At Home Living 010717

Saturday, January 7, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

home.cjonline.com wintertime tasks

Removing ice and snow Right equipment makes digging out easier page 6 n Jamie Kidd on bromeliads, page 2 n Kitchen and bath trends for 2017, page 3 n Controlling crawlspace humidity, page 5 n Yard leveling: Making the grade, page 7

2013 file photograph/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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Pineapple, other bromeliads can be grown in home In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue and discovered America. So, what did Columbus do in 1493?

He discovered pineapple and brought it back to Spain from the West Indies (with origins in Brazil and Paraguay). It was immediately accepted, became popular and was named pina, the Spanish word for “pine cone,” because of its resemblance to the pine cone.

Europe began to cultivate pineapple in the 17th century in glasshouses.

Records show pineapples were grown in the kitchen garden at Versailles toward the end of 1700.

Its use to prevent scurvy on ships contributed to the pineapple’s spread throughout the world.

James Dole started

JAMIE KIDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

one of the first American companies growing pineapples in Hawaii in 1900.

Dole opened a cannery one year later. Del Monte followed in 1917.

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a bromeliad.

Most bromeliads are easy to grow and make great house plants. The pineapple is the only fruitbearing bromeliad.

Tiny oases

There are more than 3,000 species of bromeli-

DATES TO REMEMBER

n Jamie Kidd, a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County, will talk about how to start seeds in your home at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. n “Landscaping with a Common Language,” a hands-on workshop for commercial landscape installers, designers, maintainers and growers, will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. The workshop focuses on simple, effective ways to talk about landscape design and answer homeowners’ questions.

Cost: $5. Pre-registration required; call (785) 232-0062 by Jan. 27. n The Kansas Garden Show is Feb. 10-12 at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive. ads and nearly 50 genera.

They come in every shape and color and vary in size from 1 inch to 35 feet in height. Bromeliads grow in warm, wet tropics; hot, dry deserts; and cool, rocky mountains as high as 14,000 feet.

The three basic groups of bromeliads are terrestrial, found growing in the ground as we expect

plants to do; saxicolous, growing on rocks with their roots penetrating cracks for sustenance; and epiphytic, growing on other plants. They aren’t parasitic. Their roots don’t penetrate their host.

Epiphytic bromeliads get their water and nutrition from the air, rain and decaying organic matter.

They often are referred

BROMELIAD TRIVIA

n The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality dating back to colonial days. It can still be found as wood carvings in gardens and table centerpieces and on furniture, front doors or anywhere else a guest may be welcomed. n Spanish moss is used in the upholstery industry as a substitute for horsehair. to as “air plants.” One you may be familiar with is Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), which drapes from trees in the southern United States.

Bromeliads are composed of a spiral arrangement of leaves called a “rosette.” This unique arrangement of tightly

KIDD continues on 4

Correction

An article in last week’s At Home Living on an earthbag house contained some errors. The name of the book is “Earthbag Building,” and the workshop was the Natural Building Extravaganza. As a child, Keith Lofts and his family camped on his grandparents’ lake lot and he would play on nearby property, which he now owns.

The earthbags are filled with a mixture of clay from on-site and rock screenings from a nearby quarry. Only the thresholds are made of concrete.

Keith has traveled to Ecuador but hasn’t worked on projects there.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 7, 2017 | 3

Function, appearance drive kitchen, bath trends

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Kitchens and bathrooms remain two key selling features when it comes to real estate — and where experts still suggest a homeowner is wise to invest their renovation dollars.

Even so, how does one stay on trend without being trendy?

The key is to incorporate elements that are aesthetically pleasing, as well as highly functional.

These days, people want to be able to use every part of their kitchens and baths, enjoying all the features on a regular basis. Gone are appliances that are pretty but not highly functional. Back are attractive appliances that are workhorses and won’t let you down.

Not sure what may be worth your hard-earned renovation

tribune news service

As trends indicate, minimalist style and highly functional appliances are taking the place of “pretty” kitchens. dollars? Here are some current trends in kitchens and bathrooms that should help keep you on the right path.

