help prevent suckers from growing.

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10 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

A fall facelift Painting is not just for the spring and summer

I

n fall and winter, the days are getting shorter, the air cooler, and you’re spending more time indoors - which makes this the perfect time to tackle painting the rooms you didn’t get around to last spring. A great many homeowners think they’re limited to the cool spring season when they can open their windows to allow for fresh air circulation during painting, but interior designers say that fall and early winter still allow for the open-window solution without the risk.

What’s the risk? Too-cold air wafting into a room can chill your paint supply - especially in the rolling pan - and make application difficult, streaky and perhaps unattractive. But before temperatures dip too low, there’s still time to paint your rooms. And open windows in fall may let in a far more acceptable level of fresh air, especially when you’re avoiding the moisture

of spring air and humidity of summer air.

Choose your hues The rooms you spend time in can affect your mood. During the long, dark, cold winter months, it’s far cheerier to

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paint lines have been tested by Consumer Reports and other notable product assessment companies, so check online for the latest news in VOC-free or low-VOC paints. Bear in mind that these special formulas will cost a bit more than traditional paints, but you may find the health benefits and the lack of fumes to be worth the investment.

Fall makes this the perfect time to tackle those room painting projects you didn’t get around to last spring.

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spend time in a vibrant, energizing room – such as one painted yellow, currently a very popular shade. If you rather would feel warm and cozy, your den or bedroom can soothe you in comforting shades of cappuccino or sage green. Visit the website of a popular paint retailer to take a free “paint color personality” test which will show you tones relating to specific emotions, e.g., energized, relaxed, romantic and more. You even can try different paint colors on images of room layouts to choose the perfect combination for your wall and ceiling.

And often times, when you take an item to a paint store, they may be able to show you an exact color match from their collection.

One secret of interior designers is to use lighter shades to make a small room appear larger and to reflect

the sunlight that you do get in a room during the fall and winter months. Deeper, darker colors often make a room look smaller.

And designers also say that updating your ceilings, moldings and chair rails with a fresh application of white or near-white paint gives a room an instant makeover that can help to raise your spirits during the dark, bleak winter months.

Choose your paint type A big trend in paint collections is low-VOC paint.

It makes painting in fall and winter even more of a welltimed task because it emits fewer chemicals and odors, making it healthier to use indoors, especially with small children in the house who have asthma or allergies. Several major brands’ eco-friendly

Pick your time An important factor in fall/ winter painting is choosing the right time of day. When you’re painting with alkydor latex-based paint, allow three to four hours of drying time at recommended drying temperatures before nightfall to prevent evening moisture from affecting wet paint.

Choose who will do the painting During fall and winter, many professional painting companies are more available to take on your more challenging painting jobs, such as rooms with vaulted ceilings. Investigate expert paint companies well, and ask your friends and neighbors whom they hired to get the job done quickly, efficiently, with attention to detail and with eco-friendly materials and methods. And always hire licensed professionals who have insurance.

Or you can invite friends over for a painting party.

Supervise and help children to paint their own rooms, which give them a sense of ownership and pride, as well as wonderful memories of a colorful family project.

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Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 11

Drab to Fab 3 easy steps to transform a tired room “A great floor plan can help a space perform better,” Lesinski said. “With all the furniture up against the wall, the traffic cuts right through the center of the room. That unsettles the room emotionally, but rearrange that furniture to keep kids and dogs traveling along the outside and you get

instant cozy appeal.”

Arrange seating areas so all the furniture pieces are directed toward one another, with a maximum of seven feet between furniture and focal points - and play up those focal points. Whether it’s a bay window, a fireplace or a great piece of artwork, let the

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“Your objective in your redesign is to entertain the eye,” Lesinski said. “Once these spaces are rearranged, people can’t believe the difference in the way the room feels.”

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Something as simple as new picture frames can go a long way when transforming tired spaces, says interior designer Andrea Evans.

Choose a new hue “Painting a room is one of the cheapest ways to create an entirely new look,” said interior designer Andrea Evans, owner of In the Pink Boutique, a specialty decor shop. “Use bright colors to make the room unique, or if color makes you nervous, try neutral colors and go for more experimental home accessories.”

For the most dramatic makeover, look up. A fresh coat of crisp white paint on the ceiling will brighten the space instantly, or be adventurous and choose a darker hue to create a cozy feel.

