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MASTERING THE HOUSE

USEFUL TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Tim Paino

Owner/Inspector Heartland HouseMaster

Moisture on the Move

Spring is coming and with those April showers we get more than just May flowers.

A reoccurring issue with every home is water and moisture. It comes down from the sky, up from the ground, it comes from the inside and from the outside. In the solid form it hammers our shingles as hail, causes ice dams backing water up our roof covering and works to breakup our concrete. In liquid form it finds a path through our roof, walls, and foundation. And as a vapor it sneaks into all kinds of hidden places to promote mold grow above us in our attics and below us in the crawlspaces. Our task is to control this beast and keep it from doing harm to our homes.

First thing to do during a nice Spring shower is to walk around your home and make sure the gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks are all functioning to get the rainwater away from the foundation of our home. We want to move the water, with no obstruction, at least ten feet away from the home.

As we prepare to bring in another load of mulch, we need to confirm our landscaping is not holding the moisture next to the home. I see many homeowners work extremely hard to make their landscape beds look fabulous, only to create a holding tank for moisture up next to the home.

There are a couple important items we must remember when working in the landscape beds next to our homes. Number one is to allow the siding to drain. The foundation of your home should be exposed by a minimum of 4 to 6 inches. This space allows any moisture that becomes trapped between the framing and the siding on your home to drain out of the bottom. This includes making sure the weep holes in the bottom course of brick is visible and can drain. The space also prevents exterior moisture from damaging the siding or even the framing of the home. As a home inspector I have been in many crawl spaces only to discover the base plate between the foundation and framing has totally decayed from moisture, allowing the homes floor to sink.

Next, check the sump pump to make sure it is working. Whether it is in the basement or crawlspace, we need to activate the pump and confirm it is still working. The average life of a sump pump is about 10 years. It is recommended even if it is currently working; but is older than seven years, looks rusty, or vibrates when running, it most likely should be replaced. If you do not have a backup system installed, this might be a good time to consider having one added to your system.

Enjoy the coming of Spring and stay high and dry. ______________________________________________

Our First Place

By Noel Gatlin

Every newlywed couple must establish their first place. Ours was a little double on 11th street in Speedway, Indiana. We were three houses from Main Street, and we took possession in April of 1969. Now, any Indianapolis person knows that May is Race month, so we were so excited to be there at Race time. I made some spending money parking cars in the side yard. I even parked them on the railroad property. Glad they never noticed.

There was one small problem we had to face. The railroad tracks ran right next to our back door. You could stand on the back door stoop and spit and hit the tracks. Our dishes rattled. There was a law that the train had to blow its horn a couple hundred feet from the crossing so that put it right at our door when she blew.

The next thing we had to do was get furniture and decorate. We had very little money to work with, so this was a challenge. Dorothy picked out Early Spanish Mediterranean and our colors were orange and green (this was all new to me). Our relatives all pitched in old junk furniture which helped.

I was working at the phone company, right out of the Air Force, and I made a small paycheck. I drove a company truck a lot and was always stopping for gas. I made sure I always bought gas at the stations that gave green stamps. I licked those stupid things and put them in books. We got most of our decorations from them, including these chain-dangling, candles-holding sconces. It seemed like every time the train came through the candles fell out. Yuck.

We ate at a card table and chairs in the kitchen and when I was seated, I had the door blocked so, if Dorothy had to go to the bathroom, I had to get up and move my chair. You know what, we didn’t care. We were in love. I wonder if other newly weds ever start out this way? I hope so. It makes you appreciate what you achieve.

Oops, here comes the 2 a.m. train. _____________________________________________

Exploring Hendricks County

By Jackie Horn

Sights and Sounds of Spring

Spring officially arrived last Saturday at 5:37 a.m.. As I’m writing this, the extended weather forecast is calling for partly sunny and a high temperature of 49 degrees and a low of 37 degrees. Not exactly picnicking weather but there are a few signs that spring is on the way.

Red-winged Blackbirds may not be a birdwatcher’s favorite (they’re one of the most common birds in North America) but they do signal the coming of spring. While some Redwingeds may stick around all winter, most head to warmer climes. About the first of March, the males (they’re the ones with the bright orange splash on their wings) start arriving back on the breeding grounds. The females follow a few weeks later. That’s when the singing (mating calls) begins; and the birdfeeder raids. A flock of Red-winged Blackbirds can empty a feeder lickity-split. Once things warm up enough for insects, the feeding station will be safe again.

