Fall Home & Garden: Sept. 10, 2014: The Daily Dispatch

Fall 2014

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Fall Home & Garden

The Daily Dispatch

Fall 2014

Inspect your furnace before winter arrives It is almost time to bid adieu to the warm days of summer. Chilly afternoons followed by continually dropping temperatures are on the horizon, and fall is the per fect time to ser vice the home furnace to ensure it is ready to withstand the demands of winter.

Fur nace maintenance should be done on a regular basis. The best time to do so is in late summer or early fall, when you still have enough time to address any problems before it gets too cold outside.

HVAC systems malfunctions are typically caused by one of a handful of common problems. Inspecting certain components can help to guarantee a furnace is in Installing a fresh furnace filter is one way to ensure the furnace runs smoothly through the winter. working order when the first cold days arrive. ing the air you breathe, it as this can compromise air Thermostat

Ver y often a furnace may is important to keep a fresh flow and force the unit to filter in the unit. A clogged, work harder. Without ade- not tur n over because the Filter and air intakes After several months of dir ty filter will reduce the quate air flow through the thermostat is faulty. Many r unning the air condition- ef ficiency of the HVAC sys- system, the fur nace may a homeowner has spent money to have a ser vice pering, the filter on the heat- tem and may contribute to not turn on. son come out to examine the poor indoor air and allerMany systems also have ing and cooling system some sor t of external vent furnace, only to learn they may need to be changed. gies.

Check the air intakes or exhaust pipe. Check that only need a new thermostat Check the condition of the a r o u n d t h e h o u s e f o r the area is free of leaves, or batter y in the thermostat. filter to see if it is heavCheck the ther mostat obstructions.

Do not place debris and animal nests. ily soiled. Fur nace filters are relatively inexpensive. fur niture directly in front Again, any blockages can against a separate thermomSince this thin barrier will of intakes or venting that impede the ef ficiency of eter to ensure that it is reading the right temperature in be responsible for clean- delivers air to the home, the unit or cause it to fail.

the house. Raise the setting a few degrees to test if the heat kicks on.

How to treat ugly driveway stains A driveway is one of the first things guests see when visiting a home. Taking up a good por tion of the front acreage of the home, a driveway can add visual appeal to the property.

But when driveways are stained, cracked or pitted, they become eyesores that can rob a home of its curb appeal.

Concrete driveways are notorious for absorbing stains. Anything from automotive fluids to fallen leaves can af fect the appearance of a concrete driveway.

And while cleaning the driveway can take a little effort, the end result is well worth the effort.

Asphalt driveways may not show stains as visibly as concrete driveways, but that does not mean they cannot benefit from some TLC. The following cleaning methods can give a tired or dirty driveway a goodas-new look.

Pressure washing

Pr essur e washing machines can be used to remove groundin stains from driveways. The power of the streaming water and a combination of mild cleanser may be able to remove a number of stains, including those from leaves, mold, spills, dirt, fungus, and bird droppings.

Proceed with caution when using pressure washers, as they can be power ful tools. If the nozzle is set incorrectly, it is quite easy to pit out por tions of the driveway or create a streaky look. Widen the spray and pass over each area several times

Driveway stains can be remedied in various ways. to remove ground-in stains.

Pr essur e washers may come equipped with various attachments to make the process easier and eliminate stripping. Beginners may want to consider an attachment to make the job less arduous.

A rotar y turbo nozzle will focus the water in a fine stream but constantly rotate that stream to cover a wider area. A water broom will clean a wider area in one pass and some have castors that keep the nozzles the same height over the driveway surface. According to the Pressure Washing Industr y Resource Center, pressure washing a driveway will go a lot faster and becomes easier if you use a water broom.

A sur face cleaner is another attachment that enables you to push a rotary arm over the driveway for faster cleaning.

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Non-chemical cleansers

Cleaning driveway stains may only r equir e a few items you already have around the house.

Sometimes stains can be minimized simply by absorbing spills or residual oils and fluids.

Sawdust, cat litter and baking soda are ideal, absorbent materials. Sprinkle these substances on oily stains in the driveway and allow them to sit for a few days before sweeping away the residue. After a few days, the oily stain will most likely be minimized.

