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Fall Cleanup: Gutters – Dethatching - Aeration by Bruce Schlauch, Advanced Lawn Specialties Tired of strenuous household maintenance? Hire someone to take care of it for you. The most important things you can do for your home this time of the season are fall cleanup, dethatching, aeration, gutter cleanup, and snow and ice removal. A fall cleanup of your property is one of the most important things that you can do to keep it clean and neighborly. Fall clean up can entail leaf clean up and removal, trimming hedges and even a final lawn cutting if necessary to keep grass molds away! Fall cleanup really sets up your lawn and garden to start to shine early next spring. Gutter cleanup is one of the most crucial things you can do to protect your home from water damage and other costly problems. If you let your home’s gutters to become overflowed with leaves, sticks, and debris, water damage can compromise the foundation of your home. In addition to foundation damage, downspouts freezing, gutter maintenance will prevent blockages and frozen gutters and downspouts from tearing away from roofs and siding. It also prevents nesting areas for animals such as birds and termites that can cause damage of their own. In doing so you will be protecting your home from roof, and structural damage, premature decay, and you will be protecting your pockets from the thousands of dollars in repair bills that come with gutter neglect. Over time, pieces of grass die and gather just above the soil. This is called thatch. It’s organic material that is broken down by microbes in the soil. Sometimes, thatch builds
up too fast for natural processes to break it down. It forms a barrier, keeping moisture and air from going where your grass needs it. A half-inch or more of thatch can weaken your lawn. You have 2 ways to remove it: dethatching and aerating. Dethatching As you pull up through the grass with a convex rake, it lifts up and moves the thatch. Chances are, you’d prefer a power rake, which can be rented at some hardware stores or equipment rental centers. It combs your grass and kicks out a large amount of debris, which you’ll have to rake off afterwards. Aerating An aerator pulls plugs out of your soil. This helps loosen compacted soil and allows air and water to reach the roots. If you have high-traffic areas and heavy thatch, you might want to aerate every year or 2. If your lawn looks great, you can cut back to every 2-3 years. Aeration allows for the soil to absorb fertilizations and other treatments without allowing run off and waste of the treatment. Advanced Lawn Specialties is Veteran owned and operated and is a full-service lawn care company serving residential and commercial accounts since 2006. Call us today 570926-0185 to schedule your complimentary estimate and let us help you create the lawn of your dreams!
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Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 3
MASTER GARDENER: Make A New Garden by Mary Ann Miller, Master Gardener I’ve had a lot of “Aha!” moments in my life, many coming later than I would have liked. One of them is that fall is a wonderful time to prepare a new garden plot. Unlike spring, when the soil is often too wet to till, fall usually offers ideal gardening conditions. The soil is dry, the air still comfortable for outdoor work, and there is no pressure to finish in time to plant. So, decide what you would like to grow next year, choose an appropriate location and get a head start on the new growing season! First, you should test the soil to determine whether any soil amendments are needed. (Soil test kits are available from the Extension Office for $9.00.) Testing in the fall allows adequate time for adjustments in pH to become effective before the growing season. If you are tilling a new bed, the ground should be quite workable in fall. Turning the soil now will make it much easier to work and plant in the spring. Fall also provides stress-free time for creating raised beds if you wish them. After years of hoping to turn our garden into raised beds “next year,” it finally dawned on me that we could start to frame the beds in the fall so that we would be ready to plant in the spring. It took a couple of years, but we eventually converted our large garden into nine raised beds. However you decide to make your garden, once you have tilled it you should protect it from weeds. Planting a cover crop or covering it with shredded leaves, straw, or other organic mulch will discourage weeds from infesting the bed before planting in the spring. If you want to have a raised bed and would like to avoid the need to till the soil, you can build a “no dig” or “lasagna” garden on existing soil, even turfgrass. Fall is the ideal time for creating one of these garden beds. Framing the bed will make it much easier to build. The bed can be enclosed with a variety of materials. You can build a wooden frame for your garden or enclose it with cinder block, small logs, or other materials. It should be no wider than four feet so that you can reach the center of the garden from one side or the other and thus avoid walking on it and compacting the soil. It can be any length. • Once you have laid out the site, cover the area with wet cardboard or a thick layer of wet newspaper (10 to 15 sheets), which will smother any existing weeds and
