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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT
the north platte telegraph
Test detectors monthly, change batteries regularly By Heather Johnson hjohnson@nptelegraph.com
The majority of deaths caused by fire are the result of smoke inhalation — not flames. That’s according to George Lewis, fire marshal at the North Platte Fire Department. Lewis estimated about 10 percent of the fires the department has responded to over the years could have been prevented had a smoke detector been in place. He’s not sure why people fail to have the device in their homes — especially when it could mean the difference between life or death. “I think it’s probably just out of sight, out of mind,” Lewis said. “The majority of residential fires happen at night. The smoke develops quicker than the flames. The faster the smoke is detected, the faster people can get out of the home.” Lewis recommends making safety a part of periodic home improvements. So does Blake Niesen, general manager of Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment in North Platte. According to Niesen, fresh batteries should be put in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every six months. “Typically, the battery lasts longer than six months, but it’s best to be on the safe side,” Niesen said. “Usually, the recommendation is to change the batteries when the time changes.” This year, Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 3. Niesen said entire alarms should be replaced every 10 years. “We run across some that have been in buildings for 20 years and still work fine,” Niesen said. “But to make sure the detectors stay in good operating condition, they should be cycled out before that.”
Diane Wetzel / The North Platte Telegraph
Heather Johnson / The North Platte Telegraph
Experts say fresh batteries should be put in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every six months and they should be tested monthly. He said smoke detectors should be attached either to the ceiling or to the top of a wall near the ceiling. “It’s probably a good idea to put them in all rooms, but they should definitely be put in any room where there’s a risk,” Niesen said. “That includes kitchens, laundry areas and bedrooms in case a fire happens at night.” According to Niesen, carbon monoxide detectors should also be placed in bedrooms and near furnaces. Because most plug in to electrical outlets instead of relying on batteries, they usually end up on the bottom of walls. “Regardless of the type of detector, it’s not a bad idea to test it on a monthly basis,” Niesen said. “Most have a little button on the front that is pushed to trigger a warning siren. It’s something easy to do that could make all the difference during a critical situation.”
Side by side, a new filter and one that has been in use for three months. Changing furnace filters regularly will help keep air cleaner and the furnace running smoothly.
Changing filters regularly keeps furnace efficient By diane wetzel dwetzel@nptelegraph.com
Did you know that there is a National Air Filtration Association? These folks take furnace filters very seriously and so should you as you prepare for the coming winter. So when should you change your furnace filter? Once a month? Every six months? Every year? The short answer is when it is loaded with dust, but it is more complicated than that. Filters used in a standard residential heating and air conditioner system were originally designed to protect the heating and cooling equipment, not necessarily to clean the air. Air is pulled into the return ductwork by the system to be heated or cooled. The filter is set in the return ductwork to filter all the air before it comes into contact with the components of the HVAC system. Any filter, even an inexpensive one, will remove crud from the air so the system doesn’t get damaged by dirt and debris. According to iaqsource.com, a website source on air quality, a filter change every one to three months is a good idea. And a good quality filter can go beyond just protecting the equipment to improving health by trapping large allergens such as pollen, mold spores and dust mite debris. A good filter will also trap microscopic allergens such as smoke, pet dander, household dust and smog. Homeowners are limited in their choices of filters because of the 1-inch
size restriction. Choices for standard 1-inch filters are the standard fiberglass throwaway filter and pleated filters. The standard fiberglass filters from the 1950s are designed to remove only the larger particles from the air. They do have a very low resistance to air flow, making them the filters most often sold for home use. Pleated filters have more filter surface area because of the folds and can filter at a higher efficiency without adversely effecting the resistance to air flow. What size filter do you need? The easiest way to figure out what type you need is to look for a size number or part number on the filter you have now. If you aren’t sure where your heating and cooling unit is located, turn the thermostat on and follow the sound of the fan. Most filters are located on the right side of the furnace. You may have to remove an access panel to get to the filter. If you can’t find a size number on your filter, measure it. Filters are usually listed at nominal size, or in rounded up numbers. For example, if your filter measures 19.5 inches by 24.5 inches by seven-eights of an inch, look for a filter that is listed as 20” x 25” x 1” Changing a filter is as simple sliding the old one out and slipping the new one in. Before changing the filter, turn off the power to the furnace. Changing a filter can stir up a lot of dust, so it’s a good idea not to have the system running during the change.
