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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
think
energy efficiency
Finding energy efficiencies on your home can lead to savings in your wallet, but where to start that process and the lifestyle decisions it may raise can seem overwhelming. But as a certified energy advisor, that is where Gilles Lesage comes in—helping his clients negotiate through that process and make informed decisions backed up by research that delineates clearly where savings can be achieved. Lesage has devised his own energy evaluation that analyzes a home’s electricity consumption based on home occupants, living behaviours, lighting, heating systems, pools and hot tubs, etc. He says this evaluation, which he developed in the aftermath of homeowner frustration with the amounts on their electrical bills and the double-tiered electricity use
billing system, can predict a Along with contracting his there are incentives offered by adian home, making it the larhome’s electricity bills to deservices to homeowners, LeFortis and Hydro to help degest energy expense for most termine if an issue exists in the sage said he also works with fray the cost of adding those homes. This provides a big home and how certain uphome builders and developers energy efficiency features. For opportunity for energy savgrades will affect the electrion energy efficiency features people it can come down to ings. city bill. that could be included in new buying that granite counterA wide variety of technol“It provides good awarehomes. There are various intop or a high efficiency furogies are available for heatness for homeowners about centives offered by Fortis and nace, and the countertop typing and cooling your home, how much they can save by Hydro for new homes as well ically wins out.” and they achieve a wide range using LED lights, installing a as existing homes. Lesage, who also operates of efficiencies in converting high energy their energy efficiency sources into furnace, reuseful heat placing an or cool air for old fridge your home. or freezIn addition, er with a many heatnewer high ing and energy efficooling sysciency modtems have el, installing certain supa heat pump porting or turning equipment down the in comtemperature mon, such as of the hot thermostats tub,” Lesage and ducts, said. which proLesage, vide oppora certified tunities energy adfor saving Gilles Lesage is a registered home inspector who has devised his own energy evaluation that analyzes energy. visor, said in this day and a home's electricity consumption. Any air age there are sealing efstill many homes with electric “The conundrum there is a home inspection service, forts will complement your inheating, which is more expen- the price of a new home needs says the Central Okanagan sulation efforts, and vice versa. sive than natural gas. to stay in a certain range to atis known for building large Proper moisture control and “The problem for some tract buyers in a competitive square footage new homes, ventilation strategies will imhomes is they don’t have acmarket, and energy savings which can average out in the prove the effectiveness of air cess to a gas line, and heatupgrades can be more costly 3,000 sq.ft. range. sealing and insulation, and ing these is one of the biggest up front in return for savings in Heating and cooling acvice versa. electricity costs in a home,” he the future,” he said. count for about 56 per cent of Water heating can acnoted. “But as with homeowners, the energy use in a typical Can- count for 14 to 25 per cent of
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the energy consumed in your home. This is another opportunity for energy savings. You can reduce your monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for your home and by using some energy-efficient water heating strategies. Energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights can help lower a home’s heating, cooling, and lighting costs and compound energy savings. Proper installation of windows and doors is critical to maximize efficiency and reduce heat loss. Poorly installed or improperly sealed window and door frames are major contributors to air leakage and heat loss. Significant energy savings are realized with properly installed high performance windows and doors. So the electrical and heating bills for homes of that size create a desire to find energy efficiency, something that comes with taking all features of the house into consideration and how they work off one another. “For instance, you can install a high energy efficiency furnace, but if your insulation in the attic is sub-standard, something few homeowners actually will check for or look at very often, the savings benefit isn’t be maximized,” he said. ~ by Barry Gerding
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Capital News | Fall Home Comfort Friday, October 17, 2014
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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
y i d
Do-it-Yourself furnace maintenance
Heating systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. No matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition.
