2017 Contractor's Guide-Spring

CONTRACTOR’S SPRING 2017 | A DAILY RECORD PUBLICATION

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2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

CONTENTS 5

downsizing

9

removing stuck-on floor padding

12

insulatING an older home

14

laundry room redo

17

FUNNY SMELL WHEN HEAT TURNS ON?

19

making a home senior friendly

23

HOME ORCHARD TIPS

28

SNOW SHOVELING TIPS

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JON GUDDAT

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

HLD17.102_FEB

CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

MONEY

DOWNSIZING Yeah, you’ve reached that age.

Downsizing home is a process that takes preparation

By Mary Beth Breckenridge Tribune News Service

I’m starting to think about downsizing.

Even though my husband and I truly love our house, it’s no longer the best fit for a couple of empty nesters. Things like heating 2,200 square feet, cleaning four bedrooms and mowing a half-acre are starting to seem pointless.

But it’s hard to let go, and I’m not quite ready yet.

Still, Matt Parker has me thinking ahead.

Parker is a realty agent in Seattle and the author of “Real Estate Smart,” a book that looks at the ways your home affects your physical and emotional health. His goal in writing it, he explained, was to help people make better, more balanced decisions about where they’ll be spending a big chunk of their lives.

Decisions like downsizing.

There are good reasons to consider moving to a smaller home, he said. Using

tax information and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, he calculated that owning real estate costs about 32 cents per square foot every month — and that’s not counting a mortgage payment or nonessential improvements like installing granite countertops. If you’re leaving 1,000 square feet of a house essentially unused, “that’s $320 a month that you’re wasting,” he said.

Wow. I could be putting that into a travel fund.

Hanging onto a house with excess space also makes it too easy to accumulate stuff, which often gets forgotten in drawers, closets, attics and basements. Those excess possessions can turn into anxiety-causing clutter.

And then there are the physical and time demands of homeownership. The novelty of caring for a house and yard tends to

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2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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wear off over time, and the tasks might even become physically difficult, Parker said. You don’t want that to happen, because slacking off on maintenance harms your home’s resale value, he pointed out.

So how can ho meowners like me get their heads around downsizing?

Start with the obvious: Pare your possessions, Parker suggested. Make a habit of going through your stuff every year. If you haven’t used it in 12 months, consider selling or donating it.

He conceded that isn’t always easy, because we get emotionally attached to our things. But Parker said it may help to think of your children.

“Ask yourself, ‘Do we want our kids to have to deal with this?’” he said.

Then comes a more fun pursuit, dreaming about your next home.

Pinterest is a great source of ideas, Parker said.

He suggested starting a “My Next House” board and pinning all the pictures you want of luxurious bathrooms, organized pantries or whatever else you’d like to have. It will help you get excited about the prospect of moving and develop a sense of ownership in that dream home, he said.

EnErgy Audits

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When it comes time to take the plunge, take care to choose a house that meets your new needs, Parker said. Americans tend to do most of their living in the kitchen and the room right next to it, so focus on those spaces, he recommended.

“You want to go big in your kitchen,” he said.

“You want a kitchen space that you feel wonderful about.”

Put a priority on the home’s layout, too. An open floor plan with high ceilings feels spacious, even in a smaller home. Homes built in the 1950s and ‘60s often have those layouts, he said, or are more easily converted to an open concept.

What should be low on the priority list? The master bedroom, Parker said. “People don’t spend time there,” he said.

Think of your next home purchase not so much as a money expenditure, but as a time expenditure, he suggested. Knowing that time is your only irreplaceable resource can help you narrow your choices to homes that will help you conserve that precious asset.

As he put it, “Do you want to be with your grandkids, or do you want to be weeding?”

Even for us gardeners, that’s a no-brainer.

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

YOUR PLACE

Question:

My parents have a 9-foot-by12-foot area rug, which is in excellent condition, in their bedroom.

Under the rug is green foam-rubber padding that has become as hard as a rock over the years and has stuck to the hardwood flooring like paint.

I have tried a plastic scraper with no luck. I used a 2-inchwide metal scraper that removes the rubber but is timeconsuming.

I have not scratched or marred the hardwood flooring. Is there an easier method?

