Home Improvement Guide by NPG Newspapers

St. Joseph area

Spring 2015 home improvement guide

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Spring 2015 | Home improvement guide

INDEX Cooling systems ....................................5 Flooring ................................................6 Foundations and roofing .......................8 Kitchens .............................................10 Lawn and garden ................................12 Painting, siding and exteriors ......................................13 Porches, patios and pools...................14 Safety .................................................15 Tools ...................................................16 Windows and doors.............................17 Spring home improvement checklist .............................................18

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Cooling systems

Keep an eye on your air conditioning, cooling efficiency

By ANDREW GAUG

Make sure the coils are clean

Air conditioning units need their coils to be clean in order to make sure they’re perou might be enjoying a forming at an optimal rate. If they’re covered nice break from high in dirt, they’re using more electricity and electric bills due to the making you spend more money on bills. spring weather, but when The coil is tasked with the hardest job: summer rolls around, the condenser coil on an outside unit. It you should be sure your air contakes the concentrated heat collected from ditioner is working to maximum the home and sends it to the outside. efficiency in order to save money. “If that coil is dirty, the system won’t Don Goodman, owner of Goodman Heating, Cooling and Insulation, cool as properly, and you’ll have probhas been in the heating and cooling lems,” Mike Anderson, co-owner of A&M business since 1988, and he has seen it Heating & Cooling, says. a lot — people who have failed to check Owners are asked to make sure the their air conditioner before running outdoor unit is clear of all debris so that it or who just assume that because it’s the air has an upward flow of at least 5 running fine, it must be in good shape. feet, free of any obstruction. One of the biggest enemies: dirt Don’t forget to make sure the indoor coil and grass. is just as clean. Don’t wait until it’s hot “Most people can see their outdoor coil to check your A/C units and see whether or not it’s dirty,” Mr. GoodWhile the spring months tend to be man says. “The indoor coil’s a lot harder to mild, it’s that hot and humid summertime see if it’s dirty. That’s why making sure your that seems to be when everyone figures filter is changed regularly is of great imporout if their air conditioning unit works or tance, because it will keep that coil clean.” not. Also, check your refrigerant levels, That’s often a little too late, Mr. Goodwhich will require a qualified service tech. man says. “If it’s low on refrigerant, it can actually “When we get that good, hot, humid result in compression failure because the day, I’ll get (backed up) about two weeks lines aren’t properly cooled,” Mr. Goodbehind. And most other contractors will man says. too,” he says. A good idea: Wait for a warm spring day, Time and savings are of the essence Mr. Goodman’s advice is when it’s time somewhere in the 60-degree range, to make sure everything is in order. If it isn’t, to pay the bills, it’s also time to change a heating and cooling contractor should the air conditioner filter to help keep it at be easy to reach. optimum performance. St. Joseph News-Press

“The biggest mistake I see there is (people) don’t clean their filters and they’re using these pleated filters ... They work very well. They stop dirt flow from flowing through it. Once you get some dirt on it, it also stops air from going through it,” he says. The important thing to remember: Don’t let time slip by because it likely will cost you money. “Now that I’m getting older, I realized just how fast time flies. It’s easy to say, ‘Oh, I did that a month ago. No, wait. That was actually three months ago.’ That’s three months of run time and the dirt has gotten bad,” he says. Make sure you a hire a service tech with credentials

No matter how much cleaning you do, it’s always good to have a service tech to check out both the indoor and outdoor cooling units. Goodman’s company is part of the KCP&L CheckMe! Program, which will check and verify the efficiency of heating and cooling units. If they need to be retired, the program can offer a rebate up to $850 to get a more efficient unit. But beware of prospective techs who don’t know what they’re doing. Mr. Goodman says a proper tech does about 10 temperature readings total, including three temperature readings inside and seven temperature readings outside. And then they’ll call it in for third-party verification. Andrew Gaug can be reached at andrew.gaug@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPGaug.