Another signal spring is on the way is turtles. Depending on the habitat preference, some turtles hibernate in burrows dug into the ground and covered with leaf debris. Turtles that live in the water move to the bottom of the pond to sleep away the winter. While the top of the pond or lake may freeze, the water temperature beneath will remain above freezing and stable. The turtle’s metabolism slows down and it switches from breathing with its lungs to breathing through its tail. Its body absorbs oxygen through its blood vessels close to the skin surface. The tail has the most vessels closest to the body’s surface. Pretty slick! When air temperatures rise above 50 degrees, turtles come out of hibernation. The turtle’s oxygen-depleted body needs to speed up its metabolism to rid itself of toxins that have built up during hibernation. Being cold-blooded, it needs heat to do that. A nice sunny, warm asphalt road works well for getting things moving but moving V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y. Motorists need to drive more carefully on roads around wetlands keeping an eye out for groggy turtles.

Spring wildflowers begin to pop up. Harbinger of Spring, Spring Beauty, and Rue Anemone are all native, early bloomers to look out for in March and April.

Perhaps my favorite sound of spring is the tiny chorus frogs, Spring Peepers. These guys are only the size of a paper clip, but their song is huge.

Spring Peepers live in woodlands near ephemeral (temporary) ponds or wetlands. They are amphibians and need water to lay their eggs and metamorphose from tadpole to frog. The species is the first to emerge from hibernation and they’re ready to get busy with the mating season. Peepers can handle temperatures as low as 17 degrees Fahrenheit so early spring freezes don’t put a damper on the rush to romance. Large groups (several hundred individuals) congregate in the grasses and brush around a pool or pond and the music begins. The males “sing” to attract the females to the water where they breed. Females choose a mate based on the speed and volume of the calls. Older, larger males sing louder and faster which is the style the ladies prefer. To me, on a spring evening the sound is amazing; to others, really annoying. It must be like bagpipes, you either love it or hate it.

Wildflowers and turtles, bird calls or frog songs, Nature reminds us that spring is just around the corner.

It’s music to my ears. ______________________________________________

ASK MR. TRAFFIC

By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/ Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com

Rush Hour Addiction

Challenge: Avoid Rush Hour For One Week

Daily fluctuations in traffic are somewhat predictable. Exceptions include unusual proximity to factories, schools, event centers, or Amazon warehouses. And because “flattening the curve” is no longer a traffic engineering secret, here’s what I do before leaving the house (actually, this is the second thing I do before leaving the house): I look at the hourly traffic volume graph between where I am and where I’m going. I keep all this information in a handy 3-ring binder in my car. I also gave one to my wife but she seems to have misplaced it.

It’s simple to travel “between the peaks.” It does limit spontaneity but trust me, if you travel between the peaks you not only contribute to curve-flattening, you’ll be astounded at the lack of traffic. “Where is everybody?” I can’t tell you how many times I made an appointment for 9:30 in the morning only to wonder, “Where are all the cars? Is it a holiday?” Often, assuming a natural disaster, I would return home and climb under my bed. Did you know if you don’t show for an appointment you are charged a cancellation fee?

In general, approximately 9 to 10% of daily traffic is on the roadway during rush hour. And 10% of daily traffic is a lot more than 1/24th of daily traffic. Also, Alexa has no idea how to convert 60 minutes to a percentage but I’m pretty sure it’s less than 10%.

The above graph illustrates a typical 24-hr fluctuation curve and recommended time periods to go places. I can only describe it as an addiction since most of us already “know” this but there’s something about seeing it visually (visually is the best way to see things) that helps to be intentional about our day. So meet your friend for coffee mid-morning or mid-afternoon (or both). Schedule appointments, groceries, etc., between the peaks. Please try this: for one week write down every time you get in your car (date, time, and purpose) and then make a copy of the list, throw the original away, and then throw the copy away. Report back. ______________________________________________

Our Readers Write

It is a sad situation that there is so little respect for the police. Yes, there are bad policeman but the majority are good human beings. We have a young police woman in our neighborhood who stopped and introduced herself to us and our visitors. Then when we had the big snow who should appear on a 4 wheeler but the same police woman. She plowed our drive way even though it was her day off. My husband is on the Hendricks County Merit Board. Before covid he rode with 100 young deputies. He saw them check on homeless men and even bring them food. Pick up trash cans that blew into the road. Hendricks County has the cream of the crop in regards to deputies. So when we see a police man/woman lets thank them for their service. Most importantly show proper respect.

