At Home Living 072217

Saturday, July 22, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

home.cjonline.com

Construction trends

Aging in place Homes reflect needs of older population page 6 n Eradicating emerald ash borers, page 2 n Mid-year home sales report, page 4 n Yard upkeep: On the level, page 10

keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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Insecticides may control emerald ash borer MARK YOUR CALENDAR Last month, the presence of the emerald ash borer in Shawnee County was confirmed at Lake Shawnee.

Last week, I discussed Ed Dillingham the emerald ash borer in terms of its devastating effect on ash trees in the Great Lakes region. The column also described what the borer looks like, its life cycle and how it has spread across most eastern and Midwestern states and now into the Great Plains, including Kansas.

The emerald ash borer is to ash trees what Dutch elm disease was to elm trees in the 1960s-70s — deadly. But there is hope. Today, I’ll discuss the results of research on insecticides to control the insect.

Also, for the latest updates on the pest, the

n Want to become a Master Gardener? The Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave., will be offering classes for future Master Gardeners from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, September through October. Information and an application can be found at shawnee.k-state. edu. Applications are due Aug. 11. n The Kansas Forest Service will present an emerald ash borer seminar from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 in the Preston Hale Room at the Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, 124 N.W. Fillmore St. Free, but registration by Aug. 11 is required. Register by calling (785) 532-3301, faxing (785) 532-3305 or e-mailing rethmank@ksu.edu.

Kansas Forest Service will be conducting a seminar focusing on identifying and combating the emerald ash borer from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 at the Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site. (See the breakout box for more information.)

When the borer was first discovered in 2002 in Michigan, the initial response was an infected tree was a dead tree.

There were, and are, no natural predators capable of saving an infected tree. The only solution at that time was to cut the tree down and burn the

wood to slow the spread of the borer.

However, entomologists from universities, various state and federal agencies and private organizations from the hardest-hit states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin began intensive research projects to find insecticides and techniques to save ash trees from this deadly insect.

Their efforts have led to some successes. In a joint June 2009 publication titled “Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer,” entomolo-

gists from universities in the affected states described the results of the studies. They studied systemic insecticides applied as soil injections or drenches; injected by drilling small holes in the tree trunk; sprayed on the lower parts of the tree trunk; and protective cover sprays on the trunk, branches and leaves (if labeled for foliage).

Systemic insecticides are taken up by the tree

and distributed using the channels in the cambium layer, which are just under the bark and move nutrients and water throughout the tree, to and from the canopy and the roots.

Systemic chemicals with various formulations of systemic active ingredients, such as imidacloprid and emamectin benzoate, were used.

Coverage sprays, using ordinary garden sprayers, also were tested, but

with limited success.

Of the chemicals and techniques tested, as of the date of the publication, only one formulation using imidacloprid and the soil drench method was legally available to homeowners. The rest of the chemicals and methods of application were limited to professional use.

Of all the chemicals and methods tested, only DILLINGHAM continues on 8

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Home sellers reaping higher prices

By Shanna Sloyer

Special to The Capital-Journal

According to the Sunflower Association of Realtors, the real estate market in Topeka and surrounding counties remained strong throughout the first

half of 2017, despite home sales falling 1.1 percent since June 2016.

Total sales volume in the first six months of 2017 rose 8.3 percent since the same time last year, indicating that although inventory continued to be

low, limiting the number of overall sales, sellers enjoyed more traffic and higher sale prices, making this a seller’s market.

The median sale price of homes in the area increased from $114,900 this time a year ago to $124,275

in 2017. Homes spent an average of 45 days on the market before selling and sold for 97.1 percent of their listed asking price.

Because of the rising demand from potential buyers and the decreased supply of homes currently

available on the market, buyers may find they have less room for negotiations on listings of interest. Hiring an experienced Realtor can be an invaluable resource when one’s planning to buy, sell or both.

“If people are interested

in selling, it’s a good time because values are up,” said Jamie Sauder, SAR president. “Don’t hesitate to contact an agent.”

