Fall Home & Garden 2018

2018 fall

HOME &GARDEN SEPTEMBER 2018 A special supplement to The Daily Republic & ADvisor

2

B

Fall Home & Garden

September 2018

7 uses for fallen leaves

y the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last vestiges of red, yellow and orange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and collecting leaves becomes the primary chores of lawn and yard maintenance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gathered leaves to tend to.

It is impossible to count just how many leaves fall to the ground each year, or just how many pounds of leaves get collected curbside, but the numbers are substantial. Cleaning up leaves is considerable work, but not all of those leaves need to be carted away. In fact, there are several different uses of leaves that can be beneficial.

1. Spread leaves as a protective mulch to cover tender perennials or root crops/bulbs in the ground.

The leaves will form a natural insulating cover that keeps the soil and the plants within a bit warmer over winter.

2. Create a pile of leaves that will break down and form a crumbly, compost-like material called leaf mold. Even though leaf mold may sound like a blight, it’s actually a good amendment to garden soil, improving its structure and ability to hold water. Leaf mold also attracts beneficial organisms that are vital in healthy soil.

3. Brown leaves can be added to green materials in compost piles to improve the health of the compost being formed. According to the healthy living resource Care2, the ideal ratio is 75 percent brown to 25 percent green materials in compost. Turn compost piles regularly to aerate them.

4. Store dried, mulched leaves in a dry spot so they can be used in the spring as a weed barrier for spring plantings. They will keep weeds at bay and help retain soil moisture to ensure small sprouts have the resources to grow.

5. Use shredded leaves as a lawn supplement. Pass a lawn mower over leaves left on the lawn to break them down into pieces too small to rake. This will help keep the lawn healthy throughout the winter without blocking out needed sunlight.

6. Bag dried leaves and pack them tightly together in cold areas of the home, such as basements or garages. They can act as added insulation. Bags of leaves also can be placed around planting containers to protect them from frost.

7. Gather a few of the best-looking leaves and preserve them.

Use an iron on a low setting and press leaves between two pieces of waxed paper until the waxed paper seals together. Or use clear contact paper to achieve the same effect.

Fallen leaves can be used in many different ways throughout the year.

—Source: MetroCreative

think it paint it

get that

If you can

clean-carpet

ONLY

we can

residential, commercial, inside or out. We are here for you. Let us give you a new look...

up to 400 sq. ft.

99

95

Additional Bedroom Traffic Rooms for just $25 each up to 200 Sq. Ft.

The more you clean the more you save!

Some locations may have additional mileage charge.

Furnace Duct Cleaning

$35.00 OFF Expires 10-31-18

Scotchgard Available

Upholstery Cleaning

Interior & Exterior Painting • Woodwork Finishing Residential or Commercial • Free Estimates Serving both Western and Eastern Dakota

001777032r1

SPECIAL!

001777177r1

us Call y! toda

feeling

Two Rooms

$

For a Limited Time Only!

Dan Niehus

IICRC Master Technician 24 Years Experience

CALL TODAY

to Schedule An Appointment!

Recliner - $37.50 Loveseat - $55 Sofa - $65

Expires 10-31-18

995-5896 or Toll Free 1-888-245-8035

Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Smoke & Fire • Water Damage Restoration

Fall Home & Garden 3

September 2018

5 yard updates you can do in a weekend

I

f you love spending time in your yard, the end of summer can mark a period of sadness thinking about the colder temperatures and shorter days you must endure before getting back outside.

One sure cure for the blues is looking forward to something fun. Get a head start on spring and use the time now to complete a project that will enhance your yard. Whether you’ve been wanting a patio, a zen garden or just some new flower beds, fall weekends are an ideal time to make it happen.

By spring, they’ll be ready and waiting for your finishing touches!

With the help of rental equipment, you can get these jobs done in a fraction of the time and with much less of an investment than purchasing expensive tools yourself. Here are five weekend projects you can complete this fall and dream about all winter.

► Zen garden: Building a free-standing, minimalist zen garden is a simple but powerfully effective way to add beauty and texture to a lawn or patio. To get a head start in the fall, plan where you’d like to set that rectangle of tranquility in your yard. Once that’s measured and marked off, you can rent a sod cutter to almost effortlessly remove the grass.