As strange as it seems, when I received your question, I took a look under our living room rug to check the condition of the padding there. Though some of it had crumbled, it wasn’t sticking to the floor.

Checking on the internet with the usual grain of salt, I discovered that the metal-blade scraper was the most-touted method of removal without scratching, even though it took one woman 26 hours.

She didn’t say whether this was 26 hours at once without a break, or 26 hours over a period of months or years.

Angie’s List, which said it asked professionals, recommended using such solvents as paint thinner or soapy water to loosen the glued padding and then scraping or sanding it off.

Frankly, given indoor air-quality issues, I’d go with the soapy water, but not a lot, because you might cause the floor to warp.

There were some YouTube videos available showing a variety of ways to remove glued-on padding, but most involved projects that required removal before a new floor was installed, so the condition of the hardwood floor underneath was not an issue.

These are all sources available to you by Googling, but here’s my advice: A job worth doing is one that’s worth doing well. If the metal scraper is working, no matter how time-consuming it is, go with it.

As far as using paint thinner or soapy water, one requires proper ventilation, including a mask, and the right clothing for protection.

If the job is important to you, and you are pressed for time, it might be best to contact a professional to do it.

Money well-spent.

Answer:

what lies under How to rid your floor of stuck-on rubber padding

By Alan J. Heavens Tribune News Service

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2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

By DWIGHT BARNETT Tribune News Service

I

INSULATING AN OLDER HOME

just bought a home and found out from one of the previous owners that it isn’t insulated well on the exterior wall. The attic has been blown but is still hard to keep cool in the summer.

I plan on replacing the siding with the hardy board (cement board) siding in due time. I was still concerned about all the “vapor barrier” I have been hearing about. I planned on taking the old siding off, blowing cellulose insulation in the exterior wall, putting up felt/tar paper and then putting up the siding.

Is this the correct method? Is there any cheaper/better solution to this problem?

Insulating an exterior wall of an existing home without removing the interior wall coverings can be accomplished by drilling holes in either the interior or exterior of the walls and injecting an insulating material. You mentioned cellulose, and that’s fine.

But if you were to choose a closed-cell expanding foam, it would not only insulate the wall cavities but would also serve as an air barrier and vapor 12

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HOME FIX

retardant, making the project more energy-efficient.

Your question indicates your home has siding. Removing the siding first can make the job of insulating easier for the contractor as long as the exterior sheathing under the siding is in good condition. Once the walls are insulated, the siding contractor should add a house wrap or, if you prefer, tar paper over the sheathing to prevent water entry to the home’s wood frame. Homes with brick or stone veneers, which are not practical to remove, can also be insulated by drilling holes on the interior side of the wall to inject insulation into the wall cavities.

The drilled holes are then patched and the walls can be repainted.

Things all homeowners need to be aware of when insulating an older home: The wall cavities may have fire blocking, which are pieces of 2-by-4s installed horizontally midway up the wall to slow the progress of smoke and fire to other parts of the home. To fill the entire wall cavity, holes would need to

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

be drilled above and below each fire block to ensure the cavity is full.

Older homes may have knob-andtube wiring in the basements, walls and attics. You cannot insulate over this type of wiring because the wires depend on air circulation to keep cool.

If you see ceramic knobs attached to joists and holding a single strand of wire or a ceramic tube where a wire passes through a floor joist, the home has knob-and-tube wiring.

Before adding insulation to the walls or attic, the wiring would have to be replaced and, most likely, the electric panel would need to be upgraded. Also be aware that some homes that once had knob-and-tube wiring may have been upgraded with modern Romex wiring, but the older-style wiring may still be inside the wall cavities. Removing some of the exterior sheathing will reveal the wiring inside the walls, or you can have an electrician check several outlets and switches to inspect the type of wiring used.

CusTom Homes oN Your BudgeT! Kittitas Valley Tour of Homes in 1996, 1998 and 2014: Voted People’s Choice “Best Custom Home” Thad Vaughn is the founder and owner of JT Custom Homes, LLC. Thad and his family started JT Custom Homes by building speculative homes in the $350,000 price range and have progressed into quality custom homes and multi-family projects. Although skilled and confident in all types and styles of construction, our niche is the Northwest mountain cabin.

member of Central Washington Home Builders Association

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W W W. j tC u S to m h o m E S .C o m 2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

LIVING

LAUNDRY ROOM REDO I I love a project.

