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Tips For Enjoyable Warm Weather Entertaining (NAPSI)—Outdoor living, barbecues and the promise of spending more time outside with friends and family are some of the many perks of spring and summer. However, there can be a downside to warm weather that can ruin even the most perfect get-together: biting insects. Mar Jennings, home and garden expert and best-selling author of “Life on Mar’s: A Four Season Garden” and “Life on Mar’s: Creating Casual Luxury,” has partnered with Dynatrap® to bring you the hottest tips and trends for summer 2014 entertaining. • It’s Never Too Early to Prepare: Mosquito populations start hatching when temperatures reach 45 degrees, so start early when it comes to ridding your yard of these pests. • Make it Magical with Outdoor Lighting: The right lighting can help keep bugs away. Try a fire pit; it provides the perfect amount of light and the smoke naturally repels mosquitoes. Another tip is to change your outdoor bulbs from white to yellow. Yellow bulbs are less visible to most bugs. • With Color, Lighter Is Better: For key outdoor pieces such as seat cushions, lighter is better. Not only will they stay crisp looking longer, mosquitoes are less attracted to light colors. Jennings likes the Pantone color of the year, bold Radiant Orchid, to use as a featured or accent color this summer. • Beautify Your Yard: Tidying up the yard before a party will not only impress guests, but cutting the grass and draining sources of stagnant water will also decrease the likelihood of bugs. Include plants like marigolds in your garden as they not only beautify your space, but also help repel mosquitoes. • Match Your Trap to Your Décor: The Dynatrap® line of insect-trapping products is designed to reduce biting insects without the use of chemicals. They’re available in bronze—exclusively at Frontgate—and black. You can pick the finish most suited for your style. • Consider the Time of Day: Mosquitoes are most active at dusk. During the prime mosquito months, plan outdoor get-togethers early in the day to avoid the most popular times for mosquitoes to be out and about. If you’re entertaining at night, it’s best to combine multiple bug prevention methods to keep your guests comfortable. • Feed Your Guests Without Making Them the Meal: For party guests and bugs alike, the food table is usually the most popular spot to gather. Instead of serving buffet-style food, impress your guests with bite-sized treats that will be eaten quickly. To learn more, visit www.dynatrap.com.
JUNE 2-8, 2016
EASY KITCHEN UPDATES THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK (ARA) - It goes without saying that the kitchen is one of the hardest-working rooms in the home. For most, it’s the heart of family life and usually the one room where everyone gathers together. With so much hustle and bustle, it’s no wonder that the kitchen runs the risk of looking overworked. A remodeled kitchen not only reinvigorates the space, but the home overall. This isn’t always easy to accomplish though, as a full-blown renovation can be quite expensive and time-consuming. However, even on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to spruce up the room without breaking the bank. As dirt and grease build up over time, appliances around the kitchen can appear old and dull. The easiest way to rejuvenate those appliances without spending a fortune on new ones is by giving them a thorough cleaning. Since the stove is often used most, it’s a good place to start. Clean the entire surface inside and out using a product that is safe for all surfaces. Try Goo Gone Foaming Kitchen Grease Cleaner to cut through the baked-on grease and stuck-on grime clinging to your stove without needing to scrub. Get into every nook and cranny until it sparkles. Paint the cabinets - A lackluster room can quickly become re-energized with a vibrant new color. Repaint the cabinets a lively hue to brighten the space or freshen the existing paint color with a new coat. Update fixtures - Don’t expect that the faucet handles you installed more than 10 years ago will last another 10. In addition to being practical, kitchen fixtures can add style and enhance overall design. Look for fixtures that fit your kitchen motif, whether it’s modern and sleek or shabby chic. Change existing hardware - Think of hardware as jewelry for the kitchen. Add new glass or metal knobs, or bars to highlight cabinets and enhance the overall style of the room. If using metal hardware, choose one type and stick to it for a clean, uniform look. Create shelving - Removing cabinet doors to create shelving can provide a sense of openness and additional space. Simply remove cabinet doors and fill in holes with wood filler. Then, sand until smooth and paint as desired. You can also paint the inside of the newly open cabinets as a decorative treatment. Don’t forget about the floor - Update floors without the significant cost associated with new flooring by simply adding a rug. Find a rug that’s durable to high foot traffic, but also complements your kitchen style. Complete all the updates, or pick and choose to make a difference even on the smallest budget. This process will certainly work on other areas of the home as well. Just as with the kitchen, always start with a good cleaning to instantly revitalize the items in your home. To save time and money, use products designed to clean multiple surfaces - including carpeting, upholstery, hard surfaces and more, like Goo Gone Original or Spray Gel formulations. Then, look around to see what can be updated without a complete renovation. Your home will have a fresh appeal in no time. To learn more about Goo Gone products, as well as cleaning tips to undo your messes and revitalize your home, visit www.googone.com.
How To Organize The Pantry Since the advent of supermarkets and warehouse stores, many food shoppers have embraced buying in bulk. Buying in bulk can help shoppers save money and avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store in search of missing ingredients, but all those extra items also necessitate more careful pantry planning. People already short on space may need to reorganize their pantries to make room for items purchased in bulk. Purging a pantry of expired items and developing an organizational strategy that works may take a little time. But once a system is in place, cooking and meal planning should become a lot easier. 1. Declutter It’s difficult to get organized if you’re holding on to items you no longer use. Therefore, go through the pantry and find any expired foods and half-eaten items that have gravitated to the back of the cabinet or closet. After you go through everything, you will likely find that you have much more room than you once thought. 2. Empty the rest Before placing items back in the pantry, take inventory of what you have. Getting them out in the open will enable you to see exactly what’s there and get an idea of what you purchase the most. This will help you set up food zones or purchase containers that will fit your pantry better. If you have unspoiled foods that you are unlikely eat, donate them to a food bank. Now that the pantry is empty, take this opportunity to clean and adjust the shelves. 3. Downsize from bulky packaging Bulky packages may not fit in your pantry. Invest in plastic or glass containers with lids that will keep foods visible, neat and fresh. 4. Establish food zones Establishing food zones is a great way to organize a pantry and make meal time more efficient. Group breakfast foods together and store pastas and sauces near each other. Use a basket for baking items, including smaller spices or things like baking powder that can get lost in large cabinets. Then all you have to do is reach in and find something easily. 5. Keep a running inventory Routinely look in the pantry to determine what you need. This prevents overspending on items you already have and also ensures your pantry won’t grow cluttered with repeat items. Organizing pantries may take a little time, but a little organization can open up a lot of space and make it easier to prepare meals each day.
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Converting Garages into Livable Spaces
Tips to Finding The Right Contractor
Many people decide to upgrade from their apartments or condominiums out of a need for more space. But even after moving into a new home, homeowners may soon begin to outgrow the room they have. Rather than looking for a new home, some homeowners consider expansion. Expanding a living space can be expensive, and a more affordable option may be converting existing basement or garage space into something more livable. Garages already are built on a foundation, have four walls and a roof overhead, so a garage-conversion project is merely a matter of turning this utilitarian area into a living space. Before beginning the renovation, homeowners should consider the benefits versus the cost of converting the garage. For those who are planning to grow old in a house, a garage conversion can be a worthy investment. But those who intend to sell their homes rather than retire in them may learn that a converted garage can affect home value and make it less desireable at resale. Compare your home to others in the area and see what your neighbors have done. If converted garages are the norm where you live, your own renovation may fit in with others. Always apply for the proper permits and learn the zoning laws to see if a garage conversion is acceptable in your town or city. It’s best to go by the book so that work can be done in a proper manner and be inspected for safety. Many homeowners hope their garage-conversion projects will make their garages seem like a seamless part of the rest of the house. To do so, you will need to remove evidence the space was once a garage. Slab floor will need to be raised and insulated. Walls also will need to be insulated and finished to improve comfort and soundproofing. Many garages do not have windows, so for the garage to function as a renovated space, windows may need to be added. One of the biggest transformations will come by way of modifying the garage door entry. Some homeowners prefer to leave the existing door so that the home still has the appearance of a garage from the curb, while others remove the garage door and rebuild the exterior wall so that it has a window or another architectural element. An architect can help suggest design elements that will camouflage the original garage look and make the space seem like it was always part of the main living area of the home. Landscaping work also can minimize the appearance of an old garage. Rather than having the driveway end at the wall of a home, shrubbery, pavers and other techniques can blend the garage renovation into the rest of the yard design. Transforming a garage into a living space can add several hundred square feet to a home. Hire a reputable contractor and follow the municipal guidelines for modifying the space to ensure the job is done right.
Home improvement projects tend to be costly. Because of the considerable financial investment homeowners must make when improving their homes, it’s important to find a contractor you can trust and feel comfortable with. The vast majority of professional contractors are trustworthy and willing to work with homeowners to help them design the homes of their dreams. But there are still some tips homeowners can keep in mind as they begin their search for a contractor. • Work only with licensed contractors. Licensed contractors have been verified as legitimate by your local governing body, removing much of the fears homeowners have with regard to finding trustworthy contractors. Unlicensed contractors may not be insured or bonded, and their estimates may be lower than their licensed competitors’ because they do not contribute to unemployment. Licensed contractors often are subjected to criminal background checks as well, calming homeowners’ fears about inviting strangers into their homes. • Ask for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is great when looking for contractors. Oftentimes, a contractor’s best friends are his past clients. Ask friends or neighbors for recommendations on local contractors, inquiring about prices as well as each particular contractor ’s demeanor and openness to suggestions. Contact your local Office of Consumer Affairs to check each contractor’s complaint history. • Get written estimates. Before hiring a particular firm, get written estimates from several contractors. Some contractors will charge fees for the estimate, but they must inform you of those fees before the estimates are provided. Compare estimates so you can get a better grasp of how much your project will cost. While cost is important, try to avoid choosing a contractor based on cost alone, as a good rapport with a contractor who may be more expensive might make spending a little more money worth it. • Make sure the contract is specific. When you choose a contractor, make sure the contract he or she provides is very specific, going into great detail about the specifics of the project. This contract should spell out the materials and equipment that will be used, as well as the final cost of the project, the payment schedules while the project is ongoing and the work schedule. • Keep track of all paperwork and pay by check. Once you sign the contract, create a folder where you can store all paperwork. Scan each document so you can store them on your computer as well. When payments must be made, never pay in cash. Pay by check and do not pay for the entirety of the project upfront, opting instead to pay at predetermined intervals spelled out in your contract. Nerves often come into play when hiring a home contractor, but homeowners who take a careful approach to the hiring process will likely end up hiring a trustworthy contractor who does great work.
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2016 SUMMER
HOME IMPROVEMENT
GUIDE Freshen Up Your Home For The Spring Season After a few months of chilly temperatures, come spring, many homeowners are eager to throw open their windows and doors and breathe new life into their homes. Simple changes made now — even before the weather begins to warm up — can improve interior spaces and brighten the atmosphere of a home. • Go plant shopping. Research from NASA suggests adding at least one plant in your home per 100 square feet is efficient enough to clean air. Fresh foliage also makes a home feel warm and inviting. Watering and misting plants introduces moisture into indoor air, which can make rooms overcome with dry air from heating systems feel comfortable. Just be sure to avoid overwatering plants, which can lead to mold growth. • Swap out throw pillows. Accent pillows on beds and sofas are quick and inexpensive ways to add new bursts of color to rooms. You may be able to make over a room’s entire color scheme with new pillows. Invest in pillows that you can switch with each season so your decor will never look tired or dull. • Clean existing light fixtures. Another way to brighten the mood in a home is to periodically clean light fixtures to make sure they are working effectively. Spend time dusting them and cleaning off any accumulated debris. If need be, switch out old lamp shades for newer ones that let more light shine through. If inadequate lighting is a problem no matter how many lamps you have, consult with an electrician about installing more overhead and accent lighting. • Give rugs and floors a deep cleaning. Recirculated air may be full of dust and other microscopic particles that end up blowing throughout your home. Also, it’s easy to track in dirt and other materials on your shoes that become imbedded in carpeting. At least once a year, rent or enlist the surfaces of carpet and upholstery cleaners to give floors a thorough cleaning. You may be surprised at how clean and fresh a home looks and smells once rugs and carpets are deep-cleaned. You also can make a dry carpet cleaner using baking soda, corn starch and desired fresh herbs for fragrance. Sprinkle and then vacuum up after a few hours. • Color-coordinate bookshelves. Group all books with similarly colored covers together for an instant and eye-appealing look. • Simmer some homemade home deodorizer. In a large pot, boil water and some scented herbs, such as rosemary, citrus rinds, vanilla, or lavender. The aroma will waft through the home, creating a pleasing scent. • Invest in new window treatments. Lightweight draperies or new blinds or shades can transform the look of a room. Be sure to keep curtains and blinds open during the day to maximize the hours of sunlight. Homeowners can make some simple changes while they’re stuck indoors and reap the benefits when the weather warms up again.
How Families Can Manage Cramped Quarters Young parents living in cities face difficult decisions regarding their living arrangements. The suburbs versus city debate is one many young married couples have had, and that discussion is often prompted by the arrival of children. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that more people are choosing cities over the suburbs in the 21st century. While that data indicates 53 of the 81 cities in the United States with populations exceeding a quarter million people experienced reduced growth in 2013-2014, the most recent year for which statistics are available, during that time such cities still exhibited growth well above their averages from 2000 to 2010. There are many reasons why city life might make more sense than living in the suburbs for young married couples. Living in the city may lead to far shorter commutes for working parents, and the availability of public transportation in cities may save parents the costly expense of purchasing their own vehicles. But city life may force families to cope with cramped quarters. Even the most spacious apartments may not provide the same square footage as single-family suburban homes. Parents who are committed to city living may need to get creative in order to live comfortably in apartments. • Actively police clutter. Few things can make apartments seem more cramped than clutter. Unsolicited mailings, old magazines and unused kitchenware are just
a few of the items that can make small apartments seem even smaller. Discard junk mail the moment you walk through the door, making a daily effort to keep kitchen counters and tables, coffee tables and other areas that tend to accumulate clutter clear of clutter. Reducing clutter also makes homes safer for young children, making it easier for them to navigate a home while reducing choking hazards. • Keep hosting duties to a minimum. Many men and women love to host friends and family, and that desire to host won’t subside simply because you live in a city. But even if you love to host, host more intimate gatherings so you are not forced to use your already limited storage space to store items, such as extra plates, utensils and drinking glasses, that you will only use every so often. Fewer guests means fewer items you need to store year-round. • Go easy on the tots’ toys. Parents of young children know that kids’ toys take up a lot of space, and that’s space that many city dwellers simply don’t have. Rather than adding to youngsters’ toy stash each month, explain to them that space is limited and that some older toys will have to go before new ones can be purchased. Donate old toys and let kids know their items will be given to less fortunate youngsters, as that may make kids feel better about parting ways with their toys. Set a good example by showing kids when you discard or donate older items before replacing them with new ones. • Think vertically. Single-family home owners may not need to make much use of the vertical space in their homes, but such is not often the case with apartment dwellers. Utilizing vertical space in an apartment can be as simple as buying some shelving units or bookcases. To be safe, keep items the kids will use on lower shelves so they are not tempted to do some climbing to reach their toys or books. Parents who choose the big city over the suburbs may need to make some sacrifices to make better use of cramped quarters.
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JUNE 2-8, 2016
A VIEW TO SAVING CREATE CURB APPEAL WITH FLOWERS
(NAPSI)—Homeowners can see their way clear to saving on cooling and heating costs, and protecting their skin and home decor from the sun’s damaging UV rays, all thanks to something they can scarcely see at all—window film. Instead of replacing structurally sound windows, they can turn to a simple yet cost-effective solution: professionally installed window film—a thin layer of polyester film with high-tech coatings that are nearly invisible to the eye. The International Window Film Association (IWFA) points out that once installed, window film can deliver up to seven times the energy savings per dollar spent. “Many consumers are looking for
ways to improve the curb appeal and efficiency of their homes,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “Window film can reduce energy consumption by reducing solar heat gain and cut cooling costs by as much as 30 percent and at the same time allow you to enjoy natural light without the negative impact of harsh glare and UV exposure,” he added.
Tips And Tools For Your Spring and Summer Cleanup (NAPSI)—There’s good news for homeowners preparing for their first yard work of the season. Investing a little time and effort in selecting the right tools and techniques when it comes to your spring yard cleanup can make the process quicker, easier and greener. For starters, homeowners should be aware that advances in battery technology are making it possible for the performance of cordless tools to match that of their gas-powered counterparts. Thanks to a new wave of battery-powered tools, such as the OREGON 40V MAX* Cordless Tool System, homeowners no longer have to sacrifice power for convenience. And because these tools produce zero emissions, battery-powered tools boast a huge environmental benefit over gas-powered tools. To help make your cleanup easier—and greener—the experts at OREGON offer these tips: • Choose the right tools. For instance, battery-powered tools start instantly, making it easy to tackle any yard task as soon as spring is here. With batterypowered tools, you’ll be ready with a simple charge of the battery. • Clean up the yard. Remove leaves and winter debris from lawn and shrub planting areas before new growth starts. Inspect trees and shrubs for winter damage, then use a chain saw or pole saw to trim damaged limbs back to the nearest healthy bud. Lightweight, cordless chain saws and pole saws can be excellent tools for this kind of task. They’re also handy to have on hand for cleanup after spring storms. • Prune trees and shrubs at the right time for maximum leaf growth. Most shrubs and ground covers are best pruned in early spring, before they start to grow. A pole saw, such as OREGON’s new PS250, makes it easy to trim outof-reach branches without the use of a ladder. • Keep grass trimmed to ward off weeds and summer drought. Cut lawns low and re-establish edges along shrub beds, walks and driveways in early spring. Allow your lawn to grow taller as it enters late spring or summer to improve drought stress. The convenience offered by battery-powered trimmers can help make it easier for homeowners to achieve a well-trimmed lawn. • Be a better neighbor. Compared to their gas-powered counterparts, cordless tools are low noise and quiet between cuts. And no gas means no pollutionproducing exhaust emissions.
(NAPSI)-Flowers are a low-cost way to add curb appeal to your home. They provide a positive first impression. And if you're selling your house, they'll entice prospective buyers to come inside and see more. "Hot colors such as red, bright pink, yellow, orange and orange-red make distances seem shorter," said Lance Walheim, co-author of "Landscaping for Dummies" and gardening expert for Bayer Advanced™. "Cool colors such as white, blue, purple, deep red and pastels make spaces seem longer." If you want to make a small yard seem bigger, plant hot colors at the entryway and cool colors at the far end of your yard to create a living watercolor painting. Take color cues from your house, paving or other blooming plants: You should choose complementary colors with similar shades to create a harmonious landscape with lots of character. You also want to fill empty spots. Need some help? Snap a photo of the area with your smart phone and show it to your local garden center expert. He or she can give you some great ideas. Maximize your mulch: Mulch makes your garden look neat and protects your flowers, trees and shrubs. It also helps keep the weeds out. Your options include pine straw, shredded bark and nuggets. Choose one type for consistency throughout your landscape. If you need a lot of mulch, buy it all at one time to save money on delivery costs. Protect your flowering investment: Flowers need food. They also need to be protected against insects and diseases. Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Granules (www.BayerAdvanced.com) provides all three. Sprinkle it around the plant, work it into the soil and water it in for six weeks of protection. Always read and follow label directions. Proper watering will make your landscape a flowering success. Stick your finger a few inches into the soil. If it's dry, it's time to water. If the forecast calls for rain within 24 hours, then Mother Nature will help you save money on your water bill. Otherwise, use a soaker hose to water your flowers, since it's more effective than spraying with your garden hose. Choose complementary colors with similar shades to create a harmonious landscape.
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Paint and Renovate Correctly Changing paint colors is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add a fresh new look to the interior or exterior of a home. Both exterior and interior paint can be used to protect homes and make strong impressions. Painting projects are fun and can be easy, but not all projects are so simple. Homeowners may need to exercise patience and devote an ample amount of time to get the job done right. One errant drip is all it takes to turn a perfect paint job into a colorful mess. While paints are much safer now than in years past, they still need to be handled with caution and disposed of with care after the job is done. Painting can be a tricky project because the fumes and chemicals found in many paints make these products more difficult to dispose of. The Environmental Protection Agency says homeowners in the United State throw out 64 million gallons of paint per year. While latex paints are not considered hazardous waste, they should be recycled. Oil-based paints, however, are considered hazardous household waste (HHW) and must be disposed of properly. All homeowners should check with their trash and recycling collection centers regarding the proper way to dispose of paints, stains and varnishes. It’s also possible to visit Earth911.com and find a disposal facility online.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING IMPROVES THE SAFETY AND APPEARANCE OF A HOME When drafting a to-do list for home improvements that can increase home value and appeal, several renovations may be atop homeowners’ lists. While kitchen or bathroom remodels may be popular renovations, homeowners also should consider outdoor lighting schemes that can make homes safer and more alluring. Outdoor lighting serves various purposes. Such lighting can draw attention to more impressive parts of a property. In addition, such lighting can improve security and deter criminals. To get started, homeowners should first examine the exteriors of their homes and make note of existing lighting and where improvements can be made. If you’re not sure where to begin, speak with an electrician or a landscape designer, each of whom can offer suggestions on lighting and which options are the best fit for your particular property. Next, you’ll want to consider efficiency and function. The United States Department of Energy suggests incorporating energy-efficient lighting, including energy-saving LED bulbs or fluorescent lights, into your plans. Timers and other automatic controls can prevent waste by turning lights on only when they are needed. Solar lights can be used as accent lights, further saving energy. BEAUTY When addressing aesthetics, think about the appeal of an accented landscape. Include lights to frame the front door and call attention to certain elements, such as decorative trees or water features. Use lights to light up deck stairways or to accent planters. Speak with a lighting professional about how to position lights to cover the most territory in the most attractive way possible. SAFETY Safety is an important consideration when improving a home. Lighting can help illuminate potential hazards or draw attention to borders or property boundaries. Navigating in the dark can be treacherous, so put lights along pathways and near pools or spas. Be sure that lights will clearly mark other walkways around your home, such as those leading from doors to the yard or from the garage to where trash and recycling pails are kept. If a design element such as a bridge over a water feature or a particular ornamental tree or shrub is difficult to navigate in the dark, use lights to improve visibility. SECURITY Added security is another reason to install more exterior lighting. Dark homes are attractive to burglars. Eliminate dark corners by lighting up areas where thieves may be able to gain access to your home. This includes areas near doorways and ground-level windows. Install motion-sensor lights in such areas so you are not wasting energy. Lighting may not only deter human intruders, but also it can scare away animals. A raccoon, skunk or opossum may think twice about hanging around your home when your property is bathed in a spotlight.
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How to Ensure a Successful Basement Remodel Americans continue to fuel remodeling spending across the country, driven by upward growth in real estate prices and the rising cost to trade up to a larger home. Basement renovations are expected to be a hot trend in 2016, as buyers look to maximize available living space rather than move, and as young buyers look to offset the cost of homeownership with potential income suites. While finishing a basement can be a great alternative to moving –– especially if you love your neighborhood — there are some challenges homeowners must be aware of when tackling below-grade living spaces. Choosing the right products is vital to the comfort, safety and function of your new living area. Look for products that help to maximize energy efficiency and protect against moisture, fire and noise. Here are the top points to consider to ensure a successful basement renovation. Waterproof it. Check the interior foundation and floors to make sure there are no existing moisture issues, water damage or mold problems. Address any primary moisture issues before finishing the space. Examine grading to ensure water runs away from your foundation. Insulation is key. Insulation plays a critical role in making your basement feel comfortable, while keeping it safe and dry. For the best results, install a rigid board insulation, like Roxul ComfortBoard IS, against the concrete foundation before you stud the wall. The board is mechanically fastened or adhered to the concrete foundation wall, which prevents thermal bridging through the studs, providing better thermal performance. Finish with a moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable insulation between the studs, like R14 Comfortbatt, to protect against common basement issues such as mold, mildew and rot. Choose a functional design. Draw out plans, carefully taking into consideration any low ceilings or small windows. Try to incorporate structural features, such as attractive wood beams, into your design. Keep the space as open as possible. Select lighting that provides a bright, airy feel. Don’t forget to soundproof it. Soundproofing is the ultimate solution to maximize your basement’s quiet and privacy. Whether your newfound space will function as a home theatre, music room, home office or playroom, it will benefit from quality acoustic insulation, like Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound. Not only is it highly effective, but it’s also easy to install. Consider fire safety. Since many basements are now being renovated as income suites, fire protection is also a vital consideration. Whenever possible, select building materials with a high fire-resistance rating and look for products that will not off-gas or contribute to toxic smoke in the event of a fire. Include additional exits in your renovation plan and educate yourself on your local fire code. Before you start your renovation, be sure to check with your municipality to secure the right permits and to ensure that you’re complying with local bylaws and building codes. Finishing a basement can be a smart renovation, if done properly, adding to a home’s value, increasing its function and providing greater enjoyment or income potential.
How To Compost at Home Many homeowners spend substantial amounts of time and money tending to their lawns. A lush lawn can be a point of pride for homeowners, and well-maintained landscapes also have a positive effect on property value. Homeowners who want to take care of their lawns and gardens in an eco-friendly way may want to consider composting. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and lawn waste make up about 20 to 30 percent of what we throw away each year. Composting such waste can enrich the soil in homeowners’ yards while also reducing the size of local landfills, where food scraps and lawn waste contribute to the production of methane, a potent and harmful greenhouse gas. Composting is relatively simple and serves as a cost-effective way to enrich soil and suppress plant diseases and pest infestations. Homeowners who want to try their hand at composting can consider the following advice from the EPA. • Purchase the right tools. Composting is not expensive, but you will need a few tools to help maintain your compost pile. A pitchfork or square-point shovel will be necessary so you can periodically mix or turn the compost. In addition, a water hose with a spray head can help maintain the pile. • Choose the right spot. A compost pile or bin should be placed in a shady area close to a water source. Shade will help ensure the pile does not dry out too quickly, especially for those homeowners who live in warmer climates. Those who live in colder regions may want to locate their piles in spots that get some sun exposure to trap some solar heat in their piles. Build the pile over lawn or soil instead of over surfaces like asphalt or concrete. • Add materials as you collect them. The EPA notes that composting requires three basic ingredients: water, brown materials and green materials. Brown materials include dead branches, leaves and twigs, while greens include grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds. Chop larger materials as necessary, adding both brown and green materials as you collect them and watering dry materials as necessary. • Bury fruit and vegetable waste. When adding fruit and vegetable waste, bury it beneath 10 inches of compost material. You can do this by mixing your pile with your pitchfork or shovel. If necessary, cover the top of your compost pile with a tarp so the pile can retain moisture. Compost may take as long as two years before it’s usable, but when materials are dark and rich in color, they’re ready to be spread.
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