Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 1
2 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 3
Table of Contents
Be your home’s best friend ...............................................................................5 McComb Gardens ready to sprout ..................................................................8 Building a better way .....................................................................................10 The clear solution to weatherizing .................................................................14 Post-framing versatile way to build ...............................................................18 Irrigation proves efficient, convenient ...........................................................21 Turning a house into a home ..........................................................................24 Shower in style................................................................................................26 Put it in a better light ......................................................................................30 Lighting the future..........................................................................................32 Home: A most versatile product ....................................................................34 Dealing with the uninvited .............................................................................37 Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382 • Phone: (360) 683-3311 • FAX: (360) 683-6670 e-mail: patc@sequimgazette.com
“Home Improvement 2009” is a special section of the Sequim Gazette. © 2009 by Olympic View Publishing Co. LLC. Publisher: Sue Ellen Riesau • Advertising Manager: Steve Perry Special Sections Editor: Patricia Morrison Coate Cover Design: Robert Morris • Page Design: Cathy Clark
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 5
Be your home’s best friend with a
e m o H eckup Ch By Kelly McKillip
Above: Jason and Katie Aldrich with their dog, Buddy. Left: Aldrich found water seeping through the foundation into the crawl space of this home. Photos courtesy of Jason Aldrich
In the 11th hour of her home contractor warranty, Katherine Leggio decided to have certified home inspector Jason Aldrich perform a visual inspection of her Sequim townhouse to be sure there were no sinister surprises lurking under the pleasing facade. The decision turned out to be a good one as Aldrich discovered two problems that could have had serious consequences. An electrical conduit had been connected incorrectly. Also, in the attic, the ventilation exhaust pipe from the bathroom was dislodged and moist air was being vented into the upper space of the house instead of outside. Leggio contacted her contractor, who footed the bill for the needed repairs. Aldrich has had a passion for architecture and residential homes since he was a young man growing up in South Everett. His educational credits include degrees in architectural drafting, engineering and construction management. He is a licensed contractor, a licensed structural pest inspector and a Kaplan-certified home inspector. He met his wife, Katie, when they were students in an intense engineering program at Edmonds Community College. The couple completed their educations at the University of Washington before getting married in 2001. After graduation, Aldrich worked for a Kirkland home builder. He also helped in the business management of his father’s auto shop, built internal training materials for a software company and began his own business as a handyman in Bothell. The couple and their two cats, Murray and Vinny, moved to Sequim in 2007. A yellow Labrador retriever, Buddy, joined the family in 2008.
Katie shares her husband’s love and interest in houses and architecture. Her degrees are in arts and sciences and technical communications. She handles the marketing end of their business, utilizing her artistic and writing skills to create brochures, online information, newsletters and signage. She also works as a software technical writer and teacher of English as a second language to adults. Becoming a certified home inspector last year gave Aldrich the opportunity to gather all of his interests, education, experience and knowledge under one shingle. He understands the joy and pride that homeowners feel with the realization of the American dream come true. For potential or new homeowners, that initial checkup by a neutral third party who is not in love with the house, can keep that dream from turning into a disappointing and expensive nightmare. Equally important are ongoing maintenance checkups every one or two years, which can help keep the value, safety and beauty of a house intact. After Aldrich conducts a roof to foundation visual inspection of all structures and systems, he provides a written explanation with photos of potential and existing problems. For simple repairs and maintenance, the homeowners often can be shown how to complete the work themselves. For more complex issues, he will recommend the type of professional needed to correct the problem. Although Aldrich is a licensed contractor, for ethical reasons, and soon to be the law, he does not contract to do any work himself for one year on homes he has inspected. Many of the most serious concerns Aldrich encounters in his inspections are associated with water intrusion and damage. Anytime the integrity of a house is breeched, water can seep in and cause havoc to the underlying structures. Common findings during Aldrich’s external inspections include caulking failures, gutter downspouts that are draining too close to the house, with possible resultant foundation settling, and gutters full of debris that may cause seepage behind the siding and trim. Aldrich also advises homeowners to repaint before See HOME CHECKUP, page 6
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
HOME INSPECTION from page 5
the exterior looks faded, roughly every three to five years. More than color, adequate paint coverage protects the siding, which in turn protects the house. Moss and debris buildup on the roof will hasten its deterioration. Plants or trees, mulch or wood piles touching the house not only promote water damage but provide access for pests. One of the worst situations he saw was a home with gutter downspouts draining into the crawl space. Water in the crawl space from any source can lead to rot and other structural problems. Inside the home, Aldrich frequently encounters interior caulking failures, leaking ice makers and toilets, incorrectly installed insulation and pest damage. Cracks in the walls or doors and windows that don’t close properly often are due to a settling foundation. Incorrectly installed temperature release valves on hot water tanks can cause explosions. Fires can result from improper electrical work. One startling safety issue he encountered was located in the floor framing under a bathroom tub. A large section of a joist had been cut away and never replaced, compromising the structural integrity. For most people, their houses are the single largest investment and most valuable asset they own, as well as the place they call home. Periodic home inspections can provide the information needed to keep that investment safe and sound. John Jones was glad he called Aldrich’s Home Inspections for a checkup of his 3-yearold SunLand home. After Aldrich completed an impressively thorough inspection, Jones handed his home association a 40-page report with photographs that outlined multiple maintenance concerns including damaged chimney flashing, cracked roof tiles, debris, torn plastic sheeting in the crawl space and many other items he never would have discovered on his own. Prospective, new or existing home owners interested in a quality visual home inspection may contact Aldrich’s Home Inspections by phone at 360-775-6850 or via e-mail at Aldrich@ AldrichsHomeInspections.com. Learn more about home inspection on the Web at www.AldrichsHomeInspections.com.