Laundr y detergent and dish soap also can break through some greasy stains. Tr y making a solution of water and the detergent of choice. Use a stif f-bristle broom to work the cleanser into the stained driveway, then rinse away the suds with a hose.

Repeat until the stains have lifted.

Commercial products

Auto supply and paint stores typically sell driveway cleaners. Always read the manufacturers’ instructions and guidelines prior to purchase to determine if the product will work to remove your driveway stains. Some products may be too harsh to use on asphalt, which is more malleable and porous than concrete and paver driveways.

Only use products that are recommended for your particular driveway surface. If you don’t, you may cause even more damage.

Muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, is used in swimming pools and for different applications around the house. It is a strong solvent that can clean some of the more stubborn driveway stains.

Always exercise caution when using chemical cleansers. Wear eye protection, gloves and be sure to mix properly, as many chemicals are flammable.

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Fuel

Fur naces are powered by various energy sources.

Electricity, gas or oil may be involved in the process.

If fuel is not being delivered to the furnace, the pilot will not light and warm the air to be blown through the house.

Some systems have an emergency shut-off switch that will halt fuel delivery to the unit.

It’s easy for these switches to be flipped accidentally if a furnace is located in a hightraf fic area. Make sure the switch is in the “on” position before reporting a problem.

In addition to these steps, you may want to vacuum the vent screens around the house. This will reduce the amount of dust blown around.

Also, if the furnace exhausts into a flue, be sure that the exhaust route is clear so that carbon monoxide does not back up into the home.

Many homeowners are fully capable of inspecting their furnaces to ensure they are ready for winter. If anything seems out of place or malfunctions, consult with an HVAC professional to make repairs.

Preventing stains Allowing fluids or other substances to sit on a driveway may contribute to soakedin stains. Being proactive can mean less scouring later on.

Routinely examine the driveway for automotive fluids and take your car in for a tuneup to remedy any leaks.

Rinse away leaves and other debris before they af fect your driveway’s appearance. Keep cat litter on hand to soak up minor spills and stains before they grow into larger problems.

Did you know?

Many home improvement projects involve hanging decorative items, such as photo frames or shelving. Homeowners frequently wrestle with nails, screws and hanging hardware, perhaps creating more holes in their walls than is necessar y to get items level and in the right spots. Instead of playing a guessing game of figuring out where the hanging holes or hooks are located on the back of items, use your office equipment to make life easier. Make a copy of the back of the item you’re trying to hang with a printer/ scanner or a copy machine, making sure to copy the item to full scale. Print the copy at full size and use it to drill the hanging holes. If you don’t have access to a copy machine or scanner, use a piece of tape to measure the distance between the hanging holes on the back of the frame. Stick the tape to the wall and then put your nails or screws at the ends of the tape.

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The Daily Dispatch

Fall Home & Garden

Fall Home & Garden

3

Fall 2014 Fall 2014

Control ant infestations at home

Few things elicit the ire of homeowners more quickly than insect infestations inside a home. Though many types of insects can find their way into a home, ants tend to be especially skilled at such invasions, causing many a headache among homeowners hoping to send their uninvited house guests packing once and for all.

Ants are attracted to food, water and shelter, making kitchens, bathrooms and laundr y rooms ideal havens for these unwelcome critters to congregate. Such infestations can frustrate homeowners and make them uncomfortable in their own homes, but curtailing an ant infestation need not be so difficult.

• Identify the point of entr y. Upon discovering an ant infestation, homeowners should conduct a thorough inspection of their homes to identify where the ants are entering the home. Ants are tiny and capable of crawling through the smallest of cracks or gaps, so ever y home is vulnerable to an ant infestation. Once you discover an ant inside your home, follow the ant rather than killing it, as foraging ants are typically sent from a colony located outside the home in search of moisture and food to bring back.

• Set the bait. Once you have identified the point of entry, you can then set some indoor ant bait. Employing borax, a natural mineral found in many common household products such as hand soaps and toothpastes, as their active ingredient, TERRO(R) Indoor Liquid Ant Baits use ants’ anatomy against them to curtail infestations. Adult worker ants cannot digest solid food, which they must bring back to the colony for additional processing. Liquid ant baits exploit this physiology by making it easy for ants to transport the liquid bait back to the rest of the colony, where more ants will ultimately succumb to the bait.

