At Home Living 101516

oUTDOOR RENOVATIONS

All decked out

Saturday, October 15, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Decrepit deck renovated to become thing of beauty, page 6 n Jamie Kidd on winter insect control, page 2 n Stay sane when you and spouse work from home, page 3 n Tiny homes to be on display in Wichita, page 5 n To rake or to mulch — which is better?, page 8

homes.cjonline.com REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

2 | Saturday, October 15, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Insects are moving inside for winter The holidays can get a little crowded in our homes, especially with uninvited guests.

No, I'm not talking about the In-laws. I mean the creepy, crawly ones looking for free winter lodging — still not talking about the in-laws.

The below-average cold we’re having in October is starting the migration. Last week’s warm weather slowed them down a bit, but you may see them yet with their suitcases and tennis racquets ready to make a resort out of your home. They’re nothing to panic about. They pose no threat to health or property.

They’re more a nuisance than anything.

Millipedes

Millipedes, sometimes called thousand-legged worms, are insect relatives or arthropods.

They're brownish-black and

Jamie KiDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

distinguished from centipedes by the number of legs per body segment.

Millipedes have four legs per segment, while centipedes have two. They “ripple” as they move and curl up into a “C” shape when touched. It's difficult to see their legs unless they're on their side.

The natural habitat for millipedes is a damp location outside. Their invasion of your home is usually sudden and sporadic, according to Ward Upham, a K-State Research and Extension associate and

coordinator of the state's Master Gardener program.

“Millipedes feed primarily on decaying organic matter, rarely on living tissues,” Upham said. “They do not bite people nor damage household furnishings directly. However, they will leave a mess and give off an odor if crushed.”

Millipedes often die a day or two after entering your home and can be vacuumed or swept up easily.

Boxelder bugs

These are blackish insects with red stripes. They love hot, dry summers and are looking to freeload. They don’t appear to be afraid of humans, and they can fly. They can stain curtains with their fecal matter. They, too, smell when you crush them. This is a defense mechanism. I have to wonder why go to all the trouble of

stinking if you’re dead … hmm.

Boxelder bugs have mouth parts only suited for plant material. They don’t bite humans and don’t harm pets or food.

They're easily removed from the home by using a vacuum.

Be sure to seal and dispose of the vacuum bag. Spraying indoors is unnecessary.

Asian lady beetles

Asian lady beetles look like our standard ladybugs, except they vary widely in color and number of spots. They’ve been reported to pinch, nibble or bite humans, but they can’t bite hard enough to break the skin.

“They do not lay eggs in homes and they don’t carry diseases. They also do not consume building materials, or human food,” says Dan Lekie, agriculture and natural

KIDD continues on 9

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Stay sane when working at home

By Katherine Roth The Associated Press

Baby boomers moving into semi-retirement or new careers often find themselves working at least some of the time from home — and maybe sharing the space with their spouse or significant other.

That might entail more togetherness than a couple originally bargained for. Some delicate maneuvering and careful planning, however, can maintain peace, productivity and personal space all at once.

“It’s tough, and it definitely takes some figuring to make it work, but it can also be wonderful,” said Joy Parisi, co-founder and owner of Paragraph, a working space for writers in New York City.

It’s one of many shared office spaces across the country.

Here are some tips for couples

KERRY HANNON VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kerry Hannon, a Washington, D.C.-based author, motivational speaker and AARP jobs expert, and her husband are one of a growing number of couples working from home. who find themselves both working from home: n Set physical boundaries.

“The most important thing is to be very clear about each of your office spaces and hours,

especially if you’re both going to be at home working at the same time,” said Kerry Hannon, a motivational speaker, AARP jobs expert and author of “Finding the Job You Want After 50 for Dummies.”

Hannon works from home, as does her spouse.

“We each have our own offices at separate ends of the house and that definitely helps,” she said.

Lori Leibovich, editor of Real Simple.com, says that if space is an issue, “designate separate office hours or take turns leaving the house.”

“Ideally, though, there should be a wall between your workspaces,” she said. n Other boundaries.

Good fences — and separate phone lines — make good neighbors.

HOME continues on 5

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Home: Create work-free Properly zones inside your household vented attic can help save on energy Continued from 3C

By C. Dwight Barnett Tribune News Service

Q: We are scheduled to get a new roof in a few weeks, and I need some ideas on attic venting. The roof salesman said he would install a ridge vent. Will that work on a hip roof with no overhang? I have read that a ridge vent needs soffit vents to work.

A: Looking at a box-style home similar to yours without soffit or overhang vents, installing a ridge vent alone would be, in my opinion, a bad idea.