In this article, we will tell you how to service and troubleshoot your furnace, regardless of the type. When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, any one of its three components -- heat/cold source, distribution system, or thermostat -may be causing the problem. If the furnace or air conditioner doesn’t run, the malfunction is probably at the source. The furnace or air conditioner may have lost power. Fuel may not be reaching the unit. If the fuel is gas or oil, it may not be igniting. If the furnace or air conditioner turns on but the warm or cool air isn’t reaching the rooms of your home, the problem is likely to be the blower or distribution system. And a faulty control, or thermostat, could keep the system from turning on or could cause it to turn on and off repeatedly. Whatever the problem, start
with the simplest procedures. In most cases, all it takes is patience and common sense. Before you start work on a heating or cooling system,
necessary, raise (or, for an air conditioner, lower) the setting 5º. If the unit uses gas, check to make sure the gas supply is turned on and the pilot light is lit. If it uses oil, check to make sure there is an adequate supply of oil. There are also several important safety factors to remember: Before doing any work on any type of heating or cooling system, make sure all power to
take these preliminary steps: Make sure the unit is receiving power. Look for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers at the main entrance panel.
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Some furnaces have a separate power entrance, usually located at a different panel near the main entrance panel. Some furnaces have fuses mounted in or on the unit. If the unit has a reset button, marked RESET and near the motor housing, wait 30 minutes to let the motor cool, then press the button. If the unit still doesn’t start, wait 30 minutes and press the reset button again. Repeat at least once more. If the unit has a separate power switch, make sure the switch is turned on. Check to make sure the thermostat is properly set. If
the system is turned off. At the main electrical entrance panel, trip the circuit breaker or re-
‘
Whatever the problem, start with the simplest procedures. In most cases, all it takes is patience and common sense.
move the fuse that controls the power to the unit. If you’re not sure which circuit the system is on, remove the main fuse or
trip the main circuit breaker to cut off all power to the house. Some furnaces have a separate power entrance, usually at a different panel near the main entrance panel. If a separate panel is present, remove the fuse or trip the breaker there. If the fuse blows or the circuit trips repeatedly when the furnace or air conditioner turns on, there is a problem in the electrical system. In this case, do not try to fix the furnace. Call a professional service person. If the unit uses gas and there is a smell of gas in your home, do not try to shut off the gas or turn any lights on or off. Get out of the house, leaving the door open, and immediately call the gas company or the fire department to report a leak. Do not reenter your home. To keep your heating and cooling systems in top shape, have them professionally serviced once a year. The best time to have a furnace serviced is at the end of the heating season. Because this is the off-season, you can often get a discount, and service is likely to be prompt. Have your air conditioner checked at the same time. The heat/cold source is the most complicated part of the heating and cooling system, and it’s the part most likely to suffer from neglect. Problems in this area may also lead to distribution problems. Whatever heat/cold source your system uses, give it regular attention to prevent problems. Dirt is the biggest enemy of your home’s heating and cooling system. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of the system, so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance. Lubrication and belt adjustment at the furnace are also important.
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Capital News | Fall Home Comfort Friday, October 17, 2014
Seeking Silence… To do this, make sure everyone is out of the house, unplug all electronics and close all doors and windows. Take a quick walk through your house and pause for a few moments in each room to evaluate which ones are the noisiest. Now consider if you’re installing a media room or teenage recreational room where volumes will be blasting on TV’s and stereos. With this information, you should have a good idea of where you need to soundproof
and create barriers against noise. Here are some tips to help you achieve the optimal result of peace and quiet: • Plant trees and hedges along the exterior of your home (perhaps along a fence). Not only do trees and hedges help with the environment and provide a good amount of privacy, they also slow down the travel of noise from the neighbourhood into your home. • Insulate your walls and ceilings. Better insulation in your
What’s the first step in sound proofing your home? Finding which rooms have the least amount of sound resistance.
interiors and exteriors won’t just drive away excess noise, it’ll also cut down your heating and cooling bills during the hot and cold months. For the best sound proofing and easy installation quality, retailers tell us that very popular right now is a professional-grade product (by Roxul) called Safe N Sound. • Seal up all cracks and holes around windows and doors, and add double glazed windows to your current glass panes.