“It is a cliche, but paint is the quickest and biggest bang for your buck, and a painted ceiling has the ability to adjust the entire vibe of a room,” said interior designer Kristin Drohan. “Painting the ceiling

can expand the space if ceilings are short, and it can bring them down, creating intimacy, if the ceilings are tall.”

Don’t forget to tackle the trim. Make that woodwork and molding pop with a contrasting color. Bright white makes a bold statement against darker-hued walls and ceilings, whereas rich browns and warm grays create contrast against lighter walls.

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From a functional standpoint, shoving the sofa and chairs to the far edges of the room hinders conversation, causes distraction and creates a less-than-pleasant atmosphere.

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12 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

Winterizing your garden Plants need proper care to survive harsh winter climate

By Kimberly White Landscape Designer Nature Scapes by Kim

I

t’s that time of year when we can’t help notice that the days are shorter, the nights are longer and cooler, and the maple and birch trees are beginning to turn. Yes, it’s time to begin thinking about winterizing your garden in preparation for the harsh New England winter to come.

Let’s start with the perennials.

As the energy transforms into the roots and the plant prepares for its dormant season, it is important to remove the spent leaves and stems as they turn brown and appear as though they are dead. It’s even more important to wait until all the energy has transformed into the roots and not cut any green stems – patience seems to be the key with this process.

If perennials are cut back too soon they may not decide to wake up in the spring. In

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hopes of lessening confusion at this point, remember that perennials are plants that are usually smaller in size and are more leafy than woody.

They will flower once during the season. Even though the flowering time could last for weeks at a time, it sleeps every winter, and then wakes back up in the spring to repeat the same pattern. Some examples of perennials are day lilies, irises, black-eyed Susans, (Rudbeckia), hostas, and ferns.

I have a tendency to cut my garden back a little bit at a time so that it looks fresh and new for as long as I can have it. There have been some seasons when it has snowed while some perennials are still flowering. No worries though - they will go through the natural process and sleep, and the winter birds will enjoy munching on the seeds as they poke up above the snow. You want to get the majority of the debris and spent leaves,

As the energy transforms into the roots and the plant prepares for its dormant season, it is important to remove the spent leaves and stems as they turn brown and appear as though they are dead. flowers and stems out of your garden before the winter to prevent future pest and disease problems.

Some of my favorite plants are ornamental grasses. This time of year I’ll get 5 to 6 foot wooden stakes and a nice strong two-ply string or rope that is environmentally friendly and that will decompose in time. We then insert three stakes around each grass, like a triangle, and tie the grasses up in a way in which they still look natural.

We then leave them up all winter long. They look beautiful with a little bit of snow on

them and they can easily be cut down with a pair of hedge trimmer’s in early spring.

It’s a good idea this time year to walk your property to check to see if any larger trees may be hanging over power lines. If you do see any, call a local tree company to come and trim them so there will be minimal problems during the winter.

We have a practice of tying up certain ornamental trees (with the same twine used on the grasses) that have a tendency to split and open up when snow falls on them. These include any-

thing in the Arbotae family such as American Holly and Hynoki Cyprus. Smaller shrubs such as dwarf Japanese maples may require a wooden tent set over them to prevent broken branches.

A nice snuggly blanket of burlap protects the tender buds of the Hydrangeas. All broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, holly, and especially boxwood should get sprayed with “Wilt Proof ” to prevent leaf curl during those bitter cold days. This will help prevent wind and sunburn on the tender leaves as they are exposed throughout the winter. The cleaner your garden and lawn is through the fall and winter, the easier it is to start up in spring. It will also be much healthier.

If this all seems overwhelming to you feel free to email us at NatureScapesbyKim.com or visit www. naturescapesbykim.com. We will be happy to take care of all this for you.

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Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 13

Check your chimney Winter extremes, pests can cause damage

F

all is the perfect time to schedule a professional checkup on your chimney. Over time, weather extremes, moisture and even wild animal nibbling and nesting can damage the structure of your chimney, causing perilous dangers inside and out. For instance, chimney leaks and water penetration cause rust in steel and cast iron, weakening or decomposing the metal parts. Some damages can cost a fortune down the road, and some pose serious fire threats and cause the buildup of toxic gases. If cracks and water intrusion are left to compromise your chimney and flue over time, a complete rebuild will be necessary. According to The Brick Industry Association, chimneys require special attention, inspections and maintenance to protect them from the elements.

