fall home garden - gannettcdn.gatehousemedia.com/custom-systems/ghns/files/courier.fall.hg-… ·...

The Steuben Courier Advocate • 10 W. Steuben St., Bath, NY • 607-776-2121 • www.steubencourier.com

fall

GARDENHOME

INSIDE:� Your fall to-do list� Get organized� Check for chemicals� Look for damage� Care for your lawn

FALL 2016

| FALL HOME & GARDEN | 2016

Roxul ComfortBattRoxul ComfortBatt helps keep the out-side outside, to keep your home warmin the winter, and cool in the summer.

LONGWELL LUMBER CO. (607) 776-2713 • 31 W. Steuben St., Bath, NY

Cool or warm air: Keep it in or out!

Interstate 4000 Series Double Hung Low E Argon Insulated Glass1/2 screenUp to 101 U. I.

$14900

ClimaGuard™ Windows Low E Glass and Argon Gas.Add Comfort and Energy Savings.

Now through Sept. 30

For over 100 years, Longwell Lumberhas been the first choice in the area for quality products, expert service and great prices on all your building needs.

STORM DOORS

LifetimeWarranty

METALBESTCHIMNEY & VENTING SYSTEMS

Double Wall InsulatedChimney Systems

298-SS Self-Storing Half Screen

830-80 ScreenAway®

Retractable Screen

5 Year Warranty

VALUE-CORE® STORM DOORSWood core doors that provide all weather protection at a great value. • 1” thick wood core• Maintenance-free aluminum surface needs no upkeep• Window and screen system provide ventilation control• Heavy-duty weatherstripping • Adjustable-speed closer• REVERSA-HINGETM for right or left mounts• Available in White

Superior protection wood core with magnetic weatherstripping that seals like a refrigerator.• DuraTech® finish over wood core for age and weather resistance• Window and screen systems provide ventilation control• Magnetic weatherstripping seals like a refrigerator• Adjustable-speed closer in matching colors• REVERSA-HINGETM for right or left mounts• Available in White, Almond, Sandstone or Brown

2016 | FALL HOME & GARDEN | PAGE 3

Time to get

weather will soon turn cooler, and you’ll be spend-ing more time indoors. You’re probably sur-rounded by warm-weather clothing and goods thatyou won’t need for a few months. Time to seize the

opportunity and get organized.Unless you stay on top of things, it’s easy for draw-

ers, cabinets, closets – the entire home – to get messy. Tack-ling the tumult can seem an insurmountable task. One problemis simply getting started. Where do you begin? What comes first?

“Don’t look at the big picture. People get overwhelmed whenthey think about the magnitude of the project, especially if clutterabounds in every room,” said Monica Friel, president of Chaos toOrder, Chicago.

HOW TO STARTYou don’t have to get to it all immediately. A big mess can be

dwindled down a bit at a time. “If you find yourself never getting started because you can’t find

the time for such a large project, use a timer. Can you only dealwith it in 30-minute increments? That’s OK – it’s better to getstarted than to never begin,” Friel said.

Just start in one section of the big project. “For example, you’ve got a cluttered garage and it’s full to the

brim, grab a trash bag and a donation bag and begin eliminatingwhat you can. Even 10 minutes of this will get that dent started.Who knows, maybe you’ll realize it’s not so bad and keep going be-yond the allotted time,” Friel said.

Some people like to start with an overall strategy, but just doingit is what matters.

“Planning is always a good idea, but don’t spend too much timeplanning, making lists and reading books about it. We see manyfolks who stay in the planning mode and avoid getting started,”Friel said.

Need a little encouragement to get started? “Containers are a great motivator,” Friel said. “Don’t buy any

organizing gadgets until you’ve finished the weed-through-and-purge process. If you’ve got your eye on some fun baskets or con-tainers, let that be your reward for getting through it. You can evenset some reward markers in your planning stage: containers forgetting through different sections, a manicure for getting throughall the paperwork and a massage after cleaning out the basement.”

If you’re really having trouble getting started, “working with anexpert organizer makes getting started happen easier. You planthe time and carve it out. Your organizer arrives and they guideyou through this process, which makes what once was daunting alittle more fun,” Friel said.

organizedBy Melissa EricksonMore Content Now

The

PAPERS: Toss junk mail ASAP and sc

an when

you can. Using your smartphone to t

ake

digital images of notes and papers will

help

ease the paper clutter.

CLOTHING: Go through each

piece every

season. This not only gives

you a mental

inventory of what you have, it

helps to keep

only what you wear handy.

TOYS: Kids can get overwhe

lmed with too

much fun stuff. Keep only what t

hey love and

rotate toys, so not everyth

ing is always

accessible.

