Fall home improvement 2016

IMPROVEMENT The popularity of the color

TRANSFORM SPACES IN TO

COZY RETREATS

PRE-WINTER LAWN CARE POINTERS

PAGE 2

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

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SEPTEMBER 2016

WOELFEL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, INC.

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT A special publication of the Le Center Leader, Le Sueur News-Herald and St. Peter Herald Publisher Chad Hjellming Media Consultants Kathleen Davies Missy Daschner Gayle Stelten Managing Editor Suzy Rook Advertising Design Mary Jo Blanchard Nikkie Gilmore

Look for this section on

Denny & Mary Anne Woelfel

507-357-6207 390 W. Derrynane St. Le Center, MN 56057

woelfel@frontiernet.net Contractor Lic. #BC 518532

Furniture

Window Treatments Countertops Mattersses Decor & More

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Fall Home Improvement 2016 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Le Center Leader, Le Sueur News-Herald and St. Peter Herald at no additional charge.

All rights reserved. ©2016 All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertiser.

SEPTEMBER 2016

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAGE 3

The popularity of the color

White is a versatile color to use around the home. It’s consistently a favorite among designers for its crisp appeal.

(MS) White is a versatile color in home decorating and renovation. White helps any space look effortlessly chic, blends well with just about any color and can be incorporated into various design styles - from modern to traditional.

While the color white is always trendy, the paint manufacturers Benjamin Moore chose white (Simply White OC-117) as their “it” color for 2016. White can be used nearly anywhere inside and outside the home. Improving interior and exterior spaces with white elements is easier than you might think, and it instantly can make anything look as good as new.

Kitchen While rich cherrywood cabinets and deeply hued granite countertops have long been popular in kitchens, creamy white cabinets paired with blonde wood countertops can work together to make kitchens seem open and airy. If all white is not your thing, brighten up kitchen spaces with white canisters, cookie jars and a fresh bouquet of white flowers to add instant appeal.

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Living Room Use white as a base color for living room spaces so you can build on it with other hues on pillows and draperies, mixing and matching however you see fit.

Homeowners who have children and/or pets should look for furniture with removable slipcovers. This way they’re easily removed and laundered.

Bathroom White bathrooms look fresh and are easy to clean and maintain. White tiles provide a classic look. Include colored bath mats, towels and shower curtains to break up the white as you see fit. A neutral white base makes it easy to switch out color schemes whenever you feel like it.

Bedroom Feminine and fresh, white bedrooms may not be the first choice for novice designers. If the prospect of white on white seems too sterile, offset deeper hues on bed linens and walls with white furniture. This provides some pop against the darker contrast.

Keep in mind that doing a bed up in all white means it will always be easy to find matching sheets and pillowcases, making it possible to ensure everything looks cohesive and crisp.

Outdoors Use white paint on trims, shutters, mailboxes, and more to provide that pop of contrast against the rest of the home. White complements just about every color, making it a versatile choice on a home’s accents regardless of the main exterior color of that home.

White and other light shades will reflect the sun as well, contributing to cooler temperatures on walkways, decks and other structures, which can be advantageous to homeowners who live in warm climates.

Is it any wonder that white continues to be a classic and popular color to use around the home? Whether you do so with monochromatic roomscapes or accent pieces, you can incorporate white into design plans throughout your home.

PAGE 4

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 2016

ROOF

INSPECTIONS

Its time to tune-up your furnace before winter!

SAVE u p to $2575 with reb ates on q u alifying Lennox H eating and Cooling Sys tem s

that there are certain key areas to inspect that may reveal some telltale signs of roof damage.

• Curled, cracked or missing shingles may prove troublesome. Inclement weather can test the strength of even the most durable roofs. Even though many roofs are designed to last up to 30 years, some may need to be replaced early, particularly when they have been exposed to harsh weather over a period of years. Individual shingles can be replaced as spot treatments, but if the damage is widespread, a new roof may be necessary.

