2 — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR
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here did summer go? That’s the real question. Seems only yesterday we were dusting off the patio furniture and unpacking our barbecues. Now it’s time to get serious; the window for many home maintenance tasks has narrowed. What can — and should — you do, post-Labor Day, to put your house in shape? Painting
Is it too late to paint my house?
Nope. In fact, autumn lends itself beautifully to house painting. For exterior paint jobs, not only will the milder sun make working outdoors easier, it’ll also prevent your paint from drying too fast. Fallen leaves
Do I really have to get rid of all those leaves?
You know it’s coming — the annual display of colorful fall leaves, followed by the fall of fall leaves, all over your property. So yes, you will have to get rid of lots of fallen leaves — the quicker the better, before they stain your patio, clog gutters and window wells, and provide a cozy hiding place for ticks. One place you might want some leaves to remain is on your lawn, but in the form of mulch. Left whole, they could choke out the grass. Outdoor appliances
Can I safely leave appliances outside through the winter? I don’t have room for them all in my house! Grill: Yes, if you store the propane tank safely indoors (keep out of reach of children and away from heat or sparks). Outdoor kitchen: Yes. Shut off and drain water supply; open drain valves to your outdoor sink and ice maker so the pipes won’t freeze. Clean and unplug the fridge. Disconnect gas or electrical power to your stove. Pressure washer: No. Empty any water and store the pressure washer indoors, preferably in a heated location. Lawn mower: No. Drain the fuel tank or add fuel stabilizer to a gas lawn mower. For an electric mower, remove the battery. Cover the machine and store in a clean, dry location, such as a shed.
Heating
My furnace worked fine last year. Do I honestly
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need to worry about it this fall?
Maybe yes, maybe no. Has your furnace had its annual exam? If not, schedule soon, before heating repair pros are swamped with work. And check the filter, in case you forgot to change it after last heating season. Knowing your furnace is working safely and energy-efficiently brings peace of mind. Air conditioning
I’m busy planning to replace my furnace. Must I bother with A/C maintenance right now?
Yes, if you want hasslefree air conditioning next spring. Window A⁄C units should be removed, or at least covered. For central air, turn off the power switch on the outside (condenser) unit. Prune overhanging shrubbery and clear the condenser of leaves, twigs and dirt. If there's a risk of falling ice, protect the unit with a board. Winter supplies
Before I do the heavy lifting of fall home maintenance, I’d like to start simply by ordering supplies we’ll need for winter. Care to share your shopping list?
Sure: • Snow melt • Snow shovels for sidewalk and vehicle(s) • Ice scrapers • Snow blower and fuel — or better yet, book a snow removal service in advance • Battery powered lamps • Humidifier to counteract the drying effect of your furnace • Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms (always essential but especially when the house is sealed up for the winter)
Landscaping
Wait. I’m not ready to give up landscaping yet. What are some steps to take care of my yard?
From September until a week or two before the first predicted frost, you can plant bulbs, clean up and add compost to garden beds, and reseed your lawn. And, of course, plan next year’s garden layout. Fall home maintenance job No. 1 What’s the most important fall home maintenance task?