grass. • Cover the cardboard/newspaper base with a layer of carbon rich (“brown”) materials, such as shredded leaves, pine needles, shredded newspaper or peat moss a few inches thick. • Add a layer of nitrogen rich (“green”) materials, such as grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, or yard trimmings. • Continue with alternate layers of brown and green materials until the bed is 18 to 24 inches high. I end with a layer of browns to discourage critters who may be attracted to food scraps. The bed can also be topped off with a layer of soil or compost. • Allow the bed to decompose and settle over the winter months. By spring your bed will be a rich, light planting mixture ready for use. Our no till garden is the easiest one to care for. It is the only one which is clay and rock free. The soil can be turned easily with a light shovel or spade. Plants grow very well, and weeds are easily pulled when they appear. If I were beginning my first vegetable garden, I would just make a no dig bed, expanding the garden with additional beds as needed. Be aware that no till gardens require a great deal of organic material to reach the desired height of 18-24 inches. Start with a relatively small area (e.g. 4 feet by 6 feet) to insure that you have enough “ingredients.” For best results, fence around the layered materials to keep them in place until they decompose. For additional information about no dig gardening, or to request a soil test kit, call Penn State Extension, Luzerne County at 1-877-825-1701.
4 • Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide
Don’t Believe Everything You Read From the Experts at S.J. Kowalski, Inc. Weather buying a car, appliance or a new heating/cooling system, consumers spend a considerable amount of time on the internet researching products and reading reviews before making their final purchase. In the heating/air-conditioning market, homeowners can easily access a manufacturer’s web site to view product information, check for seasonal specials and gather information before meeting with their installing contractor. With the advent of the internet consumers are far more educated about the product or services they want, which helps make the selling process much easier. We receive many calls a week from homeowners asking about the specific brands of equipment we install. While most will rely of the reputation and expertise of the installing contractor, some will question certain brands of equipment after reading a negative review on the internet or in a consumer magazine. One very important point that we always stress when meeting with a customer: “Purchase a brand of equipment with a good reputation from a reputable contractor who will stand behind the product and their workmanship.” Consumer magazines generally don’t do the actual product testing but rely on responses from subscribers to rate
equipment reliability. If a respondent experiences repeated breakdowns and multiple repairs they are inclined to blame the equipment when in fact the problem is usually with the installation. Manufacturers will run a piece of equipment through a series of tests before it leaves the factory to assure satisfactory operation. It then becomes the responsibility of the installing contractor to properly install the system according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Incorrectly sized ductwork, over or under sized equipment or poor installation practices by the installer usually results in premature equipment failures and inefficient/uncomfortable operation. “More times than not the problem is with the installation and not the equipment.” Weather adding a new system or replacing an existing one give S.J. Kowalski, Inc., your local certified” Trane Comfort Specialist” and “Lennox-PROs” dealer, a call at 570-4552600 for a free estimate. We’ll do a total evaluation of your home or business and recommend the best and most affordable system for your application. We also offer interest free :financing along with current utility and manufacturers rebates. Family owned and operated since 1972, S.J. Kowalski, Inc. “Heating and Cooling the Way the Earth Intended”.
