Home Improvement - Fall Home and Garden 2015

HOME & Garden FALL 2015

DO-IT-YOURSELF

GARDENING FOR FALL PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

HOME DECOR THE INEXPENSIVE WAY

LANDSCAPING

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HOME FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 2, 2015

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OCTOBER 2, 2015

HOME FALL EDITION

Fall is the perfect time to plan for spring flowers

By MELINDA MYERS

Gardening expert on’t pack away that shovel and trowel. Fall is a great time to plant a few new additions in the landscape. Here are just a few ideas for adding immediate and long term beauty to your garden.

Add cool season annuals like pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale and stocks to brighten the fall garden. Those in milder regions will enjoy them throughout the winter. Consider adding cold, hardy pansies. They provide color in the fall garden, survive most winters, and are back blooming in the spring just as the snow melts.

Fall is also a good time to plant perennials, trees and shrubs. The soil is warm and the air cooler, so the plants are less stressed and establish more quickly.

Select plants suited to the growing conditions and be sure to give them plenty of room to reach their mature size.

Plant trees so the root flare, the place where the roots curve away from the trunk, is level with the soil surface. Dig a hole, the same depth as the rootball, and two to five times wider. Roughen the sides of the hole and backfill with the existing soil. Water thoroughly and spread a two to three-inch layer of mulch over the soil surface, keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk.

Follow a similar planting procedure for shrubs. Plant these so the crown, the place where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil surface. And be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems.

Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs in fall for extra color next spring. Set the bulbs at a depth of two to three times their height deep. Then cover them with soil and sprinkle on a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com). This organic nitrogen fertilizer promotes rooting without stimulating fall growth subject to winter kill.

Start planting spring flowering bulbs after the nighttime temperatures hover between 40 and 50 degrees. Be patient — waiting until the soil cools reduces the risk of early sprouting that often occurs during a warm fall.

Those gardening in the far south and along the gulf coast can purchase precooled bulbs to compensate for the warm winters. Or the chilling can be done at home by storing the bulbs in a 35 to 45 degree location for at least 14 weeks before planting.

Those tired of battling the animals may want to plant resistant bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, Fritillaria, alliums, Camassia, glory-of-the snow snow drops, squills and grape hyacinths. You may find it is easier to avoid the problem than battle the animals with repellents and scare tactics.

Plant a few short-season vegetables in your garden for fresh-from-the garden flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that amount of time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots are fast-growing, cool-weather-tolerant vegetables that make great additions to the fall garden and your dinner plate.

D

Melinda Myers photo

Plant daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs in the fall for extra color next spring.

Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. This organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings.

Extend the harvest season with the help of floating row covers. These fabrics allow air, light and water through while trapping the heat around the plants. No construction is needed; just loosely cover the plants with the fabric, secure the edges with pipes, boards or landscape staples and let the plants provide the support.

So be sure to get a jump on next spring’s garden season with a bit of fall planting now.

Planting vegetables can be done in fall

rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips and more.

Find the planting and care information you need on the plant tag or seed packet.

Examples of what to plant: Late-Maturing Crops (approximately 90 days to maturity); plant for fall harvest, or later, for spring harvest.

Leaf Crops: brussels sprouts, cabbages, fava Beans, cauliflower.

Root Crops: parsnips, carrots, globe onions, rutabagas, beets.

Midseason Crops (approximately 60 days to maturity); plant the following midseason crops by mid-August.

Leaf Crops: early cabbages, winter cauliflower, collards, perennial herbs, swiss chard.

Root Crops: leeks, early carrots, turnips, kohlrabi.

Early-Season Crops (approximately 30 days to maturity); plant the following early-maturing crops by mid-September.

Leaf Crops: broccoli, leaf lettuces, mustard greens, spinach.

Cover Crops: alfalfa, clover, winter rye Root Crops: radishes, scallions, chives.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. Myers’ website, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

Vegetable information courtesy of Lowe’s home improvement stores.

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There’s always time in the fall to plant vegetables. Here are fall vegetable planting tips: Keep a planting log. Record what you planted and when, as well as what succeeded or failed.