I also love saving money. Put the two together, and the combination is irresistible.

By Mary Beth Breckenridge Tribune News Service

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’m the queen of cheap room makeovers, and my latest undertaking is no exception. I gave my laundry/mud room an overhaul this fall, and it didn’t cost me an arm or a leg.

A little skin off a finger or two, maybe, but no limbs.

Mostly this was a paint-everythingexcept-the-floor kind of project, although I did splurge on a laundry vanity to replace an unsightly utility sink. (What’s a laundry vanity, you ask? It’s like a bathroom vanity, but with a deep laundry sink. Who knew such a thing existed?)

Besides lots of paint, though, I also used a few cheats and creative solutions in the process. So I thought I’d pass those along. n My laundry room had painted cabinets that were solid but boring, with flat doors just crying out for a little interest.

After repainting them, I framed the doors with 1-inch-wide lattice molding from Lowe’s, which I painted the same color and adhered with construction adhesive.

Voila! Shaker-style cabinets.

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

n I was going to spring for an Ikea butcher-block countertop for over my front-loading washer and dryer, but then it hit me: My favorite Swedish home store also sells tabletops, and they’re closer to the size I needed. I bought a Gerton butcher-block tabletop, removed the metal braces from the underside and had a helpful friend with a table saw trim it to fit. n I wanted my new countertop to be easily removable in case the washer or dryer needed repairing, so I engaged in a good deal of mental wrestling over how to support it. Then I took the easy way out: I simply stuck some plastic door bumpers on the underside of the countertop and laid it right on top of the appliances. And you know what? It works just fine. The bumpers keep the countertop in place and prevent it from rattling, even during the spin cycle. n Ikea came to the rescue on another problem, how to hide the ugly drain hose and electrical outlet that stick up behind

Cheap tricks for budget-friendly laundry room makeover my washing machine. I pondered all sorts of solutions, from having the hose and outlet relocated to building a removable box to cover them. Then, during my Ikea trip, I spotted some great fake plants in little galvanized buckets for a few bucks apiece. I just set the plants on top of the washer, and now you don’t even notice the eyesores behind them.

A laundry basket hides another receptacle behind the dryer and gives me a place to collect dirty kitchen towels and cloth napkins. n My cabinets stop short of the ceiling, so I topped them with storage baskets from Michaels to take advantage of the unused space and add a little decorative interest. The baskets hold things like china and glassware I use infrequently, so that freed cupboard space for items I use more often. n Coat hooks on one wall and a temporary overthe-door hanger give me places to hang clean laundry, but I needed a place to keep hangers within easy reach.

An inexpensive spring tension rod mounted inside the laundry vanity does the trick. I just hang the hangers on the rod and close the vanity doors to keep them out of sight when I don’t need them. n The laundry room has a door that leads to my garage, a plain steel fire door with no architectural interest whatsoever. I thought it was a perfect place to mount a chalkboard so we could jot reminders we’d see on the way out the door, but I didn’t want to make that a permanent feature. So I painted a rectangle onto the door with chalkboard paint, made a frame out of decorative molding and attached the frame to the door with 3M Command hanging strips — removable hookand-loop fasteners meant for mounting picture frames.

Now if I get tired of the chalkboard, I can just pop off the frame, peel off the fasteners and repaint the door. n The brass-look knob on the door had gotten pretty battered, as had the one on the door to the powder room that’s just off my laundry room. I originally planned to buy new knobs, but I decided instead to try giving the old ones a coat of Rustoleum Universal metallic spray paint in oil-rubbed bronze. I figure I can still replace the knobs if the paint doesn’t hold up, but so far they look great.

As much as I’m enjoying my new room, I’m almost sad the creative process is over.

I guess I need to find a new set of problems to solve.

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

SAFETY

PEW!

heater odors

By Paul Pogue Tribune News Service

What’s that funny smell when the heat turns on?