• Attic leaks or water elsewhere might signal issues with the roof. Figure out if water inside the home is coming from the roof. Water stains do not always indicate problems with the roofing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Look for protective granules wearing off. If gutters

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(MS) Cold weather can be tough on a home, and perhaps no part of a home is more vulnerable to harsh winter weather than its roof.

Fallen snow can equate to several pounds of pressure placed on a residential roof. Roofs do not often collapse under heavy snowfall. But adverse winter weather conditions can compromise roofs in other ways. Water leakage and damage to the roof’s interior are just two of the potentially problematic issues that can arise when roofs are battered by cold, blustery weather. That’s why many home improvement specialists advise homeowners to conduct roof inspections prior to the start of winter.

Many homeowners can conduct their own cursory roof inspections, but they may not know exactly what to look for. The National Roofing Contractors Association says

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Sale Prices Good Thru September 11, 2016

507-387-1171 • 1-800-879-1938 1951 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato • www.candssupply.com

#782555

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Pro Landscape Mix Shady Areas ....... $329 LB. Lawn • For RV, boat and pool use • Stackable design • Last Small up to 90 days $ 99 Engine Repair • Mower,•Trimmer, Chain Saw & SnowblowerFertilizer Repair • Screen & Glass Repair • • Key Cutting Blue Grass Safe for freshwater Snap tight........................................................... lid keeps out dust3 LB. Effective against common Pipe•Cutting &PINT Threading • Briggs & Stratton, Kohler & Tecumseh Parts In Stock • Cut-to-Length Rope, Chain• Cable & Electrical Wire $ systems 12-PK., & QUART MASON JARS Choose from three colors C&S Landscape Mix 25 lb. bag ...........

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PAGE 5

• 2 gal

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FluidHOME IMPROVEMENT VALLEY OFF Trans-Hydraulic

Open: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SERVICES AVAILABLE:

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An Employee Owned & Local Business Since 1957

I I F

PAGE 6

(MS) Home improvement projects can inadvertently expose homeowners to hidden dangers. For example, lead paint may be lurking underneath layers of existing paint in older homes. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. It is essential that homeowners control their exposure to lead or other hazardous substances through the use of protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator. If lead is discovered, it may require professional containment and cleanup. Contact your local health authority if you discover or suspect you have discovered lead paint or other hazardous materials in your home.

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 2016

Protect pipes from this

winter

(MS) Freezing pipes are a concern for homeowners who live in cold climates. When temperatures dip below freezing, the risk that pipes will freeze rises. Should a pipe burst, the damage that results can be extensive and costly.

Any pipe can freeze, but those that are directly exposed to the cold are the most vulnerable. These include pipes that feed outdoor hoses, swimming pool supply lines, pipes in unheated indoor rooms (i.e., basements or garages), and any pipes that run close to the outdoors through uninsulated walls.

Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion can place pressure on whatever is trying to contain it including pipes.

To avoid serious damage, homeowners need to prepare for the arrival of colder weather and be smart about how they protect pipes.

• rain water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines prior to the onset of cold weather. rain water efore free ing temperatures

arrive, and don’t forget to drain outdoor garden hoses and store them inside after watering season has come and gone.

• Close indoor water valves that feed outdoor spigots/bibs. Open the spigot outside to allow water to drain out. Keep the outside valve open so that any water that has accumulated will continue to drain and expand outward without damaging the pipe.

An insulated bib dome also can help prevent frozen pipes.

• pen ca inet doors to allow heat to reach pipes inside of cabinets. Keep the doors open to spaces that may not be heated or insulated as well as other areas of the home so that heat can find its way inside. Consider wrapping these pipes with an insulating material as well, such as heat tape or pipe sleeves.

• aintain a consistent thermostat temperature. Ensure the temperature inside your home does not drop below 55 F; otherwise, problems can arise.