Kitchens

n Lacquer cabinets. Believe

it or not, lacquer is more popular than wood when it comes to kitchen cabinetry. Sleek and minimal, a lot of homeowners love its low maintenance and modern edge. n Two-tone cabinets. From

mixing materials to mixing finishes and colors, cabinets that don’t necessarily match are en vogue. The application is typically executed with an upper cabinet in one finish or treatment contrasted by a different finish or material on lower cabinets. n Highly functioning kitchens, with niche items such as steam ovens and pot fillers.

Not too long ago, kitchens that were attractive to look at but not necessarily functional were on the forefront of design. Now, post-recession, homeowners demand the most for their money, and this includes spending money on sturdy, long-lasting appliances. n Paneled appliances. It still remains a trend to have appliances that are unseen. Paneled appliances, from dishwash-

TRENDS continues on 9

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Kidd: Flowering will begin in six to 14 weeks Continued from 2 overlapping leaves allows the plant to capture water in the “tank” formed by the leaves.

In nature, bromeliads act like tiny oases. They attract many animals that drink from, hunt at or live in the bromeliad tank.

Salamanders and tree frogs lay eggs there.

Their young feed on resident insects and larvae.

The waste from these creatures and their

carcasses supply nutrition for the plant. We can supply nutrition by adding fertilizer every six to eight weeks at half strength to the water we put in the tank.

Bromeliads are a great plant for those who don’t know how to water. Just fill the tank and forget watering the soil. The plant has root hairs in the tank to absorb water and nutrition. Young side shoots called “pups” will form and must be watered if they are to

survive.

One-time flowering

Bromeliads have an interesting life cycle.

With rare exceptions, they only flower a single time and then they slowly die. Individual plants that require 18 to 30 months to flower will die in six to 12 months, but they’ll be hidden by the many offsets or pups they produce.

The mother may sur-

vive a generation or two before dying.

Pups can be found usually at the base of the plant inside the sheath of a leaf.

They also may be found on long stolons or at the top of the mother’s flower spike.

The green, leafy top of a pineapple is, in fact, a pup that may be removed and planted to start a new plant.

Forcing a bromeliad to bloom is easy if you wish to do so. Drain all water

away from the plant and place the plant inside a large, clear plastic bag along with a large, ripe apple. The ethylene gas given off by the apple will trigger the plant to flower.

Leave the plant in the bag with the apple for two to three days then remove and water. Flowering will begin in six to 14 weeks.

Bromeliads will grow well in your house in full sun three to four hours each day. Daytime tem-

peratures should be about 70 degrees and 55 to 60 degrees at night. Use a loose, well-drained soil for the terrestrial varieties. Epiphytic plants need no soil. Set them on driftwood or hang them on trees, decorator branches or even the wall. Insects rarely attack bromeliads, and diseases occur only on those plants in heavy clay soil.

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 7, 2017 | 5

Moisture inside crawlspace needs to be controlled Vents may need to be opened in winter

By C. Dwight Barnett Tribune News Service

Q: I have lived in this 75-year-old house for over 20 years. This year is the first time I have noticed condensation on the living room windows. This room has a crawlspace while the rest of the house has an unfinished basement with heat and air to it. Seems the basement is much damper than usual this year as well, and I found some surface mildew on items down there. The living room windows have storms that have been there for 10-plus years. The furnace is checked every year, and I’m told all is OK with it. There are small vents in the crawlspace/foun-

dation. Should they be open or blocked for the winter?

What other suggestions do you have? I am a retired lady and need a budget-friendly solution.

A: Depending on your geographical location, crawlspace vents should be treated differently. I live in the Midwest in a mixedhumid climate. In this type of climate, I suggest opening the vents in the winter and closing them in the summer. The idea is to control the humidity inside the crawlspace. If there is only a minimal amount of humidity present — i.e. a very dry crawlspace — the vents can be left closed year-round. If the crawlspace floods, re-

gardless of the season, the vents should be opened to help dry out the crawlspace.

When the humidity levels in the crawlspace are higher than the humidity levels outside the crawlspace, the vents should be open. Close the vents when the humidity outside is higher. The sudden moisture change at the windows can be caused by various conditions inside the home. The fact that you believe your basement is much damper than normal leads me to believe you may have drainage issues on the exterior of the home. It is extremely important to drain water away from the home for several reasons.

Ensure gutters and down-

‘‘

I suggest permanently closing the exterior crawlspace vents and providing a screen-covered opening between the crawlspace and basement. This allows for better moisture and temperature control of both the basement and crawlspace.”

