homeimprovement fall est . 1851 A publication of A beginner’s guide to fall planting and Howmaintenancetospotmold in your home Top 5 ways to reduce your home energy costs this fall Plus much more!
2 -TimesThe •CommunityYourDelivering 202217,SeptemberSaturday, | IMPROVEMENTHOMEFALL 3381 N. Rt. 23 Ottawa• 815-431-0545 • woodhillcabinetry.com
Keep in mind, choosing a wall that doesn’t receive direct sunlight reduces glare. Notice sunlight throughout the day to help determine the best loca tion for
ensure compliance with local building codes. Contact your city or township to get the most recent regulations. Verify codes and read all fireplace in stallation instructions before you start your project so you avoid any issues.
Modern electric fireplaces are available in multiple sizes to fit your space and have no mesh screens or visible heat vents. You can zone heat throughout the year with optional heat, bringing comfort where you need it. Dynamic flames and an LED ember bed create ambiance and warmth - if desired - on demand. You can also safely place a TV or artwork directly
Whether it’s in a family room, base ment, bedroom, bathroom or another space, a wall-mounted electric fire place brings function and fashion to your home. Visit HeatnGlo.com to learn more about electric fireplaces and get additional expert advice on installation.
above the fireplace, which is a plus for many people. This project is typically straightforward and simple to com plete, making it the ideal solution for people looking for a home improve ment project they can do themselves or hire a handyman or contractor to do in as little as one day. While elec tric fireplaces can go in virtually any room, here are some tips for easy in stallation and the best result:
“In any existing room where you would like to add an electric fireplace, it’s very easy to add one,” said Heat & Glo Brand Manager Kathy Rogers. “It’s a lot easier to install than a gas fireplace and you don’t need an ex pert for installation. With just a few tools, a well-placed electrical outlet, and the revolutionary wall-mount SimpliFire Format electric fireplace, you can bring the comfort of a fire place to any room in your home.”
Manyfireplaces.peopleare
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Make sure that you have access to electricity to power your new fireplace. You can choose to either simply plug in your fireplace to a standard outlet or hire a professional to hard-wire it directly.
Select location: Windows and fur niture placement often help dictate where an electric fireplace should go.
Check codes: As with any home improvement project, you’ll need to
Electric replaces spark simple home improvement solutions
projects.forhouzz.comVisitmore
Electricityinstallation.access:
surprised to learn that installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace doesn’t require any struc tural modifications. In fact, it’s similar to hanging a wall-mounted TV, shelv ing or large piece of artwork. You’ll need common household tools such as a level, stud finder and drill, and the fireplace will come with a wall mounting kit (including brackets and hardware) and detailed instructions.
(BPT) - Are you looking for ways to enhance your home and boost its value? The best kinds of home im provement projects provide wow-wor thy results without much effort. With modern designs and numerous bene fits, electric fireplaces are one of these projects, enhancing the aesthetic of any room without the extensive con struction and cost of traditional gas or wood
maximizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gardens grow best in sunny loca tions that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where con tainer gardens can be helpful, as they allow gardeners to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight.
Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens.
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The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that soil temperatures in many regions of the country may still be warm enough to encourage root growth well into the start of winter. Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year’s bounty.
• Propagate plants in the fall. As tem peratures gradually begin to cool, start
is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be growing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dormant.Fallplanting and maintenance can extend gardening season and improve the chances of growing a healthy springFH228150garden.
• Think about fall annuals and bulb planting. Near the end of September, start planting cool-weather-loving pansies and violas for pops of color as summer flowers fade. Also, it’s a good idea to stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come be fore they sell out in stores. Wait until the temperatures really cool down be fore planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts.
• Continue to water plants. Water
A beginner’s guide to fall planting and maintenance
• Fill in landscaping gaps. Some fall plants can add color around the land scape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In addition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysan themums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flower pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and developing leaves and buds through late summer.
