Saturday, March 26, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
Home maintenance
Small repairs now, big savings later page 4
Jamie Kidd on moles, page 2 | Fixing a broken floor joist, page 5 | Faux fur’s in again, page 5
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Moles can destroy a well-groomed lawn “Gee whiz, Mr. Wilson, look at all the holes in your yard!” No, Dennis the Menace isn’t digging holes in your yard. The neighbor’s dog isn’t out at night. And, you aren’t being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service for hiding assets. Although dealing with the IRS might seem easier than dealing with the critters making a board game out of your lawn. It might be just me, but doesn’t it seem a little coincidental that taxes and moles show up about the same time each year? I can’t help you with your taxes — although Cindy Evans in the K-State Research and Extension office can — but I can help you with those pesky moles. Moles are small mammals that spend most of their lives underground. They look similar to shrews and mice but aren’t rodents. The Eastern mole lives
Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD
jamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu
in Kansas and has enlarged paddle-like forefeet and prominent toenails, which enable them to literally swim through the soil. Moles can tunnel from 75 to 200 feet a day. The maximum distance recorded is 300 feet. This makes a homeowner think he has a yard full of moles. Generally, there will be only two or three. Moles have high energy requirements. Because they dig 22 hours a day, they feed actively day and night year round. They eat mature insects, snail larvae, spiders, small vertebrates,
UPCOMING EVENTS
n “Spring Lawn Care” will be presented by Master Gardener Steve Paige at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Handouts on how to care for your lawn in spring will be available, and Paige will answer questions about lawn care. n The Master Gardener Response Line opens April 4. The hours have changed to 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those with questions can call (785) 232-0062 or walk into the K-State Research and Extension office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. n The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 7 in the parking lot of the K-State Research and Extension office. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, gently used gardening tools, plants to attract pollinators and monarchs, and hanging baskets and patio pots for Mother’s Day will be sold. earthworms and occasionally small amounts of vegetation. Earthworms and grubs are favorite foods. Moles prefer loose sandy loam soils and avoid heavy, dry clay soils. Mole activity in lawns or fields usually shows up as ridges of upheaved soil, created where the runways were constructed as the animals moved foraging for food. Some of these tunnels are used as travel lanes and may be abandoned immediately.
Mounds of soil may be created as moles dig deep, permanent tunnels and nest cavities. Moles in the natural environment cause little damage. They are seldom noticed until they show up in your lawn or golf course. In fact, they are often in your yard but undetected, because their tunnels are deeper for winter. Moles contribute significantly to soil ecosystems. Their
KIDD continues on 3
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Kidd: Trapping a successful method Continued from 2 tunnels aerate and mix soil layers, provide drainage and allow nutrients to reach plant roots. They also eat large numbers of insects and other pests. Chemicals — Because moles feed largely on insects and worms, the use of insecticides to control these organisms may reduce the food supply, causing them to leave the area. However, chemicals used to kill grubs also kill beneficial earthworms and can leave your yard very unhealthy. Additionally, before leaving the area, moles may increase their digging in search of food, thereby increasing damage to your yard. Poisons — Repellents, such as mothballs or flakes, haven’t been shown to be substantially effective. Poison grain baits seldom work, because moles normally hunt by vibration and grain doesn’t move. Most fumigants are restricted-use pesticides and require a professional to administer. Plastic worms treated with poison showed a 14-percent effectiveness rate in trials in Douglas County in 2006. Trapping — According to K-State’s publication C-701, “Controlling Nuisance Moles,” trapping is the most successful and practical method of getting rid of moles. Two excellent mole traps — Out O’ Sight and Harpoon — are on the market. Each of them, if properly handled, will give good results. These traps can be set without exciting the animal’s natural suspicions by introducing anything into its burrow. The traps are sprung by the mole following natural instincts to reopen obstructed passageways. Success or failure depends largely on the operator’s knowledge of mole habits and the selected trap. n Set the trap in the correct spot. Straight line burrows are often the most active. Using a screwdriver, make probe holes 1 inch in diameter in the runs. Mark the holes with a flag or rocks. If the hole is plugged within
24 hours, it is an active run and is the correct spot for a trap. n Dig out a portion of the burrow and determine the tunnel depth. Replace the soil, packing it firmly beneath where the trigger-pan of the trap will rest. Be sure the tines when set will reach the bottom of the tunnel. Snap the trap one or two times to make the trap fire faster through the soil before leaving a set trap. n Once the trap is set, make a small hole in the tunnel on either side of the trap like you did before to let sunlight in. When the mole tries to repair the hole, he will set off the trap. n If the trap fails to produce after two or three days, it can mean the mole has changed its habits, the runway was disturbed too much, or the trap was improperly set and detected by the mole. In any event, move the trap to a new location. The mole seems to possess a natural shrewdness and ability to sense danger and can be somewhat challenging to trap. Be patient and diligent, the same as when dealing with the IRS. Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.
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Repair it before you regret it Small home repairs now can avoid larger costs later By Dustin Lemmon
Special to The Capital-Journal
Spring is a good time for making repairs, especially those small fixes that won’t cost a lot of time and money but save you from bigger headaches down the road. As the weather warms and you’re spending more time outdoors, examine your home for any wear and tear and to spot any potential problem areas, such as: n Cracks in the foundation of your home. n Areas where water is pooling near your foundation. n Peeling or chipped paint. n Rotting trim or damage to your home’s siding. n Missing shingles on your roof. Taking time to catch and fix these issues now should help put your mind at ease and result in fewer dents to your wallet.
Protecting the foundation
John Wagner, owner of Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Inc., 2745 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road, said homeowners should always be on the lookout for water pressing against a home’s foundation. Make sure downspouts and sump pump drains expel water out and away from your home, at least 12 feet, Wagner advised.