1

2

3

TIPS

METRO CREATIVEPHOTO


Today’s home buyers are more conscious ofbeing green and installing energy-effi-cient appliances, according to the most

recent “What Home Buyers Really Want” surveyby the National Association of Home Builders.

A majority of respondents, 67 percent, said they were concerned abouttheir home’s impact on the environment and responded positively to thequestion of whether they wanted a more healthy home.

Conversely, homeowners are also becomingmore concerned about how their home af-fects their health.

“Ten years ago people werescratching their heads over thefarm-to-fork concept,” said JillianPritchard Cooke, founder, Well-ness Within Your Walls, an infor-mational resource group createdto provide education and guidanceon chemicals commonly found inliving and working spaces.

Now, it’s not just gourmet chefsand organic farmers who have em-braced this healthier way of eating.Consumers are jumping on board, too.

“What’s started as farm-to-table has beentransferred to the interiors of our homes and workspaces,” Pritchard Cooke said. “People need to learn just as much aboutVOCs (volatile organic compounds) and how they get into our homes asthey now know about GMOs (genetically modified organisms).”

VOCs are emitted from products such as paint and paint strippers, woodadhesives, glues, aerosol sprays, air fresheners, wax and stains, and cancause adverse short- and long-term health effects, said Pritchard Cooke, a

see BREATHE | 8

breatheWhat to know aboutchemicals in your home

EASIER

By Melissa EricksonMore Content Now

Healthy home tips:• Install hardwood floors wherever possible.• Use area rugs that can be washed rather than dry cleaned.• Wash rather than dry clean your clothes.• Use appropriate venting in the kitchen.• Ventilate art rooms where children are doing hobbies.• When refreshing your home, choose low- or no-VOC paint.• Look for furniture manufacturers that are members of theSustainable Furnishings Council.

“ Consumers need to be more vigilant.They are often not aware of whatthey are bringing into their homessimilar to 10 years ago when they didnot know what was in their food."

METRO CREATIVE PHOTOS


Don’t wait for the snow to fall – book your heatingsystem’ s annual maintenance and inspection today!

proMpt

607-776-5757 • 47 W. Steuben St., Bath, nY

24-HourEmergencyServices

Freeestimates

electric Service UpgradeS

Heating Service & inStallation

OdorSometimes water damage is best detected by

the smell test. Homeowners who notice the smellof mold or mildew in rooms that previously never

emanated such odors might havehomes that are in the early stagesof water problems. The water dam-age might be behind the walls,where mold is beginning to formthanks to water damage. Olderhomes tend to be musty, but call in

a professional if you notice that mustiness ifmore pungent than usual.

Water damage is a potentially costly problem,especially if it goes unnoticed for months or evenyears. Homeowners and prospective home buy-ers should be on the lookout for signs of waterdamage before problems escalate and require ex-pensive repairs.

METRO CREATIVECONTENT

Homes are potentially suscepti-ble to a host of problems.Water damage is a potentially

costly problem that can afflict any home.Old homes tend to be most susceptible towater damage, and that damage canmanifest itself in various ways. The fol-lowing are some telltale signs of waterdamage that should give prospectivehome buyers pause and compel currenthomeowners to seek professional assis-tance as soon as possible.

4

Buckled drywall or woodDrywall or wood that is buckled or beginning to buckle is an-

other potential indicator of water damage. Drywall buckles whenit gets wet, and that is often a sign that there is a leak behindthe drywall. Severely buckled drywall will feel as if it has ridges.Wood also buckles when it is exposed to excess moisture, and thiscan usually be felt when walking on the wood barefoot or in socks.

Deteriorating woodWood around windows or doors that is deteriorating may indi-

cate water problems. The wood might be deteriorating becausewater is infiltrating the wood during storms. Baseboards andmolding that is dilapidated or beginning to deteriorate may alsoindicate water damage.

StainsMany prospective home buyers have been dis-

appointed by the sight of water stains during anopen house or home inspection. Waterstains tend to be on ceilings and/orwalls. Stains on ceilings tend to beround, while wall stains are straightlines down the wall that may or maynot have forced paint to peel. Waterstains are not necessarily indicative of

a major problem, but homeowners should havethe stains examined by a professional while po-tential buyers should direct their home inspec-tor’s attention to the stains.

1

23

Mold plays an important role in nature. Moldbreaks down dead organic matter, including fallenleaves, and speeds up the decomposition processso nutrients can return to the soil as quickly aspossible.

But mold inside a home can be a formidablefoe, triggering allergicreactions and increas-ing a person’s risk ofdeveloping respira-tory problems. Moldcan even cause dam-age to a home by at-taching itself to woodand breaking downthat wood.

Because the conse-quences of moldgrowth inside a homecan be so dire, it’s im-

portant that men and women take steps to preventmold growth in their homes and apartments. TheU.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes thatcontrolling moisture levels in a home or apartmentis the key to controlling mold as well.