• Take inventory of the sun. Posi tioning a garden carefully means
• Sow salad seeds. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and interesting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.
taking cuttings from perennials, gath ering seed pods from azaleas and rho dodendrons and dividing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult with a garden center or horticulturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hormone and other techniques.
• Clean up unwanted growth. Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent veg etable plants and get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable gar den as an excellent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing possibilities and limiting weed growth.
Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency notes that molds are not usually a problem indoors. However, when they are, molds produce allergens, irritants and po tentially toxic substances. Molds can become problematic when spores land on wet or damp surfaces and begin growing. If inhaled, those spores can cause allergic reactions in people with asthma who have mold allergies. Even people without such allergies may suffer from irritated eyes, skin, nose, throat, or lungs due to exposure to mold. Mold also can affect the home itself, as the EPA notes that mold gradually destroys the things it grows on, potentially leading to costly remediation and renovation expenses.
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How to spot mold in your home
Mold is sometimes visible in parts of a home. For example, mold prob lems in a bathroom may be recog nizable when tiny black spots are present on surfaces that frequently get wet. Those areas may gradually expand from small spots and cover larger areas, such as windowsills and areas around the bathtub. Other signs indicating the presence of mold may be less recognizable though poten tially just as harmful. That’s one rea son why it makes sense for everyone to learn how to spot mold in a home.
• Identify problems with paint. If paint is peeling, bubbling or crack ing, it’s likely indicative of a mold issue. In such instances, contact a mold remediation specialist rather than simply painting over the af fected areas with a fresh coat of paint.
Did you know?
• Conduct a smell test. Most molds will emit a damp, musty odor. How ever, a lack of this distinct and unpleasant smell should not lead individuals to conclude they don’t have a mold issue, as some molds do not produce an odor. In addi tion, the EPA notes that the smell of indoor molds can differ depend ing on the type of mold present in the home. Homeowners who have experienced mold issues in the past should not ignore a foul odor sim ply because it smells different from a previous infestation. Contact a mold remediation professional if you sus pect an unpleasant smell could be a byproduct of mold.
Despite its reputation as the most formidable type of mold individuals can find in their homes, black mold is similar to other indoor molds in regard to its effects on human health. Accord ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black mold, or stachybotrys charta rum, isn’t any more harmful than other types of mold, including cladosporium, penicillium, as pergillus, and alternaria. The reputation of black mold, which can look black or greenish-black, likely has something to do with its appearance. But homeowners still have reason to be fearful of mold in their homes, regardless of what color the mold may be. That’s because mold can lead to a host of unwelcome health problems, includ ing stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheez ing, burning eyes, or skin rash. Symptoms may be even worse for people with asthma and mold allergies.
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• Learn what mold looks like. Not all molds are black. Some are white and look like thread, but they also can have a gray-brown or gray-green tint. When peeling old wallpaper, some people may notice orange, pink or purple growth on the newly exposed walls, and that’s likely mold.
Mold can be harmful to homes and humans. Anyone who suspects their home has a mold problem is urged to contact a remediation spe cialist as soon as possible.
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DO hire a professional if you have limited or no DIY ooring experience.
Wood
for about a week while running the air conditioner or heater at normal levels. When storing hardwoods prior to in stallation, avoid keeping them in po tentially moist areas like a basement.
Wood floors can be awe-inspiring. Some homeowners can install such flooring on their own, and the proj ect can be much easier if they learn as much about installation as pos sible prior to beginning the project.
saw, table saw, cleat-nailer or stapler, finish nailer, compressor, jamb saw, chalk line, nail set, and tape measurer when installing hardwood floors. Pur chase all necessary tools and read product reviews to ensure each tool is up to the task.