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Flooring

Getting it covered Flooring varieties offer many options for homeowners to choose from By BROOKE WILSON St. Joseph News-Press

he trend toward hard flooring surfaces continues as homeowners trade carpet for something a little sleeker and easier

to clean. Steve Holcomb, a flooring specialist from Gallatin, Mo., says his career already has spanned two flooring trend cycles. Where before it was common to cover wood floors with carpet, he’s now ripping that carpet up to refinish the panels underneath. He jokes that in 20 years it’ll probably swing back the other

way, but for now people are embracing wood and tile. Something he’s seen lately is people requesting decorative touches. Wood and ceramic tile floor inlays are becoming more popular for homeowners who can afford them. They require a little extra time and labor, but the end result can be stunning. Joe Mallot, an assistant manager at St. Joseph’s Home Depot, says another popular trend is tile that looks like distressed hardwood. It’s just as easy to install as regular tile and comes in several varieties at different price points. “It’s more durable than wood, say if you have animals on it. Soiling

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doesn’t settle in,” Mr. Mallot says. It also won’t get scratched by dog claws, and won’t have water damage from spills. For hardwood, Mr. Mallot says bamboo is getting more attention because it’s durable, renewable and comes in a wide range of finishes that mimic other colors and materials. He says dark wood is waning in popularity and customers now are requesting medium to light finishes more often. One of Mr. Holcomb’s specialties is concrete finishes. Staining concrete is a great choice for garages, unfinished basements and patios because it retains the durability of

concrete but ends up looking more attractive. Some application methods even mimic marble, wood or other tile work. It’s an asset in basements because if it ever floods, you won’t have to rip up any carpet or flooring. Just squeegee the water out the door and let it dry. Epoxy is another good way to finish concrete floors. The sealant resists water and oil, is easy to clean and lasts a long time. Many big-box stores sell kits for homeowners to apply epoxy or other seals themselves. However, from Mr. Holcomb’s own experience, those often don’t adhere correctly. “You definitely have to sand them before you start. You have to grind

the concrete or (the applications) don’t stick,” he says. He recommends using a professional for concrete staining and epoxy so that it lasts and you don’t have to redo the floors again in the future. Before deciding on any flooring application, though, always do a concrete moisture test. “If there’s too much moisture in the slab, (the flooring application) will fail, too,” he says. You can buy inexpensive moisture test kits to do yourself, or you can ask anyone who provides flooring services to test the area for you. Brooke Wilson can be reached at brooke.wilson@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPWilson.

Many homeowners are using an epoxy finish to seal concrete floors in garages and basements. The finish can be found in a kit from a variety of big-box stores and will resist water and oil, making for easy clean up.

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Foundations and roofing

From top to bottom Roofing and foundations key to maintaining a solid home By KEN NEWTON St. Joseph News-Press

omeowners who want to do a “top-to-bottom” spring cleaning may see this as only a figure of speech. But attention paid to the top (a home’s roof) and the bottom (its foundation) can go a long way to preserving a property’s value and comfort. Water may be a necessity of life, yet no homeowner wants it leaking through the roof or seeping into the basement. The resulting stains or mold can be costly, but some proactive maintenance can keep the moisture out and excessive repair costs from digging into the pocketbook. Missouri weather can prove taxing

on homes. Summer beats down with occasional temperatures over 100 degrees, and winters bring lows that bottom out below zero. St. Joseph averages about 108 days of precipitation a year and, of course, severe weather poses a risk to houses, especially their roofs. In the normal course of things, though, a little vigilance pays off.

Dryness up above

Trouble can come from above, and the roof of a home might not always be the primary source of the mischief. Stanley Holmes, of Holmes Roofi ng in St. Joseph, cites a familiar scenario where water backs up in gutters, freezes and then expands upward and under the shingles. Eventually, that water gets into the house.