In addition, as the worker ant carries the bait back to

Indoor Liquid Ant Baits (above) and Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait Stakes (right) can help homeowners effectively eradicate ant infestations inside and outside of their homes. the colony, it’s also dropping a pheromone trail from the bait to the nest, ensuring that other ants will know where to find the bait, which they will hungrily seek out, making it easy for homeowners to eradicate the entire colony of ants.

• Expect to see more ants after setting the bait.

Baiting ants requires some patience on the part of homeowners, who should expect to see more ants appear in the hours after initially laying down the baits. That’s because the bait is intentionally attempting to draw ants out and attract as many of them as possible, so the more ants you see in the first couple of days after laying the bait, the more ef fective that bait will be at eradicating the colony. Especially large ant colonies may take up to 10 days to curtail, but smaller infestations can usually be controlled within 24 to 48 hours.

• Address the outdoors as well. Nearly all ant infestations can be traced to a

colony beneath the ground outside a home. Though ants prefer to invade the interior of a home where they can find food, water and shelter, that does not mean your home’s exterior is immune to such infestations, which can typically be found by searching for foraging trails that look like a line of traffic filled with ants. That line often leads directly into a home via windows, doors, exhaust vents, faucets, sliding glass doors, and along gutters and exterior walls.

TERRO(R) Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait Stakes provide an ef fective and long-term solution to control outdoor

ant colonies. Just like the indoor baits, these stakes employ a specially formulated liquid ant bait solution that attracts and kills all common household ants, including Argentine ghost ants, little black, acrobat, and pavement ants, among others.

The Liquid Ant Bait Stakes have a snap of f bait activation system that keeps the bait fresh until ready to use, while a see-through window makes it easy for homeowners to monitor the liquid ant bait so they know when it’s time to replace the stake.

Simply place the stake along ant trails or any areas outside the home where ants have

been observed.

• Maintain an environment inside the home that’s uninviting to ants. Once baits have been set and ant colonies have been curtailed, homeowners can take steps to make their homes less inviting to ants in the future.

Clean kitchens regularly, quickly cleaning up spills or crumbs, and use an exhaust fan in bathrooms and laundr y rooms to cut down on the type of moisture that may prove attractive to thirsty ants.

More information about TERRO(R) indoor and outdoor ant bait products is available at terro.com.

Plants can improve air quality inside

Indoor air quality is not often an issue in the war mer months, when many homeowners open their windows to let the fresh air of the great outdoors enter their homes in abundance. But once the temperatures begin to dip and windows star t to close, indoor air quality can suf fer.

Musty air is not only uncomfor table, it’s also unhealthy. Volatile or ganic compounds, or VOCs, can build up inside a home, especially when windows

are kept shut for long stretches of time, which is often the case in winter. Indoor plants can counter such stale air, in some cases filtering out VOCs to make the air inside a home more breathable and healthy. The following are a handful of houseplants that can improve indoor air quality.

• Aloe: Many of us know aloe for its restorative proper ties with regard to treating bur ns and cuts, but aloe also improves

indoor air quality by helping to clear a home of the byproducts, including formaldehyde, of chemicalbased household cleaners. Aloe loves the sun, so if you hope to keep an aloe plant healthy through the winter, be sure to place the plant in a window that gets lots of sun exposure throughout the day.

• Gerber daisy: Like aloe, a gerber daisy needs ample sunlight, and tends to only withstand winters in warmer climates. But

homeowners who live in such climates may still keep their windows closed in winter, and those that do can use these color ful, low-maintenance flowers to remove trichloroethylene, a chemical that clothes may be exposed to during the dr y cleaning process.

• Golden pothos: The golden pothos can sur vive a winter, but homeowners should be careful not to let the plant dr y out, which can happen if they are directly exposed

to sunlight. A golden pothos vine will grow quickly, so a hanging basket is a great way to keep one inside a home, where the plant can help fight formaldehyde.

• Ficus benjamina: Also known as a weeping fig, the ficus benjamina can be dif ficult t o o v e r w i n t e r. B u t that does not mean your ficus benjamina, which can filter pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichlor oethylene fr om a home, won’t make

it through the winter.

You just need to figure out the right watering and light conditions for the plant. Such conditions can be discussed with a gardening professional.