• Address spills quickly and properly. Many in-stances of mold infestations can be traced to leaksor spills that were not quickly or properly ad-dressed. The EPA advises that wet or damp ma-terials or areas should be dried within 24 to 48hours to prevent the growth of mold. Make surespills are thoroughly cleaned as opposed to a cur-sory cleanup of only the areas visible to the nakedeye. Inspect nearby crevices when spills occur to

see MOLD | 15

How to prevent moldgrowth in your home

RecognizingDAMAGE


Take steps to fight snow moldHomeowners who live in regions where snow falls into

spring or where spring tends to be cold and damp may wantto take steps to prevent snow mold. Gray snow mold typi-cally looks fuzzy and gray, and lawns infested with snowmold may develop unsightly gray or brown spots indicativeof dead grass. Pink snow mold may be even worse than

gray snow mold because pink mold attacks the roots as well as theleaves. To prevent snow mold, continue mowing into the fall, even aslawns grow dormant, clearing the lawn of grass clippings and leavesafter each mow. Thick lawns may provide a breeding ground for snowmold, so homeowners whose lawns have a history of developing snowmold may benefit from mowing their lawns into the fall.

Winter is rarely easy on lawns, but homeowners can take severalsteps to prepare their lawns for potentially harsh winter weather.

3

PRE-WINTERlawn care tips

Winter weather can be harsh, especially on lawns. Homeownerswho spend much of spring and summer tending to their lawnsmay fear the impact that winter will have on their once-lush

landscapes, making the fall a great time to fortify lawns against any harshconditions to come.

Homeowners must take grass type into consideration before taking stepsto prepare their lawns for the winter. Some grasses are best fertilized in late-summer, while others should be fertilized in autumn. Cool-season grasses,including fescue and bluegrass, are best fertilized sometime between themonths of September and November. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermudaor zoysia, should be fertilized between July and September. Once homeown-ers have gained a greater understanding of their lawns, they can begin ex-ploring the various ways to prepare their lawns for whatever winter has in store.

Explore winterizing fertilizersHomeowners who want to make their grasses more winter

hardy can consult landscaping professionals to determine if win-terizing fertilizers will work for their lawns. These specially for-mulated fertilizers, many of which are made exclusively forcool-season grasses, contain higher levels of potassium and lower

levels of nitrogen than early-season fertilizers. Potassium helps strengthenand harden plants, and cool-season grasses may need extra potassium aswinter settles in. Homeowners who are not sure if they should apply winter-izing fertilizer can conduct soil tests to determine the potassium levels intheir soil. If the test indicates the soil has sufficient potassium, then applyinga winterizing fertilizer is likely unnecessary. In addition, homeowners whohave fed their lawn a balance of nutrients throughout spring and summerlikely will not need to apply winterizing fertilizer.

Get rid of fallen leavesWhile fallen leaves may be integral components of idyllic

autumn landscapes, leaves left on the lawn throughout thewinter may lead to disease in the grass. Leaves trap mois-ture and block sunlight and air from reaching grass, andthat can encourage the development of disease. In addition,leaves can harbor insects that also may contribute to dis-

ease. While it might seem like common sense to delay leaf removal untilthe end of autumn when all the leaves have fallen, that, too, can proveharmful to lawns. Leaves left laying on lawns for long periods of timecan contribute to the same types of damage as leaves left on the lawnthroughout winter, so do your best to remove leaves as they fall.

1 2

3

Install, Refinish, Stair Restoration & SalesOver 15 years Experience

607-661-7465

Treat your feetto new floors

Bear Creek FlooringHARWOOD FLOORING SPECIALIST METRO CREATIVE CONTENT


8597 Main Street • Campbell, NY 14821 (607) 527-8872 or (800) 450-8872

www.jimsequipment.com | [email protected]

Check out our NEW location!

Freezing pipes are a concern for homeowners who live in cold climates.When temperatures dip below freezing, the risk that pipes will freeze rises.Should a pipe burst, the damage that results can be extensive and costly.

Any pipe can freeze, but those that are directly exposed to the cold arethe most vulnerable. These include pipes that feed outdoor hoses, swimmingpool supply lines, pipes in unheated indoor rooms (i.e., basements orgarages), and any pipes that run close to the outdoors through uninsulatedwalls. Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion can place pressureon whatever is trying to contain it – including pipes.

To avoid serious damage, homeowners need to prepare for the arrival of

see PIPES | 12

PROTECT PIPES fromFREEZING this winter

METRO CREATIVE CONTENT

Bill Griffin - Owner • PO Box 307 • 12 North Main • Cohocton, NY 14826

“YOUR BUILDING AND REMODELING SPECIALIST”Griffin Construction of NYS Inc.

