Fall Home Improvement

Fall

Tips to keep kids’ rooms clean and organized

(StatePoint) For the past year, many of us have lived, played, worked and gone to school right at home, making clutter inevitable – especially when it comes to kids’ bedrooms and playrooms.

No matter how many times parents tell their children to clean their rooms, the collection of clothes, schoolwork and toys seems to build endlessly. Take charge of the mess with these tips to create a space that’s fun and functional for kids of all ages. 1. Prioritize Belongings. Start by considering what needs to go, what can stay and how much storage space you have available. Make it a family project by working with your kids to identify which items they love most and which things they could do without. Once you know what will be kept, prioritize space accordingly, keeping beloved items easily accessible. 2. Organize the Stuff. Find everything a home. Bins and baskets are ideal for small toys and games with tiny pieces, while drawers and shelves are perfect for larger items. For excess items, especially young children’s toys, use clear bins to store them in closets or under beds. Not only does this help tidy the room, but it can also make old things appear new again when they are pulled out of storage. 3. Create Labels. Getting belongings organized is one thing, but keeping them that way is another. A great way to ensure your hard work doesn’t go to waste is to label the bins or baskets. Labels make things easy to find when you need them and keep items organized when cleaning up. Creating labels with colorful Duck Tape is a kid-friendly DIY project that can help your kids feel in charge of the process. 4. File Away Papers. For older kids, schoolwork should be separated from games and toys, which can be difficult when learning from home and space is limited. Important assignments and documents should be put in folders and binders to prevent them from getting lost and help keep the room looking neat.

Organizing school supplies and at-home desks doesn’t have to be a boring task. Customize folders for each kid or each subject with unique designs using printed Duck Tape brand duct tape, or make labels with Duck brand chalkboard tape. 5. Personalize with Decor. Once the room is clean and organized, take some time to add personal touches. Allowing children to pick colors and patterns for their room can really make them feel like it is their own. If you have the space, a table or a lamp can be a fun addition. If you want to keep things simple, showcasing photos of family and friends or displaying kids’ artwork can do the trick, too.

Fall

Before you buy a home, ask these 5 questions about the roof

(BPT) - Ready to make an offer on that perfect piece of real estate? Most homebuyers have a checklist of questions to ask the seller. Questions about the plumbing, heating and AC unit are common. But when searching for that dream home, one of the most important yet overlooked major items is directly overhead and should top the checklist.

A roof protects the home from the ravages of sun, wind, rain and other threats. The ability for a roof to provide protection is directly linked to its condition. A roof nearing the end of its service life can be a major investment for any homeowner. Knowing the condition of a home’s roof plays a big part in determining what the overall investment in a new property will be. Here are a few questions to ask before committing to any property.

1. How old is the home’s roof?

Ask the homeowner about the age of the roof - and don’t be shy; ask for documentation. Knowing the age of the roof will help you understand issues you may encounter and how to plan to prevent them. It can also influence homeowner insurance costs - and even whether an insurance company will write a new policy on the property, according to insurance.com.

Typically, a roof can be expected to last anywhere from 15 to 50 years, depending on the roofing material, the severity of the weather it is exposed to and if it was installed properly.

2. Are there any known damages or repairs to the roof?

In most states, a seller must disclose any known home damage or defects to a prospective buyer. By asking about roof damage and repairs specifically, the seller cannot easily forget to mention those details. It is better to get any bad news early and factor the cost of potential repairs into negotiations to avoid devoting time and money toward a property that may

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have cost-prohibitive issues.

3. When was the roof last inspected?

A thorough inspection is important, even if the roof is new. Wind and hail can cause hidden damage that could dramatically shorten the life of the roof. Impacts from large tree branches can distort or even penetrate roofing material. Small, hard-tofind water leaks can lead to rot and costly structural damage beneath the surface.