C. dwight barnett

spouts aren’t clogged and are draining at least 6 feet away from the foundation. If the grading of the yard looks like it isn’t sloped to carry surface water away from the house, it will need to be regraded. Have someone check the roof and exterior walls for any obvious signs of water entry and repair if needed. As for the crawlspace, make sure you have a good vapor barrier (plastic

sheeting) covering all of the exposed ground inside the crawlspace. The vapor barrier prevents moisture from the ground getting into the crawlspace and home.

Many times I have seen your foundation configuration of a combined basement and crawlspace with different moisture environments, because one area is heated/cooled and the other has vents to the outside

such as you have described.

I suggest permanently closing the exterior crawlspace vents and providing a screen-covered opening between the crawlspace and basement. This allows for better moisture and temperature control of both the basement and crawlspace.

Your air conditioner is a dehumidifier, and that’s why most moisture problems don’t appear in the summer months. Adding a dehumidifier to the basement will help to control the indoor humidity problems.

C. Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Write to him with home improvement questions at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 268, Evansville, Ind. 47702 or e-mail him at d.Barnett@ insightbb.com.

6 | Saturday, January 7, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Salt, shovels help remove snow and ice Health officials: Take breaks, go easy when removing snow

By Dustin Lemmon

Special to The Capital-Journal

Snow sure can be beautiful, but as you’re watching it fall on your sidewalks and your driveway, it’s hard not to think about how long it’s going to take to remove it.

Just remember: If you do have to dig out after a heavy snow, it’s best to take your time and be smart about it.

Carol Frazee, a cardiac rehab cardiology manager at Cotton O’Neil Heart Center, suggests working outside in 15-minute intervals. When taking a break, go inside and warm up.

Wait until your pulse returns to normal before going back out.

“Take frequent breaks to avoid overstressing your heart,” Frazee said. “Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.”

You also can save yourself time and extra work by keeping an eye on the forecast and prepping for snow and ice storms.

Putting down salt

When it comes to choosing the right salt, there are a few eco-friendly options to consider if you don’t want to use traditional salt.

These alternatives are less harmful to your pets, lawn and concrete sidewalks.

“The only problem with the eco-friendly stuff is it’s not as aggressive as the regular salt,” advised Joe Stickles, sales manager at Roach True Value Hardware, 1321 S.W. 21st St. Stickles recommends mixing grass fertilizer with your snow-melting salt, because it will run off into the grass when the snow melts and help your lawn in the spring.

When it comes to applying salt to your sidewalks, Stickles recommends putting the salt down just before a snowstorm hits.

It will prevent a bottom layer of ice from forming and make it easier to shovel the snow later.

DEICING TIPS

Deicing products eliminate slippery surfaces, but some may hurt plants outside, flooring in your house or even your pets.

Here are the most common options, and how they might affect you: n Sodium chloride: While generally the least expensive deicing product, rock salt doesn’t work well in temperatures below 25 degrees and can leach into the soil, changing the chemical balance to toxic levels. n Calcium chloride: Works well at temperatures below zero and is considered less harmful to vegetation. It could leave behind a residue that’s harmful to carpet, tile, shoes and your pet’s feet. This product can be up to three times more expensive than rock salt, but you don’t need as much. n Calcium magnesium acetate: Can cost 10 times more than rock salt, but it’s salt-free and biodegradable. It won’t harm the environment and it’s less corrosive to concrete than salt. n Urea: Primarily used as a fertilizer, urea has a lower potential to damage vegetation compared to potassium chloride, but it could burn your lawn, shrubs and other plants. It also can contaminate runoff water with nitrates in the spring.

Source: Angie’s List

Removing snow

As for selecting the right equipment, there are a few things to consider when buying a snow shovel or snow blower.

Stickles recommends shovels with bent handles, which don’t require users to stoop over as much. He also suggests using shovels with a metal blade for durability and a plastic handle to reduce the weight. To avoid injuries while shoveling snow, you should stretch your back and legs muscles first, said Tracy McGrath, a physical therapist at Stormont Vail Health. You also need to be careful regarding how you lift while shoveling.

“Use good body mechanics by lifting the full shovel with your legs rather than just your back,” she said.

“You can do this by keeping your stomach tight, back straight and bending your knees. If your back is sore the day after shoveling, use ice on it for 10 minutes at a time for a few days and do a few gentle stretches to calm it down.”