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Above: Standing water in a crawlspace can lead to rot and other structural problems. Below: Failed exterior paint and caulking can lead to water intrusion and damage. Photos courtesy of Jason Aldrich
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 7
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
McComb Gardens ready to sprout By Patricia Morrison Coate Seeds are the stuff of life, whether planted in the ground or in the mind. This spring and summer, Jane Stewart and Neil Burkhardt of McComb Gardens near Sequim intend to supply a bounty of new seeds and ideas to local gardeners. “We’ve never done veggies — we’ve concentrated on landscaping — but last year especially we had fruit and vegetable requests,” Burkhardt said, adding, they became interested in horticulture because they’d always had large vegetable gardens. “We’ve been here since 1998 and haven’t had a vegetable garden, so we’re really excited.” Both professional horticulturists, the couple is excited about adding a spectrum of 100 seed varieties to their four-acre farm in 2009. One of their suppliers is Irish Eyes Garden City Seeds in Ellensburg, which provides USDA-certified organic seed harvested and packaged in Washington. “This year is going to be huge, especially with the emphasis by local and organic growers, so we’ll be totally organic. Many of the seeds we’ll bring in will be from Western Washington, including Nash’s (Organic Produce) cauliflower and broccoli,” Stewart said. “It’s just another thing for our customers.” McCombs will begin carrying starts and seedlings for organic potato varieties and onions, rhubarb and asparagus plus a half-dozen types of strawberries and bare root stock of marionberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and currants. Among the new inventory will be the following numbers of vegetable varieties: • Beans — 7 • Beets — 8 • Cabbage — 3 • Carrots — 8 • Corn — 6 • Cucumbers — 5 • Kale — 3 • Lettuce — 10 • Muskmelon — 3 • Peas — 6 • Peppers 6 • Pumpkins — 4 • Radishes — 8 • Spinach — 3 • Squash — 8 • Tomatoes — 6 • Watermelon — 3 Plus 11 herbs and a number of flowers. “We’ve always done bare root fruit trees, including apple, cherry, peach and
Jane Stewart and Neil Burkhardt show a mere fraction of the seed varieties they now stock. Photo by Patriica Morrison Coate plum, but we’ll also have a small vegetable display garden so people can see how things progress,” Burkhardt said. With every customer— whether they want tried and true seed types in their gardens or newer eclectic fruits and vegetables — Stewart, Burkhardt and their staff are ready to advise one and all, including those on a Northwest quest for a decent tomato. “We’re going to test all kinds,” Stewart said, hopefully. Seeds already are on order for hosts of heirloom vegetables and scores of perennials and annuals, ranging from abutilons to zinnias. “We’ve also built a seasonal display garden in front of the store in collaboration with the generosity of Blake Sand & Gravel, so we’re very excited,” Stewart said. “And we will continue our ornamental landscaping with some new varieties of Japanese maples.” With May being prime planting season on the peninsula, Stewart and Burkhardt continue to plan for the impact the six-week Hood Canal bridge closure, beginning May 1, will have on their inventory. “Our trees and shrubs we get by April, but the perennials and annuals we get in
when they’re at their prime — which is May and June,” Burkhardt said. “If we can’t get them across the peninsula (on a Port Townsend truck ferry), we’ll drive around to pick up our products. The problem is going to be having things at their prime.” However, they’re confident they’ll have plenty of stock in store. With the motto of “Our customers are our friends,” McComb Gardens invites anyone interested to free horticultural seminars Saturdays at 1 p.m from February through December so they can learn more for their own gardens and landscapes. Contact McComb Gardens at 681-2827 or on the Web at www.mccombgardens.com.
Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 9
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
10 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Building a better way By Jerry Kraft
Tom Baumstark has been concerned with building ecologically and environmentally safe homes for more than 30 years. In college he majored in alternative energy and architecture. Photo by Jerry Kraft
Perhaps the most exciting and important movement in the building industry is called “eco-green” building, a method of designing and constructing homes and businesses that are healthier and that use sustainable materials. In Port Angeles, the Eco-Green Building Company is dedicated to building homes that combine energy efficiency, environmental safety and ecological responsibility with the highest standards of construction and design. The home being built at 3918 Solar Lane in Port Angeles is a perfect example of what this progressive movement is trying to achieve. Tom Baumstark of Eco-Green Builders has been moving toward this kind of construction since his college days at Arizona State University in the 1970s. There he majored in alternative energy and architecture, “ … but it took me 35 years to find the right partner to work with me on this kind of building.” That partner was Werner Beier of Frontier
Bank in Port Angeles. Together they are engaged in one of the hottest segments of the otherwise cold real estate market. “These houses are typically selling for 20- to 30-percent more than conventionally built houses and they’re on the market only about a quarter as long,” Baumstark said. In addition, many people are acutely aware of the enormous impact of construction and construction materials on the environment. Building is one of the largest users of resources in the world, second only to agriculture. Eco-green building seeks to minimize the impact on the environment by wiser use of natural resources and to maximize the health of the home environment by the use of nontoxic, more natural materials. For the Eco-Green Building Company, that means scrupulous attention to detail and conscious choices on every element of construction. “We do everything from the siting to design to the final detail,” Baumstark
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
The interior of the Eco-Green Builders home is spacious and filled with light, but it’s also highly energy efficient. Built-in air treatment equipment ensures the interior is healthy and free of noxious fumes and mold. Photo by Jerry Kraft said. “We only use FSC certified lumber, for example. That is basically a chain of custody that tracks the lumber from the time it’s cut until it arrives on site. So you don’t have material that is shipped overseas and then shipped back as finished lumber. “We use SIPs (structurally insulated panels) that are stronger and more energy efficient than insulated frame construction. The roofing material we are using is a polymer material that is comprised of 85-percent recyclable content and is 100-percent recyclable itself, so nothing goes to the landfill.” In addition to the attention to ecological and social responsibility in the selection of building materials and construction methods, these homes also are economically efficient in their energy demands. “All the designs we’re working on now are incorporating thermal mass and passive solar in the design and we intend to eventually include solar, thermal and photovoltaic in the houses we build in the future. Even in this area, solar thermal can probably take care of 85 percent of your heating needs. The floors that we’re doing are engineered bamboo (a rapidly regenerating wood) and ceramic tile,”
Baumstark said. When the homes are being designed there is great attention paid to the location, both to maximize their solar efficiency and to minimize the damage to the environment. Driveways are paved with a pervious concrete that allows rain to drain through the surface and percolate into the soil. That also reduces the amount of water flowing into the storm drain system. A Port Townsend company called Eco-Logic Land Clearing does site preparation prior to construction. They focus on minimal excavation, minimal removal of native vegetation and re-usage of organic materials. Eco-Green Building also is deeply concerned with the health of the homes they build. “We don’t use carpets because of our concern for breathing and respiratory comfort,” Baumstark said. “Every house has a full air-treatment system that clears about 99 percent of all dust and mold particles from the air in the house. The homes we’re building should qualify for the American Lung Association cleanair standards. Also, all of our cabinets See BUILDING A BETTER WAY, page 12
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
BUILDING A BETTER WAY from page 11
(they build them custom to each home) are made with a product called Purebond, which has none of the formaldehyde resin glues. We do everything we can to avoid VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are given off by many paints, varnishes and finishing materials used in traditional construction.” Perhaps the most impressive thing about this philosophy of construction is the attention to detail and environmental responsibility in every element of building. Careful decisions are made at every step from the clearing of the land to the design of the interior to the materials used in building. When a builder is as concerned with the chemical composition of the glues used in making cabinets as he is with the social responsibility of the lumber supplier, as attentive to the home’s impact on the storm drain as he is on the economics of heating and cooling, there is something quite inspiring about what is being done and why. Surprisingly, these homes are not more expensive than conventional construction. “A home we just completed sold for $4,000 less than a 20 year-old smaller house in the same neighborhood with no special features and no energy efficiency,” Baumstark said. More to the point, the long-term energy savings, the increase in a healthful living environment and the lessened impact on the natural world combine for a kind of bargain that isn’t measured in simple dollars and cents.