Use a programmable thermostat to keep the house comfortable even when you are not home. Individuals who are traveling should set the thermostat so that it will keep the home at the recommended temperature to avoid frozen pipes.

• pen one faucet. hen it is very cold outside, particularly at night, let water slowly drip from one faucet to prevent free ing. Choose the sink that is furthest from where water enters the house so water is flowing through all of the pipes to reach that faucet.

• Increase insulation around where pipes enter the house. Use insulating foam to seal any drafts where pipes enter the house from the outdoors.

Frozen pipes cannot always be avoided. Therefore, it is important that everyone in the household knows how to shut off the main water valve in the event a pipe bursts. This can prevent expensive damage to a home.

Basement Solutions & Radon Solutions Certified Radon Testing and Mitigation WET BASEMENT REPAIR • Wall Repair • Sump Pumps • Drainage Systems

FREE ESTIMATES ••• GUARANTEED

507-351-2413

Serving Mankato & Surrounding Areas

Lic# BC637440

SEPTEMBER 2016

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

PAGE 7

home improvement season with maintenance projects (MS) By Scott McGillivray

is Roxul ComfortBatt insulation. It’s easy to install, cuts simply with a serrated blade or bread knife and As the days get longer and the weather im- protects against fire, moisture and mold. Aim for a proves, this is the time to depth of 16 inches or an make sure that our homes R-value of 50. Insulating or rental properties are well properly could also promaintained. Here are a few vide added benefits, such do-it-yourself projects to as improving the longevkeep your home in tip-top ity of your air conditioner shape: by reducing stress on the

• op up your at unit as temperatures rise. tic insulation. Many older

• Inspect your homes have inadequate roof and make minor relevels of insulation in the pairs. Winter can be espeattic that wouldn’t meet cially hard on a roof. Look today s uilding code. op for ice, hail or water damping it up will help reduce age. Replace any cracked energy consumption and keep your house cooler in or missing shingles and clear any debris. the summer months. A great product for this task • Clean your gutters. It s not glamorous work,

but your home’s gutters play an essential role in moving water away from your home and preventing damage. Consider installing gutter guards to ensure your gutters remain functional and free from debris.

• Inspect windows and doors and re caulk where necessary. Because a proper seal is essential in both heating and cooling seasons, this job should be performed twice a year to protect against drafts and moisture, and to keep insects out. Worn weatherstripping should also be replaced.

Other simple jobs include fixing leaky faucets, repairing and resealing decks, inspecting the foundation and scheduling a checkup for your HVAC system. he key is eing honest a out what you can handle and, when in doubt, call in the pros.

Scott McGillivray is the award-winning TV host of the hit series Income Property, a full-time real estate investor, contractor, author, and educator. Follow him on Twitter @smcgillivray.

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VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 2016

TRANSFORM SPACES (MS) Cool weather often drives people to spend more hours indoors than they do during the warmer months. Autumn is a time to winterize gardens, put away lawn furniture and prepare for the holiday season. Autumn also provides the perfect opportunity to begin home interior projects.

Many people decide to redecorate their homes to reflect each season. When temperatures change, it’s time to transition from the light colors and breezy fabrics symbolic of summer to thicker, darker materials that evoke coziness.

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With some inspiration and a little know-how, any homeowner or apartment dweller can cozy up a space in time for fall and winter.

• Invest in area rugs. hile wood floors can look beautiful and work well with many different design styles, wood can feel chilly underfoot. Thick area rugs add warmth to a room and can help it look more lived-in. Area rugs also help a room appear more cohesive, coordinating with other colors in a space and providing a visual border.

• ractice layering in rooms.

An affordable and relatively easy way to make a room seem

more cozy is to layer fabrics and other accents. Layers can include throws and blankets. Remove place mats from the dining room table and use them on accent tables or an ottoman in the living room. Table runners also can add a splash of color to the top of bedroom dressers.