A typical-sized home in your neighborhood, without soffits vents, would need approximately 43 lineal feet of ridge venting.

That’s not possible on a home with a hip roof design where there are only about 8 to 10 feet of ridge available that can be vented.

According to the website cor-a-vent.com, “a ridge vent can only be used in conjunction with soffit vents.” The website goes on to offer a solution with a product called InVent.

Where there are no soffits to vent, you could ask the roofing contractor to install an In-Vent system that is applied on top of the shingles, down low, near the bottom of the roof. The location of the In-Vent system will depend on the weather conditions in your area. The In-Vent system will give you the proper intake ventilation for the ridge vent.

Without an air intake system, the ridge vent could allow rain or snow to enter the attic space, damaging insulation, personal items or the ceilings below. Vent systems that are used without soffit vents, such as turbines, box vents and power vent fans, can actually pull conditioned air from inside the home.

A properly vented roof attic space can help save on energy costs and extend the life expectancy of the new shingles. It is important to do it right this time while new shingles are being installed.

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.

“It’s OK to grab a coffee or lunch together, but approach it as though you were in an office, and draw those same lines of respect you would have for any other coworker,” Hannon said. “And be sure you set up your technology so your home and office are separate entities and you don’t have to fight over a phone line. If you each have your own cellphone and can reserve your land line for home, that helps a lot.” n Call a meeting … or take a walk.

It helps to discuss the game plan for the day or week. If you’re in the same field, you can designate brainstorming time to plan for upcoming projects, Leibovich suggested. And if you’re in different fields, but would like to have some input from your partner on some-

thing, figure out what time of day will work best and won’t interrupt anything.

Many work-at-home couples say that taking a walk at some point in the day to clear the air is very helpful, Hannon said. n Create work-free zones.

It’s essential to have zones where you can focus on intimacy and leave stress-causing topics behind, said Pepper Schwartz, a relationships expert with AARP’s Life Reimagined, an online resource to help people navigate life transitions.

“You need to be sure you make time and space for yourselves as a couple, and also time as individuals to do yoga or meet friends or do something for yourself, so you don’t end up working a seven-day week and feeling like you’ve lost yourself,” she said.

Tiny homes to be on show The Capital-Journal Trendy, tiny homes from Custom Container Living will be among the featured products at the Wichita Home Remodeling & Decorating Expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita.

Hundreds of booths showcasing innovative products, ideas and services to update the inside and outside of homes will be set up, and a number of educational seminars will be offered. The “tiny home” display will feature

a 40-square-foot home that is fully furnished and landscaped.

Jennifer Bertrand, HGTV’s “Design Star” winner, will present some of her new “how-to” demonstrations on Oct. 22. Chef Thomas Weipert, known as “The Mushroom King,” will share mushroom hunting tips and recipe ideas, and Michael Amosson, with Viking Productions, will offer free antique appraisals.

There is no admission charge for the Expo. For information, visit www.

WichitaHomeRemodeling Show.com.

6 | Saturday, October 15, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

oUTDOOR RENOVATIONS

Area couple remodels old deck Locally quarried stone used for fireplace on renovation by PDQ Construction

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

Tobias Wood knew he had big problems soon after he began to take down the deck on his 1998 Auburn home. He and his wife, Jenny, had lived there for two years, and the deck was one of the major projects they wanted to tackle.

Their hope was to do the deck remodeling themselves, but it didn’t take long to realize it wasn’t possible.

The deck, original to the home, was in rough shape. The composite decking had deteriorated and would snap in half when bent. The wooden rails were flimsy and rotting. Worst of all, there was no flashing between the deck and the siding of the house, allowing water to rot the siding and enter the walls.

“You could put your finger through the siding,” Jenny said.

“When I started tearing down the deck, I knew it was a bigger project than I expected,” Tobias added.

Luckily, the couple’s friends, Jackie and Steve Johnson, recently had a deck redone. At a party to celebrate its completion, the Woods were impressed with the results and asked about the contractor, PDQ Construction. At home, they checked out the company’s website and liked what they saw.

“We wanted to find someone who could get the job done and we wouldn’t have to step in,” Tobias said. “Mike (Pressgrove,

REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Tobias and Jenny Wood hired PDQ Construction to rebuild the wrap-around deck on their Auburn home. The deck, original to the home, was in rough shape: The composite decking had deteriorated, the wooden rails were flimsy and rotting, and there was no flashing between the deck and the siding of the house, allowing water to rot the siding and enter the walls.

PDQ Construction president) being a green contractor was also attractive to us. The construction waste was taken to GreenPoint to be recycled.”