Above: Channels in the sub-floor carry heating coils beneath an insulating layer on which the bamboo flooring is installed. Efficient and very comfortable, it’s also a great way to save on the cost of heating. Photos by Jerry Kraft
This home Eco-Green Builders is constructing in Port Angeles has been designed and built with care for the environment both inside the home and in the methods and materials of construction. The special porous material used in the driveway allows rain to flow through and percolate naturally into the soil, reducing the impact of runoff on the stormwater drain system.
Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 13
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
The clear solution to weatherizing your home By Kelly McKillip Ward Dunscomb of Glass Services Company has seen many improvements in glass installation since he began his business in 1981. He says that people tend to think of window replacement during the cold winter months, but windows are equally important to keep the house or office cool in the hot days of summer. Dunscomb began learning about the glass business early in life as he was a glazier for many years while growing up. He spent several more years in Seattle honing his skills in commercial and high-end residential work. Also, he would return to Sequim to complete jobs locally. In the past 37 years, he has encountered every type of glass product likely to be found in the home or business and has a well-rounded knowledge of the industry. What keeps the work fun and interesting is that nearly every job is a custom order. He has two sons who are glaziers on his staff, plus two other glaziers and one bookkeeper. His wife, Charmaigne, is retired, but comes in to lend a hand with the paper work and answering the phones. Glass Services Company is equipped to complete any residential or commercial glass work including windows, skylights, glass doors, store fronts, automatic and handicap entrances, glass rail systems and custom mirrors. For anyone creating a bathroom with See CLEAR SOLUTION, page 16
The new showroom at Glass Services Co. is conveniently located on U.S. Highway 101 between Sequim and Port Angeles. Photo by Kelly McKillip
Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
clear, thin metallic layer that is applied to the glass and allows natural light and warmth tile or marble, Dunscomb suggests in and keeps it in by reflecting most of the considering an elegant all glass shower energy back to objects in the room. This is enclosure such as the one he installed a great advantage over tinted windows that in his own bathroom. Minimizing just block light. Triple-paned windows are unsightly hardware allows the beauty overkill for the peninsula and much heavier. of the stone or tile to shine through Inert gas between window panes is another and makes cleaning easier. technology that helps conserve energy loss. Glass Services Company also does Dunscomb says this is the perfect time to breakage replacement and service upgrade windows, skylights and glass doors work. Dunscomb recommends at least because of new technology that will pay for a yearly check up of windows, as by itself in lower heating and cooling bills along their nature, insulated glass panes do with the great rebates on Energy Star® not last forever. Seal failures can cause windows, window replacement incentives windows to become foggy between and low cost loans available from the PUD layers of glass but generally are just a and the city of Port Angeles for their utility cosmetic concern. customers. He recommends buying from The biggest change that Dunscomb local companies as the national stores has seen in the glass industry is generally charge two to four times more, the trend toward energy efficiency. usually contract the services out and are Beginning in 1978, the code required not PUD or city of Port Angeles approved builders to install double instead of weatherization installers as is Glass Services single-paned windows in newly built Company. As long-term residents of the homes. This improvement tripled the The glass in Peninsula College’s clock tower was installed by Glass Services Co. Photo by Kelly McKillip peninsula, Dunscomb and his crew believe in R-value of the product, which great customer service and will stand behind represents the amount of thermal their products and craftsmanship. aluminum models that have the problem of encouraging resistance. A higher R-value is better in terms of keeping Dunscomb also welcomes unusual and challenging condensation, which may lead to growth of mold in the the house warm or cool and saving energy and money. jobs, such as the glass house he built for Danielle Allday house, some of which can be toxic. The next giant leap in technology occurred who did not want her home’s commanding views of Another breakthrough in glass technology is the low when the high performance vinyl-framed windows the Strait of Juan de Fuca obstructed. Allday writes: emission coating. Window glass allows energy from became available with more than twice the R-value of “We came to Sequim hoping to build a glass house to the sun to shine through, but the same properties allow double-paned windows. The vinyl replaces the older radiant heat to escape at night. The low-E coating is a catch all the light needed in the dark days of winter and CLEAR SOLUTION from page 14
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Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 17
The windows at the newly built Rock Plaza in Sequim were installed by Glass Services Co. Photo by Kelly McKillip to see all the way to Victoria in the summer. Glass Services was the only company willing and able to meet this design challenge, giving us 12-foot floor to ceiling curtain walls of glass and a roof with dozens of skylights, even in our garage and laundry room.” Most people live or work in glass houses to some extent and do not want to throw energy or money out the window. To obtain a free estimate for all residential and commercial glass needs, contact Glass Services Company at 452-1155 or glassguy@olypen.com. Visit them in their new showroom at 255652 Highway 101 in front of the speedway between Sequim and Port Angeles or on the Web at www.glassservicesco.com.