Sauder points out that one reason homeowners HOME continues on 5

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Home: Real estate market forecast appears strong Continued from 4

might be holding off on selling is because they locked into a loan after taking advantage of low-interest rates and refinancing options over the past few years. They also may face the prospect of not feeling like they will find a home on the market that is right for them to buy if they do sell their existing home.

Sauder encourages anyone on the fence to contact a professional Realtor instead of simply relying on online market browsing.

“Agents are more tuned in in terms of what homes are available than a third-party site,” said Sauder.

Realtors are able to learn about potential homes on the market through previous clients, friends and family, often before they hit third-party websites, and a Realtor will work for you to craft a pur-

chase agreement that is most beneficial to your situation.

They also adhere to a strict code of ethics based on professionalism and protection of the public.

Additionally, hiring a professional ensures that an expert is on your side as you navigate forms, reports and disclosures and will help prevent costly mistakes and delays.

An experienced Realtor also can offer information and referrals for financing a home purchase. It’s a misnomer in the market that a buyer must have 20 percent to put down on a mortgage loan. With interest rates still below average and many programs available to help first-time buyers, financing a home is easier than ever for borrowers with good credit.

Whether buying or selling, as long as interest rates remain at historic lows and demand continues to increase,

‘‘

A much higher share of homeowners compared to a year ago think now is a good time to sell, but until homeowners decide to act, sales will likely stay flat and low inventory will keep price growth moving swiftly.” lawrence yun

chief economist for the National Association of Realtors

the forecast for the real estate market appears strong. With the supply of houses currently on the market struggling to keep up with the number of interested buyers, sellers will reap the greatest benefits this year.

“A much higher share of homeowners compared to a year ago think now is a good time to sell, but until homeowners decide to act, sales will likely stay flat and low inventory will keep price growth moving swiftly,” said Lawrence Yun, National As-

sociation of Realtors chief economist.

Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@ yahoo.com.

Tip of the week: Stuck zipper?

To budge a zipper that won’t go up or down, hold the fabric taut and rub a bar of soap along the front and back sides of the teeth. Pull it gently; it should glide smoothly again.

Source: heloise via goodhousekeeping.com

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construction trends

Easier living Modifying a home to age in place

By Shanna Sloyer

Special to The Capital-Journal

Gone are the days of Americans moving in with their children or grandchildren as they approach their golden years. Younger generations are choosing to move further from their hometowns and away from aging parents, and older Americans are living independent and productive lives well past retirement age.

As a result, “aging in place” has become the option of choice for many.

Aging in place allows a person to remain in his or her own home safely, independently and comfortably regardless of age, income or ability level.

Surrounded by a familiar environment and given the independence to continue to live a life of one’s own choosing, aging in place has many advantages, including lower rates of depression among seniors,

photographs by keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

AGING ANSWERS

For more information about aging-in-place help available for low-income homeowners or other programs offered by Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, visit jhawkaaa.org or call (785) 235-1367 and ask for information services. as well as enriching and diversifying the communities in which they reside.

With the number of Americans age 65 and older expected to more than double from 46 million today to more than 98 million by 2060, the remodeling and construction industries have begun to take note of their contribution to this trend.

“Most people who need aging-in-place services are living in homes built in the 1950s,” said Ivan Weichert, CEO of the Topeka Home Builders Association.

As a result, floor plans LIVING continues on 7

A water faucet installed above the stove in this Topeka home means the homeowner doesn’t have to fill the pots at the sink and carry them to the stovetop. The home, near Lake Shawnee, was built by Prestige Living, according to Darin Stephens, a Realtor who represents Prestige Living.

The walk-in shower has grab bars and a wider door to accommodate a wheelchair.

The closet has an electric hanger bar that rises and lowers, making it easier to reach clothes.

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Living: Relocate laundry room to main floor Continued from 6

kohler

With this type of faucet, hot and cold handles are mounted above the sink on the body of the faucet instead of on the kitchen sink deck.