• Wa r n e c k d r a caena: The war neck dracaena, or dracaena deremensis, fights pollutants created by varnishes and oils. The warneck dracaena is a sturdy houseplant that is difficult to kill, but it still thrives in temperatures that are between 70 F and 80 F.

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Fall Home & Garden

The Daily Dispatch

Prep the yard for winter weather

As quickly as autumn weather arrives it seems to move aside for the bluster y, cold days of winter. Winter can catch a person off guard and the seasons are now less predictable than ever before.

It’s never too early to begin preparing your yard and outdoor living spaces for winter. Homeowners may be sad to bid farewell to the furniture and accessories of the fair-weather season, but time is of the essence when prepping for impending ice and snow.

• Clean patio furniture. Give cushions and structures a thorough cleaning and allow to dr y completely. Cleaning items before storing them for the winter saves time and energy next year when it’s time once again to set up the yard for recreation.

If anything is damaged beyond repair, discard it and look for replacements during end-of-season sales when savings can be had.

• Move things indoors. The more items you can store in a safe and secure location the better. Load the garage, basement or storage shed with outdoor gear.

Leaving items exposes them to the elements, and such exposure can cause r ust, wear and damage. Flower pots and lawn or naments also can blow around in winter wind or collapse under the weight of the snow, so collect these items and store them for the winter. Take out patio umbrellas and put them in the shed. If something is too large to move indoors, such as a barbecue or a pool filter, cover it with a durable tarp and secure it with rope.

• Cover delicate

Fall 2014

How to improve indoor air quality in your home

Autumn is a busy time for preparing your home and yard for the arrival of winter weather. trees. Depending on where you live, certain fr uit trees, including fig trees, may need to be covered for the winter. Covering protects them from subfreezing temperatures and helps ensure they will rebound in the spring.

Tropical plants should be moved indoors where they can thrive in a heated home. Do not rip out chrysanthemum plants. Contrary to popular belief, these are not annuals. They will rebloom year after year if allowed to do so.

• Remove water collectors. Bring in or cover anything that may accumulate water, such as bird baths or kids’ toys. Water expands when frozen, and that means water trapped in any ceramic, glass or even plastic vessel can expand and cause the container to crack.

• Clean up leaves and debris. Piles of leaves not only can suffocate a lawn and cause discoloration, but also can be attractive homes for rodents and insects looking for a warm place to spend their winters.

Keep your yard neat and clean to discourage wildlife from taking up residence near your home.

• Cover vegetable and flower beds. Invest

in some burlap to lay down over planting beds. This helps to keep the ground from freezing over and minimize weeds for next season.

• Care for outdoor ponds. If you have a pond on your property, remove any weeds around it and fish out any leaves from the water. Leaves will decay in the water and build up ammonia levels that can harm fish. If the pond is small, cover it for the winter. Also, start cutting back on feeding outdoor fish. These aquatic animals’ bodies begin to prepare for winter by slowing down metabolism. Continuing to feed them can harm the fish when the temperature drops.

• Wrap up pool season. It’s wise to close the pool and cover it before leaves star t to drop. Other wise you will have a hard time of keeping the water clean.

• Plant spring bulbs now. Now is a good time to plan wher e you want to put spring bulbs. Once you have mapped things out, get the bulbs in the ground.

Bulbs are relatively inexpensive and will provide that first punch of color when winter finally skips town.

With winter on the horizon, homeowners who live in locales with harsh winters are preparing their homes for a season spent largely indoors. Unlike the other seasons of the year, when homeowners can comfortably air out their homes by opening windows, winter offers no such opportunities to let nature improve indoor air quality.

Such a reality can make a home uncomfortable as winter drags on.

But that discomfort pales in comparison to the health risks presented by poor indoor air quality.

Radon, volatile chemicals from fragrances used in conventional cleaners and lead from house dust are just a few of the many sources of indoor air pollution commonly found in homes, and these pollutants can be especially harmful in winter, when many people spend more time indoors thanks to harsh weather. But while you might not be able to change the weather so you can open windows in the wintertime, you can take steps to improve indoor air quality in your home.