Experiment with planting times. It might be worth the risk to plant some crops later than recommended.

Plant fall and winter gardens in full sun (southern exposure is ideal) to make use of all that free solar energy.

Rotate vegetable varieties. Don’t plant the same crops in the same location as you planted them last season or last year. This drains the soil of nutrients and attracts the same insects and diseases to that part of the garden.

Try successive plantings of quick-togrow — quick-to-harvest items, like spinach, beets, radishes, bush beans, carrots and leaf lettuces.

Take advantage of walls and other structures that block wind from your garden. Wind-breaking structures can add 10 degrees F to 20 degrees F to your growing environment.

Cover crops fortify the soil with nitrogen during the idle winter months. They also make great green organic matter to add to the spring compost mix.

Another key to fall gardening is knowing the approximate date of the first killing frost in your region. Also, plant crops early enough that they reach full maturity before the first frost.

Check with your county’s extension

office or local gardening experts for information about planting times and crops that do well in your area. Most southern regions in the United States are better suited for winter crops, while growers in northern regions tend to rely on protective structures, like cold frames, hot beds and greenhouses.

Depending on what zone you live in, you might find any number of these in a fall vegetable garden: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, endive, fava beans, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes,

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HOME FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Redecorating a room with a sassy ‘vintage’ twist

By Emily Jachimowicz

Correspondent to Sound Publishing

W

hen looking to redecorate, the hardest part is always the beginning. Using items and furniture that are already in your house to compliment the ‘new-toyou’ furniture is always a plus in the Pacific Northwest. Fresh, new lighting that opens a small space with a vintage mirror, for example.

You can experiment by combining matching colored objects or bold, opposite-colored objects when you want to make a theme stand out to tell the rooms’ story. Chalk paint, a porous medium that readily accepts different types of waxes on the market, is best when you have limited tools and want to get a completely customized look by being able to wipe or easily sand by hand the paint for a vintage look.

When you do have power tools such as machine sanders and a well ventilated work space, you can use just about any paint. Using sanders will often time make the furniture feel softer to the touch.

Purchasing new pieces based on interests and functionality, as well as items that just speak to you. Start by looking at textiles for each piece of furniture. Laying one down in the middle or draping on a corner can give a good starting plan. This could be a decorative cloth, scarf or table

Contributed photo

Use furniture already in your home to compliment the new-to-you furniture.

runner.

Start building your story with a functional item, a decorative item and an item that says something about you or your family. Usually two to four items (depending on table size) or an art piece for the wall is all you need. Attempt to avoid over cluttering.

There are four key steps into reviving an existing piece, that sad piece you just can’t stand to look at anymore. Start with sanding or scuffing, revealing its soft underbelly to

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A “Bolt it-Brace it-Do it” Home Retrofit class for homeowners is being offered through a a partnership with the Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Olympic Peninsula Chapter International Code Council, Building Departments of Kitsap County and Simpson Strong-Tie.

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start fresh on. Paint or stain, whichever fits your desired theme, stress and then seal the item. Sealing is important to protect the wood from any weathering, spills, high heat or chemicals.

Stressing an item can be a key component in vintage decorating.

Depending on the piece of furniture or space it will be in, there are different levels to distressing. High use items: kitchen and dining tables, chairs, coat racks, coffee and side tables, as well as bed frame are a few

pieces that would receive the highest level of distressing. Often, the more heavily distressed furniture gives a stronger emotion, (farmhouse, primitive and cottage). The less distressed is more refined for formal rooms such as traditional, buffet and sitting rooms. While color creates a theme, stressing can set the whole mood.

For holiday decorating, themed table scenes supply simple and tasteful decoration for easy change out.

By purchasing a glass pieces such as white glass birds for New Year’s with new flowering plants for a coffee or side table gives flare, personality and elegance.

New textile table runners for dining tables with new candle and holders will also do the trick for an easy and affordable way to change out between seasons.

Redecorating doesn’t have to be hard, but starting is the most difficult. Rearranging furniture and setting pieces aside can open up a new world of ideas to the eye.