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DON’T skimp on tools. A DIY hard wood flooring installation might be less expensive than hiring a profes sional, but homeowners should resist any temptation to increase those sav ings further by purchasing less costly tools or fewer tools than is necessary to complete the job. BuildDirect notes that DIYers will need at least a miter
Hardwood flooring installation is not generally a project for novice DIYers. Hardwood flooring projects may pres ent some common challenges, but no two homes are the same. So unless they have prior experience installing floors in multiple rooms or homes, homeowners may save themselves time, trouble and a significant amount of money hiring a professional to do the job.
DON’T ignore the sub oor. New hard woods won’t erase the problem of subfloors in poor condition. Accord ing to the home renovation experts at BobVila.com, squeaky floors could be an indication that the subfloor has begun to warp or twist. Sinking floors are another indicator of deteriorating subfloors. Subfloors should be some what level before new hardwoods are installed, so DIYers should inspect and address subfloor issues before in stalling new flooring.
oor installation dos and don’ts
Jaw-dropping features can sell a home in a heartbeat. A penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling win dows and a panoramic view of a city skyline likely won’t prove a hard sell, nor will a home with an infin ity pool overlooking a landscape of rolling hills. As awe-inspiring as such features can be, some more sub tle components, such as authentic hardwood floors, also can do much to make a home more appealing to prospectiveHardwoodbuyers.flooring is a sought-after commodity. Data from the National Association of Realtors indicates that 54 percent of home buyers are will ing to pay more for hardwood floors. In fact, NAR figures indicate that 28 percent of buyers between the ages of 35 and 54 consider hardwood floors “very important” when looking for a home. Homeowners who are con sidering selling their homes, or those who simply want to upgrade their ex isting flooring, may want to consider installing hardwood flooring. Though it’s a project best left to professionals, hardwood flooring can be installed by skilled DIYers. In such instances, homeowners may want to keep these dos and don’ts in mind.
DO expose wood ooring to the ele ments in your home prior to installation. The home improvement resource BuildDirect recommends acclimat ing hardwoods to the space where they will be installed. Skipping this important step could result in gaps during the winter and cupping over the summer. To acclimate hardwoods, open the boxes and spread them out
1.GIVE YOUR FURNACE OR BOILER A CHECKUP
Upgrading to a tankless water heater will save on energy and expenses com pared to a traditional water heater. For example, Noritz EZ Series high-ef ficiency, condensing tankless water heaters are engineered to replace larger, conventional storage tank-type units, cutting both installation time and costs substantially. The wall-hung technology also has zero footprint in your home, which is a great space saver for smaller homes or if you just need more areas for storage. Tankless water heaters efficiently provide con tinuous hot water - meaning no more cold showers - along with big energy
Get in the habit of having your fur nace or boiler professionally tuned up and cleaned at least once a year, ideally just before the weather starts turning colder. Just as you perform regular maintenance on your vehicle, make sure your entire HVAC system is in top condition - and replace your
If it’s been a while since you up graded your thermostat, you may be surprised at what new programmable thermostats can do to help keep your home comfortable while also saving on utility bills. The latest models pro vide much better fine tuning when set ting your thermostat, allowing better control of the energy you’re using to heat (or cool) your home. You can make sure you’re not overheating your house when you’re asleep or not at home. Traveling or on vacation? New smart thermostats allow you to adjust your home’s thermostat controls re motely, using your phone or another electronic device.
savings. In addition, tankless water heaters like the Noritz EZ Series also result in reduced carbon emissions and have a longer life expectancy than traditional models. Tankless water heaters use top-mounted water connections, avoiding the need for additional and costly plumbing. Even better, you can often find money-sav ing rebate programs from your local gas utility for your new tankless water heater that will help cut the installed cost even more.
(BPT) - As temperatures begin dropping this fall, you may be worry ing about rising energy costs. Fortu nately, there are a number of simple, proactive steps you can take that will save on energy and expenses for your home - while also increasing comfort - today and well into the future. On top of that, you will also be helping to increase the value of your home with these effective energy-saving measures.Consider these 5 steps to help your home become more energy-efficient.