It’s also important to remember that shoveling snow — and even walking through deep snow — can put extra strain on your heart. Frazee said those with a heart condition or high blood pressure may be putting themselves at risk of having a heart attack.

“The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure during the lift,” she said. “It is safer to lift smaller amounts. When possible, simply push the snow.”

The city of Topeka has a snow relief team available to help remove snow for those who qualify. The city is taking applications for the program through Feb. 17. Applicants must be over the age of 55 or have a disability and meet other qualifications.

For more information, call Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging at (785) 235-1367

metro creative connection

Snow shovels with bent handles don’t require users to stoop over as much. or Topeka Independent Living Resource Center at (785) 233-4572.

Snow blowers

If you are thinking about buying a snow blower, keep in mind that cheaper, lighter weight machines will only

be able to remove snow that is about 2 to 3 inches deep, Stickles said. Heavier snow will require a stronger, twostage machine, which can run as high as $700 to $900.

“A lot of people don’t think we have enough snow in Kansas to warrant spend-

ing that kind of money,” he added.

When it comes to prepping for winter weather, Stickles said his store will have you covered.

“We have everything here to help with snow removal,” he said.

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Cost to repair plumbing leaks can add up quick At first sign of trouble, be sure to call a professional

By Paul F.P. Pogue Angie’s List

mark h./angie’s list

Proper yard leveling is a crucial step before adding new landscaping features.

Yard leveling will direct drainage away from home Make sure professional has plan for grading job

By Paul F.P. Pogue Angie’s List

Yard leveling, also known as landscape grading, doesn’t rank as one of the most glamorous home maintenance jobs.

But professionals say yard leveling plays a crucial role in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing yard, ensuring stability after landscaping work, and preventing serious damage and costly foundation repair.

John Schott, owner of Schott Services in Indianapolis, says yard drainage causes the most problems that require his services.

“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.” n Sloping yards can cause foundation problems.

Schott says homeowners should take poorly graded yards seriously, because water traveling toward the home can cause serious problems and damage foundations and basements. Poor leveling 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.

“When you remove a bush or a tree, the ground

around it will have settled over the years, so you want someone like me to bring in topsoil and level off that spot,” he said.

“Sometimes, I get a call about an area with bad drainage that hasn’t had a problem in years.

“Usually soil has settled or compacted over time, or it’s caused by something new like a tree root pushing up dirt from below.”

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

David Gibson, owner of Gibson’s Grading and Construction in Candler, N.C., says a good grading professional will take the

YARD continues on 8

The plumbing in your home — under the kitchen sink, behind the shower or running alongside the bathtub — is part of an efficient, simple system.

However, this system needs maintenance to perform optimally, and it may require hiring a plumber for emergency assistance to stop a leak or prevent major damage to your home.

If left untreated (or undetected), even small leaks can cause major damage to your home that can be costly to repair.

Preventing mold

If left untreated, a plumbing leak can damage your walls. When pipes running behind walls burst or begin to

leak, they moisten the drywall, and eventually this moisture makes its way through the walls and produces wet spots.

If you notice persistent wetness or a musty smell, you may have a leak. A professional can fix the problem and, if the problem is still in its early stages, replace only a section of the drywall.

Over time, the moisture may lead to black mold, requiring the services of a mold remediation company and the removal of large wall sections.

This can be very costly.

For example, 100 square feet of drywall can cost as much as $400 to replace, while mold remediation can run anywhere from $500 to $3,000.

Damage to flooring Another

concern

is

damage to flooring. Water always flows downhill, which means any leaks in a kitchen or bathroom will pool on and under your floors.

In a bathroom, you may notice loose tiles next to the tub or shower or along the tub edging. You also might see water on the floor after a bath or shower not due to spills or splashing.

In your kitchen, be on the lookout for warping or discolored floorboards, especially next to a dishwasher or fridge with a water line.

Hardwood floors cost anywhere from $2 per square foot up to $30 per square foot to replace, after the affected area has been cleaned and the leak fixed. Replacing single

PLUMBING continues on 8

darcy barrett

Even small leaks in your plumbing can cause damage to your home. Get them fixed immediately to avoid costly repairs.