Vintage redecorating is all about color, technique in repainting and finding what best tickles the fancy of the redecorator. Themes are easy to set together and adding old with the new not only gives it a vintage feel, but a well-used one at that.

Ideas for a young girl’s room

By JANET WEBER Interior designer

I found letters to spell out the word “Explore” to put on the upper shelf My daughter, Nicole, loves to travel.

So the idea to do a “travel” themed room along the ceiling. With this are items that she actually purchased on some of came easily to both of us.

She traveled around Europe last summer with some of her friends, and last semester she studied abroad in Ireland. She has a fascination with maps, so I found some at antique stores and we used them to “wallpaper” the Contributed photo backs of her Try taking a theme of interest to your child and use it to decorate with. bookcase and the top of her nightstand. her travels.

We used pages from her favorite magNicole’s grandfather was a traveling azine, National Geographic, to make a salesman and died a couple of years ago. collage on the top of her desk. This was The suitcase he used for his travels now a simple project. All you need are maps resides next to her bed. and Modge Podge!

Nicole is going to college in Rhode She took an old globe that she found Island and will graduate this year. When at a second hand store and cut the botshe returns to the Northwest, everything tom off of it and made a lamp to hang from this room will “travel” with her to over her desk. her next destination.

We went with colorful, Moroccaninspired bedding and pillows to give the room that worldly feel.

OCTOBER 2, 2015

HOME FALL EDITION

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Accessorizing on a budget can be simple and fun

Idea: Repurpose an existing small mirror into a tray. Fill with beautiful objects and set on top of an ottoman for instant appeal.

• True Colors: Choose one or two colors for your accessories. That will add interest and coordinate with your furniture and wall color.

Contrasting colors add vibrancy to a room. If your pallet is neutral, go bold with your accessories.

• Get reflective: Add large mirrors to your space. They reflect light and make a room feel bigger.

By JANET WEBER Interior designer

S

o, you’re tired of the same old look in your kitchen, dining room, or bedroom.

Here are some tips on inexpensive ways to make some changes: • Get to the point: Every room needs a focal point. If you don’t have one, create one using eyecatching wall art. Whether it’s a single item or a group of items placed together, creating a focal point can make a room look more spacious.

Idea: Use a trio of paneled art over a sofa. Take a photo that you love and enlarge it. Cut it into three pieces and frame each piece separately.

Hang them up right next to each other for an impact piece.

•Art for your floor: Area rugs are the foundation of any room. The rug pulls the room together like nothing else can. Use an area rug as inspiration to create your room’s pallet.

Idea: Use a large area rug in a room and it will make it feel bigger. You can even tape several small rugs

Leslie Kelly/ staff photo

Pillows of all shapes, sizes and colors is one way to bring new life into a room that made need an update.

placing accessories in a group. Use symmetry in formal rooms and go asymmetrical in informal spaces.

Idea: If you have a collection of something locate it altogether in one place, so it will have more impact.

• Bring on the pillows: Fun and decorative pillows on furniture is a great way to liven up a space.

Leslie Kelly/ staff photo Change them seasonally so Try putting together a focal point in the room by using a sea theme. you don’t get bored.

• Get illuminated: Lighting is one of the most critical things to think about in your home.

Lighting sets the mood and highlights important features.

Choose lamps that compliment Leslie Kelly/ staff photo the design of your room.

Repeating knick knacks is one way to create a focal point.

They are a great way to bring color into a space. Lamps that together to create one large rug. are too small can give your space a • Less is more: Rather than jamcheap look. Try and have the lamp ming shelves full of knick knacks, shades at approximately the same go for a more minimalistic look. height throughout the space for Edit the accessories you have and continuity. fill in with coordinating objects, • Mix and Match: Do a combigroup accessories according to size, nation of high-end accessories, color and number. When grouping fleamarket finds and vintage accesmultiple objects together, vary their sories. This gives you a lived in, size and height. This will add visual worldly look. I think every room interest. Use odd numbers when needs a piece of wicker/rattan. Use

black somewhere in the room for drama.

• Perch on a bench: Use a bench or ottoman as a fun accent piece and functional extra seating. Set them in front of a fireplace or in an unused corner. Reupholster them to fit your mood and have a useful cute addition to any space. Benches are the perfect spot to set a tray with drinks.