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Some products exist to combat these problems, leak barriers for a structure’s most vulnerable places, but tell-tale signs will always point to problems with a roof. Those signs include missing shingles or the loss of “gravel” from still-attached shingles, not to mention spots on interior ceilings. “You can tell when the shingles are starting to go bad or not,” Mr. Holmes says. “Sometimes, they don’t look too bad from the ground, but when you get up on the roof, you can see cracks in them.” The problems might be serious or easily resolved. Around the ventilation tubes that rise through the roof, the so-called “stink pipes,” a rubber washer might have cracked and given way to water. This costs little. Older or damaged roofs, though,

give homeowners a decision to make. The typical options for replacement are the 25-year “3-tab” shingles and the newer laminated “architectural” style, which Mr. Holmes sees as longer-lasting but for a reasonable price. A price also comes with not addressing a roof problem. “If (people) let it go on too long, you’re going to end up doing damage to your ceilings and you’ve got to replace the sheetrock,” he says. “You can even get a little mold in there.”

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A solid foundation

There are 30,000 types of mold, and mold spores can begin to take shape within 24 hours of a water intrusion in a house. Tony Stewart, owner of Budget Home Repair Co. of St. Joseph, studies mold and knows that a small problem can become a major problem quickly. “What happens when you let (water encroachment) go, it turns into mold spores,” he says. “The mold can get into the basement and then actually travel through the entire home and get into the HVAC system.” Winter can hasten this problem, according to Mr. Stewart. Loose dirt along the side of a house can get infiltrated with precipitation. “If there’s a small crack, water will get inside that crack and it will freeze. From there, it can start making things move and shift because it compacts and expands,” he says. The water then finds its way to the weakest point in the foundation. Mr. Stewart’s company uses professional chemicals to address the mold that can build up from the intrusions. Homeowners can try to address water leaks or mold abatement in doit-yourself fashion, but Mr. Stewart stresses that professional intervention can end up saving money in the long run. “Your foundation is your main structure of your home,” he says. “Obviously, you don’t call a doctor to do body work on your car, and you don’t go to a dentist to get the best car price in town.” Ken Newton can be reached at ken.newton@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPNewton.

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Kitchens

Counters, cabinets top kitchen makeover list By JENA SAUBER St. Joseph News-Press

he kitchen often is relegated to a place of utility, and full overhauls can be expensive and time consuming. By focusing on small weekend update projects, you can refresh a space and combine functionality with beauty this spring. “I would say granite counter tops or quartz counter tops are probably the easiest way to change the whole look and feel of your kitchen in the least amount of time with a small amount of money,” says Erich Van Cleave of Van Cleave Construction. Amy Stanton, co-owner of Cabinets, Counters & More, also recommends updating counter tops if homeowners are looking for a project that will have a big impact with limited time and financial investments. She recommends quartz or granite counters with a sealant with a 15-year warranty. “Upgrade the counter top. It really helps the resale value of the house,” she says. “Just about everyone wants to see granite or quartz counter tops.” Updating cabinet hardware also can be a low-cost way to give the room a new look, Mr. Van Cleave says. It’s easy for homeowners to do on their own, as long as they match up the existing holes in their cabinetry, Ms. Stanton says. “It will change the way the whole kitchen looks,” Mr. Van Cleave says. “You will be amazed.” Two-color cabinets — painting the upper cabinets a different color than the lower — also is a popular kitchen trend. Choose a lighter color on top to give a sense of weightlessness and a dark color on bottom to keep the cabinets “grounded.” There has been an increase in painted cabinets, especially white and other neutral colors, Ms. Stanton says. Ready-to-assemble cabinets are a more cost-efficient way to purchase

Quartz or granite counters are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the whole look of the kitchen area. Modernizing with stone can increase the value of the home. new cabinets to update a kitchen, Mr. Van Cleave says. “It’s a good value for the price, and it fits a specific need for people wanting to do a remodel but not wanting to use off-the-shelf cabinets or unfinished cabinets,” he says. “It’s not quite as good as the big-box store cabinets, but it’s better than what you buy off the shelf.” Open-face cabinets are an increasingly popular way to show off dishes, cookbooks or decorations in the kitchen. Limit the open shelving to one part of the kitchen so you have space to hide other things.