4.MAKE YOUR PROGRAMMABLETHERMOSTAT
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You’re probably aware that heat rises - so if your attic is not properly insulated, you may be losing a lot of heated air through your roof every winter. Lack of good attic insulation can also lead to damage from ice buildup, which is costly to repair. If you own an older home, it’s a good idea to have your attic inspected for insulation before winter sets in. And while older homes are the least likely
to have properly insulated attics, even if you have a newer home it’s worth having a professional check to see if your attic is under-insulated. This can make a big difference when it comes to heating costs.
furnace filter at least every 90 daysto help your HVAC system run more efficiently. This will reduce your utility bills over time, while keeping you and your family warmer.
2.GO TANKLESS
Looking for a great way to cut down on energy usage and also ensure more consistent access to hot water?
Top 5 ways to reduce your home energy costs this fall
3.INSULATE YOUR ATTIC
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By taking a few of these proactive steps, you can help your family stay cozy and comfortable all winter, while also helping to save energy and protect your budget.
Visit EZSeries.Noritz.com to learn more about how you can save energy, space and expenses on heating water for your home.
When thinking through ways to bring that contemporary feel in to your bathroom, a color swap is al ways a go-to option. When thinking through how to change the colors in your space, warmer options like greige and woody tones are begin ning to rise to the top. A simple way to incorporate these tones and give your bath space a neutral feel is by painting your walls in cool-gray and off-white hues. Also, implement black matte finishes to create elegant and eye-catching contrast in the bath.
Simple tweaks for a contemporary
bath
STEP 1: ASSURE COLORWAYTHEIS IDEAL
STEP 2: MODERNIZE YOUR FIXTURES
When redesigning your bathroom’s aesthetics for a more contemporary
feel, your fixtures choices and finishes are critical. To implement your own personal sophisticated touch, fit your bath space with the Flute Bathroom Collection by Peerless. The collection offers a Two-Handle Widespread Lav atory Faucet and Single-Handle Lav atory Faucet - all available in three different finishes. Inspired by the trend of clean, minimalist design, this collection offers smooth curves and cylindrical design that exude simple elegance making your contemporary bath space an inch closer to possible. Best of all, the Flute lineup is designed to pair with the popular Peerless Pre cept tub and shower fixtures for the ultimate modern fixture look.
Achieving the ideal contemporary bath doesn’t mean making overly expen sive renovations or hefty accessory pur chases. Altering the look and feel of your
Integrating ribbed surfaces is another simple, yet beautiful way to give any space a contemporary twist. An easy way to do this is by matching rounded items such as mirrors, light fixtures or vases for a unified, modern look. Other simple tweaks to incorporate fluting is throughout cabinetry and drawers. Precise ribbed surfaces on these types of fixtures seamlessly offer a contem porary touch to any interior, all while providing essential storage.
STEP 3: WORK IN FINISHESFLUTED
space by making simple, attainable up dates - such as changing the wall color, updating your fixtures and working in fluted finishes - is all you need to intro duce a modern touch to the bath space.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
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(BPT) - Bathrooms are your per sonal sanctuary and escape from the chaotic outdoors - a place to reset, recollect and prepare for the next step in the day. Many homeowners today are looking to modernize this space to build on the need for tran quility. Read on for simple tweaks you can implement to revamp your space and create the contemporary bath of your dreams!
test water at your home
Various conditions can be indicative of a contaminated water supply. When such conditions arise, individuals should not hesitate to have their water tested. TF228200
• Condition: Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather Recommended test: Hardness
• Condition: Coal or other mining operation nearby
• Condition: Rapid wear of water treatment equipment Recommended test: pH, corrosion
•
• Condition: Cloudy, frothy or colored water Recommended test: Color, detergents
Contaminated water supplies pose a significant threat to human health. Ac cording to the World Health Organization, contaminated water is linked to a host of diseases, including cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis A, among others. Sources of drinking water are subject to contamination, and many people may have no idea if their water is safe for consumption, or what they should do to ensure it is.