Bathroom fans will help reduce moisture build-up By Heather Johnson hjohnson@nptelegraph.com
It’s an often overlooked but important piece of equipment. Not only does a bathroom fan remove odors from a home and improve air quality, it also sucks out moisture, causing humidity levels to drop. Officials say too much humidity can lead to mold development, which could be a health hazard. Too much moisture in a room can also cause mildew and ruin paint and building materials. According to the Nebraska Public Power District, many people have bathroom fans that let them down. They do that because they are: n too noisy n move too little air n are not energy efficient n cause a backdraft “The biggest problem I see is that people don’t vent the tube all the way out of the building,” said Steve Walker, NPPD energy efficiency consultant. “That’s especially true in older homes. The pipe that’s supposed to take the air outside is only taken part way through the home and dumps into the attic.” Walker said that can lead to other problems as temperatures change. Condensation occurs, which turns into ice when temperatures become cold. Then when it warms back up again, the ice melts and forms mold. “Another common mistake people make is they don’t put a flapper on the vent,” Walker said. “That’s where inefficiency comes into play because that can backdraft cold air into the home.” NPPD advises using smooth exhaust ducting. The joints should be sealed and the sections that run through unheated spaces should be insulated. “The exhaust tube needs to be in a straight line and not snake around the attic,” Walker said. “Every time you make a bend it reduces the airflow.” If it’s the fan itself that is the problem, NPPD recommends first identifying the size of fan needed. The size is typically based on the amount of air the fan can move in terms of cubic feet per minute. Walker said it’s a good idea to have eight air changes per hour. To determine
Heather Johnson / The North Platte Telegraph
Officials say having a properly working bathroom fan is crucial to removing odors and humidity. There are certain steps that should be taken to make sure a new fan is installed correctly. a size, NPPD suggests calculating the volume of the bathroom by multiplying the length by the width by the height. That amount should then be divided by 60 — the number of minutes in an hour. When that figure is multiplied by the eight air changes, it results in the size of fan needed. When shopping, customers may have to round up to the nearest size. “Another thing that needs to be considered is the quality,” Walker said. “Usually, the quieter the fan, the higher the efficiency.” The noise levels are typically rated in “sones” on the side of the box. “It’s best to get that sound rating below .5 sones,” Walker said. “I also always tell people to look for the Energy Star label. The box should show how much energy is used in the course of a year.” He suggested using a timer and keeping the fan separate from the light. “If it’s an older house, there’s probably one switch for both, and it’s either on or off,” Walker said. “But it takes a little bit of time for the humidity to leave a room after a shower is turned off. If the fan is shut down too soon, there will still be humidity left behind.” On the other hand, it’s not uncommon to leave fans separate from the lights on too long, using excess electricity. NPPD recommends using a timer with a maximum of 60 minutes.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT
the north platte telegraph
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
D3
Fertilize grass now for a greener spring By diane wetzel dwetzel@nptelegraph.com
As the earth prepares to rest for the winter months, now is the time to make sure your lawn has enough nutrition so it can prepare for next year. “Contrary to the old hearsay, people should cut their lawns at the same height they have been cut all year,” said Jay Turnbull, owner of Turnbull’s Landscaping in North Platte. “Don’t cut it lower. It stresses it more.” This has been a stressful summer for lawns anyway, he said, with a long dry spell in
August and high temperatures in September. “Lawns will still be alright now that is has cooled down,” he said. Fall is the most vital time to fertilize, unlike the misconception that spring is prime time for feeding. “The fall feeding is the most important one of the year,” Turnbull said. It is also a good time to repair a damaged lawn and reseed. If the lawn is showing signs of runoff and thinning, it could mean the dirt is compacted, he said.