8 | Saturday, January 7, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Yard: Prices range from $1K-$6K Plumbing: Keep eye on leaks Continued from 7 time on the front end to devise a specific plan.

“You could bring in a machine and just hack and chew the ground, 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 calculate the grade, where you’ve got rises and falls. With that information, I’ll plan the job accordingly.” n Yard leveling cost.

Gibson says the typical grading job takes a few days and costs around $2,500, including materials such as topsoil and sod, but cautions the amount can vary greatly depending on the specific

job.

Schott says his grading jobs start at $500 for minor work and can go up to several thousand dollars for major jobs.

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

Grading also involves significant post-leveling work, which is generally included in the overall cost of the job. Because it tears up grass to create a smooth dirt surface, the grading contractor must establish a good foundation for new sod.

Schott notes professionals should use quality materials.

“Sometimes, I’ve gotten calls from people because someone threw a cheap landscaper’s mix in back, and it led to clump-

ing 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. n Ask the right landscape grading questions.

To ensure the best quality job, Gibson encourages homeowners to talk to their contractor about their methodology.

“Be confident and ask direct questions about the different phases they plan to follow,” he said. “You can weed out the good versus the bad. 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.”

Continued from 7 tiles isn’t an expensive undertaking, but you can incur significant costs if the subfloor of your bathroom becomes damaged.

Leaks or water quality issues also can cause damage to fixtures like sink taps and shower heads. In some cases, the fixtures may stop working or result in severely reduced water pressure — for example, if a rubber gasket decays and becomes stuck in the line.

If left untreated, the fixture may need replacement, which can cost $100 to $500, depending on the material and brand of hardware required.

‘‘

Look for leaks

The first step in lower-

Find the career you’re searching for!

Plumbing leaks are always better tackled immediately; time left untreated is proportional to cost.” paul f.p. pogue

ing costs due to damage is keeping an eye out for potential leaks; the sooner you identify a water issue, the smaller its impact on drywall, flooring and fixtures.

Problems in a shower, for example, are often signaled by low water pressure, a change in water color or slow draining.

Tub plumbing, meanwhile, may be damaged if you notice excess water on the

floor, loose tiles on the tub surround or damp walls hours after the bath was run.

Kitchen sinks may have discolored water or make a rattling noise when running.

To avoid high costs for repair, homeowners need to watch for potential problems. If you see any of the signs listed above, consider hiring a professional plumber. A pro can assess the level of damage and make the appropriate repairs.

Plumbing leaks are always better tackled immediately; time left untreated is proportional to cost.

Paul F.P. Pogue is a reporter for Angie’s List, a trusted provider of local consumer reviews and an online marketplace of services from toprated providers. Visit AngiesList.com.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 7, 2017 | 9

Trends: Wallpaper still red hot Continued from 3 ers to refrigerators, remain the desired choice, especially for homebuyers. n Dark floors. Roughly a decade ago, when it came to flooring, the lighter the better. These days the current trend is more toward darker, deeper tones.

Bathrooms

n Wallpaper. It was insanely popular in bathrooms in the ’70s, so much so that you typically saw it on walls and even ceilings. While wallpaper made a comeback years ago, it still remains red hot and on trend. The bolder, the better. n Deep soaking tubs. With people wanting to enjoy their homes as much as possible, spa features remain highly desirable and attractive to both potential buyers and homeowners. n Separate showers and bathtubs. If the space is available, creating a separate shower, preferably with rain shower features, is definitely the way to go to get the most bang for your buck. n Walk-in showers. Both homeowners and potential buyers are looking for

tribune news service

Dark floors remain on trend. an experience. The luxuriousness of being in a walk-in shower provides the ideal feeling of serenity, calm and luxury. n Sculptural faucets and fixtures. Utilitarian is out, and sculptural statement pieces are in. When it comes time to purchase new fixtures, consider both beauty and function.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Awardwinning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@ cathyhobbs.com or visit www.cathyhobbs.com.

Micro managing

Put away the vinegar or baking soda and water. There’s a better way to clean the microwave.

Put a 4-cup capacity microwave-safe bowl filled with chopped citrus (lemon, lime, orange) and 1 cup of water into the microwave. Since microwave wattage varies, cook until the water boils.

To prevent being scalded, let the water cool for at least 15 minutes before opening the door to wipe out the microwave.

Source: www.heloise.com/

Service Directory

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