Along with rebuilding the deck, PDQ Construction also used locally quarried stone to cover the brick on the front of the house and replace the worn-out wooden fire-

place chase on the back.

An indoor fireplace was converted from gas to wood, with a new rustic hearth. Another fireplace was updated with a new gas unit.

The work was started during the hottest part of this summer.

“The stone masons worked in the heat until they couldn’t stand it any-

more,” Jenny said. “All of the PDQ workers showed up early and on time, and cleaned up before they left.

Everything was stacked neatly under tarps, and there weren’t any nails or pieces of scrap wood lying in the yard.”

Word of mouth is often the best way to find a remodeling contractor.

Asking family, friends

and co-workers to recommend contractors is a good place to start. You’ll be able to talk with someone who has been through the process, as well as see the company’s finished work.

It’s also important to check out the quality of the construction. Do the building materials and results live up to the stan-

dards you expect?

“I wasn’t sure what questions to ask,” Tobias said. “I learned an important one is asking the contractor what problems to expect behind the walls.”

Another resource for finding contractors is the Topeka Home Builders Association’s website, thba. com. The site provides a list of member builders and their contact information.

A common mistake is choosing a contractor solely because they offer the lowest bid. Look for one you feel certain will quote a price that is actually close to the finished bill, instead of being quoted a low price that skyrockets by the end of the project. You also want a contractor who will follow through on all of your expectations. Plus, the actual written contract should contain all those expectations.

Finally, Tobias said to plan for a 10- to 15-percent contingency budget to cover all those things that seem to come up unexpectedly during construction.

“Always have extra money on hand for things that are hidden,” Jenny said.

The couple also pointed out it’s easy to keep adding to a project, which increases the cost and time.

“You have to have a stopping point,” Jenny said.

“And know where that stopping point is,” Tobias added.

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at lindaaditch@gmail.com.

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Consider decor when choosing lighting

oUTDOOR RENOVATIONS

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

PHOTOGRAPHS BY REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Locally quarried stone was used to replace the worn-out wooden fireplace chase, above, at the top of the stairs on the back of the house. The wooden rails, left, which were flimsy and rotting, were replaced as part of the remodeling project. The deteriorating composite decking also was replaced, bottom left.

Ask questions before hiring a contractor The Capital-Journal If you’re thinking of remodeling a portion of your home, here are some questions to ask a prospective contractor before you hire them for the job: n How long have you been in business? n Are you a licensed and insured contractor? n What kind of warranty do you offer? Read the warranty carefully to see what kind of protection the builder will

provide after the work is completed. n Do you have references? You’ll want current references for projects similar to yours, plus references from past customers to judge the quality of the builder’s work over the long term. Also, ask to view these homes. n Who will be your primary contact person for the job? Will it be the contractor himself, or someone else in charge of your project?

Lighting may be one of the most important selections you can make when designing and decorating your home. While adequate lighting truly helps brighten a space and make it more appealing, choosing a signature piece or thoughtful selections that enhance your decor can transform an otherwise dull space into one that stands out.

Overhead lighting comes in different types. Pendant, flush mount or semi-flush mount are just a few of the popular options. Which one you select may be dictated by your space.

Pendant lights — those that hang — typically work best in an entry area or over a dining table or kitchen island. When hanging, be sure to hang high enough so a desired view is not obstructed, as well as ensuring it doesn’t rest too low.

Pendant fixtures possibly lend themselves best to making a bold statement in the home. Consider purchasing a signature pendant that will stand out and make a grand statement in your entry or din-

ing space.

Flush mount lights are those in which the fixture is flush with the ceiling surface. Flush mount fixtures are ideal for those spaces in which you have a low ceiling or lighting that is perhaps minimal or understated.

A semi-flush fixture is a popular choice in entryways or hallways where the desired effect is one in which you want to make a design statement but don’t have the height needed for a hanging fixture. Semiflush fixtures are those that suspend away from the ceiling surface with a short, limited extension.

Wall sconces have long been a favorite of interior designers and lighting specialists. Typically enhancements to a space as opposed to primary sources of light, wall sconces create the perfect opportunity to bring creativity and even color into your space.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning 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 her website at www.cathyhobbs.com.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

A decorative signature chandelier, by luxury lighting company Shakuff, hangs from the ceiling and makes a bold statement in a room.

8 | Saturday, October 15, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Raking leaves or mulching — which method is better?

By Brent Glasgow Angie’s List

Everyone loves the brilliant fall colors — until that beautiful canopy of leaves rains down on your yard.

