Lancaster Home Appeal Spring 2021

home appeal Lancaster County | Spring 2021

home | garden | renovation

Inviting Shade and Greenery Get Your Garden Ready for Spring Planting

KEEP THE WATER OUT: Waterproofing a Basement or Crawl Space

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Inviting Shade and Greenery Selecting a Backyard Structure

Designing an ideal backyard space requires forethought and an eye for style.

Knowing which features to include in a yard often boils down to what homeowners want to achieve in the space. Will it be a relaxing oasis or a central entertaining location?

People often look to various structures to add height and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Homeowners will likely come across structures like arbors, gazebos, pergolas, and even trellises as they sort through the variety of features they can incorporate into backyard plans. Each of these structures can add appeal, but they also can offer shelter from the sun and privacy when enjoying the yard. There are differences between these structures, so here’s a quick look at what sets them apart.

Arbor: An arbor is one of the more simple garden structures. It is usually a frame that is arched or square-cornered. Most homeowners use it as an entryway to a garden or even the front of the home. Those with green thumbs may cover the arbor with climbing and trailing plants. The Spruce says arbors date back to early Egyptian and Roman gardens and were used throughout Europe by the late 16th century.

Pergola: The words arbor and pergola are often used interchangeably, but the two structures are not quite the same. Pergola comes from the Italian word “pergula,” which means “projection.” Pergolas were once projected from exterior walls and supported on one side by pillars or columns.

Today, arbors are usually freestanding units with two or four posts. Pergolas may be connected on one side to a home or another structure.

Some are freestanding units supported by four posts. Pergolas tend to be larger and offer more privacy and shade than arbors.

Trellis: A trellis is a simple, geometrically shaped structure that provides a surface for climbing plants. It also may support fruit-bearing trees. Trellis work may be used in conjunction with an arbor or pergola or may be installed on fencing.

Gazebo: Gazebos are more defined garden

buildings, states the contractor referral site Network. Gazebos are freestanding units that can be built in various shapes. Like a pergola, a gazebo is supported by columns and may have low railings or built-in benches. Gazebos may have a more solid roof than arbors or pergolas, providing sun and other weather protection. The roof may have added architectural features, like a cupola.

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Get Your

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Ready for Spring

Planting The final weeks of winter, and even the first few weeks of spring, are often still chilly. Although summer may seem to be a long way away, gardeners should prepare their gardens for the planting season. Gardeners can consider the following tips as they seek to restore their gardens after harsh winter weather and get them ready for spring planting.

Disinfect your tools. It’s common to clean tools in late fall or whenever they’re typically placed in storage for the winter. But cleaning and disinfecting are not necessarily the same thing. If tools were not disinfected at the end of the previous gardening season, disinfect them before doing any work on the garden. Doing so can ensure that any lingering bacteria or fungi

on tool surfaces are killed prior to the beginning of gardening season. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, plant pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, can be transferred to and infect plants through bits of soil and plant debris left on shovels and pruner blades. Thoroughly disinfecting such tools prior to using them in the spring is a great way to reduce the risk of disease in your garden.

Clear debris from garden beds. Leaves, twigs, sticks, and other objects may have gathered in the garden over the winter. Such debris can inhibit the growth of

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Test the soil. Testing the soil prior to planting can help you determine what your garden will need to thrive in the coming months. Garden centers and home improvement stores sell home testing kits that are effective and easy to use. Once the results are in, speak with a professional at your local garden center about the best time to amend the soil.

Loosen compacted soil. Soil can become compacted over winter. If compacted soil is not loosened prior to planting, plants will have a hard time getting the water and nutrients they need to thrive. Loosening the soil also provides another opportunity to inspect the garden for any underlying issues, such as fungi or weed growth, that you may have missed when clearing debris or testing the soil. plants and vegetables, so make sure all of it is removed prior to planting. Weeds might even begin to sprout up in late winter and early spring, so remove them before they go to seed.

Late winter and early spring is a good time to assess a garden and address any issues that developed over the winter so plants and vegetables can thrive come the spring planting season.

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Get Your Home Gym in Shape People exercise for many different reasons. Exercise may reduce the risk of illness, alleviate stress or anxiety, and even help pass some time. Exercise is often a social activity, but in the wake of social distancing guidelines issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many people have found themselves looking for ways to exercise at home.

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Building a home fitness room is a timely project, and such a project can continue to provide rewards even when life returns to normal.

Here are tips for successfully stocking a home gym.

• Find a dedicated space. A home gym will be limited by the amount of space that can be devoted to workouts.

Possible fitness room locations include a spare bedroom, a garage, a basement, or an enclosed patio. Measure the space so you can choose equipment that will fit.

Leave some floor space empty for movement exercises or mat activities.

• Keep the space bright. Darkness can sap energy levels, so invest in mirrors and adequate overhead lighting to make the space inviting. Natural light can make the exercise area more enjoyable.

inside a traditional fitness center. Thankfully, many activities do not require a lot of space or equipment. Classic exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and sit-ups require little gear but still produce results.

Figure out which equipment you like the most and invest in two or three key pieces. Dumbbells of various weights, a medicine ball, and a yoga mat can be all you need to create a versatile, effective workout. A TRX system and a door-mounted pull-up bar also are great space-saving options.