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Lighting also is seeing a change, including LED lighting under and inside cabinets, Mr. Van Cleave says. The LED lights are more energy efficient and last longer than previous technology. “We have also been seeing light fixtures go away from the fluorescent lights in the ceiling to the pendant lighting,” he says. New pendant lights are blending functionality and beauty. Repurposing items, such as glass vases or jars, or using statement pieces made of unique materials for pendant shades, also is gaining in popularity.

In remodels or new construction projects, wine refrigerators, coffee bars and refrigerator drawers are popular, Ms. Stanton says. She also has seen an increase in farm sinks. Another trend in kitchen furnishings is making other furniture kitchen-friendly. Give an old dresser, bookcase or desk a fresh coat of bright paint to transform it into an island or additional kitchen storage. Add a prefabricated butcher block top or feet to raise up a low piece and make it more accessible. While some spring kitchen projects can be done by homeowners, Mr. Van Cleave recommends leaving the larger projects to the professionals. “With your home being your biggest investment that you have, depending on your skill level, I would say leave it to the professionals,” he says. “We do have some people who try to do things, and a lot of times, they do more harm than good.” Jena Sauber can be reached at jena.sauber@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPSauber.

A popular trend in kitchen cabinets is replacing the hardware. This can offer a cost-effective way to give the kitchen an updated look. It’s an easy task for many homeowners as long as the hardware matches the existing screw holes. Another popular trend is painting cabinets different colors on the top and bottom.

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Lawn and garden

Don’t forget trees during spring lawn cleanup

By BROOKE WILSON St. Joseph News-Press

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t’s not quite time to bust out the big mowers yet, but there still are many small ways to whip your property into shape this spring. Great lawns aren’t just about grass, though. Pay attention to shrubs, trees and other vegetation during this time. Shane Hunter of Hunter’s Lawn Care says the first order of business for many properties is to finish leaf and brush cleanup. Rake up leaves that still are covering the lawn so new grass can grow, and remove leaves from gutters, downspouts and bushes. Dethatch and aerate the It’s important to remember to remove dead dead lawn, then determine whether limbs from trees around your property during to apply grass seed, weed killer or the spring. preemergent herbicide. “If you’ve got good grass, dethatch, important to remove dead wood aerate and put down weed preventer. ... and limbs from trees in the spring. If you don’t have good grass, don’t put Look for potential overhang probdown any pre-emergent yet,” he says. lems, like if a branch is too close to a If you do, it will prevent the grass power line or roof, and plan to have seed from growing. Mr. Hunter says to it trimmed back before it can cause wait until the new grass has reached a damage. Check for signs of disease height of 3 to 6 inches before applying or pest damage, such as sawdust any weed killers or fertilizers. around the base of the trunk or dead Spring weather means the return limbs that don’t have new growth, of lawn pests, so Mr. Hunter recomand plan to spray accordingly. mends also looking into grub and You also should look at the branchmole control or removal methods right es of the tree’s interior, before leaves now. If you plant flowers or vegetables, grow back and cover them up. Mr. remove brush and weeds from your Owens says late spring and summer beds and put down new mulch. in this region often include storms Charlie Owens of Charlie’s Tree with heavy winds and rain. If the tree Trimming and Removal says it’s tops are too thick, the wind won’t be

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able to pass through the limbs and they could break and fall. Thinning them out will help significantly. It’s recommended that homeowners call professionals for tree work to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. However, if you’re confident in your ability to handle a project yourself, make safety the number one priority. “For homeowners that are pretty handy around the house, just think twice before making cuts. Don’t do work in the air without being safely tied in. ... Don’t work on ladders up in a tree without the proper safety: safety glasses, hard hats, leather gloves, chainsaw chaps, steel-toe boots,” Mr. Owens says. Once you’ve done a major yard cleanup, you’ll probably have a lot of brush left over. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Owens say the city sometimes offers free brush removal, free dump days and approved burning dates, so stay updated through local news sources. If you live outside city limits and plan to burn brush, keep it contained in a burning barrel. Have a hose on and ready to use at all times, keep an eye on the contents and don’t leave the fire unattended. Mr. Hunter also suggests designating an area of the yard as a compost pile to let nature take its course with dead leaves and brush. Then, you can reuse the mulch it creates in your garden beds. Brooke Wilson can be reached at brooke.wilson@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPWilson.