Seal holes, gaps and cracks in your roof, walls, foundation, etc. This safeguards your home against water leaks, helps you stay warm, and keeps out pests like mice and raccoons. By Laura Firszt /More Content Now
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR — 3
Fall Upgrades: Make home improvements with staying power
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all can be the perfect time for homeowners to complete projects that busy summer schedules didn't allow. It's also a great time to look at ways to add lasting value to your property. This season, upgrade cheap fixes, freshen dated looks and incorporate lasting improvements in your home. Changes that can bring impact and also increase the resale potential of your home include: Lose the linoleum Linoleum has been popular in many homes since the 1950s, but these days it's not the only flooring option for durability and waterproofing in areas like the kitchen and bath. Wood-look tile has become hugely popular, and the style isn't going anywhere. Retailers like Lumber Liquidators carry an array of wood-look porcelain tile, vinyl and engineered flooring products that are versatile, water- and stain-resistant and fit with any decor. Upgrade laminate countertops Particleboard and laminate are affordable options, but not ones that will create impact in the kitchen. These days the options are vast for elevating countertops with butcher block, quartz, marble, concrete and more. Create a cohesive look with countertops matched to the cabinets. Updating hardware can also be an economical way to freshen the space and tie the look together. Scrape popcorn ceilings
Common in many homes because they're easy to apply, popcorn ceilings are often one of the first things a new homebuyer wants to change. If you're looking to sell, scraping the popcorn in favor of a smooth look may win over prospective buyers. Always test popcorn ceilings for asbestos before you start. Rethink wallpaper Wallpaper had its day, but many new homeowners want it gone - and that's not always an easy update. Save the headache now and later and opt for neutral paint styles while bringing interest and color with your décor. Whites and neutral paints for walls and trim brighten a space and make it appear bigger. No more wall-to-wall carpeting Many homeowners can't wait to get rid of old, dirty and dated carpets in favor of the quality, reliability and beauty of hardwood and wood-look floors. Now there are a variety of hardwoods, bamboo and wood-look flooring styles to choose from, and it's possible to achieve the look of hardwood at an accessible price point. The best part of making improvements like these now is that homeowners can enjoy them all winter long, and far beyond. And you'll increase the odds that the next generation will love your home, too.
4 — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR
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Preparing Your Lawn & Garden for Cooler Weather
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reparing your lawn adn garden for the coller weather is key to maintaining a healthy lawn and gardden come spring.
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LAWN. I plan one final mowing before the leaves fall in earnest. Pre-emergence herbicides can be applied at the end of October to control those pesky winter annuals. If your lawn soil has not been tested in the last couple of years, now would be an excellent time to take soil samples. Test results usually get back to you in a couple of weeks. Amendments like lime can be applied in late October. This gives the lime enough time to work down into the soil before growth begins anew in the spring. If you notice digging in your yard by armadillos and the like, plan to treat accordingly to rid your lawn of grub infestation. Fire ant activity will slow with the colder weather but have Amdro or other fire ant suppression treatment on hand to treat outbreaks as soon as they occur.
so I am judiciously watering my landscape beds until at least the weather cools to consecutive frosts and plants start going dormant. Additionally, no aggressive pruning of shrubs at this time as this signals the plant to send out new growth. That new growth would not have enough time to harden off before the colder weather sets in. ANNUALS. Pull up your spent annuals and replace with pansies, ornamental cabbage or kale and snapdragons to keep the color going in your landscape. Freshen mulch around new plantings. Be vigilant about maintaining beds and sufficiently watering during a dry spell. Include a monthly dose of fertilizer in that watering to keep the blooms coming. Install your cool-season plantings by mid-October to give them time to settle their roots and acclimate.
Once leaves fall, rake frequently and keep a bag or two for spring application in a compost pile. Those leaves, pretty as they are, when left for extended periods on your lawn may cause bare spots and promote disease. Those of you with grass catchers can mow those leaves into a coarse mulch that you can also spread over your dormant garden, then till it to add texture and nutrients to the soil.
By Susan Johnson
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TREES/SHRUBS. Planting can continue through November. More transplants die from lack of moisture than from the cold. If you have gone 5 to 7 days without rain, start watering plants established a year or less in your landscape. That also goes for established shallow-rooted shrubs like azaleas. We received so much rain the first half of 2019 that vegetation and tree canopies are denser, and because of that, when rains slack off, the trees and shrubs will drop leaves in response to moisture deprivation. Our area east of Scranton has not enjoyed the rainfall other locations in the river valley have,
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PERENNIALS. Finish planting now or wait until spring to plant. Cut back spent perennials, leaving about six inches of growth to protect the crown — mulch after ground freezes. Grass clippings, peat moss and large tree leaves are not
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vegetables while you can. Extend that season with protective row cover or grow small gardens in protective cold-frames. Clean up any detritus left in the garden and add organic matter - those shredded leaves and the like - to your garden.
desirable mulches as they tend to form a waterresistant mat around plants. Hay, pine needles (my preference), wood chips, straw, compost, or shredded deciduous tree leaves are better mulch choices. The purpose of mulch is not to keep plants warm during the winter, but rather to protect them from thawing and heaving and winter's harsh sun and wind.