• lay with te ture. Look for fa rics that oast te ture and can add a tactile feel to spaces. When used on throw pillows or small accents, fau fur can create that cozy cabin feel. Draperies made COZY RETREAT continued on page 12

SEPTEMBER 2016

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT age the development of disease. In addition, leaves can harbor insects that also may contribute to disease. While it might seem like common sense to delay leaf removal until the end of autumn when all the leaves have fallen, that, too, can prove harmful to lawns.

Leaves left laying on lawns for long periods of time can contribute to the same types of damage as leaves left

sightly gray or brown spots indicative of dead grass. Pink snow mold may be even worse than gray snow mold because pink mold attacks the roots as well as the leaves. To prevent snow mold, continue mowing into the fall, even as lawns grow dormant, clearing the lawn of grass clippings and leaves after each mow. Thick lawns may provide a breeding ground for snow

mold, so homeowners whose lawns have a history of developing snow mold may benefit from mowing their lawns into the fall.

Winter is rarely easy on lawns, but homeowners can take several steps to prepare their lawns for potentially harsh winter weather.

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lawn care pointers (MS) Winter weather can be harsh, especially on lawns. Homeowners who spend much of spring and summer tending to their lawns may fear the impact that winter will have on their once-lush landscapes, making the fall a great time to fortify lawns against any harsh conditions to come.

Homeowners must take grass type into consideration before taking steps to prepare their lawns for the winter.

Some grasses are best fertilized in late-summer, while others should be fertilized in autumn. Cool-season grasses, including fescue and bluegrass, are best fertilized sometime between the months of September and November. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda or zoysia, should be fertilized between July and September. Once homeowners have gained a greater understanding of their lawns, they can begin exploring the various ways to prepare their lawns for whatever winter has in store.

1. Explore winterizing fertilizers.

Homeowners who want to make their grasses more winter hardy can consult landscaping professionals to determine if winterizing fertilizers will work for their lawns. These specially formulated fertilizers, many of which are made exclusively for cool-season grasses, contain higher levels of potassium and lower levels of nitrogen than early-season fertilizers. Potassium helps strengthen and harden plants, and cool-season grasses may need extra potassium as winter settles in.

Homeowners who are not sure if they should apply winterizing fertilizer can conduct soil tests to determine the potassium levels in their soil. If the test indicates the soil has sufficient potassium, then applying a winterizing fertilizer is likely unnecessary. In addition, homeowners who have fed their

on the lawn throughout winter, so do your best to remove leaves as they fall.

3. Take steps to fight snow mold.

Homeowners who live in regions where snow falls into spring or where spring tends to be cold and damp may want to take steps to prevent snow mold. Gray snow mold typically looks fuzzy and gray, and lawns infested with snow mold may develop un-

PAGE 9

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2. Get rid of fallen leaves.

While fallen leaves may be integral components of idyllic autumn landscapes, leaves left on the lawn throughout the winter may lead to disease in the grass. Leaves trap moisture and block sunlight and air from reaching grass, and that can encour-

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(MS) Trees may require pruning for a variety reasons. Storms may have damaged branches, necessitating a pruning. In other instances, trees may have outgrown their yards, overpowering the landscape.

Autumn and winter, when trees largely go dormant and fallen leaves make it easier to see the branches beneath, may be prime times to prune.

Pruning during the dormant period also minimizes sap loss and stress to the tree, and can help cut down on the growth of fungi. In addition, insects are less likely to be problematic during the colder months of the year.

Trimming and pruning can be handled by do-it-yourselfers if the branches are smaller and more manageable. Practice on thinner branches before moving on to thicker ones, which may require extra help. Branches may be heavy, and it takes a guided hand to ensure the branches fall in a safe manner so they do not cause damage or injury.

Branches also need to be trimmed properly to facilitate good healing. Trees will form a callus bark covering over cuts to keep out disease and decay, much as a scab forms over

a person’s wound. Damaging the bark on a tree while pruning may interfere with that process, so do-it-yourselfers need to take the time to prune correctly.