Painting, siding and exteriors

Experts provide valued tips on exterior upkeep By ALONZO WESTON St. Joseph News-Press

‘‘S

pring has sprung, the grass is riz, do you know what condition the exterior of your house is?” If not, a couple of local siding and painting experts have tips on painting, siding and general exterior upkeep on your home for this season. Winter cold and snow may be gone, but in its place are leaf-filled gutters, cracked paint and damaged siding. Being aware of and addressing problems early can save dollars later. Josh Joseph of Joseph Contracting suggests spraying the outside of your home down to remove all the winter grime and sludge. Also make sure any plants or bushes are cut back away from the house. “Say you have a plant or tree or something growing up next to the house, the wood on there will draw the moisture from those plants and it will get in there and rot your wood out,” he says. That’s the reason people put siding on their homes, he adds. Spring is a good time to caulk around the exterior of your home, Mr. Joseph says. Caulking won’t adhere to surfaces during the colder winter months. “You want to do things like that in the summer time, especially in the spring, when you’re getting ready to get some rain,” Mr. Joseph says.

needs attention, any miscellaneous cracks, whether it be masonry or siding or cracks around windows, siding, it all needs to be caulked,” he says. A good paint job will last from five to 10 years, Mr. Kelley says. But even with a new paint job, homeowners still need to do an annual inspection on the outside of their homes each spring, he says. “Some houses move, the paint may look good but the siding corner trim can open up and be cracked, have hairline cracks where water is getting in, but the paint will look good around it,” Mr. Kelley says. The HGTV.com website also suggests examining roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during the winter. Flashing around plumbing, vents, skylights and chimneys also Spring is an opportune time to inspect, repair need to be checked. Homeowners also should inspect and paint window casings to prevent leaks and concrete slabs around the home for prevent damage caused by inclement weather. signs of movement. The concrete also should be power washed and “The weather changes from hot to sealed. cold here in Missouri (and) you get Hire a heating and cooling conthe expansion and contraction of tractor to clean and service the everything, so caulking will break outside unit of the air conditioning loose sometimes, so you need to go back and check that caulking before system as well as change the interior air filter. the rain season hits to make sure Fill in low spots in the yard that no moisture is getting inside your are next to the foundation with comhouse.” pacted soil to prevent flooding and Pat Kelley of Kelley Painting says damage. homeowners want to make sure water runs away from the house. Check guttering and make sure everything Alonzo Weston can be reached at alonzo.weston@newspressnow.com. drains properly. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPWeston. “Look for any paint failure that