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Clean out your home’s ductwork to limit the distribution of pesky dust particles.
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and we are driven to spend more time indoors, keep your home’s air quality in mind. Here are some tips to control and deal with indoor allergens: • Keep your home clean and uncluttered. Having a clean home will limit your exposure to dust mites and hopefully help you avoid an asthma attack. • Control your home’s indoor ventilation. Forced-air heating systems blow dust particles into the air. Be sure to clean out your home’s ductwork this winter to limit the distribution of these pesky dust particles. • Manage your meds. Take your asthma medications as prescribed by your doctor to help maintain control of your condition. This means taking your daily maintenance medication even when you are not experiencing asthma symptoms.
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Indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander and mold are miniscule menaces that are known to easily aggravate current and pre-existing asthma symptoms. In fact, indoor allergens are more closely associated with asthma than outdoor
allergens like trees, weeds and grasses. This is because indoor allergens are in the air yearround and often unavoidable. Allergens are now so seemingly inescapable that some people suffer from “persistent allergies”, where they experience symptoms year round. No matter the time of year, allergens can always leave their mark. So, as temperatures fall
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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
Do yourself
preventing leaks as this is the most common place for leaks to occur.
(and your roof)
No homeowner
a favour
Many homeowners are not feel comfortable climbing on aware that routine roof maintop of your roof you can altenance could go a long way in ways contract a roofer to do it extending the life of their roof for you. The good news is that and that regular roof mainten- there are a lot of good roofing ance is actually a necessary companies out there that do component of maintaining free roof inspections. The most your roof and home. It’s acimportant points here are to tually as necessary as mowing inspect your roof as soon as your lawn or maintaining any possible if you haven’t done so other part of your home, but in a while so you can see what as the old saying goes: Out of the present condition of your sight, out of mind roof is and to inspect your roof When it comes to the roofs regularly. When it comes to over their heads most homeroof maintenance, preventing owners only have a few reproblems from occurring and quirements. They want the keeping small repairs from roof on their turning Homeowners home to work into huge right, they want can avoid roof leaks repair bills it to last long and should be and repair bills with your main they want it to look good. All of priority. some routine roof this can be acClimbmaintenance, and complished by a ing onto homeowner who your roof most are shocked regularly inspects and into discover that it and maintains his specting roof. it is not can be as simple as As a homesomething clearing the roof of owner, if you you should want to extend take lightleaves and debris. the life of your ly as every roof one of the easiest and year several professional roofmost important things you ers are injured while working can do is regularly inspect your on roof tops. Make sure to take roof. Regularly inspecting your all safety precautions when roof is even more important working on your roof and that when you have trees over your you are physically capable of home and roof. doing so without risking injury. Inspecting your roof is probINSPECTING YOUR ROOF ably nowhere near as difficult As mentioned earlier, roofs as you think but if you don’t with trees overhead pose a
‘
CHECK THE CONDITION OF YOUR ROOF SHINGLES
looks forward to the day they have to replace their roof and considering the cost of hiring roofing contractors to replace a shingle roof, it’s no surprise why. particular threat to asphalt roof shingles and may require more regular roof maintenance than those without. This is because the leaves that fall from the trees have a tendency to gather and bunch up on various areas of your roof and that can lead to some problems if not taken care of regularly.
CLEAR ROOF OF DEBRIS
When inspecting your roof you want to pay particular attention to any leaves or other debris found on your roof. The problem with leaves and debris collecting on your roof is they tend to collect and gather in areas and this collection of debris will eventually start to gather water or moisture which will begin to break down the shingles on your roof. Debris on your roof can also collect in valleys which will eventually prevent the proper flow of water away from your roof and into your roof gutters. When you get down to it the main problem with debris on your roof is that it doesn’t allow for water to flow away from your roof and into your
gutters the way it’s supposed to. Most roofers will tell you that most leaks emanate from openings in the roof like chimneys, joints and vents (parts of your roof that are protected with roof flashing) and those are common areas for debris to collect. Obviously this is all easily taken care of with some routine roof maintenance. Most homeowners can avoid roof leaks and repair bills with some routine roof maintenance and most are shocked to find out that sometimes it’s as simple as clearing your roof of leaves and debris.