A professional roofing contractor will provide a comprehensive inspection. They can expertly assess the roof’s condition, inspect often-overlooked areas, identify needed repairs and estimate the roof’s remaining useful life before replacement will be necessary. They will also inspect roof ventilation to ensure it is adequate. The contractor will make sure gutters are functioning properly and not allowing water to back up into the roofing system.

4. Is the roof still covered under warranty? Can that be transferred?

Depending on the manufacturer, the home’s roof may have a warranty that is transferable from one homeowner to the next. Warranties are designed to cover certain manufacturing defects. Ask the seller to provide a copy of the roof warranty and carefully read through the terms and conditions to determine if the warranty can be transferred and what degree of coverage will be provided. If a warranty is not transferable, that should not necessarily be a deal breaker; there may still be plenty of life left in the roof.

5. Will the seller negotiate a lower price to compensate for an old or damaged roof?

A home with an old roof is not necessarily the end of the line for a homebuyer’s dream. Sellers may be willing to negotiate a lower selling price to help a buyer cover the cost of roof replacement. The good news for the buyer is a new roof, along with a new warranty, is like a new beginning for the home with decades of reliable service ahead. Roofing manufacturers such as TAMKO Building Products LLC offer limited lifetime warranties that may add peace of mind.

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(StatePoint) So you want to become a plant parent? How do you make sure your new green “baby” will thrive in your home?

When selecting the best spaces in your home for different types of plants, it’s important to consider light, humidity and maintenance required, as well as what benefits that type of plant will bring to the space. Wild Interiors, the leading grower in all things green, offers tips for success. To learn more, visit wildinteriors.com.

From bathrooms to bedrooms to offices, you can make the rooms of your home healthier and more more inviting by becoming a plant parent.

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Preparing for power outages

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(BPT) - Natural disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires are forces to be reckoned with. Not only can they bring high-speed winds, heavy rains and roaring flames, they can also knock out power grids for entire communities, leaving people without electricity when it’s needed most. No matter where you live in the country, now’s the time to prepare your home and family for the impact of prolonged power outages.

Extended power outages are more problematic than ever before due to more people working and learning from home. According to a CNBC report, 25 percent of workers are still working remotely in 2021. And the remote work trend is only expected to increase, meaning more people will rely on home technology to do their jobs and help their children with school.

So as more Americans remain at home, those in severe storm areas need to keep their lives running smoothly. Electricity is essential to aid our everyday lives and fortunately, being proactive can help reduce the risk of a power outage affecting your livelihood, allowing you and your family to ride out natural disasters in safety and comfort.

Fighting Power Outages Head On

Here are some ways you can prepare for power outages if you think a severe storm is heading your way: • Make sure you have enough batteries and backups

Losing your Wi-Fi is problematic, especially during a power outage. Consider purchasing a battery backup for your modem and wireless router so you can stay connected. If your Wi-Fi provider is down, don’t panic. You can still use your electronic devices for work while keeping your family entertained during the outage. Make sure you have plenty of USB power banks and battery-powered wireless chargers on hand to keep cell phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices powered up.

Also, ditch gas lanterns, candles and other items that can become a hazard. Consider batterypowered lanterns, flashlights, fans and other devices that run on standard-sized batteries. • Install an automatic standby generator

For the best chances of keeping your power running during a severe weather event, an automatic standby generator is a reliable option.

Automatic standby generators like those from Kohler Power sit outside your home similar to a central air conditioning unit and connect to existing fuel lines within the home (propane or natural gas). When power is lost to the home, an automatic standby generator turns on within seconds. Homeowners do not need to be present to operate or refuel the generator. Depending on the size, an automatic standby generator can power an entire home or several key circuits like lights, air conditioning, heating, Wi-Fi and a refrigerator.