(585) 384-5971

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Electrical Plumbing Additions Remodeling

Serving the local community for 26 years


Continued from 4

cancer survivor whose disease wascaused by environmental factors.VOCs are also brought in the homeby many cleaning, disinfecting, cos-metic, degreasing and hobby productsand dry-cleaned clothing and rugs.All of these products release VOCsover a period of time.

Studies have found that levels ofseveral volatile organic compoundsaverage two to five times higher in-doors than outdoors. During and forseveral hours immediately after cer-tain activities, such as paint strip-ping, levels may be 1,000 timesgreater than outdoor levels, accordingto the Environmental ProtectionAgency.

There are several steps that canreduce your family’s exposure toVOCs.

“Take a look at your existing ven-tilation system. Change your filters

regularly and clean out air ducts,”Pritchard Cooke said.

If you’re painting or having carpetinstalled, “toxins are introduced intothe air. Run your HVAC (heating,ventilation and air conditioning) sys-tems on overtime. Even if the paint isno-VOC, you’re still introducingchemicals into the home. Get thefresh air moving. Run fans and airpurifiers,” Pritchard Cooke said.

“Consumers need to be more vigi-lant,” Pritchard Cooke said. “They areoften not aware of what they arebringing into their homes similar to10 years ago when they did not knowwhat was in their food. Reading andunderstanding labels is key. We needmanufacturers to be transparent andaccountable. It took a long time to getfire retardants out of upholstery –thankfully that was a battle worthfighting and the result has producedhealthier upholstery nationwide.”

AFFORDABLE REPAIRSHeating • AC • Fuel Oil • Installations

24 Hour Emergency Service

(607) 359-4440

ROD WHEAT47 Fairview Hill • Addison, NY 14801

Free testing for flame retardantsSitting on your living room couch doesn’t seem risky, but did you know that yourcushions could contain flame retardants that could be hazardous to your health?Products that are likely to contain flame retardants include couches made after1970, including love seats, recliners and padded chairs; children’s car seats; infantsleep wedges and pregnancy pillows; high chairs and portable crib mattresses.Have concerns? A research team at Duke University will test up to five samplesfrom your furniture or household products for free. Start the simple submissionprocess by visiting foam.pratt.duke.edu to get a serial number. Then you’ll needto cut out a piece of foam about the size of a marble, wrap it in aluminum foil, sealit in a sandwich bag and mail it in. Styrofoam and polyester filling will not betested. You’ll receive a brief report of the findings in about 45 days. – MCN

BREATHE


Many people believe nothing is morebeautiful than the yellow, red, purple,and orange leaves that coat neighbor-hoods and countrysides each fall. But inspite of their beauty, leaves might be anuisance to homeowners tasked with re-moving the growing piles of them fromtheir lawns. Those with large oak andmaple trees in front of their homes un-derstand the seemingly endless work ofleaf removal.

As the days begin to grow shorter andcolder, these changes trigger a hormonerelease in trees, prompting them to droptheir leaves. This chemical messagecauses the formation of abscission cellswhere the leaf stem meets the branch,say botanists at the Missouri BotanicalGarden. So rather than merely droppingoff of trees when the wind blows, theleaves actually fall off deliberately.

Left untouched, fallen leaves can con-tribute to lawn problems such as pooraeration, mold growth and moisture is-sues. Leaves also can cause staining on

driveways and walkways. Prompt re-moval can help prevent any problems. Tomake faster and easier work of leaf re-moval, keep these tips in mind.

• Mow over thin leaf coverage. If onlya few leaves have fallen, use a mulchingmower to shred the leaves until they aresmall enough that they won’t suffocatethe lawn. The small pieces will decom-pose in the lawn, reintroducing nutri-ents as a result.

• Use an ergonomic leaf rake. Er-gonomic rakes can prevent back andarm pain, much in the way that er-gonomic shovels do when shovelingsnow.

• Invest in a quality leaf blower.Using a rake is good exercise, but home-owners with large properties mightwant to use a leaf blower. These ma-chines can dislodge leaves from bushesand hard-to-reach crevices, and theywork faster than rakes.

see LEAF | 13

Simplify

cleanupfall leaf

pple pie, pumpkins and bloomingchrysanthemums are symbols ofautumn. But nothing signals thearrival of fall more than the mil-

lions of leaves that begin to cascade from thetrees as the temperatures dip.

A


ROOF • GUTTER • SIDING • DECKCONCRETE & FENCE CLEANING

• Free Estimates• 100% Environmentally Safe & Pet friendly

• 2 Year Guarantee on Roofs

Our cleaning process uses no pressure, safe chemical cleaning recommended by the Shingle Manufacturing Association that cleans

thoroughly and leaves no mess behind.