Bee Jones

______________________________________________

To all involved:

We recently received our second coronavirus injection at Hendricks County 4-H Center. We want to say, “THANK YOU,” to everyone who was involved in organizing and conducting this operation. Everyone we encountered on both visits was friendly, professional and efficent.

We only hope that all government operations function with such friendliness and efficency.

Thanks again, Dave & Jane Potter Danville ______________________________________________

Hendricks CountyMaster Gardener

By Colletta Kosiba

Get An Early Growing Start With A Cold Frame

Using a cold frame

Cold frames are mini-greenhouses. Some have solid wood sides with a removable clear top lid made of glass or plastic. They trap and hold the heat of the day so plants are warm enough to make through cold nights.

Most important thing, be sure to vent the opening each day. It can get so hot you could cook your plants without venting even on the coldest of days. Vent the frame when the outside temperature is 40°F or higher. The transparent cover causes the soil to dry out more quickly inside the cold frame than outside, so be sure to keep the soil moist!

There are many kinds of cold frames:

A portable frame: basically, a wooden box, 1 by 12’s -cover with glass or plastic. You choose the size, Your plants will remain in this garden spot.

Bales of straw: put the bales of straw in place, cover with top glass or plastic. Straw is thick and very insulating, easy to come by. inexpensive and fully biodegradable when finished with bales, easy to assemble

A plastic hoop tunnel: for garden- sink 12-18 inch metal stakes about 6-8 inches in ground. Slide 6 foot sections of PVC pipe over them creating an arch. Next stretch plastic over the hoops and attach. Let soil warm before planting seed. Works well in spring and fall too.

Got basic carpentry skills? A permanent cold frame is a simple project. Or you can buy a ready-made one.

Cement Blocks: Use cement blocks for the frame; use old windows for the cover.

You could build a cover for your raised bed. For cold frames -A south facing spot is best. Cold frames are all built on your garden soil. Remember to check on the vent. You will remove the cover when it is warmer.

Cold frames are structures that utilizes solar energy. They create a microclimate within your frame. You have the opportunity to get your plants going a few weeks early. Might be fun to try!

“I will seed you later!”

A Bark From the Past: Henry

[Editor’s Note: The Republican’s first four-footed correspondent was Henry, a mixed breed rescue dog, who made observations about small town life from a dog’s point of view. This column was orginally published in 2009.

WOOF! We had a couple of really nice days in a row and everybody in the neighborhood has been in such a good mood!

On our walk the other evening, we saw our neighbor digging up his yard. For some reason, digging makes humans happy. I always get into trouble when I dig up the yard, but when a human does it, it’s okay.

When my human started talking to our neighbor, I found out that he is making a garden!

We’ve had lots of flowers in our yard this year—crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths—and do they smell pretty! I love to smell flowers. My humans were saying that they could stand on the front porch and smell the hyacinths. Their noses must not work too well. When I go outside, I can smell all the different flowers. I can even tell where the smell is coming from!

My humans planted some tomatoes last year. And they planted herbs right outside the kitchen door. When they open the door to let air in through the screen, the whole house smells so good!

For some reason, humans don’t think that we dogs like vegetables, but that’s wrong! I love vegetables of all

kinds. I can’t wait to walk uptown when the farmers’ market opens in May! We wander up and down the row of stands and see and smell all those fresh vegetables! They don’t smell like bug spray, like the ones my humans bring home from the grocery. And I get to greet all the friendly humans and get lots of petting, besides!

My favorite vegetables are tomatoes, carrots, and squash. My humans gave me little tomatoes off their vines last summer if they weren’t perfect. I’m not sure why one little worm hole makes a tomato bad for humans, but as long as they give it to me, that’s fine! I love to pick up a whole little tomato and bite it and feel it squish between my teeth and let the juice run out the sides of my mouth. That’s fun and it tastes great!