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Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 5
Big, Smart Ideas For Renovating Smaller Homes (BPT) - While newly constructed homes are bigger than ever, most Americans still live in modestly sized or even small houses - and many of these owners are choosing to remodel rather than move into a bigger home. More than half of all American houses were built before 1980, according to the National Association of Home Builders. At that time, the average new home size was slightly more than 1,700 square feet, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Meanwhile, interest in remodeling is at an all-time high, according to Metrostudy. Homeowners looking to renovate their average-sized homes in order to get more living space don’t have to build costly additions. Many modern remodeling tactics, tricks and tools are made to work well in smaller homes. Here are ways to get the most out of your home renovation: Space-saving plumbing options Plumbing can be problematic in any renovation, but adding plumbing in certain smaller-house locations can be especially challenging. Traditional plumbing may require you to open walls and floors to connect to existing drainage lines, or break through concrete to add toilets, showers and sinks when finishing a basement. Above-floor plumbing can solve a number of small-space challenges. For example, you may decide to add a powder room in the unused space beneath a stairway. However, if the space is very small, a standard toilet with water tank and traditionally plumbed sink might not fit. In such a situation, a compact, one-piece macerating toilet like the Sanicompact from Saniflo installs quickly, easily and conveniently in tight spots. Traditional plumbing can also be a challenge in renovations where you’re adding plumbing below a main level, such as installing a bathroom with a shower or even a second kitchen in a basement setting. In southern states, where most homes are
built on slabs rather than with basements, adding any kind of traditional plumbing would require you to break open the concrete in order to add pipes - an expensive and risky undertaking. However, a Sanistar one-piece, wall-mounted toilet with built-in macerator allows you to add a basement bathroom without cutting concrete. For adding sinks or showers, gray water pumps such as the Saniswift can be as compact as a small wastebasket, and can carry water away from new bathrooms or kitchens where no traditional plumbing exists. Right-sizing utilities If you’re adding a bathroom or kitchen in your average-sized, average-age home, it may also be a good idea to replace the water heater - especially if it’s 10 or more years old. An older water heater may fail or worse, leak, causing damage to nearby floors and walls. Modern tank water heaters are more energy efficient, but also larger as a result of the insulation needed to achieve greater efficiency. If you’re replacing a water heater in an attic that’s accessed through pull-down stairs or in a crawl space, or adding one in a closet or out-of-the-way corner, a traditional tank water heater might not fit.
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Tankless water heaters require less room, solving space problems. Plus, they’re more energy efficient because they heat the water only when you need it, rather than using fuel to maintain the temperature in a large tank. Natural light without sacrifice If your home is older, it may have fewer or smaller windows than newly constructed homes. However, if you crave more natural light, you don’t have to sacrifice wall space to windows or incur the expense of opening a wall. Skylights and tube skylights can bring more natural light into a home. Modern skylights are energy efficient and far less prone to leaks than older models. A standard skylight can easily be installed in rooms with direct roof access, and tube skylights can even bring natural light to ground-floor spaces. Plus, skylights allow you to preserve privacy in settings where it matters most, such as bathrooms. Looking up Older homes may have less floor space, but many older homes also have higher ceilings. Or, your smaller home may have a two-story family room or entryway. Using the extra height in your home to create storage space can allow you to free up floor space. For example, floor-to-ceiling shelves in a family room or entryway provide ample storage space. Tall ceilings can also be an opportunity to add task lighting in work areas such as over kitchen islands, or to create design statements through the addition of exposed faux beams. Smart renovations can help make your home feel bigger and function better for your family, no matter how big or small its square footage.
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Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 7
Kitchen And Bath Remodeling Trends To Watch (Family Features) Investing thousands of dollars in a kitchen or bathroom remodel can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out some of these trends from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) to consider when planning your next kitchen or bath remodel. • Make Your Home Smarter—It used to be that internet meant hightech. Now, especially with the Internet of Things, it means easier access to entertainment and home security. Home automation is now a consideration when remodeling as WiFi can be used to connect affordable, easy-to-install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These safety tools can be accessed from any smartphone or device, and should be considered when remodeling. Many of these smart devices, including thermostats and lighting fixtures, can support an energy-efficient home by allowing you to adjust the temperature or turn off lights, directly from your smartphone. • Design with Accessibility in Mind—Getting older may not be fun, but universal design can help support accessibility. However, accessible design isn’t just for aging in place. Adopting uni-
versal design and accessible components can provide not only safety but comfort as well - no matter your age. Through its Universal Design Certified Professional program, NARI offers training and certification for professional remodelers. These remodelers not only know what options are available but typically have their fingers on the pulse of products that can make your life better, from scald-proof faucets to appliance types and installation, and grab bars in bathrooms. • Express Yourself with Tile— While materials like stone and granite remain popular, additional trends for kitchen and bath remodels include textured tile and patterns in all shapes and textures. Changing tile in a kitchen or bathroom can add visual interest and be an easy way to express your personality. • Personalize with Color—Design trends continue to revolve around color. Color options range from the deep, saturated tones of ruby, emerald and sapphire to a soft and delicate palette of pastels. Whether you prefer strong, bold, intense colors or are looking for a more neutral palette, there is a hue to fit your
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8 • Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide
SINCE 1884
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style. Color can be used on everything including cabinetry, walls even including the “fifth wall,” or ceiling, to appliances, tile and furnishings. The options are nearly limitless. Good design doesn’t have to be a fad. Today’s trends provide ways to customize your home that reflect your personality, add comfort and create a safer environment. Find examples of how each of these trends can be included in your next kitchen or bathroom remodel at nari.org.