General Contracting Fully Insured

Like us on

Todd Card607-346-1243

Your Experienced Professional

omeowners know that maintaining a home can be a year-roundjob. No home is immune to wear and tear, and homeowners whowant to protect their real estate investments should try to staytwo steps ahead to ensure their homes do not succumb to the elements or become outdated and unappealing to prospec-tive buyers.

Fall has become a season that’s synonymous with home improvement, buthomeowners need not wait until the leaves begin changing colors to startplanning their next projects. The following are a few items homeowners canadd to their fall home improvement to-do lists.

Roof inspectionLess precipitation tends to fall during the warmer months than during

the late fall and winter. As a result, homeowners may not be aware of leakyroofs until autumn has come and gone. But waiting until winter to inspectthe roof can prove disastrous, as weather conditions will not be conduciveto inspection and increased precipitation may result in potentially costlydamage. Leaky roofs can be easily identified by looking for water stains oninterior ceilings. Once you see a stain, you can climb onto the roof to identifythe location of the leak and fix it before winter rains and snowfall turn theproblem into something much larger. Inspect your ceilings for signs of leak-ing after a strong rainfall, and then address any leaks immediately.


Gutter cleaningWhile some homeowners prefer to delay their gutter cleaning projects

until late fall, those whose homes are surrounded by trees may need toschedule two such projects. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debriscan cause serious roof damage, and that damage can extend all the wayinside a home. In addition, clogged gutters make great nesting areas forinsects or critters. Always stand on a ladder when cleaning gutters, wear-ing gloves to remove items by hand and dropping leaves and debris intoa trash can below. Standing on the roof and leaning over gutters greatlyincreases your risk of injury. If the gutters are clear when you first ex-amine them in early fall, you can wait until later in the season to givethem a complete and thorough cleaning. Once you have finished clearingthe gutters, you can use a hose to run water through them and the down-spouts to confirm everything is functioning properly.

Window and doorway inspectionBefore temperatures start dropping once again, homeowners will want

to inspect their windows and doorways for leaks. Over time, cracks candevelop around windows and doorways, and while such cracks are rarelynoticeable when the weather outside is warm, they can be quite obvious

see LIST | 13

YOUR FA

LL

TO-DO LIS

T

H


arpets provide both practical and aesthetic appeal insidea home. In winter, carpets help keep homes warm, andthe right color carpet can add to design schemes.

While rugs may have originated in the Far East,North America also has some rich carpet history. Accord-

ing to The Carpet and Rug Institute, the United States car-pet industry began in 1791 when the first woven carpet mill

opened in Philadelphia. Others soon followed suit. Tufted carpets andmachine-powered manufacturing helped churn out yards upon yards ofcarpeting, making it a popular, affordable and common addition tohomes, especially after the post-World War II housing boom.

Carpeting remains a go-to flooring material in modern homes. In fact,many homes offer a blend of both carpeting in some rooms and differentflooring choices in others.

Upon choosing carpet, it is important that homeowners follow someguidelines to prolong a carpet’s longevity and maintain its style. The fol-lowing are some common carpeting dos and don’ts.

DO consider the room’s purpose and foot traffic before shopping forcarpeting. Make a list of the attributes desired (e.g., soundproofing, easycare, high pile) and present these to the salesperson so he or she can helpyou make the best choice.

DON’T rush into flooring choices. Unlike paint colors, flooring mate-rials are more permanent choices that are only updated every severalyears or more. Weigh all of your options before diving in.

DO consider conservative colors and styles. Neutral hues and patternswill blend better with furniture options. This means you can change

see CARPET | 14

Find and maintain theright carpet for you

Kitchen and bathroom remodel-ing projects tend to make great in-vestments, earning homeownerssignificant returns when they selltheir homes down the road. Butflooring upgrades are anotherhome renovation project that canattract attention and help sellerswhen they put their homes on the market.

Home flooring options abound,and it is easy to get excited andoverwhelmed about flooring reno-

vation projects. When choosing newflooring materials, homeownersshould keep in mind the latest con-sumer trends, as those trendsmight help them recoup more oftheir flooring investment down the road.

One popular flooring trend is theuse of sustainable materials. In ad-dition to the more widely knownbenefits of choosing sustainableflooring, such as protecting naturalresources and reducing a home’s

carbon footprint, sustainable floor-ing can help reduce indoor air pol-lution. Various studies from theU.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency have shown that indoor airpollutant levels may be higher in-doors than outdoors. A major con-tributor to indoor air pollution arethe volatile organic compounds, orVOCs, being off-gassed by carpet-ing and other flooring in a home.

see FLOORING | 14

Sustainable flooring options abound



www.hutchschimneystove.comMasterCard/Visa/Discover/American Express • Certified/Insured

• Custom Fireplace Glass Doors and Screens• Relining Gas, Wood, Oil Flues

• Sweeping & Repairs• Dampers & Spark Arrestors

• Video Inspections• Waterproofing

• Chimney Removal/Reconstruction• Repointing, Crowns, Stucco

HUTCH’S CHIMNEY &STOVE SERVICE

585-466-7962 Office • 585-808-7376 Cell

WE FIX LEAKY

CHIMNEYS

Continued from 7

colder weather and be smart abouthow they protect pipes.

