LNT Resource Directory 083023

Illinois’ longest operating lumberyard continues to thrive along Peru’s historic riverfront. Maze Lumber has been providing top quality building materials to Illinois Valley contractors and homeowners for 175 years, still owned by the founding fathers (Maze).

Located in a 15,000-square foot showroom and o ce, we o er building materials for the modern home as well as a full line of the traditional lumber items used in home building, commercial construction, and industrial applications.

Our experienced sales sta takes pride in their ability to provide knowledgeable assistance along with prompt delivery at reasonable prices.

Illinois Valley Resource Guide

Keep this guide handy for all of your home improvement needs. We have everything you need to make your home the best it can be. Check listings in the categories below. Building Material

Maze

DOORS & WINDOWS

Maze Lumber

1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354

815-223-1742

www.mazelumber.com

ELECTRICIAN

Maze Lumber

1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354

815-223-1742

Smith’s Sales and

1604 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354

815-223-0132

CONTRACTORS/ CONSTRUCTION

Judd Construction Hennepin, IL 61327

(815)925-7333

Spelich General Contracting

835 Clark St. Oglesby, IL 61348

815-883-8681

815-488-9830

Terry’s Roofing & Construction

309-463-2169

Carriage House

Electric

105 12th St. Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 538-5598

www.carriagehouseelec tricmendota.com

FENCING

IV Fence & Pool

2923 N 178th Rd. Utica, IL 61373

815-667-3667

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

First State Bank

Mendota 815-538-2265

McNabb 815-882-2146

Peru 815-224-4484

Ottawa 815-433-3727

Princeton 815-872-0002

LaMoille 815 638-2398

www.firststatebank.biz

FIREPLACES

Maze Lumber

1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354

815-223-1742

www.mazelumber.com

FURNITURE

Meyers Furniture

1901 N State Highway 251 Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-6263

www.meyersfurnitureand bedding.com

GROCERY STORE

Sullivan Foods

1102 Meriden St. Mendota, IL 61342

815-539-9341

HARDWARE

Debo Ace Hardware

1713 4th St. Peru, IL 61354

815-223-0461

www.acehardware.com/ store-details/12081

HEATING & COOLING

Energy Specialists

224 N. Main St. Toluca, IL 61369

800-782-7491

Kettman Heating & Plumbing, Inc.

107 E Harrison St. Granville, IL 61326

815-339-6124

kettmanheating.com

Triple Service, Inc. 801 Monroe St. Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-3828

www.tripleserviceinc.com

Don’t get by home electric safety issues

Electricity helps run the world, including our homes and businesses. Without electricity, we’d have no access to lighting, our interior spaces may not be heated or cooled effectively, and the computers and other devices we rely on so heavily would not run.

Even though electricity is designed to make people’s lives more convenient, it’s easy to take it for granted and become complacent about the safety needed to use it effectively. The Electrical Safety Foundation International says each year electrical malfunctions account for 35,000 home fires causing more than 1,130 injuries, 500 deaths and $1.4 billion in property damage. Since the average American home was built in 1977, many existing homes of this age and older simply cannot handle modern demand for electricity without modification.

The following are some warning signs that electrical issues could lead to bigger problems:

• Tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses regularly

• Dimming of lights when other devices are in use

• Buzzing sounds from outlets or switches

• Discolored outlets

• Seemingly underpowered appliances

Additional warning signs can include a tingling feeling when an electrical appliance is touched, rubbery smells or an aroma of burning.

It doesn’t take much for an electrical issue to become serious and start a fire or cause shocking. Treat all electricity use in a home or business seriously. TF235980

Individuals can take certain precautions to ensure electrical safety at home and at work. Here are nine guidelines to follow, courtesy of the National Fire Protect.

Have any home you are buying or renting inspected by a qualified private inspector in accordance with local requirements.

When electrical work is needed, hire a qualified, licensed electrician.

Use only one heat-producing appliance plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.

Do not use extension cords for major appliances like ovens, washers, stoves or microwaves. They should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet.

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and basements to shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard.

Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Have an electrician install more outlets if they are needed.

Keep the area around the electric meter clear. Make sure outdoor lights and other fixtures are rated for outdoor use.

Label the circuit breakers to understand the different circuits in the home and know which to turn off when electrical work is being conducted.

The home renovation industry is booming, and that’s reflected in the cost to upgrade a home. Home Guide says remodeling a kitchen costs $25,000 on average, and a bathroom renovation runs around $10,000. Though rates fluctuate depending on a host of variables, renovations can cost $15 to $60 per square foot depending on the project. The average homeowner wants to save as much money as possible when renovating their home. Many think doing much of the work themselves is the easiest way to keep costs low. What some homeowners may not realize is that DIY can be costly and prove a big hassle in the long run. The following are some hidden costs of DIY and renovating in general.

TIME

DIY projects are a major drain on free time. Homeowners taking the DIY route typically work on weekends or after work. Few people can take off and devote their undivided attention to a remodel like a contractor can. Time is a valuable resource that is not renewable. Therefore, think of a DIY project in terms of what it would equal in lost wages. Because homeowners are not professionals, a DIY project may take double the time it would take a contractor. It may be worth it to simply hire it out.

MISTAKES

Many resources are available to help DIY enthusiasts work on a project, but there are still tricks and techniques learned after years on the job. DIYers may damage their homes by taking shortcuts or not understanding how to do a job properly. A plumbing mistake, for example, may

lead to flooding that damages another room in the home. And such mistakes may not be covered by homeowners insurance policies.