• Clean the floors regularly. Dirty floors take their toll on a home’s indoor air quality. Dust that’s allowed to settle on floors may contain harmful chemicals and allergens that can lead to respiratory problems and additional uncomfor table health conditions. Clean your floors at least once per week during the winter months, ideally with a vacuum that’s equipped with a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter is important because it can prevent dust and dirt from being blown back out of the vacuum in the exhaust.

After you have vacuumed, mop the floors as well, as even the most effective vacuums leave potentially harmful dust particles behind.

A once-over with a mop and some hot water can remove any lingering dust left behind by the vacuum.

• Place a floor mat

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Routinely vacuuming floors can improve indoor air quality in a home by preventing the buildup of dust mites and other harmful allergens. near ever y entrance.

Winter is a messy season, and it’s easy to bring in the great outdoors when you enter your home during cold weather seasons. Dir t that sticks to your shoes may contain potentially harmful chemicals, so place a floor mat near any door where people routinely enter your home and politely ask that all who enter wipe off and remove their shoes before moving about the house.

• Dehumidify your home. Mold and dust mites thrive on moisture, so homeowners concerned about the moisture in their homes during the winter months can purchase a dehumidifier to control allergens and reduce moisture in the air. In addition to using a dehumidifier, you can control humidity in your home by using an exhaust fan when cooking, addressing leaky plumbing fixtures to prevent mold growth and making sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside of your home.

• Choose naturally

scented laundr y products. Ever yone wants their freshly cleaned clothes to smell good, but the price you pay when using laundr y products that employ synthetic fragrances may be far more steep than you realize. Such synthetic fragrances emit dozens of chemicals into the air, so choose naturally scented detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets when possible.

• Avoid plug-in air fresheners. Unless otherwise noted on the packaging, plug-in air fresheners likely contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which contain a variety of chemicals that can negatively impact both shor t- and longterm health. Instead of plugging in an air freshener to improve a home’s interior aroma, slice fresh lemons and leave them out in the kitchen and keep fresh indoor plants in living areas.

Studies from NASA have shown that indoor plants naturally purify indoor air by absorbing materials released by synthetic materials.

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The Daily Dispatch

Fall Home & Garden

Fall Home & Garden

Fall 2014 Fall 2014

5

Winterize to protect against harsh weather Autumn is a beautiful time of year marked by welcoming cooler temperatures and the natural beauty of leaves changing colors. Autumn also has a tendency to fly by, as if the power ful weather of winter simply cannot wait to make its presence felt.

With such a seemingly short time between the end of summer and the dawn of winter, homeowners know they don’t have too many weekends in between to prepare their homes for the potentially harsh months ahead. But such preparation, often referred to as “winterizing,” can make a home more comfortable when the mercury dips below freezing, while saving homeowners substantial amounts of money along the way.

• Clean the gutters.

Leaves falling in fall can be a beautiful sight to behold, but many of those leaves are likely finding their way into your gutters, where they can lodge and cause a host of problems down the road. If the leaves and additional debris, such as twigs and dirt, that pile up in your gutters are not cleared out before the first winter storm, the results can be costly and even catastrophic.

Winter rain and snowfall needs a place to go upon hitting your roof, and gutters facilitate the travel of such precipitation from your roof into street-level drainage systems. If gutters are backed up with leaves and other debris, then ice dams may form, forcing water to seep in through the roof. That damage can be costly and can even cause the roof to collapse inward in areas with heavy snowfall.

Clean gutters throughout the who recall feeling cold inside and doors. Sometimes attic of your home’s windows and door ways, standing next to them to determine if there any holes or leaks that are letting outdoor air inside. If you notice any leaks beneath exterior doors, install some door sweeps to keep outdoor air where it belongs.

Leaks around windows can be snuffed out with caulk or weather stripping.

• Test the furnace. Homeowners typically do not devote much thought to their furnaces in spring, summer and fall. But with winter on the horizon, fall is the time to test the furnace to make sure it’s ready for the months ahead.

Expect a somewhat foul yet brief odor to appear when star ting the furnace. That odor should dissipate shortly, but if it does not go away, then your furnace is likely in need of repair. But even if the smell does not stick around, you might want to have the furnace cleaned by a professional anyway. Such cleanings ensure the furnace works efficiently throughout the winter.