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HOUSEPLANTS/TROPICALS. Plants moving back inside the house or into a greenhouse should already be in a step-down process of limiting their sunlight gradually, so there is less chance of shock. Perform a thorough inspection to make sure no unwanted insect pests enter the house. Once inside, ensure those plants get optimal light, watering and misting if needed for a great green addition to your "interior landscape." With our more moderate winters, many people leave banana plants and elephant ears in the ground and protect them in place. Cut growth back to just above the crown and mulch heavily. The best chance for success is if your plant is near a heat-retaining source like masonry (house foundation, patio, or driveway). Trim back fastgrowing tropicals before moving - makes them more manageable and they don't take up as much space in the greenhouse. GARDEN. If garlic was on your planting list, it needs to get in NOW. Our first frost date averages November 1st, leaving little acclimation time. (At my house, which sits low out in a meadow east of Scranton, I've made it to consecutive days of 32 degrees here in early October.) Enjoy the taking from your cool-season
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BULBS. Plant lilies, daffodils and crocus. Wait a couple of weeks longer to plant tulips as they tend to come up if we were to have a spell of warm weather. Caladiums and other tender bulbs should be lifted soon — label and store where they will stay dry and not freeze.
Mention this ad and get $1 off sealing kits (home, door, and window) in stock!!
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TOOL/EQUIPMENT CARE. The end of the growing season means an evaluation of your tool inventory. I’m a firm believer in having only what you need (only one of each) and having tools with multiple uses. Give a good cleaning to all hand tools. All my power tools are now battery operated. I plan to start and finish every yard project in one episode, taking my tools inside and doing the work in a realistic time allotted. (But then there’s REAL LIFE.) Get hoses drained, coiled and stored out of the environment, ready for next season’s use. Unopened/partially used bags of potting soil, mulch, etc., need to get into dry storage: clean, stack and store pots, particularly your clay pots, out of the weather. Mower engine needs to run until low/out of gas, then cleaned, blades sharpened, and stored out of the weather. Service maintenance will usually include disconnecting the spark plug, replacing air filters and changing the oil.
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FIREPLACES. Any of you who burn wood in the house should have had a chimney inspection by now. To keep soot build-up at a minimum, burn only seasoned wood. Observe how low tree branches may hang over your chimney. Branch pruning may be in order. Make sure your chimney topper is secure. My husband, who is a volunteer firefighter, doesn’t want a call-out to a home with an unintentional bonfire in a tree! Enjoy your freed up time from gardening this winter while you pour through stacks of seed catalogs, planning on how you will spend every minute of your free time in your yard in 2020.
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PARIS EXPRESS Clay roof tiles
ROOF TYPES
FACTSHEET Pros and cons of 10 popular materials
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By Laura Firszt | More Content Now
re you looking to install a new roof this year? Jumpstart the project and prepare yourself with the facts on roofing materials before you even hire a contractor. Here’s a guide to pros and cons of 10 popular roof types.
Asphalt shingles ABOUT: Most common of all roof types in the U.S. today, asphalt shingles are the roofing material on almost 80 percent of American homes. Asphalt saturates both sides of their paper or fiberglass base, which is then topped with a layer of mineral granules. Choose between the popular 3-tab asphalt shingle and the longer-lasting architectural shingle (also called “laminate shingles”). PROS: Affordable and easy to install. Provide a quick upgrade on a house for sale.
CONS: Only suitable for steeply sloping roofs. Don’t hold up well to severe temperature changes or intense, direct sunlight. Relatively short lifespan of about 20 years. Asphalt roll ABOUT: Also known as “torch-on roofing.” Similar to asphalt shingles, but applied as one piece. PROS: Simple, quick installation means lower cost. CONS: Roof repair is not so easy. Lasts only 15 years on average.