FINES

Permits are required for many home improvement projects. Forgetting to obtain permits or not realizing one may be necessary could subject you to hefty fines and/or force the job to be redone so it’s up to code. Professionals likely know the rules regarding permits and often include the cost of acquiring permits in an estimate.

REMEDIATION

It’s only after opening up walls or removing floors that you may discover issues you did not anticipate, such as termite damage or mold. These unforseen factors can drive up the overall costs of a project.

DISPOSAL

Removing old building materials or gutting a room is part of many renovations. Chances are this refuse simply cannot be left at the curb for trash pickup. As a DIYer, you may not factor the costs for a dumpster or the time and money required to haul debris to a recycling or landfill center.

TOOLS

DIYers may have to purchase tools as they engage in new projects. These expenses can add up and negate the savings of doing some of the work yourself. DIY projects may initially seem like a way to save money, but weekend warriors should calculate the hidden costs associated with DIY renovations before deciding to do some work on their own. TF233742

OVERHEAD DOORS

Overhead Door Company of the Illinois Valley

617 Shooting Park Rd. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 223-8471

www.overheaddoorillinois valley.com

PAINT

Debo Ace Hardware

1713 4th St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-0461

www.acehardware.com/ store-details/12081

PLUMBING

Maze Lumber

1100 Water St. Peru, IL 61354 815-223-1742

www.mazelumber.com

NL Morton Buildings 203 N. 4099th Road

Mendota, IL 61342 (815) 539-9325

www.nlmortonbuildings.com

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Rental Pros 2

1150 38th St. Peru,IL61354 (815) 224-2800

United Rentals 2901 Peoria St. Peru, IL 61354 (815) 223-7962

www.unitedrentals.com

Kitchen cabinets: reface or replace?

The kitchen is a busy room in many homes. That popularity likely has something to do with why so many homeowners spend sizable sums renovating their kitchens. According to highlights from the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median spend on major kitchen remodels grew by 14 percent from the previous year, and minor remodels increased by 25 percent. Spurred on by increased time spent at home during the pandemic, the main impetus for kitchen remodels according to the study was that homeowners wanted to make these improvements all along and finally had the time and means to do so.

There are many aspects of a kitchen that homeowners can change. Houzz found 94 percent of renovators either fully or partially replaced cabinets in their improvement plans. Cabinets are a major component of kitchen layouts. Cabinets help to establish

the aesthetic of a kitchen and serve a useful function, providing necessary storage space to ensure the room does not appear cluttered.

Homeowners have different options when it comes to cabinet renovations, and they may need to decide if they need to replace or reface their cabinets.

REPLACEMENT

Cabinet replacement involves removing all of the existing cabinets before new cabinets are leveled and installed. According to the home improvement resource The Spruce, homeowners can expect to pay between $13,000 and $30,000 for contractor grade cabinets. Cabinet replacement is a good idea when homeowners want to add more cabinet space or create a new layout in the room.

REFACING

Cabinet refacing is less messy and less disruptive than replacement. All cabinets re-

main the same size and in the same location. The cabinet boxes must be in good shape to facilitate a refacing. The process involves installation of new drawer fronts and cabinet doors, as well as veneering of the cabinet boxes. New hardware typically is installed as well. The insides of the cabinets typically remain the same. The Spruce says cabinet refacing can be 30 to 50 percent cheaper than a replacement.

Most people call in professionals to change their cabinets. Cabinet replacement can be a do-it-yourself job, but it involves measuring and ensuring everything fits and is leveled appropriately. Homeowners who choose to reface their cabinets themselves may opt to paint or restain. Wood veneer or a new door and drawer panel installation can be complicated and is best left to qualified contractors. FH238160

Sights and sounds that indicate floors should

Nice flooring draws immediate attention when entering a home. Natural wood floors tend to instantly impress, while the right kitchen flooring materials can create the welcoming feeling many homeowners strive to establish in the most popular room in the home.

Stunning floors are hard to miss, and floors that are well past their prime are equally noticeable. Aging floors may fall somewhere between fading and failing to live up to homeowners’ standards. Fading floors may not need to be replaced immediately, but the following are some signs that indicate existing floors are nearing their expiration date.

• Soft spots: A floor should not give when stepped on. Soft spots could be indicative of water damage caused by any number of factors. Some water damage is caused by mopping the floor with a soaking wet mop, while burst pipes also contribute to water damage that can cause soft spots.

A single soft spot on the floor may necessitate a relatively simple repair, but various soft spots indicate extensive damage that might be affecting the floor, subflooring or both. In the latter instance, homeowners should consider a full floor replacement.

• Creaking oors: Creaking floors are among the more annoying issues that can arise in a home. In such homes, residents feel as though every step they or their housemates take is being announced. In addition, creaking floors can awake light sleepers, including young children. The floor experts at Discount Flooring Depot note that uneven subfloor could be the culprit behind creaking floors. Though that does not necessarily require a floor replacement, it can be hard to lift existing floors and then refit them after the subflooring has been addressed. That’s especially so if low-quality laminate flooring was installed. So while creaking floors may not require a full floor replacement, it’s an outcome homeowners

who can no longer live with the noise can prepare themselves for.

• Dated look: Of course, some floors simply look like the product of a bygone era. Various factors, including location, affect the resale value of a home, but Realtor.com reports that hardwood floors are preferred by both home buyers and renters. In addition, Realtor.com estimates that wood floors could provide a return

as high as 80 percent of the initial investment when homeowners sell their homes. If existing flooring looks dated, it might be time to bring it up to speed with something more modern.

A home’s flooring is bound to draw the attention of residents and visitors alike. Homeowners who replace their flooring can ensure that attention is drawn for all the right reasons. FH238158