• Clean the garage. You might not mind parking in the driveway during the warmer months of the year, but why subject your vehicles to harsh winter weather if you don’t have to? Clean the garage in the fall so you have an indoor parking spot throughout the Cleaning gutters in the fall can prevent roof damage resulting from winter rains and snowfall. winter season. Protecting your fall, especially if your prop- their homes last winter, insulation is not the culprit car from the elements can add erty has many trees, and be which is often a telltale sign when it comes to a cold home. years to its life and also saves sure to check gutters one last of improper insulation in a Oftentimes, leaky windows you the trouble of digging time before the arrival of win- home. A good rule of thumb and doors are the real bad your car out of the snow.

Fall is a time of year for ter. when determining if your attic guys in a drafty home. Fall • Tend to your attic. Hom- needs more insulation is to is a great time to inspect for homeowners to spend a weekeowners who have attics in look for the ceiling joists. If leaky windows and doors, as end or two preparing their their homes might want to you can see the joists, then the wind outside can serve as homes for the often harsh add some extra insulation you need more insulation. your partner. When the wind weather that awaits when winup there, especially those • Address leaky windows outside is blowing, take a tour ter arrives.

Tips for revitalizing paneled rooms

Paneling is a low-cost way to cover problem walls. In the 1960s and 1970s, paneling was very popular. Sold in large panels, paneling was relatively easy to hang, and quickly became a staple of dens and finished basements.

But few of today’s homeowners are enamored with the look of faux wood paneling. Those who purchase homes that have paneling on the walls often search for ways to transform the look of rooms in which the walls are covered in paneling.

While paneling does go up quickly, removing it may not be as simple. Explore these options for giving paneled walls a new look.

Cover the paneling

Covering up the paneling is another tactic. Rather than coating the wall in paint, consider a wallpaper liner. Liners are essentially a thick, plain wallpaper that is applied on top of the paneling or used when dealing with damaged walls. In lieu of tearing down the walls and putting up new drywall, the liner will cover imperfections. Many of these products can be painted directly and may not require priming beforehand. This can be great for homeowners whose goal is to cover paneling quickly and easily.

Those who prefer a patterned look on the walls can opt to cover paneling with a printed wallpaper.

However, depending on the thickness of the wallpaper, this may be a two-step process. You may need Paint over the paneling to fill in the creases between the panels first, or first The fastest way to breathe new life into a pan- use a thick wallpaper liner to create a seamless sureled room is to paint over the paneling. The texture face. of the paneling will show from beneath, giving the

room appeal without the dark hue of the wood or veneer panels. Consult with a paint store or home Cut the paneling improvement center to determine the most effecIf you desire a cottage or countr y look in a tive way to cover up paneling with paint. Some- room, remove half of the paneling, leaving the bottimes it is wise to lightly scuff the paneling with a tom portion intact. Then place molding or a chair fine-grit sandpaper so that the paint will adhere. rail where you made your cut, creating a wainShiny or glossed paneling can be dulled with a scoting effect. The top portion of the wall can be de-glossing product. Sometimes a combination painted, while the bottom portion can be left as the of a thick primer and color will grip the paneling wood color or painted a complementary color. and reduce the number of coats needed to cover

it. Also, invest in a high-quality, professional-grade paint. It may cost a bit more, but such paint will Remove the paneling be well wor th it when it glides over the panelThe most labor-intensive way to give a paneled ing, covering it completely. If you don’t want the room a new look is to remove the paneling. Pry at grooves showing between the panels, fill them in a portion of the paneling in an inconspicuous spot with spackle and sand down to create a smooth in the room to determine which method was used surface before painting.

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to install the paneling. Some people only tack it into place with small, finishing nails, while others glue the paneling to the wall for a secure installation.

Glue will be much more difficult to remove and could further damage the walls and paneling in the process. If the paneling is too difficult to remove, covering or painting it may be a smarter option.

Small nails can be removed by pulling at the panels. Spackle holes before painting over the walls.

Paneling is an inexpensive decorating option that was first popularized 40 years ago. Though less popular now, paneling still shows up in homes and can be remedied with some relatively easy tips.

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6

The Daily Dispatch

Fixing leaky fixtures

People who have slept within steps of a leaky faucet know full well the nuisance that such water fixtures present. A leaky faucet can make it difficult to sleep at night, but leaks around the house also cost homeowners lots of money.