Janet Weber owns and operates her own interior design business with the goal of creating atmospheres that are unique and well-suited to each client’s values, lifestyle and personality.

She assists clients in realizing the vision for their homes and commercial spaces by guiding them through each phase of the design process from the initial space planning to the final selection and placement of accessories.

Weber received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University and has been working the industry since 1986. Her professional involvements include Design on Broadway in Everett, Markie Nelson Interior Design in Seattle and Fine Home on Bainbridge Island.

Photos were taken at the Eclectic Home Furnishings in Silverdale.

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HOME FALL EDITION

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Peninsula Paint has a new location in Bremerton

By CHRIS TUCKER

ctucker@soundpublishing.com

P

eninsula Paint Co. now offers premium quality Benjamin Moore paints in a larger, more easily accessible spot at its new Auto Center Way location, just off State Route 3, in Bremerton.

The new 3,000-square foot Bremerton location is at 5373 Auto Center Way, Suite 103. It’s just south of the intersection of Highway 3 and Kitsap Way. Previously, the store had been located at a 1,200-square-foot space on Callow Avenue.

A fresh coat of paint available in a veritable rainbow of hues is one of the most cost-effective ways to change the look of a home, inside or out.

“We do have a full menu of products to satisfy all price needs,” said Ray Donahue, who co-owns Peninsula Paint Co. with his wife, Diane, who handles accounting and administration work for the company.

“Our focus is on quality, premium paints,” he said.

Kieth Coster is the store’s enthusiastic manager, he said.

Five locally owned, independent Peninsula Paint Co. stores are now in the region, including locations at Bremerton, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Gig Harbor and Port Townsend.

The Auto Center Way location is a brand new space and is located near other home improvement businesses such as Sullivan Heating and Cooling, Sound Glass and Carpet One. Quality Benjamin Moore paints save customers time and money because customers will need less of it, and fewer coats are needed compared to lower-quality paint.

Premium paint splatters less, is easier to use, flows better, is more durable and is more scrubbable.

“You get what you pay for in a gallon of paint. A lot of people say paint is paint, and it’s not,” Ray said.

The store offers a range of paints including “Ben,” Regal Select, Natura and Aura brands.

Aura is Peninsula Paint’s most expensive, top-of-the-line premium paint that provides the best cover and durability.

Natura is their most environmentally friendly, virtually odorless paint with no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. “Benjamin Moore has been on the leading edge of creating new technology and low-VOC and zero-VOC products,” Ray said.

The friendly, knowledgeable staff at Peninsula Paint Co. can offer tailored advice to make sure each client’s specific paint project comes out perfectly.

“We have knowledgable staff that try to understand their projects,” Diane said.

“If a customer walks in our door, they came here because they have a need … we don’t want to just sell them paint, we want to understand

Chris Tucker/ staff photo

Diane and Ray Donahue are co-owners of Peninsula Paint Company.

Chris Tucker /staff photo

A beautiful new interior of their new location in Bremerton will serve customers well.

their project and guide them to the best result,” Ray said.

“Most paint failures, 99.99999 percent of the time, it’s not the paint’s problem. It’s usually prep. Either the wrong product or improper preparation: Maybe not sanding. Maybe it’s too wet, damp, cold, hot. Happens all the time. We try and make sure that we understand what they’re doing and advise them on the proper prep.”

If applying more than one coat, it is important to wait for the first coat to fully dry before applying a second.

Following instructions is key.

Peninsula Paint can recommend local designers to help customers select from the vast array of color options. They can also connect customers with painting contractors.

Customers may purchase paint samples or use colored cards to help gauge how their project will look with a fresh coat of paint. There are lines of historical colors and trending colors.

Beiges are a big seller, Ray said, and there are several shades to choose from, including “Spanish White” and “Shaker Beige.”

“And then we also have 130 whites,” Ray said.

The store offers a variety of other items such as mildewcides that can be mixed in with paint. They also sell a full selection of sundries such as brushes, caulking and masking tape, available in retail or sold by the case for contractors.