ABOUT: Manufactured from clay, which is shaped and baked. aka “terracotta roof tiles.” PROS: Natural material. Has an attractive orange-brown color or may be dyed. Can be formed into a variety of decorative shapes. Relatively long lifespan of 40-plus years. CONS: Fire–resistant but not totally fireproof. Consider whether your building structure can bear the weight; you may need to have additional framing added. Concrete roof tiles ABOUT: Molded from concrete. PROS: Available in an interesting range of shapes and colors. Fireproof. CONS: Heavy weight. Not as long-lasting as clay roof tiles Metal ABOUT: In the form of a single flat panel or shingles. Materials include aluminum, copper, steel, tin and zinc. PROS: Fireproof, hail resistant, durable, lightweight, excellent at shedding snow, reflective of sunrays to stay cooler in summer. Can last 50 years or more. CONS: Metal roof types tend to be noisy during rain and hail storms. Steel must be treated to prevent corrosion. Rubber ABOUT: Rubber roofing is available in thicknesses ranging from 1 ¾ inches to 3 ½ inches; the thickness you’ll need depends on factors such as your roof pitch. PROS: Good insulator, fireresistant, low maintenance, eco-friendly - especially if made from recycled tires. Resilient and excellent at holding up to hailstorms. Lifespan of about 50 years. CONS: Unattractive flat black appearance … which
PARIS EXPRESS can, however, be improved by coating with acrylic paint or purchasing rubber roofing strips to cut into “shingles.” Slate ABOUT: Composed of tiles cut from natural stone. PROS: Fireproof, water and weather resistant, recyclable natural material. Increase your home’s value. Often last more than 100 years. CONS: Expensive to install. Also costly and complicated to repair, requiring a slate tile specialist. Solar tiles ABOUT: Roof tiles that incorporate solar technology.
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PROS: Eliminate the hassle of installing solar panels atop an existing roof, yet still convert solar energy to electricity for your home. Simplify roof repair. Great for harsh climates, as they stand up to strong winds and heavy hail. CONS: High cost to install solar tiles, requiring a specialist. Tar and gravel ABOUT: After molten asphalt is used to “glue” layers of tarpaper roofing material in place, the roof is laminated and coated with gravel for additional protection. PROS: One of the few roof
materials suitable for a low-slope or flat roof. Fairly inexpensive. CONS: Short lifespan compared to other roof types - up to 20 years. Wood shingles or shakes ABOUT: Wood roofing shingles are machine cut; shakes are hand cut. Usually cedar or redwood. PROS: Excellent insulators. Add curb appeal and resale value. Last upwards of 25 years with the right maintenance. CONS: Pricey. Require expert installation. High maintenance. May require fire resistant treatment to comply with local code. In addition, you need to treat wooden roofing materials against mold and termite infestation.
8 — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR
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What to knoW before replacing home WindoWs
(StatePoint) s with any home upgrade, a little research can help ensure a topquality installation with the best materials on the market. Here are the most important factors to consider before purchasing replacement windows:
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• Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient windows can keep utility bills in-check while helping manage climate control. Seek out the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates a product is energy efficient according to standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Numbers don’t lie so be sure to also check the National Fenestration Rating Council Label to compare performance between energy-efficient windows in the following categories: U-Factor (how well the window retains heat), Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (how well it resists unwanted heat gain), Visible Transmittance (how well it lets in natural light), Air Infiltration (how drafty the window is), and Condensation Resistance (how well it resists inside surface condensation). • Test Specifications: All windows on the market are tested for their structural integrity, as well as their resistance to air and water. Investigating these ratings is important, particularly in regions that see wicked weather. • Insulation: For maximum energy efficiency and comfort, look for new technologies such as Neopor insulation and INNERGY thermal reinforcements that deliver high-performance and meet ENERGY STAR certification standards. Windows offered by ProVia, for example, include these features and are tested against the most stringent requirements for air and water infiltration, wind load resistance, ease of operation, forced entry and more.
