Broadcaster Press 9 April 12, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Spring Home Improvement Car Care 10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring After a long, dark winter, spring's bright sun and warm winds are, well, a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All that sunshine spotlights your leaf-filled gutters, cracked sidewalks and the dead plants in last year's flower beds. Dwight Barnett, a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors, shared this checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine. • Examine Roof Shingles Examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer. areas in summer, it creates a breeding ground for insects. • Examine the Chimney Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep • Inspect the Concrete Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete • Move Firewood Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure. • Check the Gutters Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris. • Check Outside Faucets Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot. Service the AC Unit Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis. • Use Compacted Soil Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage. Also, when water pools in these low • Check Power Equipment Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier. nMetro Creative Connections • Probe the Wood Trim Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood. Essential Items for Roadside Emergency Kits Motorists never know when problems with their vehicles may force them to pull off the road and onto the shoulder. Whether it’s a flat tire, a sputtering engine or an empty gas tank, such circumstances are never welcome. But such situations need not be so unbearable. Drivers who keep roadside emergency kits in their vehicles may find themselves getting back on the road more quickly the next time an unforeseen problem forces them to pull off the highway. The following are some must-have items drivers should include in their roadside emergency kits. • Roadside flares • First-aid kit • Jumper cables Carpentry, Install Doors, Windows & Siding, Refinishing, Drywall, Ceramic Tile & Decks • Warm blankets • Flashlight • Screwdrivers (both flat-head and Phillips) • Tire-pressure gauge • Spare tire • De-icing agent • Nonperishable snacks • Extra fluids (i.e., motor oil, brake fluid, antifreeze, windshield washer) • Pliers • Cell phone charger • Important phone numbers (i.e., mechanic, auto insurance company) Create a Budget-Friendly Home Landscape Homeowners understandably envy the award-worthy photo spreads in lawn and garden magazines, wanting to emulate those same looks on their own properties. Scores of designers and landscape architects are involved in the process of creating those amazing lush lawns and perfectly placed plantings. Although not every homeowner has the budget to create lavish landscape designs, it’s still possible for homeowners to create lawns they can be proud of. • Establish your budget: The first step in any project is to determine how much money you can devote to the job. Once you have established the budget, all other factors can be built around it. • Find an inspiration piece: Great landscapes are inspired by many things, whether itÕs a memorable piece of art or a landscape layout in a lawn and gardening magazine. Use photos of other gardens or neighborsÕ yards as inspiration and build off of them. As long as the theme is cohesive, it will look pleasing to the eye. • Consider the space and how you want to use it: Understanding the space will help you better allocate your budget. If your yard is more of a retreat, look for ways to create privacy and a vacation feel. If you have kids and entertaining friends is a main priority, focus on recreational aspects, such as a pool, playset and some durable plants. Understanding how to allocate your budget will help you to avoid spending money frivolously. • Think about reclaimed or repurposed materials: Brand new items can quickly eat up a budget. However, repurposing salvaged or inexpensive items can stretch that budget while adding some unique flair to a landscape. See if you can find an outdoor patio set that someone is giving away or selling for a lower price. All it takes is a coat of paint and some new cushions to make it look like new. Discarded bricks or stones can be worked into a patio space or used to create raised Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! nMetro Creative Connections • AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION REPAIR • PAINT • FRAMEWORK • GLASS REPLACEMENT HOURS: HERREN • SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY Locally Owned & Operated M-F 9AM-6PM SAT 9AM-12PM 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion, SD Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 888-624-2058 • 605-624-2058 www.herrenschempp.com Did you know? A vehicle identification number, or VIN, is more than just a unique code that distinguishes a car from other vehicles. The VIN can actually tell drivers things about the car as well. By examining the VIN, a driver can learn where his or her car was assembled, the model year of the vehicle, the manufacturer of the vehicle and even the model of the vehicle. How to read a VIN is not something drivers learn in educational courses, so those who want to learn how to decode their VIN can contact the manufacturer of their vehicles. Understanding how to read a VIN can help car buyers determine if the car they are buying is stolen or if the seller is attempting to mislead them in another way. In addition, when drivers have the correct VIN number for a vehicle, they can use that to gain access to a vehicle history report on the car or truck. Such reports will indicate the vehicle’s ownership and accident history, further protecting buyers from purchasing a lemon or stolen vehicle. nMetro Creative Connections Broad casteronline .com 2x1 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com Henderson’s Broadca Ultimatesteronline.com Headquarters for the Builder/Handyman • Service • Building Materials • Ceilings • Cabinetry • Insulation • Lumber • Plywood • Sheetrock • Siding • Roofing • Doors • Windows • Milwork • Paint garden beds. Purchase inexpensive flower pots and then paint them to make them look like stone or another desired material. • Buy native plants: Native plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers will fare better than non-native, exotic plants. That means youÕll have to spend less time and money nurturing them into health, and less money having to replace plants that cannot withstand your climate. • Consider perennial plants: Perennials may cost more at the outset, but the savings will be realized in the years to come. • Hire a professional: It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a landscaping professional when youÕve established a strict budget, but thatÕs one way to save money. Landscape artists or garden designers have the experience to guide you in the right direction and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes. • Use gravel in spots where plants don’t thrive: Gravel is an inexpensive landscaping material that can fill in voids where plants or ground cover simply do not flourish. Those working on limited budgets may be happy to learn gravel is typically less expensive than concrete or pavers. • Ask friends or family for clippings: Don’t be shy about admiring the plantings of those you know. Flatter their good taste and ask if you can have some clippings to propagate yourself. These clippings can turn into lush plants in no time Ñ with no additional spending required. With some frugal spending, planning and budgeting, anyone can create a beautiful landscape. nMetro Creative Connections CAR WASHES READY TO BUILD? WE’RE READY TO HELP! CALL (402) HELP! READY TO BUILD? WE’RE READY TO254-6980 Two Locations Open 24 Hours • 815 Princeton St • 921 E Cherry St • Vermillion Broadcastero New Specializing in quality residential,Water && light Home Construction • Cabins • Pole Barns • farm Sewer Lines Radiant/In-?oor Heat • Remodeling • Additions • Sunrooms commercial construction, & site preparation services. Garages • Grain Bin Relocating • Plumbing Office 402-254-6980 or visit us online at Roo?ng • Flooring • Siding • Window & Door Replacement www.jlkconstructionexcavation.com For that Spic-and-Span show room quality shine! 4x1