“If people feel like they might have a compaction problem, this is a good time to aerate the lawn and overseed in the next few weeks,” Turnbull said. “People need to get seed down as soon as they can.” Aeration allows grass a chance to refresh and thicken before a winter freeze. Dethatching is another option that might help the lawn be thick and lush when spring comes around. Roots, dead stems and clippings can get trapped between the soil and the vegetation, blocking the dirt from getting
Fertilizing your lawn in the fall gives the grass the nutrients it needs to sustain life through the dormant stage of winter so it can come back green and lush in the spring. Courtesy photo
the nutrients and water it needs. A thatcher will slice through the dead stuff, lifting it up and out of the way, Turnbull said. And don’t put the sprinklers
away just yet. “You can water up until the temperature is close to being below 25 degrees,” Turnbull said.
Seal holes in homes to keep pesky flies out By Heather Johnson hjohnson@nptelegraph.com
Andrew Bottrell / The North Platte Telegraph
Joe Rimpley demonstrates how to caulk the edge of a doorway. Caulking during the fall months can help winterize your home, keeping hot air in as well as keeping moisture out.
Waterproof, weatherproof for more efficient home doors and windows, look around the outside to see if you see any gaps. Waterproofing your If you ever see your home during the fall blinds move when the months is important as window is closed, you you get your home ready know there’s a gap. That for the harsh winter way you can cover your months. gaps and be prepared for One way to get ready winter.” for winter is to check for Caulking doesn’t just cracks in your foundahelp winterize your tion each summer and home, Rimpley said. It fall, and to monitor doors can also keep cool air inand windows for gaps side during the summer, that could cause heat help keep insects and loss. bugs out and help keep “Basically, you’re wadust from getting inside. terproofing your house is Different types of what you’re doing,” said caulking are used, Joe Rimpley, at the Do It whether you’re working Center in North Platte. inside or outside, and “You don’t want strucwhether or not you want tural damage. A slow to paint over the surface. leak that you might not “The acrylic latex see left alone for a few caulk is paintable,” he years can cause major said, “where 100 percent damage. Leaks during silicon is not. It does the summer need to be come in a variety of colfixed before winter.” ors. They make a variety There are many of caulking.” different varieties of Rimpley said that store caulking to help you get employees where you buy your home winterized. your caulking should be If you don’t know a lot able to help you out with about caulking or you’re what you need to buy, a first-timer, Rimpley based on the type of projsaid most places that sell ect you’re working on. caulking can help you When you get to the apwith the basics. plication process, it’s imThe first thing you’ll portant to have a clean, need to know is where dry and dull surface. the problem areas are. “A standard caulk“Start with the basics,” ing gun will work fine. Make sure your surface he said. “Start with the By Andrew Bottrell abottrell@nptelegraph.com
preparation is correct,” Rimpley said. “Make sure it’s not too cold or too hot.” If you’re working with acrylic caulk, you can use water to smooth each bead of caulk. However, if you have chosen silicon caulking, Rimpley suggested using mineral spirits. Also, when you’re buying caulk, make sure that the caulking you are buying is not out of date. “If you get expired caulking, there’s a chance that it might not cure, which is the worst scenario. You can end up with a sticky mess and that’s not fun,” Rimpley said. One tip Rimpley offers is to apply painters tape around the area you’re caulking on inside jobs such as showers. Then, by just wetting your finger and running it along the bead of caulk, you can create a smooth seal that looks good and doesn’t smudge. “A lot of that is practice. The little secrets, like taping your lines in a shower. Surface preparation is a lot of it,” Rimpley said. “If you have a dusty area, it will stick to the dust not the surface.”