Commanding views remain unobstructed in Danielle Allday’s glass house overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Photo courtesy of Danielle Allday
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
18 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Post-framing versatile way to build By Patricia Morrison Coate
Despite naysaying to the contrary, homes still are being designed and built on the Olympic Peninsula even in a tight economy. For homeowners in the planning stages and on a budget, it’s even more important to consult with quality builders, such as Timber & Iron Erectors, which can offer post-frame construction for less than conventional stud construction for everything from homes to horse barns. “In a post-frame building, you don’t have to have a foundation and framing is different,” said Dave Richardson, a 40-year veteran in residential/commercial construction and owner of the Carlsborg business. “It is considerably less because customers don’t have the cost of a concrete foundation and we can build it in half the time.” According to the American Wood Council, “Postframe buildings are efficient structures whose primary framing system is comprised of wood roof trusses or rafters connected to vertical timber columns or sidewall posts. Secondary members such as roof purlins and wall girts support the exterior cladding.” Richardson explained the concept of post-frame construction which his company uses for its cabins,
single- and two-story houses, U-pole barns, shops, garages and multipurpose buildings. At each corner of the proposed building, he and his crew drill a large hole from 4-6 feet deep, depending on the load bearing and soil type. They install either precast concrete pads or cast in place concrete pads in each hole. Large preservativetreated posts, often of solid southern pine or glue-laminated columns, are positioned on the pads, plumbed and leveled, and the holes are backfilled with sand. “The treated posts in the ground are warranteed for 50 years — they’re like a log house, so the house will last many years,” Richardson said. “And post-framing is better for the ecology because we’re just drilling holes and we aren’t disturbing the whole site.” Vertical posts are erected between the corner posts and crosswise girts stabilize them, which allows at least six inches for a super-insulated structure. Richardson
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A post-and-beam building during construction. Photo courtesy of Timber & Iron Erectors
links the walls with a tongue and groove wood floor joist system. The most common exterior wall covering for postframe buildings is pre-painted corrugated steel siding — Timber & Iron Erectors offers more than a dozen colors, Richardson said. Customers also can choose galvanized steel for outbuildings or exterior plywood, wood siding or brick veneer for a more formal look. Walls are tied together with wood trusses or rafters.
Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 19
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Dave Richardson and his daily companions, Sadie and Tessa, head to a job site.
“They can be built very fast and once we start a job, we don’t leave it until it’s done. We’re efficient — we get it done — that’s the big plus,” Richardson said. “All of our buildings are custom-made to meet the customers’ needs. There are so many options to our buildings, we can adapt to any situation, including unlevel land.” Richardson also recommends installing
Photo by Patricia Morrison Coate
a metal roof because “you never have to do it again, so you have no more worries. It won’t burn and is a lifetime application. With a 30-year tar roof, you’re lucky to get 10 years out of it.” Timber & Iron Erectors will have an outside booth at the KONP Home Show, Feb. 28 - March 1, and is a member of the North Peninsula Building Association.
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20 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette
GOT WINDOWS? Beware the out-of-towner who sells windows door-to-door. He doesn’t have your best interest in mind. WE DO! Here’s why Glass Services is better: • Approved by city and PUD for window replacement rebate programs. • Financing as low as 2.5%. • Superior products, installation & service. • Shop locally so your dollars stay on the Peninsula.
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Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 21
Where water is wealth:
Irrigation proves efficient and convenient Modern systems conserve water and work on a timer
by Ashley Miller
David Cowan and Travis Cowan, owners of Sanford Irrigation in Sequim, pose for a picture with their children after a soccer game. Submitted photo
Specializing in INSULATED CONCRETE HOMES EFFICIENT • AFFORDABLE • ATTRACTIVE
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Flowers wilting in the hot summer sun? Lawn a faded brown rather than a luscious green? Sanford Irrigation might be the cold drip of water needed to bring your yard and gardens back to life. Famous in Sequim for its contribution to the town’s agricultural roots, irrigation can benefit “everyday” individuals and families, too, said Travis Cowan, coowner of Sanford Irrigation. Irrigation systems are used daily all over the world to water orchards, gardens, hanging baskets, raised beds, hedge lines and lawns. It’s an efficient way to water and allows homeowners to travel out of town without hiring somebody to tend to the flowers, plants and vegetables. Sanford Irrigation, owned and operated by Travis Cowan and David Cowan, goes back three generations in the family. The Cowans “Uncle Fran” ran the business for nearly 15 years, started by his uncle in Minnesota shortly after World War II. The brothers took the reins eight years ago after shadowing Uncle Fran for more than 10 years. Using math and physics the Cowans service clients countywide. “He passed on that heritage and information to us,” said Travis Cowan fondly about his Uncle Fran. Nonagricultural irrigation has become more popular in recent years. “There is a growing awareness that if you water in the middle of the day, you lose a lot of water to the heat,” Travis Cowan said. Irrigation makes it so that watering
midday, uncoiling and coiling the garden hose and standing in the scalding summer sun is a thing of the past. With irrigation, an electronic timer instructs the water to come on at a designated time for a certain number of minutes. “You can program the system to come on at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. when nobody wants to be out of bed turning a hose on,” David Cowan said. “You can also make it so certain areas get more or less water depending on the sun exposure.” Modern irrigation systems are precise in the amount of water they use, right down to a tenth of a gallon, perfect for an area like Sequim, Travis Cowan said. “Water prices in Sequim are high and the water we do have needs to be used wisely, whether you are on PUD or a well.” Sequim is, Travis Cowan reminded, almost a desert, receiving less than 15 inches of rain a year on average. “We’ve seen a few wet summers and newcomers might think irrigation isn’t necessary but I remember as a kid 80 days straight of no rain,” he said. “It really is dry here. Sequim is the perfect microclimate that needs irrigation to keep things alive — unless you want to drag hose.” Sanford Irrigation is built on quality and customer service, Travis Cowan said. “Our whole goal is to give a customer a completely problem-free system. We stand behind our systems and we want to be called to come back for anything that has to do with irrigation,” he said. “We’ve been committed to customers for 20 years and try to be the irrigation See IRRIGATION, page 22
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
22 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Our team of professionals transform innovative ideas into reality, offering inspirational design concepts and resources to assist in decorating with confidence. Call tod today and schedule a design consultation. 105 1/2 E. First St., Suite A, Downtown Port Angeles, WA email:interiordesign@trisa.us www.trisa.us
(360) 457-6759 Travis Cowan, left, and David Cowan, right, learned about irrigation and took over the family business, Sanford Irrigation, from their “Uncle Fran” eight years ago. Photo by Ashley Miller
IRRIGATION, from page 21
company to call, whether we installed the product or not.” Employees service and install all brands of irrigation systems, David Cowan said, picking and choosing brands that will last the longest. One of the most common questions that customers ask, Travis Cowan said, doesn’t have anything to do with irrigation: it’s how the brothers feel about working together. Travis Cowan answers the question
in two sentences. “We have a great time running the business together,” he said, patting his 3-year-younger brother on the back lovingly. “We’ve always been best friends and remain best friends.” David Cowan nods his head in agreement. The two families spend a lot of time together at work and at home, he said. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 683-9807.
