2014 spring home improvement

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HOME Improvement S P R I N G APRIL 3 · 2014

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The Cheshire Herald Spring Home Improvement and Interior Decorating Special Section 2014.

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Page 1: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

HOMEImprovementS P R I N G

A P R I L 3 · 2 0 1 4

Page 2: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Two

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Spring is a time of year when many people resolve to give their

homes or apartments a thor-ough cleaning. Spring clean-ing helps people revitalize their homes for the warmer months ahead, when windows are once again opened, fresh air comes in and the dark and dreary win-ter becomes a distant memory.

Many families have spring cleaning rituals that allow them to effi ciently clean their homes in a single weekend. But it’s just as important for spring cleaners to place as great an emphasis on the environment as they do on effi ciency when clean-

ing a home. Eco-friendly spring cleaning practices produce less waste and rely on less chemi-cals to rejuvenate a home and get it ready for those seasons when huddling inside under the covers takes a backseat to lounging around the house as fresh air washes into the home. The following are a handful of ways to effi ciently clean a home while also protecting the envi-ronment.

❃ Clear out the clutter. Clut-ter is an enemy to homeown-ers and the environment alike. That’s because addressing clutter is often an ineffi cient process in which homeowners

methodically go through items that have accumulated over the years, individually choosing which items to keep and which items to discard. Clutter can also prove harmful to the envi-ronment because rooms fi lled with clutter tend to collect dust, reducing air quality and leading to more indoor air pollution that can prove harmful to human health.

When sifting through clutter in a home, discard those items that have gone ignored for years, as they likely have little or no fi nancial value and it’s safe to assume they serve no practical purpose as well. Once clutter

has been cleared out, prevent more of it from accumulating by making a conscious effort to discard items once they no longer serve any practical pur-pose. This includes old newspapers and maga-zines, as well as any other items that are likely to sit in a pile or on a shelf for months on end. Preventing the buildup of clutter reduces the amount of time you need to spend spring cleaning next year while also improving indoor air quality.

❃ Use cleaners only when windows are open. Many people get a head start on spring cleaning in late winter, when the weather might have started to warm up but has not yet warmed to the point when windows throughout the home can be opened. Though there’s nothing wrong with start-ing early, avoid using clean-ing products on days when you can’t open the windows. Many cleaning products con-tain ample or even just trace amounts of chemicals that can compromise indoor air quality and may exacerbate existing medical conditions like respi-ratory ailments. When using cleaning products, try to do so only when the windows are open and fresh air can enter the

home.❃ Ensure appliances are

working at peak effi ciency. Spring cleaning is a great

time to inspect ap-pliances to make

sure they are opera t ing eff iciently. Clean or r e p l a c e

fi lters on window air condit ion-

ing units. Dusty or dirty

fi lters will force the air conditioner to work harder and use more energy to cool a room. In addition, dirty or dusty fi lters make units less effi cient, which means rooms won’t cool as quickly on those scorching summer afternoons. Appliances forced to work harder also cost more money, and those costs can be consid-erable.

When checking appliances, be sure to check the refrigera-tor as well. Refrigerators are plugged in all day long, and those that are not operating at peak effi ciency can cost you a lot of money in the long run. Periodically clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator so it can operate more effi ciently, saving energy and money.

Vacuum cleaners should also be inspected before each use to make sure reels are not cov-ered in hair, which can make it nearly impossible for the ma-chine to collect dirt and dust from the fl oors.

❃ Use reusable cloths.Another way to turn spring cleaning into a more eco-friendly affair is to forgo using paper towels in favor of reus-able cloths. Reusable wash cloths can be just as effective at wiping down counters as pa-per towels, which require more and more trees to be cut down and eventually end up in land-fi lls. If you are feeling especially eco-friendly, you can go the extra mile and create your own reusable cleaning cloths out of old clothes or linens, saving you money and making use of items that might otherwise have been headed straight for a landfi ll.

Spring cleaning can rejuve-nate a home after a long win-ter. Emphasizing eco-friendly cleaning techniques can ensure your home’s revival is as ben-efi cial to the environment as it is to the home’s inhabitants. ❃

Tackle Spring Cleaning With The Environment In Mind

Page 3: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Three

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Natural Fertilizers Provide Soil With Plenty Of NutrientsLawn and garden enthu-

siasts know a handful of items are essential to

maintain a healthy landscape. Water, sunshine and the proper nutrients all work in concert to promote a healthy lawn. Al-though nutritional material is in-herent in the soil, many garden-ers feel soil must be amended with some sort of fertilizer to give plants a healthy boost.