• Material: Windows are available in such materials as vinyl, wood, aluminum and fiberglass. Understanding the benefits of each can help you arrive at the right decision for your home, priorities and budget, and new options even mix materials, combining different advantages into one product. • Warranty Availability: Replacement Windows can cost thousands of dollars and should last a long time, so consider protecting your investment by opting for windows that come with a comprehensive lifetime warranty that’s transferrable to the next homeowner. This can potentially increase your home’s value should you put it on the market. • Style: The style of your new windows can complement the architectural features of your home, provide visual interest and boost curb appeal. Using online design resources and visualizer tools can help you see how particular hardware finishes, colors, add-ons, finishing options and accessories will look on your home. • Recognition: Third-party recognition for a particular brand or product is a strong indicator that you’re investing in a quality product. A recent “Remodeling” magazine survey of remodeling contractors ranked ProVia vinyl windows as number one in window quality, citing its unique ability to customize as needed, its personalized customer service, strong warranties and mix of state-of-theart manufacturing equipment and human craftsmanship. Lastly, the brand was recognized for strong attention to detail, as it follows an 80-plus item checklist for quality control. More information can be found at provia.com/windows. Before upgrading, get savvy. Doing so can help you make a decision that will improve your home’s beauty, keep your family comfortable and safe and save you money.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR — 9
3 things that may go wrong
LOGAN COUNTY BANK 600 Main St., Scranton, AR
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all is here, which means, like it or not, cold weather is just around the corner. While most of us would prefer not to think about turning on our heat just yet, this is actually the best time to check your heating to ensure everything is operating as it should.
Neglecting to winterize your home and letting small issues pile up can have big repercussions. Ahead of the winter season, HomeServe, a leading provider of service plans, repair and installation services for the home, wants to make sure you're aware of three major things that may go wrong if you don't winterize your house or neglect your heating system. 1. Your utility bills may skyrocket. Utility bills often jump up in the winter due to the increased hours of darkness and the cost to heat your home. But if your heater is on the fritz or your filters are clogged, you could be in for an even bigger surprise. Dirty filters cause your furnace to work harder, which leads to inefficiency and a shortened lifespan for your heating system. Replacing filters is often an easy task for homeowners. A yearly tune-up is an inexpensive way to help prevent a costly system breakdown in the coming months. Also, keep in mind that some warranties require annual tune-ups, so don't let your warranty go invalid by skipping this year's tune-up. 2. The threat of carbon monoxide is very real. Do you know how old your furnace is? Do you know how long it's been since a professional checked it over? Carbon monoxide poses a health threat when the heating system flue, vent or chimney becomes blocked from debris or other material. During a heating system tune-up, a professional service technician can check to make sure all your vents are not blocked and are working properly. Drains and traps also need to be checked and combustion gases should be analyzed and compared to the specifications of your furnace or boiler to make sure everything is running safely. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home is another smart way to help with early detection. 3. Water pipes can burst. It's not just your heating system that needs to be winterized. All too often it happens - we wake up to realize our pipes are frozen, or even worse, leaking. Before the cold sets in, make sure outside hoses are put away and water is turned off. Evaluate which pipes are at the greatest risk for freezing during cold weather. For example, if your water pipes come up from an un-insulated crawl space, or if they are in or close to an uninsulated outside wall or vent, they are more likely to freeze and burst in low temperatures. Inside pipes should be covered in insulation to keep pipes warmer longer. Pipe insulation is easy to apply and available at most hardware stores and home centers. By having an annual tune-up in the fall, you can catch small issues now, instead of experiencing bigger problems in the dead of winter. A tune-up can also save energy, reduce heating costs and prevent a system breakdown in the coming months. (BPT)
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10 — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR
PARIS EXPRESS
Ready for Winter Weather
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Tips to keep your family safe and warm FAMILY FEATURES
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inters with heavy snowfall can be magnificent, but they can also be challenging for homeowners. Accumulated snow and ice have the potential to damage many aspects of your home and property, including exterior components of your propane system. “Propane is one of the safest and most reliable sources of energy in winter,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of the Propane Education Research Council (PERC). “It keeps your home warm and allows you to cook and have hot water. A propane generator ensures that you have reliable power in any weather.” While you can’t predict the first snow storm or hazardous weather conditions, you can put your family in the best position for safety and warmth by planning ahead.