• Have a TV hookup. A home gym may benefit from a smart TV that you can use to stream workout videos or catch up on the latest news while running on a treadmill or using a stationary bike.

• Consider the flooring. New flooring can protect against damage and make an area more conductive to working out. Rubber mats can offset echoes and reduce the noise of running on a treadmill or setting down heavy weights.

A home gym is beneficial year-round and can be especially valuable when social distancing guidelines are in place.

• Use spacesaving equipment.

A home gym space will likely not be as expansive as the space

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KEEP THE WATER OUT: Waterproofing a Basement or Crawl Space Water can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. From leaks to flooding to moisture problems like mold, water can wreak havoc on a home.

Basements or crawl spaces are areas of a home where water can do the most damage. These spaces tend to be the lowest-lying spots in a home and therefore are prime spots for water to enter. Water problems in these areas can contribute to the demise of the structural integrity of the foundation.

According to Olshan, a foundation solutions company, water can enter homes in numerous ways. Many building materials, including concrete, that seem solid at first glance actually are quite porous. As ground water collects around these materials, the weight of the accumulated water, called hydrostatic pressure, can weaken the materials, causing cracks where water can seep through. Water also can enter subterranean spaces through basement windows and gaps between footings and concrete slabs, or it can push up through foundation floors when homes are in areas with high water tables.

Remedying water issues in a home generally breaks down into two methods: exterior waterproofing and interior waterproofing. Depending on the cause and severity of the water issue, one or the other, or even both, may be recommended.

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EXTERIOR WATERPROOFING Exterior waterproofing aims to keep water away from and out of the home. The home improvement information resource DoItYourself.com says that exterior waterproofing generally includes the application of a waterproofing agent to the concrete foundation. In addition, exterior waterproofing could include excavation so a drainage system can be installed around the entire footing of the home. Regrading a property and properly relocating gutters and downspouts can help with many water issues.

INTERIOR WATERPROOFING When water in a basement or crawl space needs to be remediated indoors, a system to collect, drain, and remove water may be necessary. Systems include sump pumps, drains, and gravity discharge systems. Moisture barriers, which can include special paints or products applied to the foundation walls and floor, also can help keep water from entering the space.

MOISTURE SOLUTIONS Keeping water out is only one part of the equation. Homeowners also need to manage moisture, like excessive humidity.

A combination of HVAC and waterproofing techniques may be necessary to improve air flow and remove humidity in the air.

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and create solutions that fit with homeowners’ budgets and needs. The review and advice site Angie’s List suggests finding at least three waterproofing companies that offer both interior and exterior waterproofing services that can provide the best ideas for fixing the issue.

Water can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare.

While many homeowners have attempted to address water issues on their own, many times it is a job best left to the professionals. Because water penetration can have multifaceted causes, a professional can best assess the situation

By taking preventive steps, homeowners can save themselves the time and money needed to fix water problems in the future.

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Bring the Outside Inside With Houseplants

The lines between the outdoors and indoors are being blurred. Homeowners build extensive outdoor living spaces so they can relax on weather-resistant furniture and even cook in lavish kitchens in their backyards.

In addition, indoor three-season rooms full of bright, open windows that showcase outdoor vistas challenge the boundaries between outside and inside.

Help with allergies According to WebMD, rooms with houseplants tend to have less dust and mold in them than those without any foliage. Leaves and other parts of the plants serve as natural filters, catching airborne particles and allergens. Plants with textured leaves might be especially effective at trapping particles.

For those working with limited budgets, there are some easy, inexpensive ways to enjoy the majesty of natural landscapes indoors.

Houseplants can be used to improve indoor spaces, and they also provide various health benefits.

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Put more oxygen into the air

Improve interior atmosphere

The human respiratory system works by bringing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Plants do the opposite during photosynthesis. They absorb carbon dioxide and then release oxygen. Plants can put much more oxygen into the air, improving indoor conditions.

Prevention magazine says plants can be used to screen unattractive areas, moderate room temperature by shading spots from the sun, and even reduce noise.

Plants also can improve ambiance and create a pleasing atmosphere in a room.

Improve mood

Increase indoor humidity and reduce illness

Growing and caring for plants can help to alleviate everyday stress. A nationwide study from UK Magazine Gardeners World found 80% of gardeners declared themselves satisfied with life compared to 67% of non-gardeners. Gardeners were more positive mentally. Greenery can help people feel more at home and improve mental health. A rehab center in Norway found that patients reported a greater increase in well-being four weeks after having greenery added to their surroundings.

Studies from the Agricultural University of Norway found that indoor plants can increase humidity in indoor spaces, which decreases the incidences of sore throats, dry coughs, dry skin, and the common cold. Higher absolute humidity can decrease the flu virus’s chances of survival and transmission.

Filter the air Researchers who presented their work at the 252nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society found that certain houseplants can combat the potentially harmful effects of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Plants may help filter out VOCs like benzene, acetone, and formaldehyde, which can enter indoor air via cleaning supplies, dry-cleaned clothes, furniture, printers, and paints.

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