I

f you notice a burning smell when the heat turns on, your furnace might need maintenance. It could be something as minor as a dirty filter, but could also be a serious problem, like a broken electrical component in the furnace. Don’t ignore it. Try to find the source to avoid costly repairs.

Here are some tips to get you started…

WHAT CAUSES THE SMELL OF BURNING DUST? When your furnace isn’t used for long periods of time, dust can collect on the heat exchanger and in the air ducts.

When the furnace is turned on, the dust burns off and releases an odor.

It’s normal for dust to burn off when the heater is turned on for the first time in the winter season and not a cause for concern. This smell should disappear in a few hours. If the problem persists, check your air filters.

WHAT CAUSES MUSTY ODORS? Ever turn on your furnace and it smells like a damp basement, dirt or dust? The musty odor comes from dust and dirt collecting in the air ducts, which gets blown throughout your home when the furnace turns on. If this smell persists throughout the heating season, it could mean you need to change the air filter.

A musty smell could also indicate that mold is trapped on the furnace filter or on the humidifier filter, if you have one.

Inspect a humidifier filter once a year and replace or clean as needed. To clean, make a solution of water and vinegar in equal parts. Soak the filter in the solution and gently clean with a damp cloth.

WHAT CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL? If you notice an odor that smells like burning plastic or burning electrical parts, it could be something simple or something more serious.

A foreign object in your HVAC system’s ductwork could start to smell once it gets overheated. This could be a child’s dropped toy, or an unnoticed spill. Remove your registers and visually inspect them to clean or remove any objects that don’t belong.

It could also be something more problematic, such as an overheated furnace motor or cracked heat exchanger. If you can’t locate a foreign object in the ductwork, call an experienced technician to check the electrical components in the furnace.

WHAT CAUSES THE SMELL OF SMOKE OR OIL? If you operate an oil furnace, and smell oil or smoke, it could mean a serious issue with your furnace.

If the smell persists after checking and changing the oil filter, call a pro to check it out.

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

FUNCTIONAL

AGE-IN-PLACE

How to make a home much friendlier to seniors using wheelchairs or walkers

W

hen Dan Bawden teaches contractors and builders about aging-inplace, he has them get into a wheelchair.

See what it’s like to try to do things from this perspective, he tells them.

That’s when previously unappreciated obstacles snap into focus.

Bathroom doorways are too narrow to get through. Hallways don’t allow enough room to turn around. Light switches are too high and electrical outlets too low to reach easily. Cabinets beneath a kitchen sink prevent someone from rolling up close and doing the dishes.

It’s an “aha moment” for most of his students, who’ve never actually experienced these kinds of limitations or realized so keenly how home design can interfere with — or promote — an individual’s functioning.

About 2 million older adults in the

U.S. use wheelchairs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau; another 7 million use canes, crutches or walkers.

That number is set to swell with the aging population: Twenty years from now, 17 million U.S. households will include at least one mobility-challenged older adult, according to a December report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

How well has the housing industry accommodated this population?

“Very poorly,” said Bawden, chair of the remodelers division at the National Association of Home Builders and president of Legal Eagle Contractors in Bellaire, Texas. “I give them a D.” Researchers at the Harvard center found that fewer than 10 percent of seniors live in homes or apartments outfitted with basic features that enhance accessibility — notably, entrances with-

By Judith Graham Tribune News Service

out steps, extra-wide hallways or doors needed for people with wheelchairs or walkers.

Even less common are features that promote “usability” — carrying out the activities of daily life with a measure of ease and independence.

Laws that guarantee accessibility for people with disabilities go only so far.

The Americans with Disability Act applies only to public buildings. And while the Fair Housing Act covers apartments and condominiums built after March 1991, its requirements aren’t comprehensive and enforcement is spotty.

We asked several experts to describe some common issues mobility-challenged seniors encounter at home, and how they can be addressed. The list below is what they suggested may need attention and has suggested alterations, but is not comprehensive.

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Getting inside: A ramp will be needed for homes with steps leading up to the front or back door when someone uses a wheelchair, either permanently or temporarily. The estimated price for a five-to-six foot portable nonslip version: $500 to $600.

You’ll want to take out the weather strip at the bottom of the front door and replace it with an automatic door bottom. “You want the threshold to be as flat as the floor is,” Bawden said. Consider installing an electronic lock that prevents the need to lean in and insert a key.