All-natural fertilizers are grow-ing in popularity, and home gar-deners have a variety of such products at their disposal. Am-bitious homeowners can even create their own all-natural fer-tilizers from items around the house. Organic fertilizers, or those that are derived from liv-ing organisms and not manu-facturered through chemicals, can provide suffi cient nutrients and minerals to grow healthy plants.

Bone meal. In order to store energy and reach ma-turity, plants need phosphate. This mineral is released over a long period of time from fi nely ground rock. However, a faster way to supply it to the land-scape is through bone meal.

Bone meal is a mixture of fi nely and coarsely ground animal bones that are a waste product from meat-processing plants. Adding bone meal to soil is one of the most effective ways to in-crease phosphorous levels.

Manure. The waste from herbivores (animals that feed on grass), including rabbits, horses and cows, can make super fertilizers. Some garden-ers shy away from manure be-cause they believe it to be an odoriferous, dirty product. The best produced manures are al-lowed to compost for at least nine months and are mixed with hay or straw. They should not produce an offensive odor and will provide plants with a host of nutrients. Never use manures from meat-eating animals, like dogs, cats or humans. Feces can harbor a lot of bacteria, which can be transfered to the garden soil.

Fish and seaweed. Improv-ing soil nutrients may be as simple as looking to the ocean or other bodies of water. Fish emulsion, a mixture of ground fi sh and water, is a good ni-trogen source. Nitrogen gives

plants the energy to grow. Sea-weed, which is actually a type of algae, contains the primary nutrients that plants need in

order to thrive, including phos-phorous, nitrogen and potas-sium. It also serves as a food for natural bacteria that break

down nutrients into the soil, making them easier for plants to absorb.

See FERTILIZE, page 5

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Page 4: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

HOMEHOMEHOMEFour

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Reduce, Recycle Home Improvement Project Waste

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T he home improvement industry has grown considerably over the

last several decades, as home-owners have increasingly taken to tackling projects. These proj-ects often produce substantial amounts of waste, negatively impacting the environment.

According to the United States Environmental Protec-tion Agency, an estimated 170 million tons of building con-struction, renovation and de-molition-derived wastes were generated in 2003, a year when the housing market was thriv-ing and homeowners were not shying away from costly home improvement projects. With the housing market once again on the rebound, the home im-provement industry fi gures to benefi t once again. There are

steps eco-conscious hom-eowners can take to reduce waste.

Save salvageable materi-als. Some materials simply must be discarded when mak-ing improvements, but many more materials can be sal-vaged. Separate materials like lumber, hardware, fi xtures, and even appliances that can be salvaged from those materials that must be discarded. Many communities collect salvage-able materials that can be re-used by other local homeown-ers or organizations.

Ask contractors about re-cycling. Contractors working on a home typically know which materials can be recycled in a given area. When discuss-ing prospective projects with contractors, homeowners can

mention their willingness to recycle materials. Wood is a versatile material that can be turned into reclaimed or com-posite wood products, such as decking. Old wood being removed from a home may even work as mulch, which ho-meowners can spread around their yards to add aesthetic ap-peal and protect plants on hot summer days. Even asphalt and concrete can be recycled into new products, and hom-eowners should discuss their wishes to recycle as many ma-terials as possible.

Choose recycled content building materials. Another way to reduce home improve-ment project waste is to make use of other homeowners’ discarded materials. Recycled content building materials are

products that include materi-als recycled from previous proj-ects. These once-sparse ma-terials are now commonplace, and labels often include the percentages of postconsumer and recovered materials used in each product. Materials such as drywall, insulation, kitchen countertops, glass tiles, car-peting and carpet padding may include recycled content, and the growing popularity of such products has made them easier for homeowners to fi nd. When working with contractors, ho-meowners should emphasize their desire to use materials made from recycled content.

Embrace adaptability when designing a new home. Rarely do homeowners design their homes with renovations in mind. When building a dream home, homeowners do not consider the likelihood that they will one day move out or even outgrow the home. Estimates vary considerably with regard to how long the average ho-

meowner stays in his home, with some suggesting as little as seven years. While data col-lected from the United States Census Bureau within the last decade suggests that roughly half of all homeowners had lived in their homes for at least 10 years.