Before the ground freezes, give that rectangle a stone border, and cover with a tarp. When spring comes, the foundation of your zen space will be

ready and waiting for you to add plants, shrubs, gravel, lanterns and maybe a statue or two. ► Pond: This fall, choose a sunny spot in your yard to build your pond, and then rent a tool, like a mini-excavator, to move the dirt and even carve out the terraces. When that job is done, you’ll have plenty of time to get the bulk of the project ready for spring, such as adding your sand layer, the waterproof liner and installing the pump. Finally, arrange the rocks to create a beautiful and natural-looking perimeter that’s waiting for spring and the addition of water and plants. ► Patio and pergola: When you compare a paver-brick patio with a traditional wood deck, the advantages of the patio are very evident. Patios are easy for do-it-yourselfers to complete in a weekend or two, they’re less expensive to build and they’re easier to maintain and repair. You can also add a pergola to create a beautiful space for outdoor dining and entertaining. With the help of a rented post hole digger, you can have the posts in place before the snow flies. ► Flower beds: Flower beds add beauty to your yard, but they can accomplish so much more. Wide beds along property lines can create a privacy buffer between you and the rest of the world and

Buying or selling a home or business can be an enormous endeavor.

Aurora / Davison County Title Company, Inc. will provide the professional and courteous service you expect and deserve. Timely preparation of all title and escrow documents and friendly customer service. Competitive pricing. All you need to do is sign on the dotted line.

Proudly serving Aurora Center, Ethan, Loomis, Mitchell, Mt. Vernon, Plankinton, Stickney, Storla, and White Lake

Davison / Aurora County Title Company Closing/Title/Escrow

dctco@midconetwork.com 305 North Kimball/PO Box 1345, Mitchell, SD 57301 Phone: 605-996-6462 • Fax: 605-996-6180

001713559r1

increase the curb appeal of your home. Preparing the bed in the fall means less dirt work in the spring, so you can spend that time getting plants in the ground. The good news is, if you decide you want the bed to be bigger, you can just rent a walk-behind skid steer and get the job done quickly. ► Fire pit: Nothing’s better than sitting around the fire with friends and loved ones. Fire pits are the ideal fall project because you can start enjoying it almost right away. Whether you add to an existing patio or start new, renting a cement mixer and a paver saw for custom-fitted pieces can help you create a functional new feature in just a weekend or two.

Find the rental companies, tools and equipment in your neighborhood that can help you make your vision a reality at RentalHQ.com.

— Source: Brandpoint

Fall Home & Garden

4

Fabulous Fall Flavors:

September 2018

Why Autumn is ideal for gardening, plus timely tips for success

F

or any gardener, fall is bittersweet. The exuberance of summer’s bounty has started to fade, while cooler nights and less daylight signal the approach of cold, dark winter.

However, there’s still plenty of time to savor some of the garden’s best flavors before you close your door on the season. In fact, now is the perfect time to plant what are collectively known as “cool weather” crops — tasty favorites that thrive in autumn’s chill.

Bonnie Plants grows a wide variety of cool-weather veggies and herbs, perfect for fall planting. Availability of Bonnie’s fall varieties is limited to specific regions, so check your local garden retailers to find plants near you.

Select some hardy favorites to get weeks of crisp cabbage slaws, healthy kale bowls, crunchy cauliflower and broccoli or even hearty greens like collards or Swiss chard, perfect to pop in a long-simmering winter braise.

Other fall favorites include Brussels sprouts — delicious roasted with slivers of garlic, olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar — or any of the versatile salad greens like lettuce and spinach or flavorful herbs like cilantro that tend to suffer and bolt prematurely in sweltering summer sun.

Here’s six timely tips from Bonnie Plants to help

you make your fall garden as enjoyable as your summer harvest. ► 1. Go big at home Plant pre-started vegetable or herb transplants rather than seeds to squeeze every last moment out of fall’s compressed growing season. These plants love warm soil coupled with cool air and will start to grow quickly. Using transplants instead of seed also means you’ll be gathering tasty produce weeks earlier than you would with seed-sown varieties. ► 2. Stretch the season While you can certainly plant cool-season veggies and herbs in pots or in the ground, a simple, commonly available garden product, a “cold-frame,” can help you extend your fall season by providing some added protection. A cold frame is a four-sided, clear box — open to the soil at the bottom — with a hinged lid. Because the ground inside stays warmer than the ambient air temperature, a cold frame protects plants long after unsheltered veggies start to fail. (On warm, sunny days, be sure to crack the lid open to prevent too much heat from building up inside.)

Large Cold Frame

FALL FLAVORS: Page 5

Building now on Country Drive Ave! Lots Available in our Lakeview Addition!

Your one stop shop for ALL your house’s needs.

CREWS & CONTRACTED SERVICES AVAILABLE!

001775870r1

• DOORS • FRAMING • WINDOWS • TRIM • MOULDING • CABINETS • SIDING • DECKING • RAILING • TRUSSES • WALL PANELS • INSULATION • HARDWARE • SHUTTERS • WIRE SHELVING • MIRRORS • STEEL • DRYWALL • FIREPLACES • SHINGLES

September 2018

Fall Home & Garden 5

FALL FLAVORS from page 4

► 4. Proactively patrol for pests While pest numbers naturally decline in the cooler days of fall, they don’t disappear entirely. Common pests of cool-season plants include tiny, sap-sucking aphids, caterpillars (particularly from cabbage white butterflies) and harlequin bugs. Inspect your plants for tiny clusters of aphids or tell-tale holes in the leaves.