CHECK YOUR ROOF FLASHING
Ok if you really want to get serious about your roof inspections and your roof maintenance than you’ll take the time to learn a little about roof flashing and how it works. The sheets of metal that are used by roofers to cover the joints and openings on your roof are referred to as roof flashing and, as mentioned earlier, this is where most leaks occur. Knowing how to spot problems in your roofs flashing in particular will go a long way in
The shingles on your roof are actually what protect your wood roof from rain and extreme weather. Underneath your shingles lies a thick layer of roofing felt which is basically tar paper that is designed to keep your wood roof dry. Essentially these are the only two layers of material protecting your wood roof from the elements. Roofing felt is even more important in areas where there is a lot of wind. High winds can blow off roof shingles and expose your roof and that can pose a huge problem if roofing felt hasn’t been applied. And check the overall condition of the roof shingles on your home as a whole. You can generally tell when roof shingles are starting to go bad because the granules start to fall off easily and the shingle itself may begin to crack and become brittle. If you notice a bunch of granules on your driveway after a heavy rain, it may be time to take a look at the overall condition of the shingles on your roof. If they look dry and brittle and they’re missing a lot of granules, it may be time to replace your existing roof.
CLEAR OVERHANGING TREE LIMBS
Tree limbs that hover close to your roof may seem harmless and for the most part they are but with a stiff wind blowing, there’ no telling how much damage they could cause to your roof. Make sure to trim back any over-hanging tree limbs when you inspect your roof as it will help prevent
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If you see signs of discoloration or dark streaks on your roof, particularly if they’re in a location where they get a lot of shade, you may have a problem with some type of mold or algae. Mold and algae usually grow during periods of high humidity and if you know your area is prone to this type of problem, you can prevent it by installing zinc strips on your roof to prevent mold and algae growth.
CHECK FOR EXISTING LEAKS
If you want to check for existing leaks you can usually do so by going into your attic with a flashlight and looking for dark spots on the ceiling. This is the part of roof maintenance where you’re trying to prevent a small leak from turning into a huge repair problem/bill. Finding a small leak and repairing it can go a long way in extending the life of your roof and minimizing the amount you spend on repairing your roof. According to most roofing materials manufacturers the average asphalt shingle roof is designed to last about 15 years. However, how much you spend on repairs and calling roofers out to fix your roof will be dependent on your roof maintenance schedule. Do yourself a favor. Minimize or eliminate the repair bills and extend the life of your roof by regularly inspecting it and maintaining a regular roof maintenance schedule. It’s not unheard of for some homeowners to get as much as 25 to 30 years out of an asphalt shingle roof with minimal repair bills and it’s most likely due to some regular and routine roof maintenance!