Many leaks around a house are not nearly as noticeable as a dripping faucet. But worn toilet flappers or leaky valves can wreak just as much havoc on a monthly budget as a leaky en suite bathroom faucet does on a night’s sleep. Identifying those leaks, many of which are easy to fix, is a great way to conserve water and save money at the same time.

• Start with your water meter. The hours after everyone in the household has taken their morning showers, brushed their teeth and had their coffee is a great time to determine if you have a leak. Water is not typically used during these hours, so check the water meter once the last coffee mug has been washed and then revisit the meter two hours later. If the meter has changed, then chances are you have a leak.

• Test the toilet with food coloring. Toilets are a common source of water leaks, as deteriorating toilet flappers slowly waste water via leaks that are not always noticeable. Because toilet leaks can be difficult to notice, homeowners might have to get a little creative. Add a drop of food coloring to the holding tank of your toilet, then wait roughly 15 minutes to see if the color of the water starts to change. If it has, your toilet is leaking.

• Inspect faucet gaskets and pipe fittings. Faucet gaskets and pipe fittings should not be wet, but wet gaskets and pipe fittings is typically evidence of surface leaks. When washing dishes in the sink, turn the faucet on high. If you notice water coming from anywhere other than the head of the faucet, then you have leaky gaskets.

Once you have determined the source of the leak, you can begin to address the situation. Toilets, faucets and shower heads are the most common culprits with regard to water leaks.

• Toilets: Flappers are the rubber parts in the toilet’s holding tank. These flappers are susceptible to mineral buildup and decay, and over time that can create leaks. Flappers are inexpensive and easy to replace. When replacing your toilet flapper, take the worn out flapper with you to the hardware store to make sure you buy a new one that is compatible with your toilet.

• Faucets: When a leaky faucet is your biggest foe, be sure to turn the water supply in the house off before you get to work. If your faucet has any decorative knobs, gently remove these so they do not break and you can replace them when the leak has been addressed. From there you must remove the packing nut and the stem. Some stems come off easily, while others must be twisted off from the valve. Inspect these parts for damage before moving on. The O-ring and washer inside the valve seat may be responsible for your leak, so inspect these parts and replace them if necessary. Be sure they are an exact fit so you don’t end up with a fresh leak. Once these items have been replaced, you can reassemble the parts, turn the water back on and check to see if the leak has vanished. If the leak remains, then your valve seat may be corroded or your plumbing might need a professional inspection.

• Shower heads: If the shower head is your source of leaks, you may just need to tighten the connection between the shower head and the pipe stem. This can be done using pipe tape. If the problem with your shower head can be traced to the shower handle and cartridge, you might want to hire a professional to fix your leak, as addressing this problem can be tricky. If you want to do it yourself, first turn the water supply off before removing the shower handle. Some handles are especially difficult to remove, in which case you might need to visit the hardware store to purchase a handle puller. Once the handle has been removed, you can then pull the cartridge, which is likely to prove more difficult than removing the handle. The cartridge may need to be twisted loose with pliers before you pull it out, or you may need to buy a cartridge puller that is compatible with the brand of shower head you have. Once you get the cartridge out, you can install your replacement and reassemble the parts that were removed.

Fall Home & Garden

Fall pruning can stimulate growth in plants preparing for winter dormancy, threatening their ability to return next spring and summer.

Strategies for proper pruning

As the leaves fall off the trees and greenery thins out for the season, exposing branches and undergrowth along the way, homeowners may be tempted to prune their trees and shrubs. But while autumn pruning may seem like a good idea, many gardening experts say it is often best for homeowners to wait until winter or early spring before pruning.

Although pruning does thin out branches and tame spent blooms, which can be eyesores, pruning also stimulates new growth. Pruning in the autumn, when plants are naturally preparing to go dormant, can weaken the plants considerably. This can compromise their chances of sur viving into the next growing season.

Fall temperatures also can be deceiving. While it may be warm during the day when the sun is shining, temperatures can quickly drop overnight. Pr uning during the war mth of day, when the sap has risen in the plants, may deplete energy from the plant. When the mercury drops at night, the plant can suffer.

If you must spend time in the yard in the fall, tend to the leaves and debris that have already fallen to the ground rather than focusing energy on fall pr uning. If you have been diligent during the spring and summer, your shrubs and other plants likely won’t need pruning at this time of year.