Handpick caterpillars or harlequin bugs from plants and dispose of them or use a strong blast of water from a hose to dislodge aphids. ► 5. Embrace cooler, carefree comforts With the warm days and cool nights of fall, less moisture evaporates from your garden or pots, so you’ll need to water less often. (Only water when the soil 2” deep is dry.) In addition, many

cool weather crops handily survive light frosts, growing well until a very hard freeze ends their productivity. Better yet, chilly weather improves the flavor of many late-season varieties, including members of the cabbage family, kale, Brussels sprouts and chard, by turning their starches into natural sugars, making them a sweet and healthy treat. ► 6. Take time to relax Just like plants, gardeners enjoy a break from the stifling heat of summer. With the leisure of cool days, fewer chores and less weeding as the garden begins to wind down, you’ll be able to enjoy the garden more while you wait to harvest your fall favorites to boost your recipes and brighten your table.

If you don’t want to give up on your garden’s bounty, pick up a selection of cool-season favorites from Bonnie Plants now — and keep your garden growing!

For more information on fall gardening and varieties, please visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Cabbage Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, and Broccoli

— Source: Brandpoint

Kale

“THE DEPENDABLE CONNECTION FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS” Whether your replacing or remodeling, small leak or large commercial project, let Krohmer Plumbing ensure your project is flawless. We provide licensed and bonded plumbers, the latest styles, and workmanship you can depend on.

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU MITCHELL OFFICE 401 South Ohlman Mitchell, SD 57301 605-996-2752

SIOUX FALLS OFFICE 3505 N. 1st Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-275-0077

HOURS: MON-FRI 8-5

001777209r1

► 3. Prepare your plot or pot If planting in-ground, be sure to clear the area of previous planted crops and weeds, as they may decay and harbor bacteria.

Always bag, tie and discard debris. Turn up the soil’s top layer and add some bagged compost, and mulch. If planting in a pot, be sure to sanitize pots and use fresh, new potting soil, specifically formulated for containers.

6

Fall Home & Garden

September 2018

Battling back-to-school pest problems

A

COCKROACHES

new school year means backpacks stuffed with school supplies and the return to classrooms. It also means an increased chance of your child encountering pests or unknowingly bringing them home. From sweaty locker rooms to classroom floors riddled with food scraps, schools provide a whole host of tempting places where pests like insects and rodents may be. The experts at Terminix have a few pointers on common pests your young scholar may come into contact with while at school and how to limit interaction with them.

It’s important to be aware of the health concerns cockroaches present, especially if your child has asthma or another respiratory condition. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, their droppings, shed skins and saliva can cause allergic reactions and asthma, particularly in children.

Contact can trigger nasal congestion, watery eyes and skin rashes. The insects can also contaminate surfaces with nasty bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

Cockroaches will eat just about anything, from ordinary food items to potted plants and even cosmetics. Areas like school cafeterias and bathrooms provide the perfect mix of food, shelter and moisture for these insects. They’re known stowaways, and could end up in your house via infested boxes or other items. If you don’t catch a cockroach clinging to your child’s belongings, you might find other signs, such as droppings or egg cases behind furniture or in pantries.

BED BUGS

These small, reddish-brown insects feed on blood and can easily become a headache for your family. Bed bugs are active mostly at night, and can emerge from their resting spots beneath mattresses or even from the crevices of furniture to search for their next meal. They’re also great hitchhikers, meaning they can catch a ride home on your child’s backpack. Although they aren’t known to carry disease-causing pathogens, their bites can cause mild to moderate allergic reactions, which can also itch.

To limit the chances of your child bringing home bed bugs, you should check backpacks and other possessions upon entering your house. You can also inspect your car for obvious signs of bed bugs, like shed bed bug skins and blood stains.

the crumbs dropped during snack time in the classroom or lunchtime in the cafeteria.

With over 12,000 different species worldwide, these social insects can damage everything from wooden structures to computers, and can cause quite the distraction in the classroom. The type of ant also determines what kind of food that species will eat. Carpenter ants, for example, will seek out meat, honey and jelly indoors. A sticky sandwich would make the perfect target for a hungry ant.

If a pest does manage to hitch a ride home with your child and sneak past you, it might be time to call in the professionals. A pest management provider like Terminix can help you handle any infestation in your home so you can focus on more important things — like getting your kid to school on time.