Doors: Getting through doorways easily is a problem for people who use walkers or wheelchairs. They should be 34 to 36 inches wide to allow easy access, but almost never are.

Widening a doorway structurally is expensive, with an estimated cost of about $2,500. A reasonable alternative: swing-free hinges, which wrap around the door trim and add about 2 inches of clearance to a door.

Clearance: Ideally, people using wheelchairs need a five-foot-wide path in which to move and turn around, Bawden said. Often that requires getting rid of furniture in the living room, dining room and bedroom.

Another rule of thumb: People in wheelchairs have a reach of 24 to 48 inches. That means they won’t be able to reach items in cabinets above kitchen counters or bathroom sinks.

Also, light switches on walls will need to be placed no more than 48 inches from the floor and electrical outlets raised to 18 inches from their usual 14 inch height.

recessed LED lights in all four corners of the bedroom and the living room and install closet rods with LED lights on them,” Bawden said. LED lights don’t need to be changed as often as regular bulbs.

Kitchen: Mark Lichter, director of the architecture program for Paralyzed Veterans of America, recommends that seniors who use walkers or wheelchairs take time in the kitchen of a unit they’re thinking of moving into and imagine preparing a meal.

Typically, cabinets need to be taken out from under the sink, to allow someone with a wheelchair to get up close, Lichter said. The same is true for the stovetop: The area underneath needs to be opened and control panels need to be in front.

Refrigerators with side-by-side doors are preferable to those with freezer areas on the bottom or on top. Slide out fullextension drawers maximize storage space, as can lazy Susans in the corner of bottom cabinets.

Laundry: Get a side-by-side frontloading washer and drier to allow for easy access, instead of machines that are stacked on top of each other.

Bathroom: When Jon Pynoos’ frail father-in-law, Harry, who was in his 80s,

Lighting: Older eyes need more light and distinct contrasts to see well. A single light fixture hanging from the center of the dining room or kitchen probably won’t offer enough illumination.

You’ll want to distribute lighting throughout each room and consider repainting walls so their colors contrast sharply with your floor materials.

“If someone can afford it, I put in 20

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2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

came to live in a small cottage in back of his house, Pynoos put in a curbless shower with grab bars and a shower seat and a handheld shower head that slid up and down on a pole.

Even a relatively small lip at the edge of the shower can be a fall risk for someone whose balance or movement is compromised.

Also, Pynoos, a professor of gerontology, public policy and urban planning at the University of Southern California, installed nonslip floor tile and grab bars around a “comfort height” toilet.

Cabinets under the sink will need to be removed, and storage space for toiletries moved lower. A moveable toilet paper holder will be better than a wall-based unit for someone with arthritis who has trouble extending an arm sideways.

“It really wouldn’t take much effort or expense to design homes and apartments appropriately in the first place, to make aging-in-place possible,” Pynoos said. Although “this still doesn’t happen very often,” he noted that awareness of what’s required is growing and well-designed, affordable products are becoming more widely available.

Proudly Serving Kittitas County Since 1984

Catlin Electric,Inc.

| 4240 Vantage Hwy., Ellensburg

1577820

925-4460

1579983

• Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • Industrial • New & Existing Construction

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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Defensible Space Tree Experts Certified arborist on staff

Act now to schedule your tree project for the summer and lessen your exposure to unnecessary wildfire damage.

We specialize in

• Tree removal & trimming • Storm damage & cleanup • Hazardous tree removal • Land clearing • Fire fuel reduction • Insurance work • Zero impact crane tree removal • Deadwood removal • Structural thinning • Root disease detection

Enjoy the benefits of our vast experience in the care of trees and dedication to our customers.

(509) 304-8733 Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Senior discount 5%.

Active duty, veteran and police discount 5%.

1579988

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

YARD SMART

By Maureen Gilmer Tribune News Service

Y

HOME ORCHARD TIPS

ou can’t judge a book by its cover, so don’t select fruit trees for your home orchard from photos of fruit. Instead, go straight varietal criteria, and your chances of success skyrocket. Because late winter is dormant season planting time, those photos are strictly for sales.