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 23
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
24 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Turning a house into a home
The Showcase features fully installed cabinets, bathroom fixtures By Ashley Miller
From left, Doug Smith, CEO, and Shawn McClary, store manager, assist customers at The Showcase, a division of Lumber Traders, Inc. Photo by Ashley Miller
Downsizing
your JUNK? Are your garage basement, attic and closets overflowing with stuff? We can help you get rid of the clutter. Take advantage of our residential collection service in Sequim. We also offer FREE recycling at our Blue Mountain and Port Angeles Transfer Stations. • Yardwaste Containers • Drop Boxes • Curbside Recycling • Residential Refuse
We pick up where you left off
MURREY’S OLYMPIC DISPOSAL Phone: (360) 452-7298 Toll Free: 1-800-422-7854 Fax: (360) 417-0122 2058 W. Edgewood Drive Port Angeles, WA 98363
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Lumber Traders views remodeling as much more than just ripping out an old bathroom or installing new kitchen appliances. To them, remodeling is the process of turning a house into a home. The Showcase, a business under the umbrella of the employee-owned organization, helps homeowners do just that: make “home” an enjoyable place to turn in each night. Located at the corner of Front and Race streets in Port Angeles, The Showcase opened in October 2007 when Hartnagel Building Supply — which also operates under the Lumber Traders umbrella, along with Angeles Millwork & Lumber Company — moved to its U.S. Highway
West and Larch Avenue location. Lumber Traders Chief Executive Officer Doug Smith said he knew there wouldn’t be room for all of Hartnagel’s products, even in the new, larger facility. With an existing lease on the Front Street building, it made sense to put both feet in front of them and take the leap, he said. The Showcase features cabinets, plumbing fixtures, sinks, hardware, locksets, windows, doors, trim and moldings, mantles and more. Customers can thumb through catalogs, run a hand over granite, acrylic and laminate counter tops, and open and close cabinets, drawers, windows and doors to get a feel for what they want in their own home.
Sequim Gazette
Even though the business is only a couple of years old, it’s not a “new” per se. “We’ve been fixtures in the community forever,” Smith said. “We’ve supplied a lot of materials for the homes you see when you drive down the street.” The Showcase offers custom cabinetry and ordering as well as the products on the showroom floor. A computer design program is available to help customers visualize plans in 3-D in full color on a flat-screen television. “Remodeling is all about planning,” said Shawn McClary, store manager. “The kitchen process, for example, isn’t going to be done in five minutes. There are a lot of options to consider.” Employees can assess the feasibility of a project and offer a bid price to potential customers free of charge. “So many people say, ‘Oh, I could never afford that’ because they think it would cost $50,000 to re-do their kitchen but it won’t,” Smith said. “There are things you can do that are affordable and will make you enjoy coming home at night.” The number of people remodeling homes is higher than ever, despite a nationwide economic slump, according to Smith and McClary. “It’s a given there is a cautiousness in the market but our traffic here hasn’t
out our b a s u k As erest N O I n t ing Financ
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 25
changed drastically,” Smith said. “Houses are not selling so people are remodeling to make their houses more appealing to potential buyers and to themselves while they remain living there.” Some people who enter The Showcase have binders overflowing with blueprints, magazine articles and pictures of their dream home, Smith said, while others have no idea what they want to do but know they want to do something. Both types of clients are welcomed. In-house financing is available through First Federal. Shareholders have big plans for the vacant lot next to The Showcase that used to house Hartnagel’s lumberyard. In the future — but not soon enough to release a date — employees plan to open a landscaping design display smaller than but similar to the cabinet design display inside The Showcase. The landscaping display will feature everything from stone to retaining walls, Smith said. The Showcase is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go online to www.theshowcasepa.com or call 457-8582. Ashley Miller can be reached at ashleyo@sequimgazette.com. A complete kitchen is on display at The Showcase in Port Angeles to give homeowners and contractors remodeling ideas. Photo by Ashley Miller
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
26 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Shower in style:
A home improvement you can enjoy every day By Sandra Frykholm
Your daily shower has some of the elements of a mini-retreat: privacy, relaxation, a little time to gather your thoughts. The visual surroundings of a retreat — or a shower — also affect the quality of the experience. If the shower door won’t stay in its track or the sagging curtain is robbing you of your “zen” experience, a visit to Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror might be in order. In their office and showroom at 63 Hooker Road, Paul and Noreen Diaz can show you samples and catalogs of shower enclosures to create the atmosphere you want for your daily retreat. Hinged doors have overtaken sliding shower doors in popularity, for those bathrooms that have space to allow them. “Frameless doors are popular,” said Noreen. “It’s a stunning look,” and one that allows the fullest visual exposure to decorative tiles in the shower area. There are hundreds of glass types available, including designer glass with an irregular top edge that can follow the line of an arched opening, for example, or mimic a line of mountain peaks. Custom etched glass can include designs ranging from her favorite flower to his favorite pro sports team logo on the shower door. Even the standard sliding shower door isn’t what it used to be. Back then you might have heard, “You can have any color as long as it’s chrome,” Noreen quipped. Now, shower enclosures can be ordered in a variety of durable powder-coat color finishes, including dramatic textured looks and several metallic shades. Beyond that, custom colors can be ordered to match tile, paint, appliances or accessories. “People are trying to match the trim to their décor,” Paul said. The glass in the sliding shower door has come a long way, too. Ripples, twining leaves, geometrics and etched
Above: Noreen and Paul Diaz, owners of Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror, offer a wide selection of shower enclosures, mirror and glass products, and deck railings. Right: The selection of shower enclosure glass samples at Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror includes the etched leafy botanical look at left, as well as many other patterns and textures. Submitted photo
images are a few of the choices. In addition, new products make the glass more resistant to hard water spots with a super-smooth coating that can be applied by the manufacturer. “Whoever has to clean the shower loves these products,” Noreen said.