— Source: Brandpoint

ANTS

There’s no way around it: Kids are messy, and ants are perfectly equipped to take advantage of that. Ants have four to five times more odor receptors than other insects, making them skilled at finding food like

CARPET • WATER • MOLD TESTING & REMOVAL • FIRE/SMOKE • AIR DUCT CLEANING

TURN THE HOME

YOU HAVE INTO THE HOME YOU LOVE!

CARPET CLEANING & PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION SERVICE

Furniture Cleaning

when booked with Carpet Cleaning

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

FloorTec

119 West Railroad Street · Mitchell, SD

605-990-5325

249

Duct Cleaning

cleans up to 10 openings Call to schedule Avery to clean your carpets today!

001774410r1

25% OFF

$

FULL INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

CABINETS • COUNTERTOPS • PAINT • CARPET VINYL • FURNITURE • HARDWOOD • TILE

1301 W. 15th Ave, SD Hwy 37 Bypass Mitchell 605-996-4062

Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm Sat: 9am-1pm

ftcmitchell.com

Fall Home & Garden 7

September 2018

Josh’s ATV Service ATV Service & Repair Used ATV Sales

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:30 pm 36578 SD Highway 44, Platte, SD 57369.

JOSH VEURINK 605-337-ATV (2887) Cell 605-680-0362

001778360r1

•Lumber

•Decking •Paint & Stain

•Windows

•Siding

•Plumbing

•Cabinets

•Doors

•Electrical

•Shingles

•Locks

•Hand Tools

•Insulation

•Gutter

•Power Tools & Access.

•Flooring

•Caulk

•Builders Hardware

Residential • Commercial • Farm New Construction & Remodeling

LOTS AVAILABLE IN OUR MORNINGVIEW SUBDIVISION SOLD

F ounded

in

SOLD

1960

SOLD

F ine Q uality H and c raFted o rnaMental i ronwork c ustoM F aBrication P recision cnc P lasMa c uttinG P ress B rake F orMinG t uBe B endinG l arGest M etal i nventory in tHe a rea

SOLD

SOLD SOLD OLD S

SOLD

G reG B ailey P(605)996-4306 M(605)999-4306 F(605)996-6748 WWW.BAILEYMETALFAB.COM

400 N. Ohlman St. • Mitchell, SD 605-996-9175 • www.muellerlumber.com

Mon-Fri 7 : 30am-5: 30pm • Sat 7 : 30am-1:0 0pm

001773561r2

B ailey M etal F aBricators i nc .

001773817r1

P resident

Fall Home & Garden

8

September 2018

Ways to prep your home for winter Cold weather problems that home winterization can prevent

W

e Hugger Sale e r T

According to James Valley Landscape Solutions, October is a great month to control any broadleaf weeds that grow in your lawn such as dandelions.

Lowering your blade to cut the grass shorter than usual before the first snow hits is another helpful tip to prepare your lawn for winter.

Lastly, keeping your lawn clean and removing any leafs or outdoor furniture will help alleviate damage to areas of your lawn over the winter, according to James Valley Landscape Solutions. ► Sky-high energy bills: Do your electric bills rise during the wintertime? Heating your home accounts for about half of your home’s energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Combat the cold by sealing off any cracks or gaps with caulk and inspect entrances for worn or broken weatherstripping. Schedule a furnace inspection tuneup with an HVAC contractor and consider installing a smarter thermostat. Learning thermostats, such as Nest, can remember your favorite temperatures, turning itself down when you leave for work, as well as returning to your favorite temp at the end of the day. ► Water leaks: We take our pipes for granted, but we don’t always anticipate what can go wrong when we’re not home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage accounts for

of the wee ant l k P

15 off 1 tree 20% off 2 trees 25% off 3 or more trees

30% Off

All Interior Paint

20% Off

Add flair to your landscaping with a late spring/early summer bloomer with leaves ranging from deep green to burgundy and abundant pink blooms.

VALID VALID Thru Nov 15, 2018 *For fabric shades, applies to looped Roman, classic flat Roman, or seamless Roman styles only.

SAVINGS up to $55.00 Value per window

(605) 996-8444

001775364r1

outside.

600 W Spruce St Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-4, Sun Closed jamesvalleylandscape.com

Pratt & Lambert

Thru Oct. 31,2018

All varieties of Weigela bushes are 25% off through Saturday, September 22.

Let’s go Use our PlantFinder tool to find the ideal plants for your landscaping and garden projects!

WINTER PREP: Page 9

Last Chance for Exterior Paint

Weigelas %

half of all property damage claims. Add winter’s freezing temperatures to the mix, and you can end up with a big problem if your home has a power outage or your furnace malfunctions.

001774208r1

By Sam Fosness The Daily Republic hen you start feeling those first hints of winter, the instinct to get ready kicks in.