According to Danny Lipford, home improvement expert and host of the radio program ‘Today’s Homeowner,’ larger limbs may require three cuts instead of one. The first cut is a small notch in the bottom of the limb, around two to three feet from the trunk and about one-quarter of the way through. This helps prevent the bark from splitting. A relief cut is then made a few inches away from the notch cut, and goes all the way through. This removes the weight of the branch so that the final cut can be made without the branch splitting and falling. The final cut is made right where the limb extrudes from the branch collar, or the swollen bump that then forms into the tree limb. Follow the slant of the branch collar when making the cut. Smaller or thinner branches may not require the same three steps, but every effort should be made to reduce injury to the tree.

When deciding how much to

prune, less is usually more. All pruning can put some level of stress on the tree and increase its vulnerability to disease and insect infestation. A good rule of thumb is to never prune more than 25 percent of the crown. According to experts at TreeHelp.com, living branches should comprise at least two-thirds the height of the tree. In some instances, the rules may need to be bent if trees are interfering with utility lines or to meet community laws. However, always prune minimally to avoid damaging the tree.

The right tools also make the job safer and easier. Use a pole pruner and lopper, rope saws, folding pruner, and a bucksaw. A chainsaw can be used in some instances, especially when pruning larger limbs. Always disinfect pruning tools after you’re done to prevent the spread of disease to other trees.

Consider hiring a professional tree service if pruning proves beyond your capabilities. Doing so is safe and often well worth the investment.

SEPTEMBER 2016

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

(MS) Apple pie, pumpkins and blooming chrysanthemums are symbols of autumn. But nothing signals the arrival of fall more than the millions of leaves that begin to cascade from the trees as the temperatures dip.

Many people feel nothing is more beautiful than the yellow, red, purple, and orange leaves that coat neighborhoods and countrysides each fall. But in spite of their beauty, leaves might be a nuisance to homeowners tasked with removing the growing piles of them from their lawns. Those with large oak and maple trees in front of their homes understand the seemingly endless work of leaf removal.

A s the days begin to grow shorter and colder, these changes trigger a hormone release in trees, prompting them to drop their leaves. This chemical message causes the formation of abscission cells where the leaf stem meets the branch, say botanists at the Missouri Botanical Garden. So rather than merely dropping off of trees when the wind blows, the leaves actually fall off deliberately.

Left untouched, fallen leaves can contribute to lawn problems such as poor aeration, mold growth and moisture issues. Leaves also can cause

staining on driveways and walkways. Prompt removal can help prevent any problems. To make faster and easier work of leaf removal, keep these tips in mind.

• ow over thin leaf coverage.

If only a few leaves have fallen, use a mulching mower to shred the leaves until they are small enough that they won’t suffocate the lawn. The small pieces will decompose in the lawn, reintroducing nutrients as a result.

• se an ergonomic leaf rake. rgonomic rakes can prevent back and arm pain, much in the way that ergonomic shovels do when shoveling snow.

PAGE 11

• Invest in a quality leaf blower. sing a rake is good exercise, but homeowners with large properties might want to use a leaf blower. These machines can dislodge leaves from bushes and hard-to-reach crevices, and they work faster than rakes.

• se a tarp. ake or low leaves onto a tarp and then drag the tarp to the curbside or to the back of a truck for proper disposal. Special leaf scoo-

pers enable you to grab more leaves if they need to be picked up and transported. Otherwise, you can use the covers from two garbage pails to achieve a similar effect.

• ork with the wind. ake in the direction the wind is blowing and downhill if your property slopes. This way it will be easier on you, and you won’t be working against Mother Nature.

• pread out the o . o not at-

tempt to remove all fallen leaves in a single day.

Schedule a few cleaning days during the season to make lighter work of the o than if you tried to do it all at once.

Keep in mind that leaves will continue to fall throughout the season and you may need to spend a few days removing leaves from your yard.

emoving leaves is a large part of fall home maintenance. mploy these tips to make this task less strenuous.