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• Recommended test: Iron, copper, manganese
• Condition: Odor of gas or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanks
• Recommended test: Metals, pH, corrosion
• Condition: Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry
• Recommended test: Chloride, TDS, sodium
• Condition: Foul taste or smell
• Condition: Recurrent gastrointestinal illness Recommended test: Coliform bacteria Condition: Household plumbing contains lead Recommended test: Pit, lead, copper
• Condition: Water softener needed to treat hardness
• Recommended test: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
•
•
•
• Recommended test: Manganese, iron
• Condition: Corrosion of pipes, plumbing Recommended test: Corrosion, pH, lead
The Environmental Protection Agency notes that many testing laboratories or services supply sample containers to individuals interested in having their water tested. But that leaves the question of when to test water. The EPA indicates that certain conditions and activities may warrant having water tested for the presence of various things that can make individuals sick.
•
•
•
When to
• Recommended test: Hydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals
•
• Condition: Nearby areas of intensive agriculture Recommended test: Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria
• Condition: Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearby
Thevinyl.line’s
1. GROOM YOUR PETS
(BPT) - Now is a great time for you and your pets to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. However, with people and pets coming in and out of your home more often, you’ll find more dirt and mud tracked into your living space. Your four-legged family members shedding may make it challenging to keep your furniture and floors
2. INVEST IN THE RIGHT CLEANING PRODUCTS
Whileclean.itcan seem difficult to keep your home clean, there are some simple ways to stay on top of it. Check out these five tips all pet owners should know to help maintain a clean home during the summer months.
Not all pet cleaning products are cre ated equal, especially when it comes to remov ing pet stains and hair from your floor. You’ll want to look for products specifically formu lated to deal with pet odors and stains. The Bona Pet System - a collection of floor clean ers and sustainably designed tools - simplifies cleaning pet hair and messes on hard-surface floors, including hardwood, stone, tile laminate and
The best way to maintain a clean home with pets is to groom
your furry friends regularly. Frequent brush ing removes hair and fur that your dog or cat would normally shed onto your clothing, furni ture and floors. You can pair this with weekly baths to wash out hair and dandruff, and keep dog fur off your couch and rug. As a bonus, grooming time can double as bonding time with your pets.
Tips to keeping your home clean with your furry friends in mind
multisurface floor cleaners for cats and dogs feature an odor guard technol ogy that eliminates and neutralizes odors from
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If your pets are messy eaters, you know how hard it can be to keep your home clean during meals. To
enjoy mealtime while keeping spills and crumbs contained. Silicone mats are easy to clean, so when they get dirty, simply rinse and dry. Keeping a clean home as a pet
owner doesn’t have to be compli cated. Using these five tips, you’ll easily maintain a clean home you and your furry friends can enjoy.
keep water spills and kibble crumbs from getting all over your clean floors, buy a couple of silicone pet food pla cemats. Set food and water bowls on these mats so your messy eater can
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Microfiber cloths are incred ibly effective at picking up pet hair. Because microfiber is electrostatic, it easily picks up pet fur and dander, saving you time and effort. To quickly clean fabrics like couches and cloth ing, slightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe the clothing or furni ture
Playing and spending time outdoors keeps your pets active and happy, but your pet may track in dirt and mud. Wipe your dog’s paws, belly and tail down before letting them inside. Keep towels or pet-safe wipes near the door to make this a habit for you and your furry friends.
Foritem.your
4. USE MICROFIBER CLOTHS
floors, look for microfiber mops. Bona’s Pet System includes a microfiber mop and two reusable mi crofiber pads. Not only will you be able to clean your floors more effec tively, but using machine washable and reusable microfiber cloths is also a sustainable way to clean your home.
3. WIPE DOWN YOUR PETS AFTER OUTDOOR PLAY
5. KEEP MEALTIME TIDY
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