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Get to know your propane system. If you are not familiar with your propane system, take a few minutes to review it. Identify core components, including the tank, regulators, meter, piping and supply valves, as well as any appliance vents. Be sure you know where your main gas supply valve is located in case you need to close it in the event of an emergency; in many cases it may be located on your propane tank. Mark your tank and regulator. Use a brightly colored stake or flag taller than the maximum anticipated snow depth as a marker to enable emergency and propane service personnel to locate your tank. Also mark your secondary pressure regulator or meter, which is usually near the side of your home. Check local ordinances about marking tanks and regulators and follow any rules applicable to your area.
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Have an adequate supply of propane. Roads leading to your home might not be accessible for delivery, particularly after a snowstorm. Establish a regular delivery schedule with your propane retailer or call to schedule a delivery when the percentage gauge reads 30% to give the retailer enough time to make a delivery and ensure you have an adequate supply of propane. Talk to your contractors. If you use a snow removal service, make sure the service knows the location of all propane equipment on the property. Instruct them to keep their equipment clear of all parts of your propane system, especially tanks, regulators and gas meters. If they shovel snow off your roof, instruct them to never shovel snow onto any part of the propane system and not to block any appliance air intakes or exhaust vents. It may be helpful to designate an area to pile snow safely away from any equipment.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR — 11
Staining A Deck By Laura Firszt More Content Now
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othing gives new life to an old deck like a fresh coat of stain. And staining an old deck actually packs a double whammy. The process not only revives your deck’s appearance but protects the wood, so it stays looking great for years to come. Just about any DIYer can tackle this project, but it requires both muscle and patience. Before staining a deck, you’ll need to scrub it thoroughly. The application itself is time-consuming. Waiting a day after cleaning to apply stain is preferable; you want the wood to be completely dry. That makes it a full weekend project. And staining a very large or elaborate deck can be quite cumbersome. So when deciding whether to do it yourself or hire a pro, consider these factors, says Vageesh Bakhshi, product and brand manager for Valspar and Cabot Stains:
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Choose the right stain • Go for a premium quality. That way you won’t have to do the job again and again. A true oil-based stain penetrates deeply and becomes one with the wood. You end
up getting excellent, longlasting water repellency, together with a rich color. Some of the highest-quality stains will protect your deck for over 10years. • Choose the right opacity. Stains range from transparent (which adds just a hint of color) to solid (which is more like painting the surface of the wood). Transparents or semi-transparents are ideal for newer decks to showcase the beauty of their wood, but if you’re staining an old deck, a more solid opacity will cover up wear and tear. Protect the surroundings Before you start, protect nearby plantings, grass, etc., by sprinkling with water. Then cover with plastic masking film secured with painting tape, to keep off the cleaning solution and stain. If your deck is attached to the house, mask your siding with painter’s tape. Don’t skip a good cleaning It’s essential to scour the deck before you stain, using a high quality cleaner. You’ll need a strong brush to scrub the surface, sandpaper to remove existing stain and a good garden hose to rinse it. Thorough cleaning gets rid of any dirt, old chipped
stain, dead wood cells, or mold and mildew. Otherwise, the stain may not adhere properly and the wood may eventually break down. Applying the stain A stain pad will simplify staining your old deck. This tool resembles a piece of foam with bristles at the end, which pushes the stain into the wood and then evens it out. Mount the pad on a pole to avoid having to get down on your knees to brush stain into the wood. Stain pads usually cost about $5to $10. Pro tips for a smooth appearance • Prevent stain from setting too fast. Apply when the sun is not beating down. On a hot day, begin early in the morning. Then take a break and resume the work in the afternoon when the weather is cooler. For smooth, even stain, always work end-to-end, maintaining a wet edge. • Allow sufficient drying time. Wait 24to 48hours after staining to use your deck, depending on the humidity. Touch the coating to make sure it’s no longer tacky before you walk on the surface or replace your patio furniture.
12 — WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019, PARIS, AR
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