Wait until winter before taking out the shears. At this point,

the woody par ts of many plants are dormant and will not be har med or primed to grow by the pruning. Chances are you won’t prune too much as well, as chilly temperatures will keep you from spending too much time outdoors.

When it’s time to prune, consider these other pointers.

• Keep tools clean and in good working order. You risk injury if your tools are dull and in poor shape overall. Spend time sharpening pr uners and keep manual tools oiled and clean.

Debris can lodge itself in clippers, making it more difficult to open and shut them. Wash and dr y tools after use, especially when dealing with diseased plants. Otherwise you risk spreading disease to healthy plants.

• Cut back stems completely. It’s usually a good idea to prune branches back to the main stem. Leaving a por tion sticking out can catch on people or animals and produce a gathering spot for bacteria and insects. Take out thinner, smaller shoots first before moving on to any dead or dying branches.

• Prune dr y branches. Do not prune when plants are wet. Pr uning damp plants encourages the growth of microbes that can infiltrate the plant. This is not as significant a problem in the winter, when microbes have already been killed.

• Ask an expert. If you are unsure of how and when to pr une particular plants, consult with an expert at a nursery or wherever you buy your plants.

Fall 2014

Alternatives to pesticides

Pests can be a nuisance. Whether they’re scampering about the yard while you try to entertain guests or invading your home’s interior when the weather outside pushes them indoors, pests are almost always unwelcome guests.

Many homeowners address pest problems with pesticides. But the Environmental Protection Agency notes that there are other ways for homeowners to control pest problems around their homes. Though sometimes pesticides prove the only way to effectively eradicate pest problems, the following are some more eco-friendly alternatives homeowners can try before opting for pesticides.

• Cut off food sources. One of the primary reasons pests infiltrate a home is to get food.

Homeowners who don’t create opportunities for pests to eat might be able to prevent infestations without the need for pesticides. When storing items in a pantry, make sure all boxes and bags are tightly sealed. Many pests can easily access food sources stored in cardboard boxes, so homeowners with roach or ant infestations might want to consider storing cereal, sugar and flour in sealable plastic containers that such pests cannot penetrate.

• Keep a tidy house. Pests do not only access food sources stored in the pantry. A dirty house is also very inviting to pests, who can feast on crumbs left behind on floors and tables. Don’t leave crumbs lying around on tables or countertops, as such scraps might not seem like a meal to you but will ser ve as a great source of food for hungry pests.

Sweep and mop kitchen floors to remove any traces of food that might have fallen on the ground while you were cooking, and be sure to vacuum around the table where you and your family eat dinner night.

• Don’t be sunk by your sink. A dirty sink is another attraction pests can’t resist. If your sink does not come equipped with a garbage disposal, install a food trap on the drain so food is not washing down the drain, where it can stick to the side of the pipe and attract pests.

Dirty dishes should be cleaned immediately as well. If allowed to sit in the sink for hours or overnight, dirty dishes will attract hungry pests, so clean the dishes and then give your sink a quick cleaning once the dishes have been washed.

• Stay dry. Water is very attractive to pests and roaches in particular. A very small amount of water is all some roaches need to feel satisfied, so all surfaces and sinks should be kept dry. Drain water from the sink, as a sink full of water is attractive to roaches because they know how to swim and can use water as a food source. Leaky plumbing should also be addressed, as leaky faucets, hoses and pipes may create a pest-friendly environment that’s difficult to eradicate once it’s established.

• Address leaks around the house. A pest infestation also may be a byproduct of leaks around the house. Cracks or openings along the baseboards or behind the sink can create a point of entry for hungry pests, so seal any such cracks or openings as soon as possible.

Pests also may enter a home through holes in window screens or march right in through the front door if there is any space between the bottom of the door and the floor. These repairs are both simple and effective at preventing pests from entering a home.

• Clear out clutter. Cluttered areas make great hiding places for pests. Stacks of old newspapers or magazines can obscure pests, and homeowners might have a full infestation without even knowing it. Removing such clutter eliminates potential hiding places for pests.

Though some pest problems may require the use of pesticides, homeowners who want to attempt a more eco-friendly approach to eradicating pests can do so in a number of ways.

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