Peninsula Paint carries a variety of colored stains from mainstream brands like Sikkens, Cabot and SamaN. The products have garnered loyalty from people who are pleased with the quality.

“People who use Benjamin Moore love Benjamin Moore. They won’t use anything else,” Ray said.

Give Peninsula Paint Co. a call at 360-373-5999 or visit their website at peninsulapaintco.com to learn more.

Fall 2015 Home & Garden is a publication of Sound Publishing.

For information about upcoming special publications, call 360-779-4464.

Publisher: Lori Maxim Special Publications Editor: Leslie Kelly Writers: Leslie Kelly, Melinda Myers, Emily Jachimowicz, Janet Weber Advertising Director: Donna Etchey Sales Representatives: Bill McDonald, Rita Evans, Sharon Allen, Ariel Naumann, Marleen Martinez Creative Services Manager: Bryon Kempf Marketing Artists: Mark Gillespie, Kelsey Thomas, John Rodriguez, Vanessa Calverley Sponsors: Peninsula Paint Company Chris Tucker /staff photo

Peninsula Paint has opened in a new location in Bremerton at 5373 Auto Center Way.

Copyright 2015 Sound Publishing

OCTOBER 2, 2015

HOME FALL EDITION

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Now’s the time to prepare your home for winter your trunk: water bottle, flash light, ice scraper, jumper cables, shovel, first aid kit and blankets. And have your cell phone with lthough periods of extreme cold you for emergency calls. cannot always be predicted far in After a record-setting summer, the first advance, weather forecasts can someblast of cool weather this season is not too times provide you with several days’ notice. far away. For many of us, wintertime brings Listen to weather forecasts regularly and higher energy bills as we heat our homes check your emergency supplies whenever a and businesses to stay warm. There are period of extreme cold is predicted.

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove some simple, money-saving steps from Puget Sound Energy you can take to confor emergency heating, have your chimney serve and be more energy efficient: or flue inspected each year. Ask your local • To save on heating bills ,set the thermofire department to recommend an inspector stat to 68 degrees or lower when you’re at or find one in the yellow pages of your telehome and awake, and lower it another seven phone directory under “chimney cleaning.” to 10 degrees when you’re asleep or away.

Also, if you’ll be using a fireplace, wood It might be on the cool side, but the savings stove or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon mon- add up. For most homes, the heating bill drops by about 2 percent for every 1 degree oxide detector near the area to be heated. the thermostat is lowered. Install and propTest them monthly and replace batteries erly set a programmable thermostat to make twice a year. All fuel-burning equipment this happen automatically. should be vented to the outside.

• Seal up leaky drafts around doors and Your ability to feel a change in temperawindows with weather-stripping, caulking, ture decreases with age. Older people are more susceptible to health problems caused and door sweeps. Also seal up any leaks or gaps in furnace ducts that extend through by cold.

If you are over 65 years old, place an easy- unheated basements or crawl spaces.

• Reduce air leaks by repairing broken to-read thermometer in an indoor location windows and using inexpensive weatherwhere you will see it frequently. Check the stripping around entry doors. Insulate attics, temperature of your home often during the outside walls and floors over crawl spaces. winter months.

• If you have baseboard heaters, turn the Insulate any water lines that run along thermostat down or off in unoccupied rooms exterior walls so your water supply will be and close the door. Do not do this if you have less likely to freeze. To the extent possible, weatherproof your home by adding weather- a furnace or heat pump.

Preparation can help efficiency: stripping, insulation, insulated doors, and • LED light bulbs pay for themselves in storm windows or thermal-pane windows. the first year or less when replacing old, If you have pets, bring them indoors. If inefficient incandescent bulbs. LEDs last 25 you cannot bring them inside, provide adetimes longer than incandescent bulbs. PSE quate shelter to keep them warm and make provides huge instant discounts on LED sure they have access to unfrozen water. lighting; many are available for less than $6 Winter Checklist: a bulb at local retailers.

• Insulate walls and attic, • Old refrigerators and freezers can be • Caulk and weather-strip doors and winhuge energy hogs. They use up to four dows, • Install storm windows or cover windows times the electricity of new energy efficient models. Recycling your old fridge or freezer with plastic from the inside, could save you as much as $200 each year on • Insulate any water lines that run along your power bill. outer walls. This will make water less likely PSE electric customers who sign up to to freeze, recycle their old fridge or freezer get free • Service snow-removal equipment, pickup and recycling, plus a $25 Visa prepaid • Have chimney and flue inspected, gift card as a thank you from PSE. • Install easy-to-read outdoor thermomPSE customers can get a free, customized eter, summary of energy saving solutions for their • Repair roof leaks and cut away tree home called a HomePrint™ Assessment branches that could fall on your home or from a PSE-qualified contractor. This inother structure during a storm. home service provides a better understandAnd don’t forget to check out your car. ing of your home’s energy consumption You can avoid many dangerous winter while learning energy-saving tips that last. travel problems by planning ahead. Have PSE’s Contractor Alliance Network makes maintenance service on your vehicle as often it easy to find a pre-screened, independent as the manufacturer recommends. In addicontractor in your area for nearly any enertion, every fall, do the following: gy-efficient improvement project. These cer• Have the radiator system serviced or tified specialists share PSE’s commitment to check the antifreeze level yourself with an helping you make safe, dependable and effiantifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed. cient energy choices to ensure that all your • Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a improvement projects are successful. wintertime mixture.

For more information on money saving • Replace any worn tires, make sure the programs and rebates from PSE to improve tires have adequate tread and check the air your home, visit pse.com/rebates, or call a pressure in the tires.

PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-1482, 8 • During winter, keep the gas tank near a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel Preparing for possible outages in cold lines. conditions: Always keep your car fueled and in good • Assemble an emergency kit, including working order. Be sure to check the followa battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra ing: antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid (winbatteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, tertime mixture), heater, defroster, brakes, bottled water and non-perishable food. brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, •Make sure your blanket supply is adeexhaust, tires (air pressure and wear), fuel, quate for extended outages. oil, battery and radiator.

• In an emergency, blankets and cardYou should always carry these items in

By LESLIE KELLY

lkelly@soundpublishing.com

A

board can be hung over windows and doorways to minimize heat loss.

• Keep portable heaters away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Never use a natural gas range for heating or charcoal as an indoor heating or cooking source.

Download the PSE mobile outage app to track and report outages in your area.

With winter approaching, and having had a few good windstorms in Kitsap County already this fall, it might be prudent to think about how to prepare your home before the next storm.

The first thing to think about is the roof of your home. The roof is your home’s primary defense against the elements, and an annual roof inspection should be part of your storm preparedness plan.

During an inspection, a roofer will check the overall structural integrity of your roof; look for loose shingles that could easily blow away in a storm; and other areas that may be prone to damage.

For homeowners who live in areas prone to high winds, a roofing company can install wind-resistant shingles, plug areas where water could enter the home, and add extra fortification to your gables, rafters and sheathing.

Next, clear gutters and downspouts. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of obstructions and in good repair. This is important to do anyway, but they will need to work overtime during a major storm.

Poorly sloped, leaking or obstructed gutters and downspouts can overflow, causing water damage to your home’s exterior or founda-

tion.

Many homeowners like to clean their own gutters, but window-washing companies and gutter-placement companies will also do routine cleanings for under $150.

A big item is tending to trees and other wind hazards. If you have trees near your house, have an expert look at them once every year or two to trim away dead limbs that could break off during a storm and crash through your roof. Don’t just hire the guy with a chain saw who knocks on your door. Find a qualified tree expert and have weak limbs taken down before a storm does it. Make sure they are licensed with the state.

And, when a big storm is in the forecast, look around your property for objects that could become dangerous flying debris. Even heavy structures like playground equipment, porch swings and grills should be secured to the ground. Take your lawn furniture inside the house, basement or garage.

Another thing to think about is your sump pump. It needs a backup. Often the sump pump is overlooked during storm preparation, yet it provides the main line of defense against basement flooding.

If you have a finished basement, install a sump pump with a battery backup to ensure it will continue to operate in the event power is lost.

Source: Angie’s List, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta and Puget Sound Energy.

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