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Capital News | Fall Home Comfort Friday, October 17, 2014
It's a dirty job that's well worth doing
Cleaning your gutters is one of the most important projects on the to-do list yet it’s too often overlooked. Unfortunately, many of us wait until late into the fall season when the very last leaf falls before we decide to get it done. This delay exposes our homes to potential damage. Plus, it makes the job a lot more difficult to do. If you do it a couple of times a year, in the fall and spring, cleaning gutters is easy. Just once, or not at all, and it can become back breaking work and cost you thousands of dollars worth of trouble down the road. The problem with clogged gutters is more than just those annoying waterfalls that pour off the roof on rainy days, or the pretty icicles that hang around in the winter. This excess water wreaks havoc on the integrity of your home’s structure. The gutter system of a house is designed to move water down from the roof and away from the home and its foundation for proper drainage. Water that gets dammed up in the gutters finds the path of least resistance when it tries to drain and this often means it works right into the walls and ceilings of your house. The first and most obvious issue with gutters filled to the brim with leaves, twigs, and other debris is simply a weight problem. When that debris gets wet it absorbs the rain water like a sponge and becomes extremely heavy. This burden puts stress on the gutters and their hanging brackets, and can pull the gutters off the house. Falling gutters are costly enough to replace on their own, not to mention any lights or windows they smash as they come crash-
ing down. Overflowing water from the gutters can also damage the paint and siding on a home, but unsightly water marks down the side of the house pale in comparison with what happens if the water gets inside of a wall. Wet wood rots and loses its integrity, and this can go unseen behind the siding until it is too late. Ice-damming is another major issue with clogged gutters. Blocked water can freeze when it backs up in the gut-
‘
If you do it a couple of times a year, in the fall and spring, cleaning gutters is easy.
ters, pushing up against the roof structure and working its way under the shingles destroying the wood, causing even more leaks. Even flooded basements and cracking foundations are other symptoms of clogged gutters. If water isn’t drained away from the house and it pools around the foundation it will expand when frozen and cause cracks which lead to floods in your basement or crawl space. So what will you need to get the job done? You only need a few things and they depend on the method you choose.
Many different tricks and techniques have been developed by home improvement magazines, experts, and handymen alike but the main concept is simple, just get on the ladder and pull the junk out of the gutters. You’ll need; a ladder, gloves, a container to gather the debris such as a bag or bucket, a garden trowel or small hand rake, and the hose. Begin by setting the ladder an arm's length away from a corner downspout, and tuck a few garbage bags in your back pocket so you can easily pull them out. Some people prefer to use a bucket and bucket hanger for the ladder, but it is much easier to use those little plastic shopping bags. A full bucket or big garbage bag can get pretty heavy and make the job tougher than a high wire act. Hold your garden trowel or rake in your hand and begin your ascent. You never want to put sharp objects in your pocket when you are climbing a ladder, as they can harpoon you if you fall. Use the tool to pull the debris away from the down spout, being careful not to let any junk fall into the opening, which can create a clog. Take one handful at a time and fill up the bags, tying and dropping them to the ground as you go. Drop the bags away from the bottom of the ladder so they don’t get in your way when you need to dismount.
Move the ladder and repeat. Never reach further than an arm's length away from the ladder and be sure to get the dirt on the bottom of the gutter. A majority of it is from the asphalt shingles that run off into the gutter. This stuff gets very heavy when wet so don’t
leave it in there. If you are afraid of heights or worry about dealing with the bags in such a precarious situation, simply grab handfuls from the gutters and drop it onto a clear spot on the ground. This is a very messy method, but you can rake up
the debris later, safely and easily. Some guys drop the material down onto a tarp and shake it into a garbage can later. Once you clean an entire length, grab the hose and spray down the gutter and into the down spouts to get all the small pieces you missed. If there are clogs that the hose can’t clear, you can use a plumbers snake to clear them out. This is also a good point to see if your gutters leak at any corners or joining pieces. If they do, you can purchase a silicone sealant and very easily make the fix. Remember that water finds the path of least resistance, and that path is usually into the walls of your house, so a leaky gutter can be just as bad as a clogged one. If you are ambitious, you can scrub down the outside of the gutters or touch up any spots with paint to keep your house looking its best. ~ by Jason Gurskas
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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
easy to Love
Few pieces of lawn equipment take a beating like the lawn mower, yet this popular appliance is often neglected until it won’t start or something breaks. A lack of preventive maintenance almost guarantees an early death for your mower, but you don’t have to be a mechanic to keep it buzzing. Spend some time looking after it now so it'll be ready to serve you well come springtime.
1. READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL
“It tells you how the maker of your mower wants you to take care of it,” says Chris Arvin, owner of highly rated Mow Better in Greenfield, Ind. “It’s in their best interest to keep you, the customer happy with their product so when it finally wears out in 10-15 years, you’ll buy another.”