You must first determine if that particular fruit type, and more importantly the specific variety, is capable of bearing in your yard.

It’s important to know that bare root is the most economical way of creating a home orchard. The added weight of shipping soil with a fruit tree is costly, and that expense is passed on to you.

Bare roots left at the end of the dormant planting season are potted up and sold in leaf and fruit for a lot more money. But when you buy bare root like all orchard farmers do, the saplings will get a better start in native soil and develop a more extensive root system.

Bare root season rolls around each year at the end of winter in your region.

For milder winter zones, it begins in February, when the fruit trees start showing up in garden centers. They will be bare root, dug while dormant from fields and shipped before they begin to come alive again with spring.

Now that you know when to buy home orchard fruit trees, you must be sure to find the varieties that work for you and your micro climate. A quality local nursery should carry only varieties

that are regionally appropriate, but that’s not guaranteed. Here’s what to look for: BLOOM SEASON Areas prone to late frosts in spring or inclement weather during bloom season often result in trees that flower but won’t fruit. It’s because those conditions prevent bees from flying that early or delicate flower parts freeze.

This is why each variety is designated early, midseason or late blooming.

The problem is everybody wants early fruiters so they choose early bloomers, which is fine for super mild southern California, but few other locals. Those with late frosts need late bloomers so bees and flowers mate perfectly.

Because it takes years for a fruit tree to bear well, you can’t afford to make this mistake. Think patience because unless you live in the low desert summer heat, late bloomers are safer.

CHILLING HOURS Cherries have a higher chilling hour rating compared to other kinds of fruit.

This shows how well they are suited to very cold climates. Double check with a local full service garden center to verify any you wish to buy are compatible with your winters.

TREE SIZE Grafting allows growers to produce the same fruit tree in three sizes.

Standard trees are large, require

orchard ladders, are best in deer country, demand a lot of area, and crops are largest. Semi-dwarf trees fit better into yards, are easier to prune with all the benefits of a larger tree.

Dwarf forms are optimal for containers, smaller homes or for obtaining more tree diversity in a limited area. No matter what size tree you choose, the fruit is always the same.

Garden centers that ship in bare roots en masse will heel them in sand or sawdust to keep the dormant roots from drying out because they’re very freshly dug. The sooner they go in the ground, the better they start, so shop early.

These are often the local garden center’s tried and true varieties their customers have proven to do well locally. Selling bare roots in plastic from mass markets can result in a totally unsuitable plant already breaking dormancy and highly dehydrated by shipping.

A home orchard is one of the best home improvement projects because it yields for decades after the original plantings. It’s a great dad project to round up the data, discuss varietal options with the boss and dig in the early mud of the year. It’s all about the right choice so in just a few years you will have crops of healthy home grown fruit, large and perfect as a catalog photo.

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Please call today for a free estimate.

Services Include: • Windows & Doors • Blinds & Window Treatments • Custom Screens & Screen Repair • Glass Repair • Door Hardware • Shower Doors • Custom & Accent Mirrors • Knobs & Bath Accessories • Decorative Glass for Cabinetry & More...

1572785

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We install what we sell.

509.674.6990 415 East 1st St., Suite B Cle Elum, WA 98922 www.allcityglass.us

Quality Local Turf

When it’s time to lay down the lawn, call

509-962-8444

toll-free 1-866-962-8444

Building Design Al Montgomery: Owner/Designer • Rusty Henrichsen: Designer

Over 40 years of combined design experience.

Intuitive designers that will showcase your unique personality in your new design or remodel, while offering builder friendly, cost effective & sustainable design.

811 Hwy. 970 #5 | Cle Elum, WA 98943 | 509-674-5194

www.montgomerybuildingdesign.com Al’s Cell: (509) 304-4265 | Email: al.montgomery@yahoo.com Rusty’s Cell: (509) 260-0614 | Email: house-plans@hotmail.com

Building Consulting | Permit Assistance Engineering Referral | Contractor Referral 2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

1577810

Also Offering:

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Call now to get one of our limited number of Spring Discounts! One discount per project.

Key Home Services 509-925-4240

The Key to making Your Home Beautiful!