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PAGE 12

VALLEY HOME IMPROVEMENT

Home improvement projects for your

(MS) Homeowners know that maintaining a home can be a year-round o . o home is immune to wear and tear, and homeowners who want to pro tect their real estate investments should try to stay two steps ahead to ensure their homes do not succumb to the elements or become outdated and unappealing to prospective buyers.

all has ecome a season that s synonymous with home improvement, but homeowners need not wait until the leaves begin changing colors to start planning their ne t pro ects. he following are a few items homeowners can add to their fall home improvement to-do lists.

Roof inspection

Less precipitation tends to fall during the warmer months than during the late fall and winter. As a result, homeowners may not be aware of leaky roofs until autumn has come and gone. But waiting until winter to inspect the roof can prove disastrous, as weather conditions will not be conducive to inspection and increased precipitation may result in potentially costly damage.

Leaky roofs can e easily identi ed y looking for water stains on interior ceil ings. Once you see a stain, you can climb onto the roof to identify the location of the leak and fix it before winter rains and snowfall turn the problem into something much larger. Inspect your ceilings for signs of leaking after a strong rainfall, and then address any leaks immediately.

Gutter cleaning

hile some homeowners prefer to delay their gutter cleaning pro ects until late fall, those whose homes are surrounded by trees may need to schedule two such pro ects. utters clogged with leaves and other de ris can cause serious roof damage, and that damage can extend all the way inside a home.

In addition, clogged gutters make great nesting areas for insects or critters.

Always stand on a ladder when cleaning gutters, wearing gloves to remove items by hand and dropping leaves and debris into a trash can below. Standing on the roof and leaning over gutters greatly increases your risk of in ury. If the gutters are clear when you first examine them in early fall, you can wait until later in the season to give them a complete and thorough cleaning. Once you have finished clearing the gutters, you can use a hose to run water through them and the downspouts to confirm everything is functioning properly.

Window and doorway inspection Before temperatures start dropping once again, homeowners will want to inspect their windows and doorways for leaks. Over time, cracks can develop around windows and doorways, and while such cracks are rarely noticeable

WINTERS

when the weather outside is warm, they can be quite obvious and very costly if they remain unsealed come the start of winter. Cold air can enter a home through cracks around windows and doorways, and many homeowners who don t suspect leaks may respond y turning up the thermostats in their homes.

That can prove quite expensive over a full winter. Choose a windy autumn day

SEPTEMBER 2016

now is the time to plant The arrival of cooler weather marks a prime time to plant bulbs that will bloom come spring and summer. Bulbs should be planted as soon as the ground is cool, ideally when temperatures average between 40 and 50 F. Just be sure to plant bulbs at least six weeks before the ground freezes for optimal success. Always follow the ul distri utor s guidelines for planting, including suggestions regarding spacing and soil depth. emove any weeds and loosen the soil to get started. In addition, think a out mi ing in compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil if it lacks nutrients.

COZY RETREAT continued from page 8

Autumn is a great time to inspect patios that might have endured some wear and tear during the heavy usage seasons of spring and summer. to place a hand by windows and external doorways in your home to see if you can feel drafts. If you can, seal these cracks as soon as possi le.

Patio cleanup

atios are popular hangouts during spring and summer, and that can result in a lot of wear and tear. Once you store patio furniture for the winter, inspect your entire patio to determine if it needs any refurbishing. While certain patio pro ects may e est left for spring, you can still clean any stained areas around the grill and look for cracks in the sidewalk that need to be addressed. reparing for fall home improvement pro ects ahead of time can help home owners complete pro ects in a timely manner and ensures they won t e forced to brave the winter elements when refurbishing their homes.

from nubby fabrics or those with grooves and ridges can add dimension to a room as well. Even a lampshade made of an unusual fabric, such as a wafflepatterned material, can add a little depth and warmth to a space.