You may dig out your car’s snow brush, blanket, shovel and winter survival kit and place them in the trunk of your car. The winter coats and boots come out of storage, and you may pick up some extra mittens at the store.

We do these things to protect ourselves from the cold when we’re out and about. But what do you do to protect your house against the hazards of winter? If you don’t take time for maintenance and winterization now, you can end up paying for it later, whether it’s in the form of higher energy bills, frozen pipes or fixing a broken furnace.

Here are problems that can hit home during the winter and what you can do to ward them off. ► Lawn care: Preparing your lawn for a long winter has its challenges, but it can make the difference in producing healthy grass. According to Jason Hohn’s Lawn Care, give your lawn a thorough fertilizing, replacing all of the nutrients that tend to get lost from the soil during the warm summer months. When the weather turns cold, the fertilizer will feed your lawn’s roots throughout the entire winter and will remain in the soil.

FREE Cordless Lift

On Graber Cellular, Pleated, Natural.

Roller, Solar, Fresno Roman and Fabric Shades LIMITED TIME ONLY

NEW OWNER - MIKE FOX

315 W. 1st • Mitchell • 990-2790 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 • Sat. 8:00-2:00

September 2018

Fall Home & Garden 9 WINTER PREP from Page 8

For extra peace of mind, there’s now a leak and flood protection system you can purchase that shuts off your water main’s supply when it detects leaks — and sends an alert right to your smart device. LeakSmart installs directly to your home’s main water supply, and wireless sensors placed around the house can detect a leak or temperature changes and shut down the whole house water supply within five seconds. And when the LeakSmart Hub is powered by a battery back-up, the system will still work if the power and internet go out, so you don’t have to worry about coming home to water damage.

The system can work on its own or be integrated with smart home systems.

If you’re interested in learning more about how this smart device can protect your home, visit LeakSmart.com. ► Power outages: When a winter storm hits, the ice and wind can break power lines and interrupt the supply of electricity to our homes. It’s not uncommon for some outages to last for days, which is why it’s always smart to be prepared.

Before winter hits, make certain your generator or other backup power source has ample fuel and is in good working order.

Keep some basic supplies at the ready, so you can keep your family comfortable. Make sure you have extra blankets, stocking caps, batteries and fully charged power banks for

your mobile phones. It’s also good to have a few gallons of fresh water and some cans of ready-to-eat chili and stew. If you have a camp stove, keep it in an easy-to-reach place, along with a fuel supply. ► Ice dams: Another thing to watch for in the winter are pools of water forming on your roof. These can be caused by ridges of snow and ice, and eventually cause leaks to the interior of your home. Ice dams can also lead to the formation of large, pointy icicles that hang from the gutters, which can fall and injure people.

Luckily, a little work upfront can go a long way toward preventing ice dams and the damage they can cause. First, make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other yard debris, so the snowmelt has a place to go. Next, poke your head into the crawlspace of your attic and see if the insulation layer is still thick enough to keep the heat from escaping through the roof. While you’re up there, look for gaps and leaks.

Finally, this is a good time to invest in a simple snow rake, so you can easily remove wet, heavy snow from your roof before the dams can start forming.

Now that you know the most common winter hazards that can hit home, you can take the steps to protect your investment and keep your family comfortable and safe.

— Brandpoint contributed to this report.

Fall Home & Garden

10

September 2018

Protect your home from WINTER’S FREEZE

F

reezing temperatures may be good for ice skating or building snowmen, but sub-freezing temperatures can be dangerous for the average person and his or her home.

Cold weather often leaves people scurrying to do whatever is necessary to safeguard themselves from the big chill. But it’s important homeowners also protect their homes in cold weather.

PLUMBING

Plumbing and pipes may be vulnerable to cold weather. Frozen pipes may burst and cause substantial damage to a home, potentially causing flooding and structural damage.

Homeowners should disconnect and drain garden hoses before winter arrives. Water to outdoor hose bibs should be turned off, though the valves on these outdoor faucets should be left open to drain. Also, outdoor faucets can be covered with insulating foam covers.

The Red Cross says pipes that freeze most frequently include pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces.

Close vents to the outside in areas like attics and

basements to limit the amount of cold air that gets indoors. Think about insulating unheated areas, as well as using pipe sleeves, heat tape or wraps on exposed pipes.

By opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, homeowners can allow warm air from a home to reach pipes under the sink. During extreme freezes, keep cold water dripping from a sink to prevent pipes from freezing.

fuel on hand in advance of winter. Shortages can occur, and it may take some time for new fuel to arrive in the midst of a cold snap.