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Porches, patios and pools

Spring starts routine pool, deck maintenance

By JENA SAUBER

the spring, inspect the deck’s ledger, the piece of framing that connects it to the house. A damaged ledger often s the weather warms, is responsible for deck collapses. Remany people venture pair damaged boards or protruding out to their backyards nails or screws. for relaxation for the Deck footers also can fail in the first time in months. In spring if they weren’t installed proporder to enjoy the space and protect erly, says Steven Flaska, owner and property, proper spring maintenance operator of Deck Pros. Footers should is important. be dug 36 inches deep and cemented After being covered all winter, in place. Improperly installed footers pools need to be checked and precan cause a deck to “heave.” pared for use in the spring and sum“I would pay attention to the footer mer. People usually start opening if it isn’t dug deep enough,” he says. their pools in April or May, says “... a lot of people don’t flat bottom Claudine Clark, manager at A.C. the bottom of the hole. They are Swimming Pools. creating a point and it can cause it to Remove the pool liner and allow spear downward with the shifting of it to dry completely. Remove debris temperatures.” and clean as necessary before rolling Each spring, remove debris from it and storing it for fall in a dry, pest- between the slats of the deck with a free environment. putty knife and thoroughly sweep “When they open the pool, dependthe deck. A pressure washer and ing on what the water looks like, they commercial deck cleaner can be need to get it tested and then they have used on a mild, overcast day to limit to add whatever is needed,” she says. rapid evaporation. Check the pool’s pump, liner, filters, “I’ve done some that got something skimmer basket and overall appearthat came off the oak treat that startance and replace parts as necessary. ed growing on the deck,” Mr. Flaska Pool water should be tested regularsays. “That was a real difficult one. ly, up to two or three times a week, to Power wash it and hit it with a good ensure it has the proper pH balance oil-based sealer.” and chlorine levels. Adjustments Wooden decks should be resealed should be made as necessary. Getting with a clear sealer, semi-transparthe levels periodically tested by a proent toner or stain to help protect the fessional also can help catch issues that wood against moisture and insects. a home test won’t find, Ms. Clark says. Allot two days to apply the product Winter also can cause damage to in moderate temperatures and clear decks, including mold and mildew. In skies. Expect to reapply clear sealers

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and toners annually and stain as needed. Sealants and stains aren’t recommended for composite decks. For new deck construction, Mr. Flaska recommends using alkaline copper quaternary treated wood as it prevents decay from fungi and insects. He advises against using cedar posts that will come into contact with the ground as the chemicals in the wood eventually dissipate, he says. “A lot of the problems we see is black carpenter ants that go in and go to work on them,” he says. “It’s really important to keep chemicals to keep your wood sealed.” Patio furniture and spaces also need to be cleaned in the spring. Clean patio umbrellas and furniture with a mild soap and water mixture and rinse before letting air dry completely. Use a 1:10 bleach-water mixture to algae and remove stains from water features and paving stones. Sweep and wash the patio area thoroughly with a high-pressure washer. Stone or concrete pavers can break during the winter and need to be replaced. Sealing them with a clear sealer can help retain their “new” look and make spills easier to clean. Polymeric sand, available at hardware stores, can help prevent weeds and bugs from accumulating in cracks between paving stones.

Safety

Look at home safety in the midst of spring cleaning By MARSHALL WHITE St. Joseph News-Press

pring has arrived. It’s time for house cleaning, and it’s also a good time to look at how safe things are in and around your home. That’s the word from Sheldon Lyon, executive director of the St. Joseph Safety Council. “It never hurts to check things out and see what can be improved, especially if there are little children or seniors living in your house,” Mr. Lyon says. Each spring, it’s always good to look at your smoke detectors. The best solution is a hard-wire smoke detector system built in to the house’s wiring, Mr. Lyon says. If that solution is too expensive, consider the new smoke detectors with 10-year-batteries, says Cass Holtz, a Westlake Hardware floor manager. Throw rugs and runners also are on the safety list. Double-sided carpet tape or a product called Rug Grippa can be used on the underside to help keep small rugs from slipping and causing a fall, Mr. Holtz says. And if you don’t have ground-fault circuit breaker plug-ins in your kitchen and bathroom, now is the time to make a change for the better, Mr. Lyon says. Both agree a safety check that a lot of people forget is to test a water