Single-hole faucet, double handle controls

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Hi, Ed: I’m replacing my kitchen sink and would like a special kitchen faucet to fit the sink I have chosen. This request may sound strange, but I’d like to get a singlehole kitchen faucet with double-handle separate hot and cold water controls. Do they even make kitchen faucets like this? Any info is helpful.

— Linda, Iowa A: First, with most kitchen sinks you can usually special order the sink with the exact number of faucet holes you may need. So, don’t feel like your faucet choices are limited until you check with your plumbing supply house about sink availability.

Now to the info on singlehole kitchen faucets with two-handle flow controls.

Yes, I have worked with

these types of single-hole kitchen faucets. With this type of faucet, hot and cold handles are mounted above the sink on the body of the faucet instead of on the kitchen sink deck.

Because of the one-hole installation, usually singlehole kitchen faucets have a single-handle lever control.

That can lead to confusion about the availability of double-handle models.

Finally, the double-handle models do allow for swinging gooseneck spouts, but keep in mind these high-arch models also can be high-end faucets.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate.

Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

that were designed for raising a young family may no longer be user-friendly for aging homeowners.

According to Weichert, one of the most common remodeling needs for homeowners who want to age in place is for a basement laundry room to be relocated to the main floor for ease of use.

Other requests include widening hallways and changing door widths of bathrooms to allow for wheelchair accessibility.

“Most older homes were built with 2-foot doors, which is not wide enough for a wheelchair,” he said.

Bathrooms, in general, often require modifications to safely age in place, including walk- or roll-in showers replacing tubs; installation of grab bars to increase user safety; and taller, more accessible toilets.

Entry into the home also can be a concern, making it necessary to replace narrow, concrete steps with slow-entry ramps. Adding additional motion-sensor lighting and replacing carpet with wood, tile or laminate floors can reduce and prevent falls.

It isn’t uncommon that the need for remodeling or modifications is realized only after a fall or illness. Often, an occupational therapist will be called in to make suggestions for improving the safety of the home, or to give their recommendations on alternative living arrangements.

For homeowners determined to age in place, that’s where an experienced builder can help.

“There is a program called Certified Aging in Place,” Weichert said. “It requires training, with sessions held all over the U.S., on how to provide agingin-place advice when re-

modeling.”

The National Association of Home Builders trains builders and remodelers to become certified aging-in-place specialists.

A CAPS-trained builder can assess a home and offer advice and suggestions to homeowners and their family members.

According to Weichert, there are three builders in the Topeka area who have received CAPS training: Mike Pressgrove, of PDQ Construction, Keith Kerns, of Kerns Construction, and Ryan Passow, of Passow Remodeling. Their contact information can be found on the Topeka Home Builders Association website at thba.com.

Another valuable source of advice available to area residents is Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, which can refer homeowners to other agencies that will assess a client’s home for free. JAAA also can suggest programs that will potentially help to cover the cost of necessary modifications for those with limited resources.

“The Topeka Independent Living Resource Center has a program that uses federal and state dollars to help lower-income individuals,” said Susan Harris, executive director of JAAA. Harris points out that individuals living on a fixed income may have less to spend on major repairs or remodels at exactly the time they need them most.

“It depends on the individual needs and homes,” said Harris.

“Smaller modifications are not as costly. Planning ahead is great to think about, even shopping for a home as a younger individual. While you have more expendable income and are still working, start making some of those changes now to be prepared.”

photographs by keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

A microwave oven is built into a kitchen cabinet for easy access by someone using a wheelchair.

Grab bars installed near the toilet is another safety feature of the home. In addition, toilets with higher bowls can be installed so an individual can stand up without much effort.

Weichert also offers his advice for keeping costs at an affordable level when working within a budget.

“The best way is to not get carried away with design features,” Weichert said. “Use laminate instead of granite or vinyl instead of tile. The finish selections can be kept at a minimum.”

He also recommends working with local companies, such as Carpet One Floor & Home or Long Lighting Studio, where designers can help steer clients toward affordable

choices within their budget.