People building new homes should expect to one day move. Ensuring that new homes are easily adaptable is both fi nan-cially sound and eco-friendly. When a home is built with adaptability in mind, prospec-tive buyers won’t have to make costly overhauls. In addition, homes built to facilitate future renovations won’t produce the same amount of waste.

Many homeowners embrace home improvement projects as opportunities to turn their houses into private sanctuaries. But those who do so with the environment in mind can sig-nifi cantly reduce waste—even save some money—and still end up living in luxury.

Page 5: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

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Take Care Of Termites Promptly To Avoid Damage

Worms. Earthworms are vi-tal to soil health. They burrow and wiggle around in the dirt, helping to aerate the soil. But the castings, or waste, of the worms also provide valuable nutrients to the soil. The cast-ings contain benefi cial micro-organisms from the worms’ di-gestive system that help break down organic matter into a form that plant roots can use. Many gardeners participate in vermi-composting, or farming worms in order to use their castings as

fertilizer.Compost. Compost is one

of the most widely used soil amendments in vegetable gar-dens. Gardeners can make their own compost from dis-carded materials. Yard refuse, fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other items can be added to a compost pile. Natural bac-teria will slowly break down these materials into a product dubbed “black gold.” Compost can be mixed into soil before planting and used as a dress-ing after plants have been es-

tablished.Gardeners can experiment

with different ratios of fertilizer to create a mix that enhances the soil. Test the soil to deter-mine which, if any, nutrients the soil is lacking so the fertilizer can be adjusted accordingly.

continued from page 3

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According to the National Pest Management As-sociation, termites

cause more than $5 bil-lion in property damage a year. Homeowners may be disconcerted to know that termites are very common.

Termites are so-cial insects that live together in colonies. These colonies eat non-stop, dining on wood and other cellulose plant matter. They also eat materials made from plants, like fabric and paper.

To eradicate termites, hom-eowners must fi rst identify the insects and then contact a ter-mite management specialist.

Termites may not always be visible. Subterranean termite

homes are usually formed in soil, where the termites build elaborate tunnel systems that channel

to above-ground food sources. Drywood and dampwood termites may

live within the wood they consume and be

undetectable until the wood collapses or rots

away. Homeowners of-ten realize they have a

problem when they wit-ness swarming termites. At this point, there already may be a mature colony at work. Winged termites are attracted to light and can be seen by windows and doors in spring.

Other signs of termites in-clude accumulation of soil or dirt at the base or foundation of wood structures. There also may be fi ssures or cracks near wood surfaces. Sometimes “frass” or termite droppings can be seen. They appear as rough, granulated sawdust.

Channels of mud leading from the soil up the foundation of a home, are indicative of the presence of termites. Even if termites are no longer present in these tubes, that does not mean they have moved on.

Once termites have been identifi ed, it is time to eliminate them. This means getting rid of water and food sources that are close to a home.

– Repair leaky faucets and

other water drips in and around the house.

– Keep gutters and down-spouts clean.

– Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes.

– Divert water away from the foundation.

– Keep lumber, fi rewood or paper away from the founda-tion of the home.

– Clear away stumps and tree debris.

– Prevent untreated wood from contacting soil.

It is very diffi cult for hom-eowners to get rid of termites without professional help. A ter-mite exterminator will conduct

a visual inspection of a home and property and may do ex-tensive testing involving expen-sive acoustic or infrared equip-ment to probe the soil beneath the house.

An exterminator will suggest various treatments depend-ing on the species of termite. These may include the applica-tion of pesticides and making areas around the home less hospitable to termites. Severely damaged wood may need to be removed and replaced.

Termites do serious damage that can cost homeowners a fortune. Treating them promptly is essential.

Page 6: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Six

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Have a project you’ve been wanting to tack-le? Superior is your

one-stop shop for equipment rentals and sales. Don’t let not having the right tools keep you from tackling your growing to-do list! Contractors and hom-eowners alike can fi nd the per-

fect solution by renting a wide variety of equipment from Su-perior Rental.

Our professional equipment lines for sale include Ariens, Sti-hl, Multiquip, Generac and EZ- Go, all available at our Equip-ment & Supply department and our full hardware store.

