Fall Home and Garden
Bring the Feel of Fall Inside
Chimney Cleaning
Summer is coming to a quick end, which means that cool weather is on its way! Fall is a season of spending time outdoors. From adding autumn accents to enhancing any home with harvest charm, here are a few tips on how to bring the outdoors in during this fall season.
The National Fire Protection AssociationStandard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” Each time your fireplace is used, the risk of creosote build-up increases. According to Mike Dugas, owner of Chimney Care of Lake Charles, “Creosote is a byproduct of fire. When wood is burned, smoke passes through the chimney where it cools down and solidifies.” The purpose of cleaning the chimney is to remove as much flammable creosote as possible and to minimize the possibility of having a chimney fire. “Sweeping the chimney also removes dangerous deposits that could clog your flue like bird nests, leaves, cobwebs and other debris that could pose hazards to your home.” Here are a few tips to keeping a clean and safe chimney.
• With the temperature outside dropping, warmer color interiors will be all that in autumn. According to Sharlene Boyle, owner of 505 Imports, “Introducing fall fashions into your home are simple if you have a somewhat neutral palette already.” By decorating with warm shades of color such as amber, gold, brown, red and orange, a feeling of warmth can be found in any room. • Candles and potpourri are a must have in the fall. “Choose hearty aromas such as pumpkin, cinnamon, or spice to help usher in the feel of autumn,” says Boyle. Once you’ve picked out your favorite scent, place them in various rooms or even make a centerpiece to add to any table. • “While making over your dining room, add in woodsy accents such as teak root vases, dried leaves and twigs to help convey the seasonal ambiance,” says Boyle. These inexpensive decorations can add accents to any table. Boyle also suggests adding shots of color such as orange or red to brighten up the earthy or dark tones. • As always, pumpkins will be the heart of fall decor. By adding various sizes of pumpkins to a windowsill, you can provide a sense of the season. Try placing a few pumpkins outside to enhance your front door. Whether it is hollowed out or artificial, pumpkins are a simple way to add autumn detail to any area. • During this season, baskets symbolize giving. Fill wicker baskets with any kind of leaves, vegetables or fruits. “Whimsical accents such as owls, nests, birds, and birch logs will also provide the fun in your fall landscape,” says Boyle. Place them in corners or around your home to give a feeling of fall and Thanksgiving.
“Pests, like people, crave warm places, especially those that provide food, water and shelter. Unfortunately, your home meets all these criteria,” explains J.J. Cooley, manager of J&J Exterminating in DeRidder. He adds that many fall pests are nocturnal, so the longer nights provide them with increased time to infiltrate homes in search of warmth and shelter. Pests most likely to be a problem in the fall are large tree cockroaches, ants, spiders, and rodents. Cooley says homeowners can prevent this with a few simple steps, the most important of which is keeping your house sealed up tightly. “Inspect your home for gaps in window seals and doorways, to minimize the number of accessible routes pests have into your home. Yard maintenance is also very important. Piles of leaves and grass clippings provide typical access points for pests. Collect fallen leaves, clean out gutters, keep shrubs neat, cut branches back from the roof, and remove leaves and grass clippings from around the foundation. Firewood should also be stacked away from the house to prevent rodents and insects from nesting near the home.”
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Tips to keep your chimney clean • Avoid burning pine, sappy woods or unseasoned wood. By strictly burning seasoned wood, it will reduce the amount of creosote build-up in your chimney. • Make sure you are only using wood that has been dried for at least 12 months in an area protected from moisture. • Don’t let your fire burn for more than 24 hours. “Remember, preventative measures is the key to having peace of mind,” said Dugas. For more information on chimney cleaning tips or to schedule an appointment to have your chimney inspected, contact Chimney Care of Lake Charles at (337) 499-7434.
• If you use your chimney sparingly, you can go every two or three years without having your chimney inspected. Just make sure the chimney can do its job of properly venting hot, toxic gases and carbon monoxide from the heating system to the outdoors. • In hot weather, a chimney can draw air into the house through the damper. If you notice a smoky or burnt wood smell coming from the fireplace when the air conditioner is on, the chimney most likely needs to be cleaned.
• To give small detail to any room, Boyle suggests ditching the bright summer pillows, throws, and silk flowers. “Instead, add in earthy tones of browns, grays and greens.” These small touches will make notice by your family and friends while giving a feeling of comfort and warmth. This fall is all about adding a special touch to your home. With only a few simple changes in décor, you can bring in all of the harvest charm and warmth that fall has to offer. For more tips on fall décor, visit 505 Imports at 1776 West Prien Lake Road, Suite G or call them at (337) 480-6505.
• Chimneys are most used during cooler months so it is best to schedule a cleaning for spring or summer. If a chimney needs repair, you won’t be inconvenienced if your fireplace is out of commission for a few days. • Make sure to check for damages caused by storms, lightening or water damage. To prevent long-term corrosion and masonry damage, it is best to have your chimney waterproofed.
By Katie McD
aniel
Home Energy Rebate Options
Be an Energy “H E R O”
The Creepy, Crawly Season Ghosts, monsters, witches and goblins aren’t the only scary critters to steer clear of this time of year. The cooler weather of fall signals the arrival of a host of other tricky pests that want to invade your home and yard.
By Katie McDaniel
And just because summer is over, don’t assume mosquito season is, too. Cooley says widespread mosquito activity is expected to continue well into the fall. “Although mosquitoes are typically thought of as a summer pest, they remain a problem at least until the temperature drops below 60 degrees, which may not be until late fall or early winter. The milder the weather, the longer mosquitoes will linger,” he stresses. Homeowners can help control mosquito infestations in their yards by eliminating breeding grounds and environments conducive for mosquito activity. Pay particular attention to discarded tires, wheel barrows, pool covers, bird baths and flower pot basins that accumulate standing water. Turn over containers when not in use, and drill holes in the bottom of trash receptacles to allow for drainage. Cooley says other cool-weather habits, such as opening windows and using the fireplace also provide additional access points for pests to enter the home. “Screens on all windows, doors and chimneys can prevent flies, mosquitoes and rodents from entering the home. If you have screens in all these places already, fall is the time to inspect them to make sure they are secure and don’t have any holes. A pest doesn’t need much space to get in.”
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To learn more about fall pests and how to protect your home, call J&J Exterminating at 474-7377 or 463-4574, or visit www.jjext.com.
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
October 2010
Get HERO Program details and a list of HERO-Certified
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources October 2010
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Thrive Magazine for Better Living
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