Finally, Weichert suggests a solution for those who struggle to come up with gift-giving ideas for the older adults in their lives.

“It’s something that people can do for their parents,” he said. “Giving them the gift of work can go a long way for their health, safety and enjoyment.”

Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@yahoo.com.

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Dillingham: Treatment may take 4-6 weeks to be effective Continued from 2

emamectin benzoate using the trunk injection method provided consistently good results. Furthermore, the protection lasted at least two years.

Other chemicals using trunk injection methods provided some protection but needed to be repeated annually.

The soil injection, soil drench and protective cover methods, including the homeowner’s option, were less protective and, in some cases, needed to be applied twice a year. In all cases, smaller-diameter trees of less than 15 inches DBH were better protected than larger trees. “DBH” refers to the trunk’s diameter at breast height, or about 5 feet from the ground.

Larger-diameter trees, regardless of the chemical and method used, need to be treated by a professional. Untreated trees are going to die in one to three years.

In any case, research shows when half of the tree has died, there’s little likelihood any treatment can save it.

Research is ongoing, and the chances of a treated tree surviving are getting better.

The homeowner needs to consider the value of each ash tree versus the cost of removal or the ongoing cost of professional treatment, which may or may not save the tree. Chemical potency (percent of active ingredient), quantity of chemical used, timing and methodology are all important.

It may take four to six weeks after treatment for the treatment to be fully effective. A lightly affected, treated tree may take a year to show recovery.

Success or failure may take a year or more to determine, so be sure your treatment professional will still be around.

Ed Dillingham is a Shawnee County Master Gardener.

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Service Directory

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Leveling yard can prevent water damage to home

By Paul Pogue Angie’s List

Yard leveling isn’t one of the more glamorous home maintenance jobs, but it plays a key role in maintaining a great yard, ensuring stability after landscaping and preventing serious damage and foundation repair.

John Schott, of Schott Service, says yard drainage causes the most problems.

“People will call me because they have a low spot and it needs to be regraded, or the yard slopes back to the house,” he said. “I’ll take a power rake and shave off the earth until it’s the correct grade where the water flows away from the house.”

Schott says you should

take poorly graded yards seriously, because water traveling toward the home can damage foundations and basements.

It also plays havoc with landscaping, gardens and trees.

Schott levels yards that have lumps and bumps from tree and bush removal, sewer installation, tree-root growth and damage from animals.

Leveling also plays an important role when installing new landscaping or yard features, such as a pool, he says.

David Gibson, of Gibson’s Grading and Construction, says a good grading pro will take the time on the front end to devise a specific plan.

“You could bring in a machine and just hack and chew the ground,

dreamstime

With a properly leveled yard, you won’t have to worry about water drainage problems at your home. but to really get everything correct and build a good base, you’ve got to go through phases and steps,” he said. “Before I do anything, I take a laser measurement and cal-

culate the grade, where you’ve got rises and falls.

With that information, I’ll plan the job accordingly.”

Gibson says the typical grading job takes a few days and costs around

$2,500, including materials such as topsoil and sod, but cautions that number can vary depending on the job.

“For most residential properties, it’ll be between $1,000 and $6,000,” Schott said.

So, how does one level a yard?

First, you measure the space to ensure you’ve got the right materials and supplies. Then you break up the ground to loosen the dirt before adding new topdress to the area.

Grading also involves significant post-leveling work, generally included in the overall cost.

Because it tears up grass to create a smooth dirt surface, the grading contractor must establish a good foundation for new sod.

“Sometimes, I’ve gotten calls from people because someone threw a cheap landscaper’s mix in back, and it led to clumping grass,” Schott said. “I have to power rake the whole thing and plant some uniform grass.”

He says good sod costs about $100 for a 50-pound bag that covers about 7,000 to 10,000 square feet.

Gibson encourages homeowners to talk to their contractor about their methodology.

“Ask direct questions about the different phases they plan to follow,” he said. “You want someone who is going to measure the job, determine the steps necessary for the best grade and take their time to do the work correctly.”

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