When Paul and Noreen became empty nesters, they wanted a change from their Redmond lifestyle. In March 2006, they purchased Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror in Carlsborg. They
are now “close enough and far enough away” from their young adult children, Noreen says with a laugh. See SHOWERS, page 28
Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
NORTHWEST ASBESTOS CONSULTANTS Surveys • Inspections • Testing
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LAWNMOWER SERVICE & REPAIR We also fix weedeaters, chainsaws and tillers — all makes and models.
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681-3466
DISCOUNT CABINETS of Washington, Inc. On-site Kitchen and Bath Design and Sales We sell America’s #1 & #2 Rated ‘Green’ Cabinets: Left to right: Steve Cunningham, Lexie Colman, and owner Jere Colman • Omega (#1) • Fieldstone (#2) Post Office Box 1973 • Sequim, WA 98382 • HomeCrest Phone: 360-683-9171 • Edgewater Fax: 360-681-0554
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 27
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28 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009 SHOWERS, from page 26
The company also sells mirrored closet doors in bi-fold and by-pass styles, and mirrors for wall décor. Replacing standard closet doors with mirrored doors makes the room look larger. “It can make an amazing difference,” Paul said. People also are installing mirrored walls for exercise areas in the home and large wall mirrors are no problem for the company. They keep some stock mirrors on hand so not everything requires custom ordering. Glass products also include custom glass covers for the protection of wooden table surfaces, glass shelving, cabinet door inserts, even replacement glass for picture frames or windows. Another popular product is their Alumarail patio and deck railing. Also available in stock and custom colors, the railing can be finished with traditional pickets or tempered glass
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009 panels that provide wind protection and an unobstructed view. The railings with tempered glass have been especially popular in view homes, such as those on Bell Hill, and beachfront properties. This low-maintenance railing system is also considered a “green” product because of the abundance and ease of recycling aluminum. “In the past few months, we’ve seen a big increase in remodeling,” Paul said. Instead of looking into buying a new house, people are upgrading what they have. Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror is ready to help with that process, whether it’s a better bathroom, new deck railing, or glass and mirrors just about anywhere in the house. Peninsula Shower Door & Mirror 63 Hooker Road Sequim, WA 98382 360-683-7471 psdmirror@qwestoffice.net
Sequim Gazette
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN AT ALLFORM WELDING
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Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Logging to Landscaping, Professional Results. Serving the Peninsula since 1966 Land Clearing, Leveling “It’s Driveway Repair Season Home & Building Sites -- Call or See Our Website” • Septic & Sewer Systems REFERENCES AVAILABLE • Driveways, Roads, Utilities ith • Underground Boring Now w e sit n o • Rock & Soil Products rtable
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 29
30 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
By Jerry Kraft
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Put it in a better light
Lighting is one of the most important elements in creating a satisfying and comfortable interior design. It also can be one of the simplest and least expensive changes you can make to a room. While many vital lighting decisions should be made at the time a home is being designed and built, re-doing the lighting can be an easy and strikingly effective way to change the tone and mood of your rooms. Different rooms have different needs and improvements in the lighting immediately can change the comfort and attractiveness of your kitchen, bedroom or bath. Kitchen and utility areas generally need bright, general lighting that makes working at the counter tops easy. The living room or family room probably should have dimmer switches on all the lights, so that you can lower the level for watching TV or quiet reading, and increase it for other activities. Most bathrooms call for fixtures above or on the side of each mirror to accommodate daily grooming, as well as overhead lighting for general use. In every case, the homeowner will need to decide on the type of bulb being used, the style of the fixture and the decorative effect desired. According to Bill Hoagland of
Sequim Gazette
Chandeliers can add a decorative touch to lighting an entryway or formal dining area. They can use incandescent, compact fluorescent, halogen or LED bulbs. Photo by Jerry Kraft
Thurman Building Supply, there is an bulbs fit into standard lamps and use a symptoms of seasonal affective disorder enormous range of styles and finishes, as fraction of the electricity while providing and make the home not only brighter well as types of lighting. long life and greater economy. Halogen but a more pleasant environment and “We have a very wide variety of lighting bulbs deliver something closer to natural perhaps healthier. In the fall and winter fixtures, from simple and inexpensive to light but they still give off a lot of Thurmans sells more of the full-spectrum very high-end,” Hoagland said. “We can heat. True natural light has its own or natural lights. supply fixtures so that every lighting attraction. “There is a steady interest in our fixture in the house is the same style. We For many, the inclusion of natural or full-spectrum lighting,” Hoagland said. have more finishes than ever before, for full-spectrum lighting can diminish the “We carry the Varilux line and with the interior and exterior. We also can make special orders of hundreds of different styles from many different suppliers.” In choosing the bulbs, there are some very interesting alternatives to the traditional tungsten incandescent light bulb. “Fluorescents are growing all the time because there’s so much choice now. Some people are reluctant to use fluorescent because of the color of the light, but there have been many advances in that, as well. Now you can get fluorescent lights where you can’t tell if they’re incandescent or fluorescent,” Thurman Building Supply offers full-spectrum or natural lighting that many people feel is Hoagland said. helpful in fighting the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Especially during the long, gray months of winter, these lights can brighten your mood as well as your home. Compact fluorescent
Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
There a so many choices in styles and fixtures of lighting that you can make each room unique and distinctive or unify the style throughout the house. Photo by Jerry Kraft
long, often dark winters, we have here many people say it helps them get through a difficult season.” Other choices in redoing the lighting in the home include recessed lighting fitted into the ceiling. That’s easier with new construction, of course, but it also can be installed in many existing homes. It has become much more popular in the past decade because of the even distribution of light in the room and the unobtrusiveness of the fixtures. Similarly, solar tubes can provide natural sunlight through the roof and into the living area. Wall sconces can accent an otherwise dull wall and, if they’re facing upward, diffuse the source of light into the room. If the sconces point down, they can accent artwork or decorating features. Another popular lighting design is track lighting, often with small, intense halogen bulbs. That lighting can be focused on exactly the area you want illuminated and can be adjusted as you change the layout