• Drain water from swimmingpools and water sprinkler supplylines prior to the onset of coldweather. Drain water before freezingtemperatures arrive, and don’t forgetto drain outdoor garden hoses andstore them inside after watering sea-son has come and gone.

• Close indoor water valves thatfeed outdoor spigots/bibs. Open thespigot outside to allow water to drainout. Keep the outside valve open sothat any water that has accumulatedwill continue to drain and expandoutward without damaging the pipe.An insulated bib dome also can helpprevent frozen pipes.

• Open cabinet doors to allow heatto reach pipes inside of cabinets. Keepthe doors open to spaces that may notbe heated or insulated as well asother areas of the home so that heatcan find its way inside. Consider

wrapping these pipes with an insulat-ing material as well, such as heattape or pipe sleeves.

• Maintain a consistent thermo-stat temperature. Ensure the temper-ature inside your home does not dropbelow 55 F; otherwise, problems canarise. Use a programmable thermo-stat to keep the house comfortableeven when you are not home. Individ-uals who are traveling should set thethermostat so that it will keep thehome at the recommended tempera-ture to avoid frozen pipes.

• Open one faucet. When it is verycold outside, particularly at night, letwater slowly drip from one faucet toprevent freezing. Choose the sink thatis furthest from where water entersthe house so water is flowing throughall of the pipes to reach that faucet.

• Increase insulation aroundwhere pipes enter the house. Use in-sulating foam to seal any draftswhere pipes enter the house from theoutdoors.

“The kitchen has been a gatheringplace for friends and families formany years now, but it will becomepart of the main living space evenfurther,” said kitchen and bath de-signer Petra Jakobskrueger of Cre-ative Partner, a European-stylekitchen and bath design and homeremodeling specialist in the SanFrancisco Bay area. “In almost allour current projects we mergekitchen and living room, for exam-

ple, by including hidden and inte-grated appliances.”

The line between the kitchen andother living spaces is now being dra-matically blurred, the survey found.Of people who are in the midst ofplanning or recently completedkitchen renovations, the surveyfound that 69 percent use the spacefor eating and dining, and nearly

see MULTITASK | 14

By Melissa EricksonMore Content NowA place to MULTITASK

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home,but no longer is it a tucked-away space for mealprep. The new trend is a connected “super kitchen”

that serves multiple purposes and incorporates featurestraditionally found in other parts of the home, according tothe latest Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey.

PIPES

METRO CREATIVE PHOTO


“No Job Too Big or Small” • FULLY INSURED

607-703-9037

GENERAL CONTRACTINGMATT KNOWLES

Continued from 9

• Use a tarp. Rake or blowleaves onto a tarp and thendrag the tarp to the curbsideor to the back of a truck forproper disposal. Special leafscoopers enable you to grabmore leaves if they need to bepicked up and transported.Otherwise, you can use thecovers from two garbage pailsto achieve a similar effect.

• Work with the wind.Rake in the direction thewind is blowing and downhill

if your property slopes. Thisway it will be easier on you,and you won’t be workingagainst Mother Nature.

• Spread out the job. Donot attempt to remove allfallen leaves in a single day.Schedule a few cleaning daysduring the season to makelighter work of the job than ifyou tried to do it all at once.Keep in mind that leaves willcontinue to fall throughoutthe season and you may needto spend a few days removingleaves from your yard.

Continued from 10

and very costly if they remainunsealed come the start ofwinter. Cold air can enter ahome through cracks aroundwindows and doorways, andmany homeowners who don’tsuspect leaks may respond byturning up the thermostats intheir homes. That can provequite expensive over a full win-ter. Choose a windy autumnday to place a hand by win-dows and external doorways inyour home to see if you can feeldrafts. If you can, seal thesecracks as soon as possible.

Patio cleanupPatios are popular hang-

outs during spring and sum-mer, and that can result in alot of wear and tear. Once youstore patio furniture for thewinter, inspect your entirepatio to determine if it needsany refurbishing. While cer-tain patio projects may bebest left for spring, you canstill clean any stained areasaround the grill and look forcracks in the sidewalk thatneed to be addressed.