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Look around outside for lawn tools one forgot to take inside. Stepping on them could cause an accident. Don’t leave 5-gallon buckets sitting around with water in them, because if small children fall in, they can drown, and that’s an accident that doesn’t need to happen, Mr. Lyon says. If you’ve got a big year and a riding lawn mower, here’s another safety tip. The typical engine on a riding lawn mower is perfectly capable of cutting a limb or worse, Mr. Lyon says. So, don’t take small wiggling children for a ride no matter how much they beg, he says. If they fall, what could happen isn’t anything pretty, the safety director says. And keep people out of the throwing distance because flying twigs, Installing outdoor motion-detector lights is a stones, plastic and other objects can good way to secure the home and add safety be thrown with a lot of force when to the area. a mower runs over something, Mr. Lyon says. As spring heats up, it’s always time heater safety valve, which usually to be aware of weather conditions. sits on the top of your water heater. “I set my weather radio on my “When a safety valve doesn’t work county and a couple of counties to and pressure builds in your water the southwest so I can have as much heater, watch out — they can go up just like a rocket in your house,” Mr. advanced warning as possible when thunderstorms turn violent, Mr. Lyon says. Lyon says. And have a shelter plan in Having outdoor motion-detector lights is another good thing to insure the event of a possible tornado hurtling toward your home, he says. outside safety, Mr. Holtz says. If one doesn’t have outdoor wiring, there Marshall White can be reached are affordable outdoor motion lights at marshall.white@newspressnow.com. running on batteries as an alternaFollow him on Twitter: @SJNPWhite. tive, he says.

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Tools

New homes need a good set of tools to help with maintenance, spruce up

By DAVE HON St. Joseph News-Press

o, you’ve got the home, but now it’s time to maintain it. Simple tools are essential to any homeowner who wants to not only repair a residence, but maybe even improve it. Local home improvement experts say the simplest tools are essential in the home and require little to no maintenance. Lisa Marrow, a customer service associate in the tools and hardware department at Lowe’s, says a set of screwdrivers, a hammer, a portable drill and drill bits are the most essential tools to have in the home. “If you’re going to be building anything you’ll always have to at least drill a hole for something, you know, whether you’re putting up trim or a deck or just hanging curtains,” Ms. Marrow says.

“If you have a drill, you can use it for all of those things.” Screwdrivers are essential for remodel jobs or painting. New doors require holes for the hinges and a hole for the plate on the door jam. “The newest thing they have out now are impact drivers which are basically like a drill,” Ms. Marrow said. “Those are real popular this year.” The difference between an impact driver and a drill is the downward motion of the impact driver that a standard drill can’t offer. Essentially, the impact driver taps down on the bit while also torquing. This has the added benefit of not stripping the screw or damaging the bit. Ms. Marrow also says reciprocating saws are a helpful tool for cutting walls, wood and other materials. She also says jig saws are an important tool. Ms. Marrow

Every home should be equipped with the most essential tools, such as a set of screwdrivers, a hammer, and a portable drill with bits to facilitate minimal home maintenance and other uses needed around the home. 16 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | April 2015

recommends tool users seek out professional help for their usage. Carl Spain, hardware supervisor for Home Depot, says the essential tools of a home are all battery operated. He also suggests purchasing all of the same brand so the batteries are interchangeable. Mr. Spain uses Milwaukee and says a choice of brand comes down to personal preference. Mr. Spain also recommends a simple tool kit with a hammer and other non-electric tools, but a drill remains a versatile tool for him. “You can pretty much do everything with a hammer, a couple of screwdrivers and a portable drill,” Mr. Spain says. Regardless of the tool, Ms. Marrow and Mr. Spain suggest wearing goggles, and some prefer to wear an apron to protect from dust. Dave Hon can be reached at david.hon@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPHon.

Windows and doors

DESIGN YOUR DOOR

Take care of those drafty windows and doors, including garage doors

• Sales & Services • Free Estimates • Commercial • Residential

By JENNIFER HALL

OVERHEAD DOOR COMPANY OF ST. JOSEPH HOUP - KERNS, INC.