of the room or furnishings. Chandeliers and pendants are highly decorative but also can provide elegant and even light to entry ways or formal dining rooms. For some of these the newer LEDs (light emitting diodes) are an exciting advance. “I think we’re going to see many more of the LEDs in home lighting in the future,” Hoagland said. “LEDs provide a very even light, are much more energy efficient and have a very long life. So it’s a long-term economy.” With the choices of styles, fixtures and designs available for home lighting anyone can revitalize his or her home at low cost. Not only will new lighting allow you see to the room differently, but to live in it differently, as well. A visit to Thurmans lighting showroom probably will amaze you with the variety and selection of styles and fixtures. Besides, what could brighten up a room more than brighter, better light?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 31
32 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Light ng i By Kelly McKillip As a fourth-generation Sequim resident, Josh Smith has a deep sense of family and community. Growing up, he often accompanied his dad, Ron Smith, in his work as a building contractor. The younger Smith knew early on that he was destined for the building trade that has been his family’s business since the 1960s. The ever-changing and increasing demand for improved electrical systems pointed him in the direction of becoming an electrical contractor. He opened Sequim Electric for business in 2005. Over the years, Smith has seen the gamut of electrical systems that are present in homes across the Olympic Peninsula. When he is called to check out an electrical problem, he might encounter systems that were the best choice decades ago but have become inefficient, dangerous or wasteful and need to be updated. An electrical system such as the single strand knob and tube wiring, which is found in homes of the 1920-1940s vintage, most likely has been tampered with to accommodate modern appliances and is unsafe. One of the worst systems he still
u t r u e e f th
encounters is the Zinsco panel, which will not trip the breakers appropriately and can pose fire and shock hazards. Homes built before 1970 should have the grounding system checked as the lifesaving ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) may not be present. Electrical current always should be the same coming and going. An imbalance can be created by a person who is grounded and touching the energized part of the system. The person becomes the path for the current and can be electrocuted. When an imbalance is sensed, the GFCI will turn the circuit off instantly and mitigate the jolt. GFCIs are especially important in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outside and under the house because water is a strong conductor of electricity. An arc fault breaker is one of the relatively newer devices that senses an
Above: These outdated electrical items pose a severe hazard and should be replaced if present in the home. Photo courtesy of Josh Smith. At right: Ron and Josh Smith of Sequim Electric are ready to light the future. Photo by Kelly McKillip
electrical spark and turns off the circuit. This safety measure is most important in bedrooms where sleeping residents may not be aware of a fire until it is raging. For newer homes, Smith recommends a checkup of the home’s electrical panel to clean up circuits that have been added. These days, systems are likely to be overloaded with an array of equipment including computers and peripherals, home entertainment items, large refrigerator-freezers, air conditioners and heaters without corresponding wiring improvements. Smith occasionally encounters exposed spliced wires in attics and crawl spaces, which should be placed in a junction box to keep them protected. Perhaps most people associate the warmth and comfort that electricity provides with the colors red or yellow, but when Smith thinks about these things, he sees green. Sequim Electric is a Clallam PUD approved contractor. Smith is enthusiastic about the new
Sequim Gazette
Wiring that is incorrectly used or modified poses a hazard. Photo courtesy of Josh Smith
green science and states that this is a great time to consider energy saving devices and solar systems. With generous rebates and incentives for Energy Star® appliances and solar from PUD, installations are very affordable and at times nearly free. He attends seminars and classes that offer cutting-edge information and plans to be the expert as solar and other energy saving technologies become the standard way everyone lights, heats and keeps their homes secure. Smith keeps up on the laws that are evolving around issues of energy consumption and light pollution. To help customers with the move toward green, Sequim Electric offers a whole house power consumption analysis for a nominal fee. Smith has the tools needed to analyze a home’s power usage and provide methods to cut the consumption and cost. He also has the latest testing equipment that can easily sense shorts and breaks in wires within walls and underground, which makes the cost of repairing the faulty wiring easier on the pocketbook. For illuminating homes, LED lighting leads the pack in energy efficiency
Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Pinpoint lighting adds elegance and energy efficiency to a home. Photo courtesy of Josh Smith
with fluorescent in the middle and incandescent lights far behind. Also available from Sequim Electric are longlife pinpoint, multi-colored and controlled lighting systems. Smith has been impressed by the longevity of solar panels, with some still running at 80-percent capacity after 50 years. He advises that solar really does work in Sequim as long as trees and buildings are not blocking the sun. Germany, which utilizes solar energy more than any other country in the world, lies close to the same latitude as Washington state. Ron Smith helps with the administrative
part of his son’s business and is very proud of his son’s achievements and foresight. Over the next few years, their goal is to expand Sequim Electric to include commercial work. Smith loves living and working in the retirement community of Sequim that has been his family’s home for so long. For his wife, Teresa, and children, Isaac and Adalie, and his neighbors and customers, he plans to do his part to keep their future bright. Contact Sequim Electric by phone at 681-3794 or e-mail at sequimelectric3@ sequimbay.net. Visit on the Web at www.sequimelectric.com.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 33
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
34 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sequim Gazette
Your home:
‘The most versatile product on the market’ This home, under construction in Diamond Point, reflects the Northwest style typical of Steve Lamb’s designs, including large peeled logs supporting two corners. Photos by Sandra Frykholm
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So says Steve Lamb, owner of Legacy Homes in Sequim, and with more than 35 years experience in home construction, he should know. Lamb grew up in Forks and had construction businesses in Hawaii and Port Angeles before settling in Sequim in 1980. And what makes a home versatile? “It’s real easy to go in and change doors and hardware,” Lamb said, to give an existing home a new look and feel. Whether homeowners want to update the appearance of their home, try a newly developed product or add a couple of rooms, the existing home can provide the basis for the change. “Most of the remodels we are asked to do are major ones, but we do small ones, too.” The bulk of Lamb’s work is in custom homes, frequently homes that he designs for a client to suit a particular building site. One wall of his office on East Washington Street displays framed sketches of homes he designed and built. “People often come in with incomplete plans,” he said, “something from a magazine which needs to be modified or a plan that won’t work on their property.” Lamb prefers to sit down with clients,