I feel sorry for cats. We dogs can eat just about anything and get along just fine, but if cats don’t have meat, they get sick. I got sick once when I ate a bar of soap, but as far as I remember, that’s the only thing that’s ever upset my stomach.

About the only vegetable I don’t like is asparagus. It doesn’t taste bad, but I ate some last year and it made my pee smell funny! When we went for a walk after supper, I marked a few spots, and some of my friends said later that they couldn’t tell it was me! They thought there was a stranger on the block!

Anyway, I can’t wait for the neighbors to get their gardens going. There is always extra zucchini around and maybe a few tomatoes! Sometimes, I envy those farm dogs who live where the vegetables come from, but I wouldn’t trade the humans I have now for anything. Not even a little fresh tomato!

Thought for the Day: If you put out a garden, plant an extra row of everything and donate the produce to a food bank. Those less fortunate deserve to eat well. If you give just a little, you’ll get a lot in return.

A Squirrel About Town

By Archy

The weather had warmed up enough to join Archy under a shade tree for some weekend people watching.

“It’s a shame,” the squirrel said, “how some people become a slave to leisure.”

A question mark popped loudly into my head.

“You know them,” Archy answered. “People who have to schedule what they do when they’re not working. Ask them what they did over the weekend and they come up with a list a mile long.”

It became clear why some people look forward to Monday, so they can relax at work after a busy weekend.

“They display a disturbing lack of carelessness,” Archy commented. “No idea how to enjoy not doing anything. It’s what G.K. Chesterton bemoaned...” I waited a beat for the squirrel continue.

“...the noble habit of doing nothing.”

Class Rankings: Harbinger or Outdated Concept?

By Krishna Lathish

Try not to be any of these things at Avon High School: the kid who stops in the hallway during passing period, the kid who runs to lunch, or the kid who’s 26th.

At Avon, the top 25 students in a graduating class are awarded a celebratory dinner with teacher guests of their choice. In a vacuum, the concept should inspire academic excellence and healthy competition. But add in the human element, and when we do, you find that teenagers will be teenagers - and teenagers are mean.

Class ranking is being scrapped for coming generations of high schoolers, much to the relief of everyone who’s ever ran the gauntlet of “What’s your rank?’ that comes after every semester. Future lawyers, engineers, and astronauts hit the books and take every class with GPA weighting to present their parents with that elusive silver plate. And in private, some bare their teeth and gossip in caustic whispers about the poor kid who finds themself just short of success’s reach – number 26.

But 26th is far from failure. In a class of 800, at least 20 less than Avon’s class of 2022, being 26th places you in the top 3.25% of students in your grade; nothing to turn your nose up at. It’s clear that 26th’s sleepless nights, test corrections, blood, sweat, and tears are worth far more than a metal plate and a nice dinner, so why not top 26, or top 100?

The difference between 100th and 99th or 26th and 25th can be as little as a bad day, not to mention mental illness, financial struggles, or unstable homes. Who says that rank 8, the upper middle class student with doting doctors for parents, is more impressive than rank 120, the first generation college goer who juggled younger siblings, work, and a rigorous course load? Moreover, if you reward children spreading themselves paper thin for an night they won’t remember in 6 years, expect to see them turn into the 23% of adults reported in a study by Gallup to have burnout. Medals and plaques feel good and look better on top of Grandma’s fireplace, but the damage in defining success as being faster than the other guy will follow students beyond graduation. Class rank doesn’t reward effort; it punishes imperfection. And as Cracked magazine first enlightened us in the 70’s: pobody’s nerfect.

Teenagers make enough in and out groups by themselves; you need only visit a high school after midterms to see how one approved by school administration turns competition into bloodsport. The real world is, of course, rife with competition, but as far as I’m aware, performance reviews don’t come with a ranking of where you stand next to your coworkers and a night out with your boss. I’m sure that the loss of class rank will not mean a loss of achievement; suffice it to say that my friend getting an A doesn’t turn my B into a C. Applaud your valedictorians, salutatorians, and your 26th, 100th, and 800th too; making it through 1,460 days of rumors, finals weeks, and hormones deserves an unconditional standing ovation in my book. _____________________________________________