“An automatic standby generator is like having your own personal power source connected to your home,” said Ed Del Grande, a home improvement expert, contractor and author. “You’ll never have to worry about losing power again. Being prepared by installing an automatic standby generator will keep your family and home up and running during the storm.” • Unplug electronics and other devices from power supply

If you don’t have reliable backup power from a generator, make sure you unplug your computer, TVs and other sensitive electronics. Homes can experience a “power surge” after the electric grid is up and running again. These power surges can damage your devices if left plugged into the wall, as the sharp increase in high voltage can be too intense for your devices to handle. Consider using surge protectors to protect sensitive electronics. • Obtain a NOAA weather radio

Severe storms can knock out cellular towers as well, which can make it hard to get weather updates and messages from emergency officials on your mobile device. During a storm, it’s important to have access to this information so you can make the best decisions for you and your family, like whether to evacuate the area or help a vulnerable loved one or neighbor in need. Emergency weather radios are available that have access to NOAA channels, which can help you get the latest weather and storm warning updates in real-time without accessing the internet.

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Fall

DIY kitchen makeover ideas you can complete in a weekend

(StatePoint) Whether you’re putting down roots or putting your home on the market, kitchen upgrades make a huge impact. Not only do they have daily “good feeling” appeal for current homeowners, they can offer a great return on investment when it’s time to sell.

So it’s no surprise that kitchens were the second leading site of home improvements made since the pandemic, according to Hippos’s recent “State of Homeownership Survey.”

Boost your kitchen’s beauty and functionality with these DIY makeover ideas:

Countertops. Tired of boring countertops? When using the SpreadStone kit from Daich Coatings, an elegant new finish requires only the ability to paint, roll and sand. Working well on existing laminate, cultured marble, formica and other solid surfaces, the result is a dynamic stone finish that provides shimmering mineral accents and color highlights found in natural mined rock. The threestep process includes applications of a stone base coat, decorative stone coat and stone clear top coat. Finished countertops resist heat, stains, abrasion, impact and household cleaners. Available in 10 colors, each kit includes application tools and required coatings to complete 30 to 40 square feet of space. Kits are available online at The Home Depot and at daichcoatings.com.

Decorative boards. Add warmth to bars and kitchen islands, or an entire wall, by installing decorative wood boards. The ready-to-install S4S Decorative Boards from Ornamental Decorative Millwork provide a rich, clean appearance and are available in Ambrosia Maple, White Oak, Black Stained Aspen and Gray Stained Aspen profiles.

Track lighting. For a cool look that’s also highly functional, install track lighting above all areas of the kitchen where you slice, dice and saute, or use it to highlight design elements. Kits make installation easy and are available in a range of designs complementing any style. Add specialty lighting in other areas of the kitchen to give the room a warm glow.

Floating shelves. Add floating shelves to keep spices handy, hold favorite cookbooks, stack plates or display decorative accent pieces. Lightweight and easy-to-install in just minutes, those from Ornamental Decorative Millwork can be easily painted or stained to complement other design elements in the room.

Wood beams. Add architectural style and warmth to your kitchen (or any other room) with lightweight Rustic Beams from Ornamental Decorative Millwork. Whether it’s adding straight beams, creating a center beam with cross beams, or crafting a coffered ceiling, home design creativity knows no bounds with this DIY project. Made of real wood, these pre-stained U-shaped beams and wrought iron metal accent brackets are available at Lowe’s and come with everything needed for installation.

Outdoor kitchen. Building an outdoor kitchen is an amazing way to make better use of your backyard and enjoy fresh air as you cook and dine. Using VertiStone Roll-On Wall Texture, you can ensure the space is beautiful. Without prep work and in little time, you can use it to completely transform any drywall, block, masonry or concrete outdoor kitchen surface in such finishes as smooth polished marble, natural suede, parchment, dream lace and linen. Then, to protect the newly-coated surfaces, simply add Hi-Build Ultra Clear Coat, a tough coating that resists water, U/V rays, chemicals, impact and abrasion.

Thanks to a variety of products making DIY easy, you can affordably give your kitchen that “wow factor” in an afternoon or weekend.

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