Preparing for fall home im-provement projects ahead oftime can help homeownerscomplete projects in a timelymanner and ensures theywon’t be forced to brave thewinter elements when refur-bishing their homes.

LIST

LEAF

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

Open-flame heating sources carry with them certain risks. The NationalFire Protection Association states that, between 2009-2013, American fire de-partments responded to 56,000 home structure fires that involved heatingequipment. The NFPA notes that the leading factor contributing to home-heating fires is a failure to keep things clean, principally from solid-fueledheating equipment. The following are a handful of ways to stay safe as youget ready for another cozy season around the fire.

• Start with the chimney. Begin by having your chimney thoroughly

see PREPARE | 14

Prepare your fireplace or stove for the season

ireplaces and wood-burning stoves not only can bebeautiful focal points within a home, but they also pro-vide an additional source of heat and can be used tokeep rooms or entire homes comfortable without the

need for additional and potentially costly heating sources.

F

METRO CREATIVE CONTENT


CARPETContinued from 11

furniture out and still keep the existing carpeting,which complements any new pieces. Also, if there’sa chance you might sell your home in the near fu-ture, buyers tend to look for a neutral color schemethey can make their own.DON’T skimp on padding to save a few dollars on

the carpet installation. The carpeting needs a solidfoundation to last and look its best. Inadequatepadding can lead to extra and noticeable wear andtear. Invest in a good foundation for the carpeting,like firm, dense padding in high-traffic areas.

Continued from 11

Flooring manufacturers anddesigners are embracing thegreen design and remodelingmovement. Today there aremany beautiful and sustainableeco-flooring options. Here aresome of the more popular materials.• Bamboo: Contrary to popu-

lar belief, bamboo is not a wood,but a grass. It is a fast-growinggrass, and that makes it a smartchoice in many design applica-tions. Also, unlike wood, whichwill absorb moisture and canwarp, bamboo repels water andcan be used for flooring in areaswhere one wouldn’t think to putwood, such as in bathrooms, en-tryways or mudrooms. Bamboois naturally very light in color,but can be stained in many dif-ferent hues to give homeowners

more options.• Green carpeting: Con-

sumers can now find a widerange of sustainable carpets andrugs that are available at com-petitive prices. Wool carpetsmade with undyed or vegetable-dyed yarns and minimal gluesare some options. Some carpetsare even made from recycledcontent, such as rubber and plas-tics. Water-based, low-VOC ad-hesives paired with recycledcotton padding can reduce thetoxicity and impact of carpetingeven further.• Cork: Growing in popular-

ity, cork is a material harvestedfrom the bark of cork trees foundin the forests of the Mediter-ranean. The bark grows backevery three years, so it is ahandy renewable resource. Corkboasts fire-retardant propertiesand may naturally repel insects.

It can usually be stained to suitvarious color schemes.• Rubber: Rubber flooring

may call to mind fitness gymsand playground safety substrate,but it’s also slowly finding itsway into homes. Made from recy-cled tires, rubber flooring is flex-ible underfoot and can belong-lasting and colorful.• Reclaimed wood: Rather

than purchasing brand newhardwood planks for flooring,homeowners can opt for re-claimed wood reused from otherbuilding applications. After somesanding, staining and finishing,reclaimed wood provides home-owners with the opportunity tochoose traditional hardwoodflooring without any concernsabout deforestation.Eco-friendly flooring materi-

als continue to evolve and can besmart choices in today’s homes.

MULTITASKContinued from 12

half for entertaining (49 per-cent) and socializing (43 per-cent). In addition, more than aquarter of renovating homeown-ers use their kitchen as a home-work space (25 percent), one infive watch TV (19 percent), and14 percent read. Because it’s be-come the hub of such activity, 60percent of homeowners spendmore than three hours a day intheir kitchens. “Planning a new kitchen, I al-

ways ask homeowners how theyentertain so we can plan thespace according to their specificneeds. Typical features for enter-tainment these days are built-inspeakers, a wet or wine bar, anda big, multifunctional island,”Jakobskrueger said. “Work-spaces in addition to dining ta-bles are also a common request.Parents want to be able to takecare of bills, check emails, do on-

line shopping from the conven-ience of their kitchen while theirkids might do homework on theisland.” High-tech features are wel-

come additions to the kitchen. “Homeowners also select

state-of-the-art appliances, fromsteam ovens to built-in coffeemachines to wine coolers. Theylook for smarter appliances andother kitchen gadgets that makecooking easy and more conven-ient. A big hit are hidden charg-ing stations, for example in adrawer, to store devices likephones and tablets so that theyare always operable, at hand,and charged but out of the way,”Jakobskrueger said.“The modern ‘super kitchen’

supports family, friends andwork and does it in style,” saidNino Sitchinava, principal econ-omist at Houzz. “Our findingsshow that homeowners expectkitchen renovations to go far be-yond improving flow, storage oraesthetics. The ‘super kitchen’