talk about the house they want and design a home that they will enjoy. This process ensures that the home will accommodate any specialized spaces the homeowner wants: hobby or sewing room, workshop, gourmet kitchen, home theater or other needs. “I try to make a house which is a lot of fun,” Lamb said. “I try to keep the exteriors as maintenance free as possible.” Options such as metal roofs can help reduce maintenance. He also encourages clients to make their primary living spaces on one level, with low thresholds to the outdoors, allowing for handicapped accessibility. His “Northwest style” designs include open plan living areas, large window walls and often the inclusion of rustic log poles as supporting members. “I guess people say that’s my trademark,” he said. “I use a lot of logs.” These design features are readily apparent in the gallery of photos on the Legacy Homes Web site, www. sequimbuilder.com. “Most of my work comes off the Web,” Lamb said. “(Prospective clients) see pictures of the type of houses we do and I give them a list of people I’ve built for. I say ‘You make the calls.’” One recent client came to him after admiring a home in SunLand and then contacting the homeowner to ask who built it. Turns out, it was Steve Lamb. “We do custom work,” he said. “A lot of times you hear Legacy Homes is expensive, but we can compete with
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Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Lamb, owner of Legacy Homes, is silhouetted in the soaring windows of a Photos by Sandra Frykholm home under construction on Bell Hill. anybody as long as you compare apples he builds. “I’m still the old-fashioned with apples.” Because of the custom nature guy — I wear the tool belt,” he said. In of the work and close attention every step a business where clients often don’t need of the way, the construction process might his services more than once, he’s had three take longer. “People sometimes ask, will it clients come back to him for a second take six months? And I say, no, probably custom home. Dozens more are glad to 10.” He runs his subcontractors through recommend him to their friends, he said. one at a time for better quality control. And that’s important to Lamb. “With “The subs I use have been with me for every house, I want it to be a positive years.” relationship when it’s done.” Lamb is on the job with every home
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In his office on East Washington Street, Steve Lamb, owner of Legacy Homes, is surrounded by floor plans, sketches and photos of homes he has built.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
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Sequim Gazette
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Home Improvement 2009
Sequim Gazette
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 37
Dealing with the uninvited Pest control in many forms
By Jerry Kraft
A home usually is built in order to provide four walls to contain a living space for a family. Rarely do people have the unpleasant thought that those walls also may contain a variety of pests and environmental hazards that can make the home less healthy and sometimes even structurally unstable. Whether the invasion is from insects, rodents or mold, there will be times when that unwelcome intrusion needs to be treated or prevented, and that’s when a pest control company such as Olympic Spray Service can improve the health and integrity of the home.
“The most common pest we deal with in this area is carpenter ants,” said John Kumpula of Olympic Spray Service. “They are looking for moisture to sustain them as they build their nests and tunnels in the insulation and the wood of the wall’s framing.” He explained that most drywall is porous enough that moisture from inside the home can penetrate into the insulation and provide a breeding ground for the ants, who also may eat and tunnel through the softened wood, leaving a seriously compromised structure. “More than anything, the ants want the heat coming from inside the house. Most commonly the way people will be aware that they have carpenter ants is when they see them coming out for water, maybe in the bathtub or sink. Even worse is you’re very likely never to see any evidence of them until your house is already seriously weakened.” The best treatment, of course, is prevention followed by ongoing control. “Usually, when we’re See PESTS, page 38
Insects, rodents and other pests that can invade a home require the services of certified and trained pest control technicians including those at Olympic Spray Service.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
38 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009 PEST CONTROL from page 37
called, people already know that they have carpenter ants and they want us to get rid of them. We do a complete outside perimeter treatment to prevent the ants from coming in through the foundation from the outside,” Kumpula explained. “Then we have to treat the wires because the ants will use them as a pathway into the house. Usually the queen’s nest is outside the house, in the soil where she has enough humidity to keep the eggs moist. The nest inside the house is usually a satellite nest. After the outside perimeter treatment, usually in March or April, we try to treat the house about every 60 days or at least three times a year.” In addition to ants and spiders, fleas, flies and bedbugs, Olympic Spray Service also treats for and eliminates rats, moles, bats, birds and wasps. “There are actually a surprisingly large number of rats in Port Angeles, especially in the large valleys that run through town. It’s not uncommon to go down into those valleys and see rats out during the day. They’re just trying to find water and if they’re out in the daytime, it means that there are already so many back in the nest that these few have to come out during the daytime to get water. The health risks of rats are obvious. We use a variety of traps and poisons to eliminate them.” Kumpula believes the key to preventing these unwelcome visitors, both rodents and insects, as well as preventing unhealthy mold, is better insulation. The
Sequim Gazette
Icynene system is a sprayed-on low density, expandable foam, cellular plastic. It can be installed without ozone destroying gasses. It is easily installed and prevents condensation in the walls or ceilings, seals out dust, allergens, odors and pollutants, reduces noise and saves energy in both heating and cooling. “It is more expensive than fiberglass or cellulose insulation,” Kumpula says, “but it is so much better and repays the extra cost in a very few years.” In combination with the installation of an air management system, air quality is greatly improved. Olympic Spray Service provides control for horticultural pests, as well. Whether it’s dandelions, blackberries, grass weevils, slugs or many others, the technicians can eliminate the problem and prevent Kumpula suggests the Venmar air-treatment system for easy, economical its return. control of your home’s interior environment. While pest control may not be the most appealing focus in home ownership, it may well be one of the most important. four walls that surround your home can once again be With diligent attention to the variety of unwelcome a safe and enjoyable place to live. visitors that might inhabit your home and yard, those
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Sequim Gazette
Home Improvement 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 • 39
40 • Wednesday, February 11, 2009
HOME IMPROVEMENT 2009
Sequim Gazette