Home and Garden

Improvements, Safety Tips, Remodeling Options and Money-Saving Ideas

Safe At Home

As the cooler months descend on the region, now is a good time to think about heating safety issues. Here are some tips from Pennsylvania Utility Choice (www.puc.state.pa.us) to help you ready your spaces for a comfortable and safe winter season:

• Have your furnace checked regularly by a professional. The flame should burn bright, steady blue and should never come outside of the furnace. If you hear or smell natural gas leaking from furnace lines, evacuate the house immediately and use a phone outside the house to call 911.
• Chimneys regularly build up creosote that can ignite, so they need to be cleaned professionally and inspected for cracks and or obstructions. Never burn paper, trash or green wood in your fireplaces; these fires are difficult to control and can cause heavy buildup. Use a fireplace screen that is big and heavy enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace and catch flying sparks and stop rolling logs.
• Inspect and clean any woodstove stovepipes and chimneys on a regular basis and also check for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep combustible objects away from the stove. Check with your local fire department and confirm local codes before having a stove installed.
• Only use space heaters with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety listing. Read and follow all instructions in the owner’s manual. Heaters should be placed on the floor, away from all combustible materials and out of high-traffic areas. Never put anything on top of a space heater or leave the heater unattended or with unsupervised children. Electric heaters should be unplugged when you go to bed or leave the house, and kerosene heaters should be turned off if you go to bed or leave the house. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in your kerosene heater, never gasoline or camp stove fuel.

Along with fire, another potential danger of home heating is carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have any appliances or equipment that burn fuel such as propane or natural gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood, coal, pellets, etc., you should install a carbon monoxide detector.
Smoke detectors save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. Be sure to keep new batteries on hand to replace immediately when necessary. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Make sure each extinguisher is properly charged and use the gauge or test button to check proper pressure. If a unit is low on pressure, damaged or corroded, have it professionally serviced. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers.
Use surge protectors to avoid overloading electrical outlets. Never put a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet or extension cord. ~Compiled by Megan Klock

Sources: American Red Cross, United States Fire Administration and American Gas Association.

What’s the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

Because mold and mildew commonly grow in the same types of environments—warm, damp areas—they are often mistaken for one another. In actuality, mold and mildew are different types of fungi despite sharing many similar characteristics, including spreading out from spores. Mildew is found more often in showers, fabrics and paper, while mold is more often found in foods. Mold can range in color from black to red to green, while mildew is typically white or gray.

Although both mold and mildew can be problematic for individuals with allergies or asthma, it’s typically mold that causes people to be most weary. Some molds have toxins called mycotoxins, which can cause severe allergic reaction in some people. Inhalation of certain molds can also cause respiratory problems.

Mildew can generally be cleaned off of hard surfaces with mildew cleaner or a bleach-and-water solution. If mold is very prevalent in a home, it may be best to call in a professional to determine the best course of removal to prevent spores from spreading and causing health problems.  ~MS

Did you Know?

If a roof replacement is in your future, it’s a good idea to investigate the costs of the different roofing materials to find one that fits your budget.
• Asphalt Shingles: Asphalt is the least expensive option available, which is perhaps why this type of roof covering is also the most prevalent. The cost of asphalt shingles is typically $50 to $150 per square. (Roofing is figured in terms of “squares,” which equals 100 sq. ft.) Costs for materials will not include the labor to remove the old shingles, which can add $30 to $60 per square. Today’s asphalt shingles are more durable than in years past and come in a wide array of colors.
• Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are a unique option and certainly one you don’t see on every house, primarily because of the cost. Clay tiles can range from $275 to $500 per installed square.
• Metal Roofing: Metal roofing is an option in areas with a lot of snowfall. The snow simply slides off of the metal roof. This material is very durable and can add curb appeal. Pricing is widely varied among companies and can start at $115 per square or up to $650 for extra coatings and more expensive metals.
• Slate Tiles: A special skill is required to install slate tiles, which makes them a coveted luxury but also one of the most costly options. The intricate installation process can cost upwards of $1,000 per square. Once installed, however, slate is very durable and can last 50 years or more. ~MS

Improve an Interior in a Weekend or Less

Few industries have boomed as much as the home improvement industry since the turn of the century. Even in the midst of a recession, homeowners continue to look for ways to improve their homes, whether for resale or simply to tailor the home more in their own image.

One of the problems many homeowners face, however, is finding the time to take on a project. This is especially true nowadays, as growing financial concerns have made the do-it-yourself (DIY) movement more popular than ever. While homeowners continue to seek ways to save money on projects, they’re also looking for the time to do them. Fortunately, they can do both. The following projects won’t take more than a weekend and they won’t break the bank, either.

• Work on a wall. One easy way to change the feel of your home’s interior is to add an accent wall. This is as simple as painting one wall a different color than the rest. Decorators typically recommend finding the dominant color in a given room, and then painting the wall you want to be the accent wall with a color that complements the room’s dominant color.
• Change the lighting scheme. Homeowners who have been in their homes for a long period of time often grow bored with their home’s interior. But change doesn’t require a complete room overhaul. Instead, revamp the lighting scheme by simply purchasing new lamps and bulbs to make a significant difference in how a room looks and feels. What’s more, all it requires is a quick drive to the home improvement store, many of which carry an array of lighting choices.
• Shop for antiques and art. Another way to overhaul a room’s interior is to add some antiques or hang new, more colorful (or more toned down) artwork. Artwork and accessories such as antiques can give a room a completely new look without requiring much sweat equity from a homeowner. ~MS