Your Spring Clean-up Projects Made Easier By Superior Rental

Problems with your equip-ment? We’ve got you covered with expert repair service pro-vided by our dependable and highly skilled Parts & Service staff. Our sales and rental pro-fessionals will assist you with effi cient alternatives to help get the job done, while saving you

time and money! Are you sick of getting lost in

the big box stores with your DIY home improvement project and walking out frustrated? Come to Superior and let our knowl-edgeable and trained profes-sionals assist you with getting your job done, in a cost-effec-tive and timely manner. Supe-rior has a vast array of specialty equipment and tools—ranging from hydro-seeders and fl oor preparation equipment to lifts and mini excavators. We also carry landscape equipment, bobcats, chippers and much more! Superior has box trucks, dump trucks, pick-up trucks and trailers, for making a move, to hauling away branches. Renting equipment can help you save in labor, maintenance, and the cost of purchasing new equipment you may only use once.

Don’t let a limited budget interfere with getting the job done! Superior Rental has all of your DIY project equipment

essentials. Whether you plan to put a fence around your yard, plant new grass, or wash that dirty winter residue from your house or deck—visit Superior, your local and reliable equip-ment source. We stock tillers, power washers, chain saws, nailers and a wide range of easy-to-use equipment. Now is the time to begin that project you keep saying you are going to start, and more importantly, get it fi nished!

Superior Rental is one of many divisions in the Superior Network of Companies. Our family-owned company has been in business since 1967, proudly serving Cheshire and surrounding areas with the fi n-est equipment, supplies and service available. Our three convenient rental/supply loca-tions in Southington, South Windsor, and Norwich offer the largest inventory of rental tools across Connecticut.

Our EVENTS by Superior di-See EVENTS, page 8

Page 7: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Seven

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Co. of Wallingford, homeown-ers are understandably concerned about driveway seal-ing, but there are some very s t ra igh t fo r-ward answers to the issue.

Backs t rom, whose fi rm has been repair-ing driveways for more than 30 years, says driveways must have a quality seal in order to reap two main benefi ts.

First, not only does a satin black coating enhance the beauty of a home and property, it will also save the homeowner money by adding years of life to a driveway investment.

Backstrom says sealcoating helps prevent oxidation (gray- out), brittleness, raveling, ero-

sion, frost damage and general disintegration due to exposure to sun, rain, freezing, thawing, alkalines, oil, gas and deicers.

A sealer can extend the life of a driveway by 100 percent at a cost of 20 percent of the

original investment by seal-ing in the asphalt

binder that holds the pavement

t o g e t h e r . (The average life of off-

street pavement is about seven to eight years; sealing a new pavement about every three years can extend this to 15 to 20 years).

Some homeowners seal as often as every year. However, this will eventually cause sealer build-up and surface cracking that is costly to the homeowner and harmful to the appearance and texture of the driveway.

If a driveway is new, it can-

not be sealed until it is properly cured and fi rm, which can vary from 30 days to a year. There are some simple tests that can be used to determine whether the pavement is cured and fi rm. Pour some clean water on the driveway; if an oily fi lm appears in the water, the pavement is not suffi ciently cured. For fi rm-ness, press a screwdriver onto the asphalt surface; if it easily makes a depression, then the

When And How Often Should A Driveway Be Sealed?surface is not set fi rm enough.

Driveway cracks should be repaired before any sealcoat-ing is done. Most store-bought crack fi llers, although easy to apply, don’t work very well and cracks will usually need to be re-repaired within one year. To avoid this, it is best to have a professional repair any cracks with a hot poured rubberized crack sealant. Typically melted at 400 degrees, this type of

sealant will remain very fl exible after being applied and can expand and contract with the pavement for many years.

Driveway sealing is an im-portant element in the overall maintenance of a home. If you decide to tackle the job your-self, you may fi nd it a very dif-fi cult and messy task. It may be in a homeowner’s best interest to hire a professional. Estimates are usually free.

Page 8: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Brookside Landscaping is a full-service landscape con-struction and masonry company based in Cheshire. The company has been in business for 20 years, serving

both residential and commercial clients in the area. The owners, Cheshire residents Sarah and Todd Pisani, both graduated from the University of Connecticut with degrees in landscape horticul-ture. They are also both certifi ed landscape professionals by the Connecticut Landscape Association. Brookside Landscaping is also a member of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and an accredited member of the CT Better Business Bureau.

Eight

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Support Local Businesses

Come see us at the Chamber Home and Garden Expo.Saturday, April 12th at Cheshire High School.