US builder confidence steady, mortgage rates still a concern The Associated Press U.S. homebuilders’ confidence in the housing market held this month at its highest level in nearly eight years. But builders are starting to worry that sales may slow if mortgage rates continue to rise. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released last week registered at 58 this month. That’s unchanged from August, which was revised down from an initial reading of 59. Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales conditions as good, rather than poor. In the latest survey, which included 264 respondents, a measure of current sales conditions was unchanged, while a gauge of traffic by prospective buyers rose one point. But builders’ outlook for
single-family home sales over the next six months fell three points. “While builder confidence is holding at the highest level in nearly eight years, many are reporting some hesitancy on the part of buyers due to the sharp increase in interest rates,” said Rick Judson, the NAHB’s chairman. Mortgage rates have risen more than a full percentage point since May, when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke first indicated the Fed could slow its $85 billion a month in bond buying this year. Many economists expect the Fed will reduce its bond buying by about $10 billion. The bond purchases are intended to lower longer-term interest rates and encourage more borrowing and spending. Builder confidence has been climbing steadily since the fall of 2011, gaining momentum in concert with the housing recovery.
Officials are urging homeowners to make pest eradication part of their annual winterization efforts. Both the face fly and the cluster fly like to hibernate in buildings, according to Dave Boxler, entomologist for the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. “They create a huge nuisance,” Boxler said. “Now is the time to prepare for excluding flies from homes.”
Face fly According to Boxler, the face fly is a robust species that resembles the house fly. It is a non-biting insect that feeds on animal secretions, nectar and dung liquids. Adult females cluster around animals’ eyes, mouths and muzzles causing extreme annoyance and giving the species its name. Their feeding habits make them a vector of pinkeye. Eggs are laid in fresh cow manure, where development to adult is completed in about three weeks depending on environmental conditions. In the fall, they seek out shelter so they can hibernate. “We find the face fly in sheltered areas — usually attics or the wall cavities of homes,” Boxler said.
Cluster Fly Cluster flies also resemble house flies but are slightly larger. Boxler said they are about 5/16 of an inch long, narrow and gray. When at rest, their wings overlap at the tips — something house flies will not do. Boxler said female cluster flies lay eggs in soil cracks and crevices near earthworms. The eggs hatch in about three days and the larvae penetrate and develop in the bodies
Courtesy photo
Face flies pack together in an attic. Officials say homes should be sealed up in the fall to keep the insects from moving inside and hibernating. of earthworms. The life cycle is completed in 27 to 39 days depending on environmental conditions. Populations vary from year to year, and sometimes are worse after wet summers. Like the face flies, adult cluster flies move to protected places to hibernate in mid-August. They can be seen “clustering” on the warm sides of buildings during the day. As the sun goes down and the temperatures cool, the insects crawl into buildings through cracks, especially under eaves, gaps in siding and attic vents. Boxler said cluster flies do not feed or breed in protected areas during hibernation. They become active whenever temperatures rise above 54 degrees indoors. “As it warms up, they will migrate to living quarters and try to get out,” Boxler said. “They will be attracted to sunlight, so people will find them plastered against windows. The best way to reduce interaction with these flies is to exclude them.” He recommends that people start by inspecting their homes for any holes that exist and sealing them up. “If you see a hole as small as the diameter of a pencil flies can get in there,” Boxler said.
He said cluster and face flies can enter buildings in the following locations: n where roofing is or should be flashed n where venting in eves or roofing is not adequately sealed or screened n areas around window and door framing and trim n cracks and voids in exterior veneer n where siding does not fit properly or is not sealed n where exterior siding overhangs the foundation and is not sealed or caulked n where vents or utility lines exit the structure n the space around overhead garage doors n loosely fitted attic access panels and doors “The tendency of these flies is to come in through attic vents and soffits where warm air is coming out,” Boxler said. “Once the flies get into your home, pesticides can’t be used. It’s not safe to do that. One thing people can do if they have an abundance in their homes is put up fly strips.” He said control products can be applied to the exterior of buildings on the south and west sides. According to Boxler, treatments should be made in early fall to areas beneath eaves and around windows, doors and attics.
D4
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013
the north platte telegraph
Clean gutters to prevent damage Do the job before and after leaves fall keeps water from backing up By Andrew Bottrell abottrell@nptelegraph.com
Courtesy photo
A North Platte expert suggests cleaning gutters twice during the fall to alleviate any damage.