has literally become a livingroom, family room and office,with finishes, layouts and decorthat challenge us to definewhere the kitchen ends and therest of the home begins.”The survey also found that

kitchen updates often includedchanging the layout to supportbetter flow. U-shaped kitchensare the most popular choice ofnew layout (35 percent), followedby L-shape (28 percent), shapeswhich lend themselves most eas-ily to open-concept floorplans.Neutral colors were the most

popular. Similar to last year’sfindings, the majority of thoserenovating kitchens continue togravitate toward colors that willstand the test of time. Shades ofbeige, gray and white are topchoices for updated walls, andwhite and medium-light woodare still trending for cabinets.Updated counters either inte-grate multiple colors or are pri-marily white or black, the survey found.

PREPAREContinued from 13

cleaned and inspected. Creosote can build up insideof the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable andbecomes more difficult and expensive to clean thelonger it builds up inside your flue lining. In addi-tion, animals may have created nest inside of thechimney since the last time the fireplace was used.A professional chimney sweep should be hired inthis situation. He or she will be able to effectivelyclean the chimney in a manner that is the leastmessy and disruptive to residents.• Install or check smoke and carbon monoxide de-

tectors. Operational alarms are essential to prevent-ing injury or death resulting from smoke or carbonmonoxide inhalation. Such detectors are inexpen-sive safeguards that should be installed on everyfloor of the house. Batteries should be replacedevery six months, and the alarms themselves shouldbe changed every five to 10 years. • Have a professional inspect the chimney from

outdoors as well. If left unaddressed, dangerousfires can occur. If there are serious cracks, a profes-sional may need to make repairs or the chimneymay need to be replaced. You also can have thechimney capped with a screen to keep animals anddebris from entering.• Have a professional inspect the damper. A

damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulatesthe flow of air inside a chimney. It should be checkedprior to the first use of a stove or fireplace so home-owners can be certain it opens and closes smoothly.• Clear out flammable items. Move flammable

items away from the front of a fireplace or stove. Besure curtains or other home furnishings are farenough away that they will not catch fire from anyerrant sparks or flames.• Order wood now. Be sure there is plenty of wood

for the season.

FLOORING


MOLDContinued from 5

ensure the area where the spill happened and all surrounding areas vulner-able to mold growth are dry. In addition, fix leaky plumbing fixtures immedi-ately, hiring a professional if necessary.

• Inspect the ground surrounding your home. Factors outside a home cansometimes contribute to mold growth within a home. Make sure the groundoutside your home slopes away from the foundation. If the ground slopes to-ward your home, rainwater or runoff from sprinkler systems may direct waterinto your home, creating conditions favorable to mold growth inside. Guttersand downspouts also should be inspected to ensure they are working opti-mally. If not, they can contribute to water damage on the roof that can ulti-mately lead to mold growth.

• Monitor indoor humidity. The EPA advises that homeowners keep indoorhumidity below 60 percent relative humidity, which can be measured withhumidity meters available at many hardware stores. Homeowners who cankeep indoor humidity at levels 30 to 50 percent below relative humidity mightbe even more successful at keeping indoor mold growth at bay.

• Dry wet surfaces immediately. Surfaces can become wet even if a homehas no leaky fixtures and no spills have occurred. For example, the surfacesof bathroom walls, ceilings and floors get wet when a home’s inhabitants takehot baths or showers. That condensation is natural, but such surfaces are alsosusceptible to mold growth. Make sure to dry wet surfaces immediately, andkeep exhaust fans on or windows open when bathing to decrease the likeli-hood of mold growth.

Did you know?The arrival of cooler weather marks a prime time to plant bulbs that willbloom come spring and summer. Bulbs should be planted as soon as theground is cool, ideally when temperatures average between 40 and 50 F. Justbe sure to plant bulbs at least six weeks before the ground freezes for optimalsuccess. Always follow the bulb distributor’s guidelines for planting, includingsuggestions regarding spacing and soil depth. Remove any weeds and loosenthe soil to get started. In addition, think about mixing in compost or other or-ganic matter to enrich the soil if it lacks nutrients.• Metro Creative

Deb A Harer, Agent16 W Pulteney Sq. Bath, NY 14810

Bus: 607-776-2137 Fax: [email protected]

Great insurance. Low rates.Remodeling your home canincrease its value. Protect itby taking a new look at yourhomeowners insurance policy.

Renovate yourhomeownerspolicy.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL0901136.1

Like a good neighbor,State Farm is there.®CALL ME TODAY.

fall home garden - gannettcdn.gatehousemedia.com/custom-systems/ghns/files/courier.fall.hg-… ·...

Documents