Call Brookside’s Certifi ed Professinals For Full-Service Landscaping And Masonry

Father & Son ContractorsStone • Brick • Block workRetaining walls • BluestoneSidewalks • Steps • Patios Stucco • Chimneys (203)217-2611HIC #0602632 & insuredFree estimates / Years of experience

The Pisanis believe in putting quality and personal service into each landscape and masonry project. They assess each project from the start to consider the different challenges that must be met. Brookside Landscaping has the skilled personnel and the right equipment for all types of work. Knowing what types of plant material and hardscapes will work best at a client’s property is the key to the overall success of each job. From landscape con-struction to drainage to stonework, Brookside Landscaping has it covered. Once a client has selected Brookside Landscaping for a project they can be assured that the work will be done right.

vision offers a complete line of tent and party rentals sure to make your next special event a true celebration. Our Spa, Hearth and Leisure division lo-cated in Southington, Avon and Marlborough offers top-of-the-line hot tubs, outdoor furniture, grills, fi replaces, wood/gas/pel-let stoves, inserts and more! With over 47 years of experi-

ence, Superior’s knowledge-able staff, personal service and commitment to our customers will surely help you complete all of your projects, from small to large, this Spring!

Visit our website www.Su-periorRental.com to browse our full line of rental equipment! Or stop buy Superior Rental at 1403 Meriden-Waterbury Road (Route 322) in Southington, or call (860) 628-4768.

continued from page 6

EVENTS By Superior Has Party Tents And More

Page 9: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Nine

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Choosing Paint? Make A Bold Statement With ColorPaint is one of the least

expensive and most versatile means to

changing the look of a room. But choosing a color scheme can be challenging, which is why so many people stick with neutrals like beige and white.

Color theory is a science and there are rules for us-ing color that are taught as early as a child’s fi rst art class. We know there are primary, sec-ondary and complementary colors on the color wheel. Even novice home decorators can do well with color if they use the color wheel as their guideline.

Every room need not be painted the same hue, but col-ors should be complementary so that they fl ow throught the house Don’t paint one room in primary colors and others in

jewel tones and pastels. Stick with one theme.

If you decide to use a bold color, fi rst fi nd color inspiration. Color combinations that ap-pear in nature are more readily accepted by people, so look for an item such as a sea-

shell or fl owering plant on which to base your color choices. Or pull colors from a particular de-sign item—an

area rug, for in-stance.

Going bold doesn’t mean you have to paint every wall from ceiling to fl oor in that color. Rather, select one wall to serve as an accent wall. Use that wall as your bold canvas and paint it with your chosen hue.

Some people like to experi-ment with a fl ashy color in a smaller space. If you’re ner-vous about beginning in the

living room, try out bold color in a smaller space, such as a powder room. A more intimate space might seem less over-whelming when painted in a bold color like a deep purple or another jewel tone. Just avoid greens in the bathroom, as they may cast a hue on your face that makes you look unwell. Pinks and peaches will shed a rosy glow.

To incorporate complemen-tary colors into the room, use paint color swatches as your guide. Most paint manufactur-

ers put three or four different shades on one sample card. When selecting a complemen-tary shade, be sure to pick from the same tone on the card. That is, if you’re choosing the darkest of color #1 from a card, choose the darkest of color #2.

Another idea is to leave walls neutral and use bold color on design accents. Paint the in-side of niches, shelves or cabi-nets with glass doors in bright tones and the outside white to create an eye-catching space without going overboard. Put

a bold color on moulding or use an appliance or fi xture in a bright color as your splash of boldness.

Remember to have balance. If you will be painting an en-tire room in a bold color, think about having the other decor items in neutral colors. Sofas and rugs should be neutral col-ors, or consider toning down a vibrant color with the use of white molding or baseboards.

All it takes is a little inspiration to get started on fun, inviting color schemes in the home.

Page 10: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Ten

Weekly Mowing & Property Maintenance Lawn Renovation/Dethatching

Brush Pile Removal & Land Clearing Tree Removal/ Brush Chipping

Stump Grinding /Crane & Lift Service Shrub Pruning/Removal & Planting

Mulch/Stone/Topsoil Delivered & Installed Excavating & Drainage /Loader Service Dump Truck Service and much more!

Res id en t ia l & Co mmerc ia l Quality Service in

Cheshire since 1987

Reasonable Rates Prompt Reliable Service

Satisfaction Guaranteed!!