As a precaution, homeowners can rely on portable space heaters to fill in the heating gaps during freezing temperatures. Exercise extreme caution with these devices, turning them off when leaving the room and remembering to avoid overloading outlets.

SERVICE HVAC SYSTEMS

PROTECT OUTSIDE

It’s important to ensure that heating systems are working properly prior to the cold-weather season. It may only take hours for the interior of a home to reach dangerously low temperatures without adequate heat. Homeowners should schedule annual checkups of furnaces and hot water heaters. Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, install a clean air filter and make sure all thermostats are working properly.

HAVE FUEL READY

Homeowners who heat their homes with oil, wood or coal should make sure they have plenty of 001711855r1

Drain birdbaths, clean out downspouts and remove water from other items where water can freeze and cause damage. Inspect roofing prior to the snowy season, but stay off roofs during freezing weather.

Remove snow shovels and other winter gear from storage and make sure the items are easily accessible during snowstorms.

Winter’s bite can be severe. Homeowners can protect themselves and their properties when the freeze sets in.

— Source: MetroCreative

UPPER MIDWEST GARAGE DOOR CO.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

605-830-0300 www.kirwandesignllc.com @KirwanDesign Design

Build

Maintain

CALL US TODAY FOR A QUOTE!

25656 SD Hwy 37 Mitchell, SD 57301 cody@uppermidwestgd.com

605-999-2280

001777314r1

Landscape Design, Installation, and Maintenance Sprinkler System installation and Maintenance Mowing, Fertilization, and Weed Control.

Fall Home & Garden 11

September 2018

How much will it cost to replace your roof?

H ow can there be thousands of dollars difference between contractor bids for similar home improvement projects on neighboring homes? And how can homeowners get an idea of what a new roof will cost?

In general, labor for a new roof should make up 60-65 percent of the cost and most of the remaining cost, 30-35 percent, should be the cost for materials, according to Rick Taylor, a longtime roofing contractor now working as a training manager for TAMKO Building Products Inc. After labor and materials, the remaining costs, approximately 5-10 percent of the total, should consist of disposal for any building materials that need to be removed and any additional fees, like paying to have the shingles

craned up to the roof or renting scaffolding for the job.

As for the specific dollar figure, there are many factors that go into a roofing bid. Here are the top four factors that can affect the cost of a new roof.

SIZE

The larger the house, the larger the roof, and the more shingles needed to cover it. According to industry standards, one square of shingles is the amount needed to cover 100 square feet of roof, and as a rule of thumb for most three-tab and laminated shingles, there are three shingle bundles in each square. To estimate the number of squares needed, divide the total square feet by 100.

When calculating how much roof-

ing you need, be sure to consider any additional, detached buildings that would benefit from having a matching roof to the main house — for example, a detached garage, sheds or gazebos.

PITCH

The pitch, or angle, of your roof can also affect the cost of re-roofing.

A roof with a steep pitch can increase the final roof bid as contractors may build in additional costs for more safety equipment and a longer timetable to complete.

“Typically, a single-story house is considered ‘walkable’ and is going to be easier to roof, but steep-roofed houses and anything two-story is going to be considered ‘non-walkable’ and will cost more to re-roof,” Taylor said.

ROOFING MATERIAL

The type of roofing chosen will also affect the final cost. Three-tab asphalt shingles are some of the most economical options, but tend to have shorter warranties than the more popular laminated architectural shingles. And not all laminated shingles are created equal. Unique or specialty styles, like the added dimension of Heritage Vintage shin-

gles or the extra-wide cut of Heritage Woodgate can also affect the final cost, and may come with a longer warranty than standard cuts.

Metal shingles carry a higher price tag as well, but also feature longer warranties and potential energy savings. Natural materials like wood shake and stone slate will raise the cost of the roof even more.

TYPE

Whether the roof is a “complete tear-off,” or a “layover” will also affect the final bid. If a contractor must remove all existing shingles before installing new shingles, the labor and disposal costs will increase.

Doing a layover is more economical, although homeowners need to discuss with their contractor what local building codes require and implications for the manufacturer’s warranty. TAMKO, for example, provides a limited warranty and arbitration agreement when laminated shingles are applied over one layer of threetab shingles.

Consider these four factors and you’ll have a much better handle on how the type of project and options chosen will affect your new roof’s cost.

— Source: Brandpoint

Fall Home & Garden

12

September 2018

Outdoor tasks TO WINTERIZE YOUR HOME When the days start to get shorter and colder, you know it’s time to prepare your home and garden for winter. To help you out, here’s a handy list of outdoor chores to get done this fall: PLANT AUTUMN BULBS: before the first frost, plant the bulbs that you want to bloom next spring (tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, etc.).

PROTECT WEAKER PLANTS: cover the bases of weaker, dormant perennials with mulch (as required by your hardiness zone). Also, consider pro­ tecting recently planted shrubs and the trunks of younger trees.