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Prep Your Home For Fall (NAPS)—As the days get shorter and the kids go back to school, prepare for the cooler weather by getting organized and completing basic maintenance. You’ll save money, time and space! • Keep It Moving. After heavy summer use, clean out gunk from sliding glass door tracks. Then apply WD-40® MultiUse Product, available in an easy-to-store 3-oz handy can, to lubricate and prevent sticking and squeaking. The handy can is also great for lubricating zippers and suitcase wheels, and removing crayon from walls and sticky residue from metal and glass. • Clothing Exchange. As the temperature cools, wash summer must-haves like beach towels, swimsuits and summer clothing. Then donate gently used pieces your family has outgrown; toss stained, ripped or broken items; and store the rest in airtight containers. Now you’ll have more room in closets and drawers for fall must-haves like umbrellas, coats and sweaters. • Cut The Cost. Most people only think to run their ceiling fans during the summer, but many units come with a switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Switching the blades’ rotation to clockwise from counterclockwise makes the room warmer. Air pooled to the ceiling is circulated back into the living space, which can cut your heating costs as much as 10 percent. • Protect Your Investment. Furnace maintenance is key to ensuring it stays in good condition throughout the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. To prevent expensive problems, check filters once a month and replace or clean as needed. If replacing your filter once a month is a hassle, consider switching to a permanent filter, such as an electrostatic or HEPA filter, which can remove 99 percent of airborne particles. For more information about how WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the 3-oz can helps make home maintenance easier, visit wd40.com.
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Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 9
7 Fast, Effective Garage Door Safety Tips (BPT) - You probably put little thought into your garage door. You touch a button. The door opens, closes and you go about your day. While the garage door - the largest, heaviest moving object in your home - serves as the primary entry point of the home to many of us, it can also be dangerous if not used and maintained properly. Fall is a great time for all homeowners to review important safety tips. Many of these are highlighted in a new safety video at GarageDoorCare.com, a non-commercial website dedicated to helping homeowners understand how garage doors work. The video is available in both English and Spanish. Here are a few tips to help keep your family safe: 1. Always keep hands and fingers away from moving parts. Never touch a garage door or its components while the door is in motion. 2. Remotes and openers aren’t toys; however, the buttons may be very attractive to children. Take precautions to keep them out of little ones’ reach. 3. Children should not be able to reach wall-mounted controls. Be sure to install push-button wall controls at least 5 feet off the ground. 4. Children and adults should never stand, run or play under a garage door. When a garage door is moving, be sure to stand at least several yards away. 5. Never try to enter or exit the garage by racing under a moving garage door. 6. When opening or closing the garage door, always keep the door in view until the door is fully opened or fully closed. Make certain that no adults, children or animals try to enter or exit while the door is moving. 7. Homeowners can - and should - perform simple chores
such as semi-annual lubrication of garage door hinges, rollers and springs. Other tasks like spring repair/replacement, track and roller repair/replacement and door installation are best left to trained service professionals to ensure the work is done properly and to avoid potential injuries. Visit GarageDoorCare.com and click on the Find a Qualified Professional tab to locate a qualified professional nearby. The International Door Association, a worldwide association of leading garage door and access professionals, sponsors GarageDoorCare.com. IDA members are committed to operating businesses under the IDA Code of Business Conduct, a commitment to professionalism and safety that helps homeowners avoid unscrupulous firms that impose unneeded parts and repairs that result in inflated bills. Find a professional before you need one - then if you need help with your garage door, you’ll know the service work will be completed properly at a fair price.