2. DRAIN THE GASOLINE AT THE END OF EACH MOWING SEASON Lawn mower repair technicians say old gasoline is one of the main suspects when a mower won’t start. Arvin says you should run the remaining gas out of the mower or drain it at the end of each mowing season, and always use fresh gas in the spring.
3. CHECK THE OIL
Monitor the oil level in your mower and look for floating debris or oil that is dark black in color. Old or contaminated oil should be drained and replaced. To change the oil, remove the drain plug underneath the mower and allow it
to drain completely. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the correct type of oil to use.
4. CLEAN OUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE
Grass can get caked in the undercarriage potentially clogging the mower’s discharge chute. Use a wire brush to scrape grass clippings and dirt from the undercarriage and spray the remaining debris away with a hose. As a safety precaution, always disconnect the spark plug before working around the undercarriage.
5. INSPECT THE AIR FILTER
A clogged or dirty air filter puts added stress on the mower and burns gas less efficiently. Most lawn mowers have a paper or foam air filter that can be easily accessed. Replacement air filters are inexpensive so most pros recommend an annual replacement to ensure optimal performance. Spark plugs are inexpensive. Pros recommend replacing them every year or two.
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to rocks, large branches and other hidden objects. A dull blade rips and tears grass instead of providing a clean cut. Some people sharpen their own blades with a vice and metal file, but it’s not recommended for the inexperienced. A mower repair shop can sharpen your blade for a small fee, and it’s usually included with mower tuneup.
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plug wire and remove the old plug with a socket or spark plug wrench. Install the new plug but make sure not to over tighten it or it could prevent the mower from starting.
Mower blades endure a great deal of stress thanks
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It’s a great way to ensure your mower is in top working order for the mowing season. A lawn mower repair shop will drain the old gas from the mower, replace the air filter and spark plug and perform basic diagnostic tests.
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Capital News | Fall Home Comfort Friday, October 17, 2014
Taking the mystery out of carpet cleaning As autumn falls upon us
and the kids have returned to school, you may be realizing that summer has taken its toll on your carpets. They’re looking dirty, dull and dingy. But as you flip through the long list of carpet cleaning companies in the directory listings, you wonder how to choose the one that will restore your carpet to life. Let’s look at some of your options. There are several carpet cleaning methods available but one of the oldest is “steam” cleaning or hot water extraction. This method utilizes equipment that can be portable or is connected by a very long hose to a truck parked outside. After prespraying a detergent solution, heated water is sprayed onto the carpet under high pressure and then extracted. Because 100% of the water cannot be removed, carpets can take 12-24 hours or longer to dry. Another familiar method is a bonnet type system developed in the 1960’s that utilizes carbonation supposedly to assist in lifting soil from the carpet base. It uses a single type of aggressive bonnet and one cleaning product for every carpet. Carpets will dry con-
siderably faster than the steam cleaning method, usually in 1-2 hours. The Host system uses ground up cornhusks called “sponges” that are saturated with detergents and solvents and scattered on the carpet. A machine using a counter rotating brush system scrubs
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Consider all your options when deciding who you'll hire to clean your carpets. Making the right choice will ensure the beauty of your carpet and the health of your home.