You should check to see if the dirt around your home has started to wash away. If it has, consider replacing it and building up the soil. You’ll want the ground to slope outward and away from the foundation. This will prevent water from collecting near your home and causing damage. If you see any cracks in the foundation or cracks in your walls with a jagged, 45degree angle, Wagner said it’s likely your foundation is already damaged. “If the wall is cracked, it really means the wall is pushing in some,” he said. When the ground becomes wet, Wagner said, the soil expands and puts added pressure on the wall, eventually causing it to push inward. That’s when the cracks form. He said there isn’t much homeowners can do to repair this damage, and it will eventually get worse with time. Repair kits — sold online for up to $100 or more — will allow you to patch the crack. Wagner said the best option for a lasting repair is to dig out the soil around the foundation and reset the wall.
Windows and siding
If you have any wood trim with peeling paint, Walker Gray, owner of Gray & Company, 625 S.E. Han-
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cock St., said you should get it painted right away. Leaving it may result in wood rot, which will end up costing you a lot more to replace in the future. This is particularly true with windows. If the window has a wooden frame that is exposed to moisture, it will eventually begin to rot, leaving holes where cold air can get in. You are much better off giving the windows a fresh coat of paint or stain before it’s too late. Scott Staubus, owner of AAA Handyman & Seamless, 908 S.W. 37th St., said once your windows and doors are starting to show their age and you’re finding a lot of wood rot around their edges, it’s usually a good time to consider upgrading to newer, energyefficient options. “Replacing windows and doors is probably a good thing to do once they get to a certain age,” he said. If you do find wood rot, you’ll want to make sure to take action. “Rotting siding should be replaced right away,” Staubus said, noting it can draw pests. It’s also important to periodically check your home’s roof for any missing shingles. You may not notice a leak right away, but if water starts getting in, it can pool in your attic and cause more damage over time.
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When you see peeling or chipped paint around your windows, it’s a good idea to repaint right away. Doing nothing may result in wood rot, which will end up costing you a lot more to replace in the future.
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Tap into the allure of faux fur Floor joist broken?
Get a cost estimate
By Cathy Hobbs
Tribune News Service
Look in virtually any magazine or walk into nearly any home furnishings store and you are bound to find one of the hottest trends in home furnishings today: faux fur. Faux fur, similar to design elements such as mirror on mirror, ties into the Hollywood glamour resurgence in home decor. These days consumers and designers are not only looking for ways to spice up their environments, but they are also very conscious of bringing in interesting materials and texture. One of the more interesting ways to bring in an element of texture — and in many cases warmth — is through faux fur. Faux fur is made of fibers such as acrylic, cotton or polyester to create a product that mimics fur. Faux fur items in many cases are washable and will return to their original shape and appearance through line drying. In general, you are going to want to feel and touch what you are buying. Higher quality faux fur pieces are extra soft and thick to the touch. Look for pieces that are well-lined. A velvet or heavy cotton lining is preferred. Also pay attention to basic elements, such as the construction quality. You are going to want the item to
By Angie Hicks Angie’s List
Tribune news service
A chair with a faux fur seat was a showstopper at the recent winter home furnishings show in Las Vegas. Faux fur pieces can add color, texture and glam to a space. last and keep its appearance over time. From chinchilla to mink, sable, raccoon and others, there are a number of gorgeous faux fur choices. When sourcing a faux fur, pay attention to elements such as color. Brown, gray, white and black are some of the most common colors available in faux fur items, and in some cases you will find a combination of several colors in a single piece.
The beauty of faux fur is it comes in all shapes and sizes. And these days, given its popularity, you are bound to find it used on everything from furniture to throws. If you’re looking to make a bold statement in a space, I would suggest incorporating a piece of faux fur furniture such as a bench, ottoman or chair. If you’re looking for ways to add accents, then I would suggest items such as pillows or throws.
In general, faux fur will add a luxurious look and feel to your decor while also incorporating color, texture and an element of glam. 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.
Dear Angie: I have a floor that has a broken joist under the house. The floor has caved in. How much will it cost to fix? The floor is wood. — Brad J., Cullman, Alabama Dear Brad: You definitely want to contact a general contractor or handyman to learn the scope of the work and get a cost estimate to repair your broken floor joist. The floor joist, which is under the flooring, is vital to your flooring system as it supports the weight of the building and provides stability. The repair cost depends on the location of the joist and how easy — or difficult — it is to access. The cause of a broken floor joist could be a defect in the wood, a naturally occurring split or the weight of a heavy object.
Repairing a floor joist
Most of the time, the repair is pretty straightforward. A contractor will locate the broken joist and reinforce it by attaching a second joist next to it with structural screws and glue. The repair typically costs
$250 to $300, according to experts who’ve done this type of work. If the joist is easy to access, but plumbing or electrical wires impede the repair, a contractor can reinforce the broken area with plywood. This, however, could require removing pipes and putting them back in place, thus increasing labor costs. A labor-intensive repair could cost $500, or more.
Weighed-down subfloor
If the floor joist broke due to weight from a heavy object, such as a bathtub, then your contractor will likely have a structural engineer take a look before making a repair, so as to avoid a recurring problem. When hiring for your floor joist repair, be sure to search for companies that have positive reviews on a trusted consumer site and can provide proof of appropriate licensing, insurance and bonding. Tribune News Service staff writer Oseye Boyd contributed to this report. Angie Hicks is founder of www.AngiesList.com, a provider of consumer reviews and services. Send questions to askangie@angieslist. com or tweet with #AskAngie. Follow her @Angie_Hicks.
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