10 • Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide
Do This Fall Yard Work And Reap Springtime Benefits (NAPS)—Lots of people think their family yards need less attention in the fall but autumn is no time to ignore your lawn and landscape. “What you do now will determine the quality of your family yard next spring and summer,” explained Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. “Every gardener knows to plant bulbs in the fall but autumn is also the time to mow, aerate, mulch, trim and patch your lawn,” said Kiser. He offers five tips to help you get your yard into top shape this fall and ready for more relaxing and fun outdoor activities next year. • Keep mowing. Grass still needs regular care to stay healthy. Grass that’s too high may attract lawn-damaging field mice. Shorter grass is more resistant to diseases and traps fewer falling leaves. Cutting the grass low lets more sun reach the crown of the grass, so less leaf will turn brown in the winter. However, cutting off too much at one time can be damaging, so never trim more than a third of the grass blades off in a single cutting. Put mower blades on the lowest settings for the last two cuts of the season. • Aerate your lawn. Compressed soil hurts grass health. Aerating punches holes into the soil and lets oxygen, water and nutrients into a lawn. Use a walk-behind aerator or get an attachment to pull behind a riding mower. • Mulch your leaves. Many mowers can mulch leaves with an attachment. Since mulching with a mower can mix grass clippings with leaf particles, these nitrogen-rich grass particles and carbon-rich leaf particles will compost more quickly. Together, they return nutrients to the soil. • Trim and shore up trees and bushes. Use trimmers, chain saws or pole pruners to cut back trees, shrubs and plants. Make
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sure branches are safely trimmed back from overhead lines and not in danger of falling on a structure in rough weather. You may need to tie or brace limbs of upright evergreens or plants to prevent them from breaking in high winds or snow. Call a professional arborist for big trees or hard-to-reach spots. • Repair bald spots. Fall is a great time to patch bald or thin spots in a lawn. The easiest way to do this is with an all-in-one lawn repair mixture (found at most garden shops and home centers). Use a garden rake or dethatcher to scratch loose the soil on the spot. Kiser also added that it’s important to follow safety procedures whenever using outdoor power equipment. Read your owner’s manual. It will describe the individual requirements for your particular machine and provide directions on which fuels may be appropriate for your product. Fuels containing more than 10 percent ethanol should not be used unless directed in the owner’s manual. He said, “You’ll also want to service and winterize your lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower and other outdoor power equipment.” And remember, most gas-fueled outdoor power equipment is warranted and designed to run on E10 (10 percent ethanol) fuel or less. There are fuel options available today that should not be used in your outdoor power equipment. Remember to “look before you pump” and make sure to drain the fuel tank before storing equipment for the winter. Safely dispose of any fuel that is more than 30 days old. “Winterization is important for outdoor power equipment. When everything is growing again in the spring and you see how all your hard fall lawn work has paid off, the last thing you want to deal with is a malfunctioning mower,” said Kiser. For information on safe fueling, go to www.LookBeforeYouPump.com. For tips on outdoor power equipment safety, go to www.opei.org.