the “sponges” into the carpet fibres. It takes a minimum of 30-45 minutes to dry and then most of the powder-like substance is vacuum extracted. The homeowner may be required to remove what was left
behind with subsequent vacuuming. The last option that we will look at is the Oxy-Dry System locally developed in 1995. It is a low moisture system that utilizes Soil Extraction Transfer Technology. It has many different applicator attachments to accommodate any carpet type and will absorb and extract moisture and soils leaving the carpet to dry in 30-60 minutes under normal conditions. Because it is a low moisture process, it will not saturate the back of the carpet and therefore is not subject to wicking. It gently applies a green seal certified cleaning product that is injected with ozone (a natural form of oxygen) to naturally sanitize and deodorize with no odor. They also have many options available to treat a variety of stains successfully. Now you may be asking, “But what does it cost?” Each company has a different pricing system. Some charge by the square foot while others charge by the room. Only OxyDry will include everything in their price (sanitizing, deodor-
izing, protector, stain removal and moving furniture). Other companies charge extra for each of these options. You’ll have to carefully compare the costs weighing the value of the
services offered. I hope the carpet cleaning world has been demystified for you and you’ll be able to make a more educated choice of the method and company that
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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
A group of 10
Okanagan area creative designers put their creative skills to the test in a contest to help raise money and awareness for the local chapter of Habitat For Humanity. The contest involved each participant choosing a product from Habitat's ReStore second hand business in West Kelowna and crafting it into a new restoration project. The designers are com-
a project will have their names put in a hat for a draw to see who wins. All of this leads up to Oct. 18 when the projects will be auctioned off to the highest silent auction bids.
Discover our local ReStore improvement item deals. "People who come in here for the first time are often surprised at how many different kinds of things are here, from furniture to artworks to building materials. We have everything except for fabric goods such as clothing and mattresses. "Everything is donated, some used products and some
Jace Albrecht peting for a trophy, donated by Custom Granite Works, as the public can see the items on display the ReStore, 1793 Ross Rd., and cast their vote for which one they like best on the Sun FM radio website. Voters have a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize will be a chance to participate in a life-changing opportunity, a Habitat For Humanity Global Village home building experience in another country. Four names will be drawn for the grand prize, with each being interviewed by Global Village project leaders, who will make the call whether the person is suited for their particular project and has their international travel documents, such as an updated passport, in order. Of the four selected, those vetted for approval to work on
Cheryl Grant, executive assistant for Habitat for Humanity Kelowna, says the contest was meant to serve two purposes—raising awareness of the ReStore as a place to donate second-hand house items for resale and avoid dumping them in a landfill. "We wanted to try and trigger people's imaginations as to what can be done with some of these things people want to get rid of…that with a little paint and TLC, you can make something out of virtually nothing," Grant said. "We have been pleased with the feedback and hope to do the contest again next year." She said West Kelowna has one of 84 ReStores operated by Habitat across Canada, a valuable source of revenue to fund building projects and a place to find some great home
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new from stores like Home Depot who want to move stock out of the store that isn't selling. We have a cube van that is available for pickup of items as well." The other winners with this contest will be people in need of affordable housing, as the silent auction proceeds will assist with a unique three duplex project planned by Habitat for Humanity on Princeton Av-
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enue in Peachland. "Home ownership will be a bit closer to reality for six families with the help of donations garnered from this competition," Grant said. The District of Peachland donated the building and land to Habitat, which currently houses the local food bank. In return, Habitat will upgrade a new district-owned site to house the new food bank location. The new food bank should be completed by mid-November and the first families should be moving into the duplexes by the end of 2015, Grant said. "Our goal is to help out as many families as we can," Grant said. "With land being
so scare and expensive to find jects, families selected by a to build on, it's not feasible to housing committee for a housjust build one home on a lot ing unit must put in 500 sweat anymore. equity hours. In this case it can "We're trying to accommobe either working on the dudate more people on our proplexes, the food bank relocaject lots. The tion and renoPeople who lot in Princetvation or in on is kind of support of come in for the long and narpartner charfirst time are often row so it lends ity groups. itself to the "The prosurprised at how duplex concess is for apmany different kinds plicants to go cept. With three duplexof things are here… to our webes, we can site (hfhkehouse more families." lowna.ca) and check over the Grant said the land exqualifications, fill out the short change concept in Peachland form and send it to us. If they is unique for Habitat in Canmeet the criteria, which inada, what Grant called a wincludes having a job, as a cerwin scenario for all involved. tain amount of income must As with other Habitat progo toward making interest free mortgage payments, then more extensive interviews take place," Grant said. "The applicants are vetted long before the housing project is completed so they have the time to put in those sweat equity hours required before they can move in to their new home." Since 1993, Habitat has provided homes for 31 families in the Central Okanagan.