Check your gutters twice every fall to make sure they are clear of leaves and debris. Dave Hawley, with H&H Seamless Gutters and Siding, said it’s important to check gutters before the leaves start falling, and then again when they finish falling, to make sure the system is clear in preparation for winter storms. “You almost need to clean them twice during the fall,” he said. “When the leaves start falling and when the leaves are done. A lot of times you’ll run into snow before [leaves are done falling] and once it does that, you can have freezing ice and the ice can swell and it can do all kinds
of nasty things to your gutters.” The reason Hawley said it is important to check gutters before the leaves begin to fall is that there can be debris in the gutters from summer storms, as well. “You’ll have dirt in there from summer. If you get all the leaves scooped out of there, the rain will wash it out,” he said. Overall, Hawley suggests checking gutter systems three times a year. “I’d recommend they look at it before we get snow and ice, which can go anywhere between October and January,” he said. “And it’s a good idea to check for it before the spring rains because by then the leaves are all gone.” It’s important to keep gutters clean so water doesn’t overflow and go into the soil around the foundation of the home, which can cause structural problems. The most important spots to check on the gutter system is the corners and downspouts because that’s where branches and leaves get stuck and can rupture the
gutters or cause other problems, like back flows. “Corners and downspouts will hang your branches up,” Hawley said. Places on the roof near trees also need a little more attention. “That’s where the bulk [of your problems will be],” Hawley said. “If you don’t have trees, the leaves will blow.” The easiest way to clean the gutter system is to walk the roof with a leaf blower, Hawley said, though many homeowners can’t do that because of steep pitches and sharp corners. “It’s tough to do,” he said. Hawley recommends that homeowners take a look at systems that will help keep debris out of the gutters so they aren’t having to clean the gutters three or four times a year. “There’s all types of leaf guards,” he said. “The leaves will land on it, but they will blow off. Then if you were to have branches catch on it, you can wipe them off and you don’t have to reach down in. Spend the money once and be done with it.”
Trim trees when they’re dormant for best results By Andrew Bottrell abottrell@nptelegraph.com
As the leaves begin to fall, it’s a good time to take a look at the health of your trees. The easiest time to trim trees and tell which branches need to go is during the winter months. “[Trim trees during the] winter, except for maples,” said Sarah Johnson, with Huebner’s Nursery, Lawn and Garden Center in North Platte. “Maples you want to do during the summer.” Johnson said it is easier to tell which branches need to go because the trees are in dormancy and all of their resources
are stored in the roots, so trimming the tree during the winter months will also be less harmful. “You can trim year round but if you’re going to do severe trimming, do it during the winter,” she said. While large trimming jobs should happen while the tree is dormant, Johnson recommends that people keep an eye on their trees throughout the summer, as well. If leaves start falling early or turn yellow, it could be a sign that part of the tree is dying and may need to be trimmed. It could also be a sign of bores. The small insects can kill trees by
feeding on them. “We are seeing a lot bores in trees,” she said. Trimming is important for several reasons, including keeping your house safe and preventing diseases from spreading through the tree. “You don’t want them to break and take out good branches or fall on your house. And it just looks better,” she said. “Whatever killed that branch, you don’t want spreading throughout the tree.” Johnson recommends cutting any branches that cross each other so that they don’t naturally break and knock off other good limbs. She also
recommends trimming low-hanging branches and trimming for aesthetics. While there are sealants on the market for cut branches, Johnson said she recommends doing it naturally. “I don’t recommend putting any covering over the cut. The tree will heal faster if you don’t put sealant on,” she said. Planting trees can be a year round activity, Johnson said, but she recommends spring and fall because temperatures are typically milder and less stressful on young trees. The drought has been tough on a lot of tree varieties, so that means tree
owners need to be a little more vigilant. “Most trees are pretty good about the drought. You might have to water them extra with the hose,” she said. Varieties to keep a close
eye on during droughts are birchwoods, aspens and willows because they require more water. Birchwoods are a popular tree in Nebraska, she said, and are common along the Platte River.