Key Home Services is proudly serving the Kittitas County. We were founded on a commitment to provide our customers with the Key to reliable and cost effective Home repair solutions. At Key Home Services we believe in helping you make informed decisions on what is right for you and your home. It is more than just the durability and affordability; we understand the importance of service that Key Home Services provides to your home. That’s why we stand behind our work from the start to the finish and for years to come with all Key Home Services repairs, to ensure our customers lasting value, protection and beauty to your home.

Roof Replacement • Roof Repair • Emergency Service 24/7 • Siding Replacement Siding Repair • Window Replacement • Insulation Installation • Attic Cleaning Crawlspace Cleaning • Structural Repair • Insurance Claims Ladder Assist • Emergency Cover-up 26

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1579876

Services Offered:

GET CONTROL.

Insects.

Rodents.

Wildlife.

1579882

509.674.0101 509.925.5900 “Put your pest on the spot.”

www.prositepestcontrol.com

Pivoting lateral

We’re proud to now be offering Mahindra, the world’s #1 selling tractor.

MaxiMuM coverage with greater versatility

Reinke’s Pivoting Lateral Move System with integrated GPS guidance technology, is an ideal system for your www.reinke.com irregular shaped fields by combining For more information, call or the benefits of a center pivot with visit the knowledgeable Reinke dealers at those of a lateral move system.

available at two locations 911 w. University way ellensburg, wa 509-925-6141

417 w. 3rd avenue ellensburg, wa 509-925-3525

Financing available.

See store for details.

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

YOUR PLACE

CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

SAFETY

WINTER TIPS I

Shoveling some snow-removal tips your way.

By Alan J. Heavens Tribune News Service

’m a real stickler about snow removal, the result of growing up in Connecticut and plowing my way to lots of cash as soon as I could hold a shovel.

While people all around me use snow throwers, I shovel — even though I have had one of those infernal machines since 1997.

Last January’s blizzard was no exception.

OK, it took me 11 hours over two days, but it was exercise, and my gym routine has helped make such marathon sessions painfree.

I’m not everybody (and the rest of the world is grateful for that), so I want to share proper shoveling techniques for those who want to know. n If you’re out of shape, don’t exercise regularly or have trouble breathing or heart problems, don’t shovel snow. n Dress in layers. n Stretch before you shovel, to get those muscles working and have a better chance of not seriously hurting yourself.

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n Bend at the knees, not at the waist (it’s just like playing tennis), and lift with your legs to protect your spine from injury.

If the snow is light and fluffy, you can simply push it out of the way — but use the same technique. Push the snow from the edge of the handle, shifting body weight from back leg to front leg instead of bending at the waist.

If the snow is heavy and wet, bend the knees, lift with the legs, but move smaller amounts.

I know I sound like my (pick one) Pilates, yoga and swimming coaches, but protect your back by using your legs and abdominal muscles to lift the snow. n Rest regularly. If you try to shovel lots of snow at light speed, you increase risk of injury. n The shovel? It’s somewhere in the back of the garage, so you better start looking for it now. I buy a new one every three years, depending on how bad the previous winter was and if there was a lot of ice to deal with.

LOCALLY OWNED

COLUMI*221Q2

CommerCial • residential • industrial • subdivisions

Paving

ChiPsealing exCavating

PAVING • CHIPSEALING PARKING LOTS • DRIVEWAYS • STREETS GRAVEL • RESURFACING PATCHWORK • ROAD BUILDING • EXCAVATING

Free estimates!

1579877

P.O. Box 9337, Yakima, WA 98909 Yakima (509) 453-2063 Ellensburg (509) 925-6795

www.columbiaasphaltandreadymix.com 2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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(509) 962-2481 Fax (509) 933-2340 tandtelectric@fairpoint.net www.t-and-telectric.com Locally owned with over 40 years of experience Members WFPA, CWHBA, NFIB, Chamber of Commerce Licensed & Insured TTELEI*159BT

Specializing in: • Standby generators • Indoor and outdoor lighting • Pump and irrigation • Electric gate wiring • Concrete boring and cutting 1580895

• Residential and commercial • New construction and remodels • Solar energy • Tenant improvements • Rewire and troubleshooting 30

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2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

Emergency Services Available 24/7 Services Include: -Unplugging of All Drains -Sewer Camera and Locator -Irrigation; Install, Repair, Replace -Repair and Replace Sewer/Water Lines -Install All Power, Sewer, Water, Gas -Jetting@5000Psi -Light Plumbing -Excavation -Small Camera (as small as 1.25”) -Conveyor Belt

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL!