Sheila McCormick
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A simple LAWN solution
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Capital News | Fall Home Comfort Friday, October 17, 2014
Is your lawn looking thin and brown?
Put down a layer of seed over your lawn in the spring or fall, all the thin areas start growing grass, and your lawn starts to look terrific again. Over time, grass gets old and needs to be replaced. Worn-out lawns invite weeds. Reseeding is a fast, inexpensive way to help bring your lawn back to its lush, green, healthy self without tearing everything out and starting over. It’s also a great way to
You can have the thick, lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted and all you need to do is reseed. introduce a new type of grass. The best time to seed your lawn is in the fall. The soil is still warm but the air is cooler. There are fewer weeds for new grass to compete against. Since your trees are starting to shed their leaves, there’s plenty
of sunlight. Also, diseases that attack seedlings are less active. If you can’t seed in the fall, your next best time is the spring. It’s a good idea to rake in a thin layer of enriched soil over your lawn. Don’t put so much down that you kill your grass;
less than a quarter of an inch is plenty. What seed you choose depends on where you live and what problem is making your lawn thin in the first place. For instance, if your lawn is shady, choose a shade-tolerant seed.
you remove the clippings and amend the soil. After that comes the easy part. Fill up your spreader with grass seed and go to it. To give seedlings the essential nutrients they need for fast growth, gently rake the seed and fertilizer into the soil. Keep the soil moist for 7-14 days or until the seedlings are 2 inches tall. Your reward ? A lush, green lawn next summer.
If kids play in your yard, choose a variety that can stand up to foot traffic. For best results, look for a grass seed that’s 99.99% weed-free. The process is pretty straight forward. First you cut the lawn a little shorter. Then
Kelowna's gardening guru weighs in Over the years there have been several knowledgeable garden writers doling out local gardening advice here in the Okanagan. Elwood Rice from Vernon, Bob Wilson, Reg Tomiye, my dad; Ernie Burnett all from Kelowna and Bernard Moore from Penticton. There were several more, but without putting on my thinking cap these are the ones I remember from the past. Currently there are several including Gwen Steele, Scott Austin, Toni Boot and even though I throw in some historical and person-
al tidbits I consider myself foremost a garden writer. My apologies to any I have missed as I know there are more of you, past and present. The reason I want to recognize these great writers is they are the ones we should be listening to and not the imported syndicated dribble that sometimes finds its way into the local publications. I say this because of a recent home and garden publication I received which had some fall gardening tips that really didn’t pertain to our local climate and was chock full of misinformation. One of the first clues that exposed this article as being less than factual was its description of thatch in the lawn and just what to do about it.
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Oh there were several other statements which caught my eye, but let me talk about the thatch issue which I can tell you even long time lawn maintenance professionals get wrong 8 out of 10 times. Thatch is not a buildup of dead grass. I repeat thatch is not a buildup of dead grass. Grass clippings left on the lawn break down very quickly and become part of the organic matter that is necessary for healthy plants. Thatch develops when the soil beneath the turf is compacted, and thus in search for air the roots come to the surface. The roots often dry out and die, gradually forming the thick spongy layer we call thatch.
The turf then tries to grow in the thatch because there is an air supply however once the thatch dries out in the summer it becomes Hydrophobic (repels water) and the grass dies which in turn adds to the thatch. The problem arises because of the initial installation using heavy soil instead of a sandy mixture. I know what you’re thinking; how can a sandy mixture hold moisture? Sandy mixtures hold moisture because of the spaces between the granules and guess what - those spaces also hold air and that is why with this mixture the grass roots go deep and don’t come to the surface to create thatch. ~ by Don Burnett
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Friday, October 17, 2014 Capital News | Fall Home Comfort
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