Your chimney is not just the lead-out for your fireplace. In some instances, it is the lead-out for wood-burning stoves and your recently upgraded kitchen, as well. According to the National Fuel Gas Code, when a new appliance is installed into an existing system or an existing appliance is removed from a common vent, the entire venting system, which may include a masonry chimney, must conform to current codes.

There are few fall home improvements as necessary as a thorough chimney check, and the trained professional eyes of a licensed chimney repair company will best advise you on your structural needs. Don’t make the mistake of trying to save money by re-mortaring the loose bricks you see and calling it a day. Many of the dangers

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Over time, weather extremes, moisture and even wild animal nibbling and nesting can damage the structure of your chimney, causing perilous dangers inside and out.

are inside your chimney, and experts will send down cameras to locate the weaknesses and threats to be repaired.

- Tuckpointing: The process of tuckpointing repairs the masonry mortar joints between your bricks to safeguard your structure from water intrusion and further structural weakness and damage. Expert application will repair your chimney’s weak points, returning your chimney to full security and aesthetic value. Your chimney even may return to a greater waterproof standard than it had when it was first built. Many homes are more than 50 years old, so the materials used in tuckpointing and masonry are vast improvements over those decades-old mortar mixtures.

- Crumbling bricks: In advanced stages of disrepair, the faces of some bricks may chip off and fall, posing injury threats and causing weakness in your chimney structure. When bricks flake, or “shale off,” the lessened

thickness of the chimney wall allows cold drafts and perhaps even insects into your home.

- Crown damage: The crown of your chimney is the concrete slab on top of your chimney.

If this slab cracks, it can allow moisture to enter your chimney or home, causing expensive damage. A professional can assess whether your crown needs a simple seal repair with a fast-drying sealant or needs a complete replacement to fully protect your chimney’s structure and your home. As another reminder that today’s repair materials are far superior to the original mixtures used decades ago, modern sealants are now available in eco-friendly formulas. Some products offer warranties of 15 years or more.

- Flashing repair: Flashing is the metal strip that connects the base of your chimney to your roofline. Flashing is immensely important, as it prevents water from seeping into this joint and entering

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your home. When flashing sections have warped or lifted, they require flashing seal. In extreme conditions, entirely new and improved flashing is warranted.

- Post-repair or replacement sealant: On top of any chimney repair work, such as brickwork and tuckpointing, your professional chimney repair specialist will apply a waterproof sealant.

Ask questions about the type of sealant used, because some sealants have been found to dry into an unexpected hue.

The most popular brands used by experts whose work is 100 percent guaranteed - meaning they don’t buy the cheap stuff - provide full waterproofing through their modified siloxane, which reacts with the minerals in the masonry materials, creating a waterproof quarter- to half-inch layer to protect your chimney. Topend waterproofing sealants are VOC-compliant and even protect against UV damage and atmospheric moisture.

They protect against stains and are mildew- and fungusresistant, as well as formulated to protect in freeze-thaw conditions.

Ask plenty of questions about the products your chimney repair team plans to use.

It’s a terrible error simply to trust that repairmen are going to show up with the best products possible. Ask for the brand names of their materials, and research them online to be sure they waterproof from the outside and are 100 percent breathable, which means they allow water vapors formed when the chimney is in use to pass through the stone and escape into the air; they are not trapped, which would cause damage to the inside of your flue. Look for 100 percent vapor-permeable materials. And ask that chimney flue liners also conform to safety codes.

Yes, chimney inspections and repairs are pricy, but they are worth every penny to protect your home and family.

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14 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013

Conserving Energy The importance of turning lights off

W

hen you were a teenager, your parents probably not only told you to “turn down that music” but to also turn off the lights when you left a room. You may or may not have listened then, but now as an adult, you really should pay attention to what experts have to say about conserving energy.

“It’s amazing what a difference simple behaviors can have on your comfort -- and energy bills -- in your home,” said Barbara Buffaloe, sustainability manager for the city of Columbia, Mo. “Just something as simple as opening and shutting curtains or blinds can really affect the temperature in a room.”