But what if you could retire the leaf rake hanging in your garage, or at least greatly curtail its use?

Some landscaping professionals and lawn experts say you can do just that, by mulching that fallen foliage with your lawn mower instead of raking and bagging.

Sound too good to be true?

Others say mulched leaves may damage your yard.

Take a look as some trusted grass specialists weigh in on the issue.

Mulching leaves

Leaf-mulching proponents include horticulture educator Steve Mayer with

FRANK ESPICH

Few people enjoy raking leaves, and some lawn professionals say it’s not always necessary. Other experts, however, disagree. the Marion County (Indiana) Purdue University Extension Office.

“First of all, it’s easier and takes a lot less time,” Mayer says. “Second, you’re adding organic matter that will break down, nutrients

are released and that’s beneficial. You’re also keeping them out of the landfill.”

Mayer’s office conducted a four-year study, during which it collected maple tree leaves, ran them through a garden shredder and ap-

plied the mulch to perennial ryegrass.

Similar to studies at Cornell and Michigan State universities, the Purdue study found that mulched leaves have no effect on turf visual quality, color or growth; soil PH or nutrient availability; or the likelihood of developing weeds, thatch, red thread, pink patch or dollar spot diseases. Their research also suggests mulched leaves can reduce dandelions.

While a mulching mower or mulching blades aren’t essential, they provide better results by circulating pieces under the deck for multiple cuts, which creates a finer material that decomposes faster.

Mayer offers two primary tips for leaf mulchers.

“You don’t want to wait until there’s five or six inches (of leaves) on the turf,

and it’s much better to do it when they’re dry,” he says.

Raking leaves

Not everyone is on board the leaf-mulching bandwagon, including Alan Little, of Hendricks County Lawn and Tree Care in suburban Indianapolis, a lawn care pro since 1986. He says while mulching a light coating is acceptable, there’s a fine line.

“I wouldn’t do it for the benefits, and I wouldn’t do it repeatedly, especially if you can’t see the grass beforehand,” Little says. “There’s much more of a benefit to leaving grass clippings than leaves, and I don’t even recommend doing that too much. If the person has a lot of trees and leaves, I’d remove them.”

Travis Tayman, of Tayman Landscaping in Edge-

water, Md., which serves the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore markets, agrees.

He says while mulching is good in theory, leaves don’t fall and lay at the same rate throughout a yard.

“If they were evenly spread, that’s one thing, but leaves are clumpy and will kill the grass,” he says. “If you want to mulch in between cleanups, that’s OK, but you should still have the yard blown down or raked out.”

Little says potential negatives outweigh possible positives.

“You’ll get leaves that fall over a month, some early and some late, and if you keep mowing and it all adds up, it can smother grass instead of help it,” he says. “Especially if you add late leaves after mowing that aren’t picked up, you can get yellowing and bare spots.”

Look locally for your next job Know the job your looking for but not sure where to find it? Try jobs.cjonline.com, it is a local job network with targeted categories in an easy to search database. jobs.cjonline.com

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Kidd: Vacuuming best choice for dealing with pesky beetles Continued from 2C resources Extension agent for Johnson County.

Crushing the beetles will release “blood” that will stain carpets, drapes and furniture. Crushing also will release an unpleasant odor. Aerosol foggers, also called bug bombs, have very limited effectiveness in controlling insects invading the home for the winter. Again, vacuuming is the method of choice. Just be sure to seal and remove the bag or they’ll be back.

Prevention may be the cure

Many of the invader bugs are drawn to warm south or west-facing walls of your house. They make their way to the doors and windows where heat is escaping. They enter via gaps, cracks and regular openings. Leave your garage door open while

working in your yard and you might as well have a flashing “Welcome” sign inviting heat-seeking insects and rodents.

These unwanted houseguests can make do with very small entry holes, anywhere from the foundation to the eaves. A quarter-inch opening is huge to an insect. Even mice have been known to squeeze through a hole that small.

Limit access points to your house by ensuring that screens are tight and in good repair. Caulk around windows and doors, which also will help reduce energy costs.

The invasion won’t last long. Insects like to “hide” for the winter. You may see them again in spring when they are trying to make their way to the great outdoors.

Grab your vacuum and show them who’s boss.

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

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Foot odor, as long as it’s not a medical issue, can be managed. Here’s how: n Wash and dry feet thoroughly. n Spritz feet with deodorant before putting on socks. n Apply antibacterial soap or soak feet in vinegar for five minutes every night. n Air out shoes in between wearing. n Pour a bit of baking soda inside to help neutralize odors.

SOURCE: WWW.HELOISE.COM/

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