St. Joseph News-Press

816-233-7768 • www.ohdstjoseph.com 22nd & Olive, St. Joseph, MO

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spring g

to increase energy efficiency. In addition to insulation, Mr. Strough stresses the importance of a good hardware set for doors. He recommends commercial-rating hardware, if possible, which will hold up better. And then behind the composite door jam, look for steel reinforcement that the dead bolt will go into. “A door with a thicker-gauge piece of metal, if someone tries to break in, the lock set will break before the jam will break,” Mr. Strough says. Garage doors account for the largest openings in a home and the biggest leaks if not taken care of. There are several styles of garage doors with varying levels of insulation. But if replacing your windows and doors isn’t something you can afford, adding storm windows, caulking, weatherstripping and using window treatments or coverings are simple and effective. Jennifer Hall can be reached at jenn.hall@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPHall.

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Garage doors account for the largest openings in the home. It is important to maintain good seals to prevent drafts that can cause excessive home-energy use.

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y spring, most homeowners already have forgotten about those nasty drafts. Windows traditionally have been the weak spot in a home’s building envelope, according to the United States Department of Energy. They also are the leading source of heat loss, or unwanted heat gain in the summer, condensation and allergies. The agency states windows can account for as much as 10 to 30 percent of your home’s heat loss in the winter. Brett Strough deals with solar heat gain coefficient, meaning the amount of heat the glass lets transfer. “It’s the heat from the sun in the winter and the heat from the furnace keeping it in in the winter,” says Mr. Strough, general manager at The Dillon Company. New windows can help with allergies, too. He says there’s a pretty wide spectrum as to how much air leakage homeowners have in their windows. This allows more pollen and dander to enter a home, despite not opening the windows. The new Energy Star ratings for solar heat gain, UF factor and air filtration come out in 2016. Mr. Strough says all of those features are getting more stringent so that the quality level is getting more strict. “However, most of what we sell already meets most of those guidelines,” he says. Other entry points to consider replacing are doors and garage doors. Mr. Strough says customers are starting to lean toward fiberglass exterior doors inside the home. “You can get the look of wood grain doors without the maintenance,” he says. The doors also can come with an added layer of polystyrene insulation

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SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | April 2015 17

Spring checklist

Get your home in top shape with this easy-to-follow checklist

[ ] Clean and unclog gutters and downspouts. Make any needed repairs.

[ ] Inspect roof for leaks and loose shingles.

[ ] Inspect and clean chimney.

[ ] Check foundation for

cracks. Make needed repairs.

[ ] Make sure water is draining away from home. Landscape as needed.

[ ] Inspect brickwork, stucco

Spring is a good time to inspect and fix windows as temperatures warm to accommodate the required adhesion for caulking to stick to a variety of substrates.

[ ] Give outdoor furniture

[ ] Clean/replace air and air

[ ] Repair cracks in side-

[ ] Make sure grill is ready

[ ] Get air conditioner

[ ] Check trees and shrubs

[ ] Clean planters, pots

[ ] Install any window

[ ] Check decks and patios

[ ] Prepare flower beds

[ ] Clean ceiling fans. [ ] Clean out refrigerator

[ ] Power-wash concrete. [ ] Weather-proof windows

[ ] Inventory garden tools

walks and driveway.

for damage. Trim/remove as needed. for damage.

and doors.

[ ] Clean windows and repair screens.

[ ] Check outdoor faucets for any winter damage and turn on water.

[ ] Check lawn mowers and

other power tools to make sure they work.

[ ] Clean away any leaves or other debris around the yard.

[ ] Clean pools and spas and prepare for use.

a good cleaning. for the season.

and hanging baskets and prepare for use. for planting.

and make sure all are in good condition.

[ ] Clean out garage/shed. [ ] Check attic and basement for dampness and mold.

[ ] Give home a general cleaning.

[ ] Clear out closets and drawers.

conditioning filters. serviced. AC units.

and freezer.

[ ] Check pantry for expired items.

[ ] Clean/replace bedding. [ ] Clean curtains and blinds.

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[ ] Change batteries in

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To have your service appear here give Debbie or Mary a call or email at 816-271-8666, mary.vette@newspressnow.com or debbie.brushwood@newspressnow.com SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | April 2015 19

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