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Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 11
TNT Enterprizes LLC, Sewage Systems Built to Last TNT Enterprizes LLC is a Pennsylvania-based plumbing company that specializes in providing trenchless sewer line replacements. The company is offering affordable, longlasting sewage systems to those in the Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Years ago if there was a problem with a sewer line, plumbers would have to dig up the pipe in order to diagnose and repair the problem. Recently, there has been a shift in the philosophy behind plumbing, moving away from shortterm fixes and towards long-term systems. Highly respected companies like TNT Enterprizes LLC have been leading the charge to create less-invasive and longer-lasting approaches to pipe repair or replacement. Their “trenchless” pipe repairs have been extremely popular with homeowners and businesses that would prefer not to have their lawns destroyed just to repair a sewage system. Pipe bursting is a technique used by TNT to restore working order to sewage systems, an approach that owner Jeremy Timko feels is often overlooked because of its name. “People hear ‘pipe bursting’ and think that’s the very last thing they want a plumber to do,” Timko jokes. “It sounds
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like what happens in winter when the pipes freeze, so we often have to explain how the process works so that our customers understand how this can help them avoid having their lawns dug up and the high cost of labor.” The pipe bursting technique requires only that “launching and receiving pits” are created, avoiding the creation of a trench. Once they are created a replacement pipe is put into the insertion pit, and a machine with a pulling cable is at the receiving end. A new pipe that has both bursting and expander heads is guided into the previous pipe, creating the pipe bursting effect. The remains of the original pipe are pulled from the tunnel with a cable and winch. This enables the new pipe to be laid down where the original pipe was without having to dig the original pipe out of the yard. This means they can go under roads, driveways, sidewalks, front porches and whatever covers your sewer line. “It’s a lot more efficient and superior in quality than how we used to replace sewage pipes,” says Timko. “Not only are we able to fix their sewage system without tearing up the yard, but now we can also do it in a timely manner. When we can save on time, we’re saving our clients hundreds to thousands of dollars in labor.” The materials used today with pipe replacement last longer than predecessors. HDPE Pipes have a lifespan of around 100 years, which means that homeowners mostlikely will not have to deal with replacement again in their lifetime. This is something that is important to the folks at TNT, who believe that their true business is customer service, not plumbing. The company is a much sought-after plumbing business because of their client-first focus. According to Timko when they save clients money they are building the types of good relations that lead to referrals. For more information about trenchless replacement options, visit their website today, www.tntplumb.com. Or contact TNT Enterprizes LLC. Area Representative and customer, Lenny Brenner: 570-459-1734 Member: PA Well Drilling ASSN Member: National Water Welling Drilling Association INC.
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12 • Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide
Funding Your Home Improvement by COO Francesco Mercuri, CUCE The fall season is here, which is a great opportunity to fixit-up, mix-it-up, and clean-it-up. It’s time to tidy up your home and tackle those honey do lists. Whether you are improving your landscaping or building an entire addition, with great fall weather, you’re able to complete all your renovations. A home improvement can be a luxurious upgrade, necessary maintenance, or an even emergency repair. From deciding on your project to determining how you will fund your home improvement, it is crucial to plan all the steps of your project to ensure it is completed correctly. You’ve identified your home improvement, now it is time to decide how you will finance your project. While cash is the easiest way, that may not always be an option based on the cost of your project. Luckily, there are several other ways to fund your home improvement. Your choice will be based off your level of comfort and the funding sources you have available to you. Some of your financing options can include a home equity loan, home equity line of credit, a personal loan, or a credit card. While all of these certainly don’t apply to everyone, it is important to explore these different options to determine which the best fit is for you. I will provide some brief detail on the aforementioned financing options, which will hopefully give you more clarity into your options. A home equity loan is a fixed term and fixed payment loan which uses the equity you have in your home. Equity is the amount of the home that you own outright. In other words, it is the difference of how much you owe on your home from the total fair market value of your home. In some instances where you have substantial equity, you can take out a very substantial loan to cover the cost of your project. A home equity loan will generally have a lower interest rate and payment because it is secured against your collateral. These terms vary from 3 years to 30 years. A home equity line of credit is similar in collateral to a home equity loan. It differs in that it has an initial draw period, then it turns into a term loan with a fixed interest rate and payment, similar to a home equity loan. During the draw period, you have a variable interest rate with a minimum monthly payment due. In this period, you can draw money against the amount that you were approved. The interest rate on a home equity line of credit is similar to a home equity loan. Both personal loans and credit cards are unsecured loans; because of this, they generally have a lower total loan amount. A personal loan will have a fixed term and payment. It will also have a fixed interest rate that is higher than a home equity or home equity line of credit, but
definitely lower than a credit card. Credit cards are an interesting financing source because they are extremely easy to use. Depending on which credit card you choose, you can earn cash back or points to put towards future purchases. While your funds are very accessible, a credit card will also have the highest interest rate of any of the sources listed. This interest rate can also be variable or fixed, again, depending on the credit card. There is no term, and only minimum payments are required. Additionally, should you need to pay a contractor via cash or check, certain fees may be charged. You should consider all financing options available when reviewing your project complexity and cost. Should you need any assistance in assessing these options in your home improvement project, visit CACL Financial at 1800 W. Market St. in Pottsville, by phone at 570-628-2400, or online at www.CACLFCU.org. CACL Financial is notfor-profit, member owned, and always “Helping You When Others Won’t.”
Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide • 13
The Right Contractor: Key To Successful Paving Project (NAPS)—Concrete paver patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks, as well as outdoor fire pits and kitchens, can improve your family’s quality of life now and enhance your home’s curb appeal when the time comes to sell. Choosing the right contractor, however, can make or break your project. Interlocking concrete pavement systems are best built by professional contractors specializing in segmental pavement construction. Their training and experience, accompanied by the right equipment and materials, enable them to complete high-quality jobs quickly and safely. How To Find A Quality Contractor The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) is the trade association representing the concrete paver industry in the U.S. and Canada. ICPI member contractors support installation best practices. In addition, many ICPI member contractors employ ICPI Certified Concrete Paver Installers. These installers have participated in a training course, passed an examination, learned best installation practices, and documented their concrete paver installation work experience. Certified Installers are required to renew their certification every two years by continuing their education in concrete paver installation. The certification program is designed to help homeowners choose contractors who have Certified Installers on their staff and are committed to: • Providing qualified project references • Using best installation practices • Creating value for clients. Homeowners can find these contractors on the free Contractor Member Search Engine at www.concretepavers.org. A search engine on that website can verify the installer’s certification status.
Cedar Street Supply.......................................................... 2 K.M. Sency Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning....... 2 Houck Homes, Inc........................................................... 2 Murphy Limber Co.......................................................... 3 Rainbow Fence............................................................... 12 JA & WA Hess, Inc.......................................................... 5 Sonny's Tree & Lawn Service........................................... 5 Rossi Coal Company........................................................ 6 Precision Vinyl Systems, Inc............................................. 7 ATI Insulation Systems Inc.............................................. 7
What To Ask To further ensure a quality installation, homeowners should ask contractors 10 questions: 1. How long have you been installing pavers? 2. Do you have ICPI Certified Installers? 3. What percentage of your total business consists of installing concrete pavers? 4. Do you have references from recent and past concrete paver projects? 5. Do you have a portfolio of photos and letters about previous projects? 6. Can you provide proof of liability insurance and Workers’ Compensation insurance? (Homeowners should check their homeowners insurance policy for coverage of the contractor while on the property.) 7. Will you install the job per ICPI guidelines? 8. Will you provide a written, itemized proposal outlining the scope of work and terms of payment? It should include start and completion dates (weather permitting), demolition and excavation, base and paving materials, thickness and installation, plus taxes. 9. Do you guarantee the work for at least a year and will you return to inspect and make any needed adjustments? 10. Do you belong to the ICPI, Better Business Bureau or other associations? Learn More Homeowners and contractors interested in learning more about ICPI Certification should visit the Education & Certification section of www.concretepavers.org.
Michael's Lawn Care & Landscaping............................... 7 The Kitchen Gallery & Design Center............................. 8 Marchetti's Hardware....................................................... 9 Lombardo's Flooring & Office Products........................... 9 Vito's Lawn Care & Landscaping..................................... 9 F & L Doors, Inc........................................................... 10 Covered Wagon.............................................................. 11 Tuft & Stuft................................................................... 11 Knecht's Janitorial Service................................................ 7 Ron Myers Water Well Drilling...................................... 12 CACL Federal Credit Union.......................................... 13 Pride Home Sales, LLC.................................................. 15 Mountain Statuary & Stone........................................... 15 Bedrock Gardens............................................................ 15 Mountain Top Paving & Seal Coating............................ 16
14 • Panorama Community Magazine: 2017 Fall Home & Garden Guide
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