CLEAN UP THE GROUNDS: to avoid the possibility of carpenter ant and ro­dent infestations, remove all dead leaves, branches and firewood you find near the walls and foundation of your home. In taking this step, you’ll also be removing fire hazards.

RELOCATE POTTED PLANTS: if you have plants that need to stay warm, it’s time to bring them inside.

CHECK THE FOUNDATION AND EXTERIOR WALLS: locate and seal all cracks to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage to your home.

CUT THE WATER SUPPLY: empty then store garden hoses and shut all outdoor water outlets to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting over winter.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S MOST EFFICIENT INSULATION

PRUNE BRANCHES THAT ARE CLOSE TO YOUR HOUSE: not only will you prevent them from damaging the exterior of your home, but you’ll also eliminate a potential bridge for heat-seeking parasites.

INSPECT THE ROOF: replace any dama­ged shingles (split, curled, wavy, loose, etc.). If you have a flat roof made of asphalt and gravel, make sure the crushed stone covers the whole surface. Also, remove all debris and check the flashing. For best results, call a professional roofer for a maintenance inspection.

SWEEP THE CHIMNEY: sweep your chimney — or have it swept by an expert — in order to reduce fire hazards. Moreover, check the chimney cap or put one in place. This simple device prevents animals from being able to sneak into your home.

STORE GARDEN FURNITURE: wash all outdoor furniture then store it or shelter it with protective covers. All cushions, however, should be brought indoors. Be sure to also store the barbecue (after cleaning the grill and removing the propane tank, of course).

FENCE THE VENTS: to keep rodents out of your home, place grills on all of your vents (i.e. extractor fan, bathroom fan, dryer, central vacuum, etc.). If you already have grills in place, inspect them to make sure they’re in good shape.

Also, make certain that each valve closes properly.

CLEAN THE GUTTERS: remove leaves (wait until they all fall) and other debris from your gutters so that water can flow as it’s supposed to. If you don’t, standing water could freeze and damage the gutters. Also, take the opportunity to assess your gutters and, if necessary, strengthen them.

Hawkeye Tree & Stump Services LLC JD Heinrich 605-928-3706 home • 605-682-9830 cell

• Tree Trimming • Tree/Stump Removal

FREE ESTIMATES

Jeremy Riggs

605-770-4662

www.superiorsprayfoamsd.com

001713096r1

001712432r1

Willing to Travel

• Tree Spade • Pasture Cedar Tree Removal • Tree Planting • Shelter Belt/Farm Clean-Up

Dimock, SD • mti20@hotmail.com

001767874r1

WILL DO ALL TYPES OF WORK...

JUST ASK!

• Bucket Truck Services

September 2018

Fall Home & Garden 13

Make fall clean-up eco-friendly

C

ertain tasks become necessary once autumn arrives. Whereas spring and summer were spent tending gardens and maintaining a yard prime for entertaining, autumn is about preparing properties to survive the winter.

Just as with other jobs around the house and yard, fall clean-up can be done in a manner that is respectful to the environment.

LEAVE PLANT STALKS AND LEAVES

It is tempting to want to cut back perennials and other greenery so a property looks neat. But as flowers and plants dry and drop to the ground, they help insulate the roots from the cold.

They also provide a natural habitat and serve as a winter food source for birds and small animals.

RAKE LEAVES SENSIBLY

Power blowers and mulchers make fast work of leaves, but at the expense of the environment. Gas-powered devices discharge fuel exhaust into the air, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Instead, reap the benefits of peace and quiet as well as exercise from manual raking.

While raking, do not feel the need to remove every leaf. A certain amount of organic matter can be beneficial to the soil and even insulate the lawn somewhat. A leftover leaf here or there also may provide protection for insects and small animals. For example, many native bees spend the winter in tunnels in the ground, cracks in mortar, holes in dead wood, or within hollow stems, and they need lawn and garden litter to survive.

expending more energy than necessary.

COMPOST IS A FRIEND

Look at which items in the yard have seen better days and prepare to recycle or reuse them in different ways.

Faded plastic planters can be used as impromptu bird baths in a garden. An old tire can be mulched and turned into soft material to put around a playset.

Inquire as to the proper way to recycle plastic lawn chairs that may be broken.

Autumn yard work should be performed in as eco-friendly a fashion as possible.

Spread a thin layer of compost on the lawn and in garden beds. Compost prevents weed growth, insulates and protects the soil and provides nutrients that will be needed once the spring busy season begins. By using compost, homeowners can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and weed killers.