In the wintertime it’s best to keep the curtains open on the east, south and west sides of your home to allow those rooms to soak up the sun’s free solar heat.

“At night, you can close those curtains tightly and keep all of that warm air inside to keep the

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room more comfortable,” Buffaloe said. “Insulated curtains also help because they act as an additional layer of insulation.”

In the summer you’ll want to close the curtains during the day.

Paul Frantz, chief marketing officer of the energy supplier Energy Plus, advises that you “take control of home temperatures.”

“In winter set your thermostat to 68 degrees or less during the daytime and 55 degrees before going to sleep -- or when you’re away during the day,” he said. “During the summer set thermostats to 78 degrees or more.”

Frantz also suggests using appliances efficiently. Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 F, while your freezer should be set between zero and 5 F. “Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and make sure the door seals tightly,” he said. “You can check this by making sure that a dollar bill closed in between the door gaskets is difficult to pull out.

If it slides easily between the gaskets, replace them.”

The upcoming fall and winter holidays will have you spending more time in the kitchen. Frantz says to avoid “peeking” inside the oven more than necessary.

When meals are finished, use your dishwasher wisely.

“Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes,” he said. “This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it.

Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use.”

Buffaloe said some appliances even use energy when they are off. Small electronics with LED

lights and/or clocks on them are constantly pulling electricity.

“The little red light on the DVD player and television doesn’t have to be on when you’re not watching television,” she said.“Even some cell-phone chargers pull electricity when no phone is plugged in.

“The energy used by these electronics when not in use is called ‘vampire load,’ and it’s a waste of energy that can add up over the course of a year,”

she added. Instead, Buffaloe suggests plugging in small electronics and chargers to a power strip that allows you the ease of turning off multiple “vampire loads” with the click of one switch.

Buffaloe said to remember to control “the power you have on your own comfort.”

“Your grandmother was on to something when she said, ‘You’re cold? Put on a sweater.’

Every blanket or layer of clothes

adds an additional layer of insulation to your body -- making you more comfortable in your own home or on the go.

“You know that adding more insulation to your attic is good for your home energy bills,” Buffaloe said. “Put that into practice with adding an additional layer onto your own body and you won’t have to turn up the thermostat as high -- and thus heat more space than you’re even occupying.”

Get ready for the stormy season Weatherize your house to avoid dealing with damage later

M

other Nature seems to like getting dramatic these days, unleashing early blizzards, windstorms, hail, torrential rain, sleet and arctic blasts all across the country, now quite often in regions that are not used to such intense weather.

So let’s take that as a warning that Mother Nature could whip up some dangerous and damaging weather again this year. But this time you’ll be well prepared with preventive steps that can save you from having to deal with home damage and sky-high energy bills during the dead of winter.

Take these steps to weatherize your home now: --Clean your gutters. For safety, hire a professional guttercleaning service that also can inspect your gutters for needed repair. A clogged gutter could lead to a flooded basement when the snow melts, costing you thousands in cleanup and perhaps carpet replacement.

--Turn off outdoor water faucets. It’s not enough just to turn them off; shut off the water supply to them, if possible, and cover them with an insulated outdoor faucet “sock” to keep the connected pipes from freezing, breaking and leading to leaks or floods later.

--Insulate water pipes that may be close to freezing temperatures. A plumber can help you assess the pipes under your sink, in your bathrooms, in the basement and elsewhere. If there is not adequate wall insulation, say, between an exterior wall and a bathroom wall, the water pipes beneath your vanity could freeze, expand, burst and cause very expensive flooding.

--Install carbon monoxide detectors or replace all the batteries in your existing ones. It’s wise to have these lifesaving detectors working optimally year-round, and it is especially important during storm power outages and floods that may create a CO2 situation in your home. Gas log fireplaces and portable heaters

can give off carbon monoxide and cause tragedies when highquality detectors are not used in a home. Also install top-quality fire detectors. Call your local fire department to schedule a free fire safety home inspection, in which their fire safety expert will assess your home and suggest products and placement for detectors.

--Weatherize your windows.

New energy-efficient windows are often made of two layers of insulating glass, and some states allow a tax write-off for their purchase. Older singlepane windows let in cold air, which could cost you heating bill money and perhaps get bad enough to freeze pipes. If you cannot afford new windows, consider installing storm windows. Caulk around windows, and if necessary, install large plastic insulation sheets over the entirety of drafty windows, using a hairdryer to seal the sheet according to package instructions.