• eevaluate your lighting. Lighting a space is more than ust ipping on a switch. Finding the right balance of lighting fixtures can instantly transform the feel of a room. Create more warmth and a cozy feel by switching out bulbs from cooler shades to warmer ones - those that give off yellow and pink hues rather than cool blues. Accent lighting helps establish a comfortable space for curling up and reading a good book. Spot lighting, such as fixtures that are trained on artwork or inside of a curio or china cabinet, also can set a more welcoming mood.

• Install a ookshelf and start a ook collection. iles and stacked ooks can add warmth to any space. Books evoke the hallowed halls of schools and quiet nooks in the library. Fill shelves with books interspersed with additional design accents, and you will instantly make a room feel more inviting.

• Choose dark paint. o not feel nervous a out incorporating deeper shades in rooms. ark colors give rooms a more enclosed feel than lighter colors, and that can create a warm and cozy feeling. This works particularly well in larger spaces that feel vast and empty. If you re scared to paint all of your walls, try a darker shade elow a chair rail or ust paint one accent wall.

• Add architectural elements. hink a out adding rich moldings to crown the ceilings or to frame doorways. If you have the space for a nook, create a window seat beneath a picture window or add a bench and cushions in a corner for a nice escape spot.

Use the colder weather as an opportunity to reinvent some of the rooms in your home. With paint, texture, fabric, lighting, and more, rooms can be quickly transformed into cozy respites from the cold.

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PAGE 13

Preparing your fireplace or stove (MS) Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves not only can be beautiful focal points within a home, but they also provide an additional source of heat and can be used to keep rooms or entire homes comfortable without the need for additional and potentially costly heating sources.

Just like more modern home heating systems, stoves and fireplaces need to be maintained, and that maintenance includes readying them before winter when they are used more heavily. Ensuring a fireplace or stove is in good working order helps to guarantee efficiency of use and safety during the winter months.

Open-flame heating sources carry with them certain risks. The National Fire Protection Association states that, between 2009-2013, American fire departments responded to 56,000 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. The NFPA notes that the leading factor contributing to home-heating fires is a failure to keep things clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment.

The following are a handful of ways to stay safe as you get ready for another cozy season around the fire.

• tart with the chimney. egin y having your chimney thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Creosote can build up inside of the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and becomes more difficult and expensive to clean the longer it builds up inside your flue lining. In addition, animals may have created nest inside of the chimney since the last time the fireplace was used. A professional chimney sweep should be hired in this situation. He or she will be able to effectively clean the chimney in a manner that is the least messy and disruptive to residents.

•Install or check smoke and car on mono ide detectors. Operational alarms are essential to preventing injury or death resulting from smoke or carbon monoxide inhalation. Such detectors are inexpensive safeguards that should e installed on every oor of the house. atteries should be replaced every six months, and the alarms them-

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Prepare fireplaces, chimneys and heating stoves for another season of regular use. selves should be changed every five to 10 years.

•Inspect the chimney from outdoors as well. Inspect the mortar around any bricks in the chimney and surrounding areas for cracks. If left unaddressed, these can cause dangerous fires. If there are serious cracks, a professional may need to make repairs or the chimney may need to be replaced. You also can have the chimney capped with a screen to keep animals and debris from entering.

•Inspect the damper. A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a chimney. It should be checked prior to the first use of a stove or fireplace so homeowners can be certain it opens and closes smoothly.

•Clear out amma le items. ove amma le items

away from the front of a replace or stove. e sure curtains or other home furnishings are far enough away that they will not catch fire from any errant sparks or flames.

• rder wood now. e sure there is plenty of wood for the season. Ask a wood supplier to estimate just how much will be needed, and double-check that the wood will arrive in time for the start of the season.

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How to prevent (MS) Mold plays an important role in nature. Mold breaks down dead organic matter, including fallen leaves, and speeds up the decomposition process so nutrients can return to the soil as quickly as possible.

But mold inside a home can be a formidable foe, triggering allergic reactions and increasing a person’s risk of developing respiratory problems.