(509) 925-4895 FAX (509) 925-4890 DAVINA@SALAS.WORK P.O. BOX 1817 ELLENSBURG, WA 98926

-Stump Grinding -Leak Detecting -Tree Trimming/Removal -Thermal imaging camera

-Construction Including But Not Limited To: Road, Sidewalk, And Driveway Construction And Site Work 2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

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1579979

WWW.SALAS.WORK

-Pipe Thawing

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Blinds & Draperies LLC

Custom Window Coverings for any Budget!

Best Service, Price & Selection Guaranteed!

Call for a FREE In-Home Consultation & Estimate!

509-925-4637 SERVINg All OF KIttItAS COuNty

Money Flying Out the Window? See What A Difference A Shade Makes. for current sales

RE CO RD

2014

As voted by the readers of the Daily Record.

V

County

L AI ED

Y

Kittitas

THE BY ED OT

ERS READ

OF

TH

www.nvblinds.net

2211 West Dolarway, Ste. 5 • Ellensburg, WA Office hours vary. Please call for an appointment.

As voted by the readers of the Daily Record.

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Lic# NEWVIVB846BE

2017 SPRING CONTRACTOR’S GUIDE

1575956

Voted Kittitas County’s best window coverings company 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016

& special promotions visit

NOW SERVING KITTITAS COUNTY

509-469-0695

brian@rodeoroofing.com www.rodeoroofing.com

Expect superior workmanship when you hire Rodeo Roofing LLC to handle your commercial or industrial roofing project.

Our installers are known for their quality work and Rodeo Roofing is certified by most manufacturers to install their roof systems.

Rodeo Roofing has decades of experience in solving roof-related issues and we solve them while offering competitive pricing.

We specialize in: • Commercial / industrial roofing installation and repairs • Full roof inspections

• Low slope / Flat roofs • Single Ply • Shingles • Metal WA Lic# RODEORL877BQ

1578285

Refinance

YOUR DREAM + OUR TEAM = A SEAMLESS FIT

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Fixed Rate Home Equity Loans

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Preferred Line of Credit

Central Washington’s Preferred Financial Center

Ellensburg - 201 E. 5th Ave - 925-5338 . www.yakimafed.com | Toll Free 1-800-331-3225

Foothills Fence Co. Specializing in Horse Friendly Fence • Post & Rail All Types of Wire Fence • Outdoor Arenas • Custom Entries Cedar Privacy • Fence Repair & Removal

“Serving All of Kittitas County”

509-899-4361

Lic #FOOTHFC942PW Bonded • Insured • Free Estimates

Alex Walker - Owner Also offering: Excavation Services Tree Removal 1577814

Landscaping Land Clearing

GET YOUR WEEKENDS BACK. GO DO WhAT YOU lOvE, WE’ll hANDlE YOUR pROjECTS!

CONSTRUCTiON

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lOCK ChANGES

DOOR/WiNDOW iNSTAllATiON

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FlOORiNG

“Tim and his team delivered exceptional quality work. As a prior military family with 25+ years of experience dealing with contractors, we rate Central Washington Property Restorations at the very top. From his timely response to my inquiry to the expertise craftsmanship in furniture assembly, we give our highest recommendation.

Hire them.You will be guaranteed the finest.”

— Helen via Square review

Odd Jobs Lawn Care Construction Remodeling Debris Removal Rental Turns Concrete Pool Care Full Turn Cleaning Project Consulting Assembly/ Installation Routine Maintenance General Repair Roofing Painting Vacation Home Upkeep Drywall Vacant Home Cleaning

WE DO iT All.

Commercial or residential building maintenance, remodel construction, and even odd jobs. No job is too big or too small. Get a Jack at 844-3MY-JACK or visit our website at www.CWPRLLC.com

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(844) 3MY-jACK • (509) 779-2222