Stormy season page 15

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Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 4, 2013 • 15

Laundry or mudroom Ideas for maximizing your space

W

hat better room to trick out than your laundry or mudroom? Usually, it’s the smallest room in a house, so going for fun wallpaper or specialty faux finish shouldn’t be frightening. You are not committing to a wild color or pattern for the entire house.

It is the perfect room to experiment with a faddish color - e.g., a citrus green or bold watermelon - as the paint can be changed easily once you tire of the hue. Often this is the room to hang cute signs or a whimsical piece of art. The room also can do double duty as a message center or a room for wrapping gifts.

Beyond adding pizazz to a utilitarian room, you can add some functional elements that might prove to be huge conveniences. These ideas are mainly for a laundry in a more spacious home. I’ve seen clients install shower pans and low faucets so that dirty garden shoes or rain boots are cleaned without creating a mess. People use those same acrylic shower pans as a catch for a drip-dry area to hang hand-washables. Sometimes simply adding a door from a

laundry to the yard or garage area is a boon.

The sink that is pictured here features gentle whirlpool jets to thoroughly launder delicate washables. It is 25 inches long, 22 inches wide and 11 inches deep and uses approximately five gallons of water. Careful hand-washing extends the life of a garment and is a wise way to treat expensive garments.

Other cool ideas include small pet spas and pedicure tubs.

For the single woman with resources, what better way to spoil yourself than having your private spa at home?

Other amenities might include drying racks or drying cabinets. In Europe, they have had drying cabinets in Laundromats since the 1980s because the typical home is too small for residential use. The luxury home market here in the U.S. encouraged a handful of appliance manufacturers -- such as Asko, Maytag and Staber -- to supply drying cabinets that are approximately the size of a narrow apartment-size refrigerator. A drying cabinet is an electrical machine designed to expedite the drying of clothing articles that are delicate and have tags

Get ready for the stormy season Stormy season Continued from page 14

--Install a programmable thermostat. It will not only keep your home’s temperatures comfortable but also kick on while you’re away for a vacation or the holidays, warming up your home and preventing frozen pipes.

--Install quality insulation.

Either hire insulation experts or take a free seminar on insulation installation at your local home improvement store. Choose from energy-efficient or organic insulation materials, and apply generous amounts in your attic and crawlspaces to keep your home’s heat in, which will help tremendously if you lose power for a few hours during a winter storm.

--Have your driveway resurfaced now, or patch cracks with an asphalt kit. During winter, water can enter cracks, expand and create large cracks and gaps that will cause you to have to repave your entire

driveway later.The same applies to pathways and in-ground pool surface areas.

--Store firewood far from the house. Keep chopped wood at least 50 feet from your home to prevent termites and other insects from infesting your home and necessitating a costly fumigation project later.

--Apply sealant to wood decks and rails. Extreme freezing/thawing cycles can damage wood planks without proper sealant, leading to splits and rotting.

--Caulk around the seals of dryer vents, cable outlets and other spaces where cold air can get in.

--Prepare an emergency kit that includes a radio, batteries, a first-aid kit, packaged foods, bottled water and other essential items in case you’re stuck in your home in dangerous weather, and buy waterproof tarps to have on hand to cover any damage to your car or home from fallen tree limbs.

that indicate you should “hang dry” or “not tumble dry.” Items such as boots, hats, gloves and bulky coats also can be dried safely in this way.

A mudroom is also a logical place for a message board and a charging station for electronic gear, such as cellphones and tablets. Check out the eNook,

by Anthro, to see a compact station with a flip-down mini desk. It comes at approximately 36 inches wide, and when closed, it is a mere seven inches deep. When open, it is about 22 inches deep, and you can lock the entire thing to keep your devices secure. There is a channel with multiple plugs for charging, and when it’s closed, your devices remain able to recharge.

Simple whiteboards and oldschool cork bulletin boards are popular and very useful for the room that everyone passes through on the way out of the house. Racks or hooks for coats are also useful, as are benches with a shelf for shoes.

The mudroom is a perfect room to experiment with a faddish color like citrus green as the paint can be changed easily once you tire of the hue.

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