CHECK FOR DRAFTS AND LEAKS

Fall is an ideal time to check windows and doors for cracks where water, air or insects can enter. Seal up holes and cracks, and ensure there are no drafty areas. Drafts can cause home heating and cooling systems to work harder,

COLLECT AND HARVEST

Be sure to gather any useable garden vegetables and fruits and prepare them for storage if they cannot be consumed in the next few days. Canning is a time-honored preservation method.

Herbs and seeds can be dried and saved for use later on. Vacuum seal fresh basil and parsley.

TAKE INVENTORY

— Source: Metro Creative

Professional & Dependable

PAINTING SERVICE

Colder Weather is Approaching…

Schuh

Be sure to get your radiant boiler Congratulations from heating system checked/serviced.

The O rig Painti inal ng Co mpany

New Construction Interior and Exterior Repainting Pre-finishing of Woodwork

Mitchell Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. 605-996-7583 605-996-7583 Commercial & Residential

Voted Best of Mitchell 2017 001628208r1

801 North Rowley

801 N Rowley St.SD • Mitchell Mitchell,

Call Jim Gramm (605) 996-1243

Serving Mitchell & Surrounding Areas for over 55 years

001627208r1

See us for ALL your plumbing needs

Fall Home & Garden

14

September 2018

Preparing your fireplace or stove for the season

F

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

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

Open-flame heating sources carry with them certain risks. The National Fire Protection Association states that, between 20092013, American fire departments responded to 56,000 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. The NFPA notes that the leading factor contributing to home-heating fires is a failure to keep things clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment.

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

► Start with the chimney. Begin by having your chimney thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Creosote can build up inside of the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and becomes more difficult and expensive to clean the longer it builds up inside your flue lining. In addition, animals may have created nest inside of the chimney since the last time the fireplace was used. A professional chimney sweep should be hired in this situation.

He or she will be able to effectively clean the chimney in a manner that is the least messy and disruptive to residents. ► Install or check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Operational alarms are essential to preventing injury or death resulting from smoke or carbon monoxide inhalation.

Such detectors are inexpensive safeguards that should be installed on every floor of the house. Batteries should be replaced every six months, and the alarms themselves should be changed every five to 10 years.

FIREPLACE: Page 15

Your Carpet and Flooring

001775525r1

Specialists!

We feature:

Mitchell

Across the street from County Fair

996-6900

No one else can give you more!

Merchandise similar to illustration. Limited quantities.

TOLL FREE 1-800-300-6904 www.montgomerysfurniture.net

001774150r1

• Over 1500 Samples • Free Measuring • Free Estimates

blinds | shades | shutters | draperies | bedding | top treatments | motorization | commercial

15% OFF

ANY WINDOW COVERING ORDER Cannot be combined with other offers.

Call TODAY for Your FREE In-Home Consultation!

Susan B. Tjarks 605-630-3422

susantjarks@gotchacovered.com www.GotchaCovered.com

Fall Home & Garden 15

September 2018

FIREPLACE from Page 14

► Inspect the chimney from outdoors as well. Inspect the mortar around any bricks in the chimney and surrounding areas for cracks. If left unaddressed, these can cause dangerous fires. If there are serious cracks, a professional may need to make repairs or the chimney may need to be replaced. You also can have the chimney capped with a screen to keep animals and debris from entering. ► Inspect the damper. A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a chimney.

It should be checked prior to the first use of a stove or fireplace so homeowners can be certain it opens and closes smoothly.

As the owner, I don’t just stand behind my work... ...I stand on it!

► Clear out flammable items.

Move flammable items away from the front of a fireplace or stove. Be sure curtains or other home furnishings are far enough away that they will not catch fire from any errant sparks or flames. ► Order wood now. Be sure there is plenty of wood for the season. Ask a wood supplier to estimate just how much will be needed, and double-check that the wood will arrive in time for the start of the season.

By preparing for fireplace and wood stove use now, homeowners can ensure their winters are comfortable and safe.

— Source: Metro Creative

...the leading factor contributing to home-heating fires is a failure to keep things clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY

WE MAKE PROTECTING YOUR HOME OUR PRIORITY

Y QUALIT TS PRODUC ONLY!

FREE ESTIMATES

Trusted Construction At Affordable Rates!

Serving Mitchell & The Surrounding Area

(605) 996-8648

001773311r1

3 Locally Owned Since 2001 3 25 Year Labor Warranty 3 Over 30 Years Experience 3 Daily Site Cleanup

16

Fall Home & Garden

September 2018

Here at Thunes, we can help you design your dream kitchen but still help you with your fall around the house clean up needs.

001778214r1

Thune’s True Value Hardware 1400 North Main Street, Mitchell SD 57301 • 605-996-7508 www.thunestruevalue.com thunehdw@mitchelltelecom.net and like us on Facebook Store hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM