Flooring takes a personal touch

Whether you’re moving into a new home or renovating, the right flooring can make the space. To find the best option, consider these key factors and ten things to know.

Installation location

The room’s location and moisture level: Moistureprone, sub-level basements and humid bathrooms need flooring that can withstand temperature and humidity changes.

Tile and vinyl flooring options work well in these spaces.

Level of traffic: For busy living areas, solid hardwood floors and laminate options are durable and long-lasting, while porcelain tile is especially resistant to scratches and dents. Carpet tiles are easy to install and replace.

Your lifestyle

If pets and kids are a factor: To minimize scratches and make cleaning easy, opt for floors made of tile, hardwood, or cork, which is antimicrobial and sound absorbing.

If allergies are a factor: Hard, flat surfaces that are easy to clean, like tile and hardwood, are a good choice for those with allergies. The look you like best

The color options: Lighter floors make a room feel spacious and bright, while darker materials add warmth. The size options: Typically, thinner planks work well in traditional spaces, while wider planks are ideal for contemporary and rustic spaces.

Budget

Vinyl and laminate flooring are affordable options. Bamboo planks can be a budget-friendly alternative to hardwood.

Local vendors who specialize in flooring include:

World of Floors in Grayling and Lewiston: 989-348-8934

Woodworker’s Shoppe in Comins: 855-906-5520

Clean your gutters

Cleaning your gutters might seem like a thankless task, but it's a necessary job that should happen at least twice a year. Clogged gutters can lead to water and weight overload, which in turn can stress your home's roof, siding, and gutter supports, leading to leaks. Blocked water can also result in costly rot and winter ice dams.

Fortunately, cleaning out gutters isn't that technical or difficult of a job, especially when it's done regularly. Here are the steps to take to get rid of the debris and keep your gutters clean.

Step 1: Set up your ladder

Follow all safety guidelines when placing your ladder on the ground and using the steps. Consider using a ladder accessory called a standoff to prevent damage to your gutter, as well as a ladder hook to hang a waste bucket or garbage bag near where you are working.

Step 2: Gather safety gear

Wear long sleeves, gloves, and safety glasses to protect your arms, hands, and eyes from debris when cleaning gutters. Use a toolbelt to safely carry a hand shovel. Once you have all your tools and safety gear, climb the ladder.

Step 3: Remove debris from gutter

If you have gutter guards, remove them, or lift them as you work, based on the manufacturer's instructions. Starting at the downspout, use gloved hands to remove large debris like sticks and tree bark from the gutter. Use a hand shovel to scoop away the remaining dirt and debris.

If using garbage bags, you can fill them and drop them to the ground to be picked up later. Alternatively, you can place tarps on the ground near the edge of the house, dislodge gutter debris, and drop the debris on top of the tarp. Generally, the material removed from gutters can be composted.

Step 4: Rinse gutters

Once the debris is removed, rinse the gutter with a hose, pushing the water toward the downspout and dislodging any dirt from the bottom of the gutter.

Step 5: Check downspout

Make sure that water runs through the downspout and that there are no clogs. Dislodge any debris blocking the downspouts by spraying the hose into the downspout. If this doesn't work and the downspout remains clogged, use a drain snake or pressure washer to work out any debris.

Step 6: Repeat process to clean remaining gutters

Climb down the ladder and move it to the next section of the gutter; empty the garbage pail as needed. Continue cleaning gutters in sections until all debris is removed and water flows through downspouts freely.

Step 7: Check for leaks and make gutter repairs

As you work, make sure to inspect the gutter. When rinsing gutters with water, look for leaks to be patched. Repair with gutter sealant as needed, making sure gutters are completely dry before completing this exterior maintenance task. Pay attention to any gutter pieces that have pulled away from the house. Rusted elements may need to be replaced. Once gutters are clean, consider installing gutter guards to prevent large debris from collecting.

Credit: Better Homes and Gardens