Mold can even cause damage to a home by attaching itself to wood and breaking down that wood.

Because the consequences of mold growth inside a home can be so dire, it’s important that men and women take steps to prevent mold growth in their homes and apartments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that controlling moisture levels in a home or apartment is the key to controlling mold as well.

•Address spills uickly and prop erly. Many instances of mold infestations can be traced to leaks or spills that were not quickly or properly addressed. The EPA advises that wet or damp materials or areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold. Make sure spills Bathrooms are vulnerable to mold growth. are thoroughly cleaned as opposed to a cursory cleanup of only the areas visible to the naked eye. Inspect nearby crevices when spills occur to ensure the area where the spill happened and all surrounding areas vulnerable to mold growth are dry. In addition, fix leaky plumbing fixtures immediately, hiring a

PAGE 15

growth in your home

professional if necessary.

•Inspect the ground surrounding your home. actors outside a home can sometimes contribute to mold growth within a home. Make sure the ground outside your home slopes away from the foundation. If the ground slopes toward your home, rainwater or runoff from sprinkler systems may direct water into your home, creating conditions favorable to mold growth inside. Gutters and downspouts also should be inspected to ensure they are working optimally.

If not, they can contribute to water damage on the roof that can ultimately lead to mold growth.

• onitor indoor humidity. he A advises that homeowners keep indoor humidity below 60 percent relative humidity, which can be measured with humidity meters available at many hardware stores. Homeowners who can keep indoor humidity at levels 30 to 50 percent below relative humidity might be even more successful at keeping indoor mold growth at bay.

• ry wet surfaces immediately. urfaces can ecome wet even if a home has no leaky tures and no spills have occurred. or e ample, the surfaces of bathroom walls, ceilings and floors get wet when a home’s inhabitants take hot baths or showers. That condensation is natural, but such surfaces are also susceptible to mold growth. Make sure to dry wet surfaces immediately, and keep exhaust fans on or windows open when bathing to decrease the likelihood of mold growth.

Mold growth can be detrimental to human beings and their homes. But many mold infestations are easily prevented.

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2 Bed • 2 Bath • MLS#7012564

4 Bed • 3 Bath • MLS#7012370

114,900

SEPTEMBER 2016

BUILDING DREAMS. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

155,000

$

$

520 Park Row, St. Peter 521 North Minnesota Ave., St. Peter

3 Bed • 1.75 Bath • MLS#7012488

169,900

$

5 Bed • 4 Bath • MLS#7012527

179,900

$

First National Bank of Le Center is excited to announce a full range of mortgage resources. Enjoy the conveniences of making your mortgage payment locally!

We are dedicated to finding the right loan-with the best rates, terms and costs-to meet your unique needs. Contact us today & join the many satisfied customers we have assisted…

“We’re your neighbors and friends”

723 N 8th St., Peter

1204 Lloyd Lane, St. Peter

4 Bed • 2 Bath • MLS#7011512

218,500

$

3 Bed • 3 Bath • MLS#7011629

269,000

$

Brooks O’Keefe

Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS#378234 First National Bank of Le Center 34 North Park Avenue Le Center, MN 56057 C: 952.994.4838 / O: 507.357.8375 F: 507.357.6687 Brooks@fnblecenter.com

5 0 7 -9 3 1 -1 7 0 3 S t. P eter, MN pellinc. com

Lisa M. Simon

Loan Officer NMLS#803471 First National Bank of Le Center 34 North Park Avenue Le Center, MN 56057 O: 507.357.8374 F: 507.357.6687 LSimon@fnblecenter.com

Lee P ell ( after h ou rs ) 507-931-9097 Matt B rostrom ( after h ou rs ) 507-514-3307 S h ari B rostrom ( after h ou rs ) 507-317-3641

Think of us when you are ready to sell your home.

Le Center 507-357-2273 Kilkenny 507-595-2273

www.fnblecenter.com