Owner Operated CT Reg# HIC 0636327 Fully Insured

[email protected] www.nclandscape.net

Spring Cleanup!!

Now’s the Time toCLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY.

Serving CT homes and businesses since 1985

Strictly Chimneys, LLCstrictlychimneys.com Berlin, CT(860)829-0128 Toll free (800)621-1371

Our technicians take classes annually and are tested by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

•Inspections / Cleaning•Caps / Rebuilds•Chimney Lining / Flue Relining (oil &gas)•Trouble Shooting•Masonry Repairs•Waterproofi ng•Video Inspections•Blockage Removal•Woodstoves Installed•Dryer Vent Cleaning•Chase Tops Replaced•Chimney Repointing•Dampers Repaired•Ashdump Doors•Animal Removal

Contacting a CERTIFIED chimney sweep like Strictly Chimneys will ensure your chimney is clean and suitable for use. We have built our reputation around

providing excellent service.

KDMKITCHENS

WWW.KDMKITCHENS.COM

Offering Full Design& Remodeling Services

FREE In-Home Consultation203.250.6445

132 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT. 06410

Our goal at Nick Con-stantino Landscape Service is to make

our clients happy at all times.

With each satisfi ed customer, we enhance our reputation for creativity, professionalism, dependability, and bend-over-

backward service. We would love to make you another one of our satisfi ed customers.

Our company specializes in all aspects of landscaping and has been in Cheshire since 1987. As longtime Cheshire residents, my crew and I take personal pride in our work. We service numerous residential and commercial clients in the Cheshire and surrounding ar-eas, with each client receiving the personal attention they de-serve.

We understand that your home and its landscape are one of your biggest investments. We also understand the impor-tance of having your property

Happy Landscaping Customers Are Goal Of Nick Constantino

look its best at all times. We will always work within your bud-get and fi nd solutions to any project. Our company works closely with many vendors and has resources for all your land-scape needs regardless of the size of the job.

We know that it can be very

diffi cult to fi nd lawn and land-scape service providers who you can trust and count on. We are very serious when we say we are dedicated to earning and keeping your business. In fact, we are so certain we can make you happy, we guarantee our work. If you are ever unhap-py with our service, let us know and we will make the necessary changes immediately. We real-ize that without you it is impos-sible for us to exist, and there-fore, it is our mission to make your life a little easier.

Call Nick Constantino Land-scape Services today to set up an appointment for a free esti-mate: (203) 651-9267.

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painting, replacement windows, carpentry, minor electrical & plumbing. Recession pricing, and satisfaction guaranteed.

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Chris Bernacchia (203)804-4787

Page 11: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Eleven

Call today to schedule installation:

203-697-0880Wallingford

#0622386- Reg. Consumer Prot.ectionAgency of CT - Fully insured

DurableMailboxNow.com

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860-621-1723 Free Estimates

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Installations Repairs

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Installations JUST GUTTERS, LLC

Call for a free facts folder or to see a BOND • BILT Garage

in your neighborhood

Celebrati ng53 Y���� �� B�������

Mailbox Mayhem!

One of the worst winters on record has left a lot of mailboxes battered

and bruised. Replacing a mail-box and post in the middle of winter through snow and fro-zen ground can be a daunting task, so many are left bungeed, taped and rigged together to await the spring thaw for re-placement.

Dean Backstrom, owner of

Durable Mailbox of Wallingford, has been installing mailboxes for over 30 years. He notes that a lot of mailboxes could avoid snow plow damage by being properly installed. Mail-boxes should be placed where a carrier can safely reach inside without leaving the truck. That means positioning it about 41 to 45 inches off the ground and back about six to eight feet

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from the curb. Installing a mail-box too close to the road al-most guarantees it will be dam-aged by a passing snow plow. Complete mailbox guidelines are available at USPS.com.

In 1983, when Durable Mailox started replacing mailboxes, there were very limited choices, but today there are numerous styles to choose from, rang-ing from basic to very fancy and expensive. Backstrom has found that some of the most expensive ones look great but are very poorly designed and just aren’t suited for New Eng-land weather. He’s found that most of his customers want a quality mailbox and post at a reasonable price and offers f ull installations starting at $149.

See Durable’s ad below.

Easter eggs symbolize fertility and rebirth to some, but most associate Easter eggs with youngsters scouring the yard in search of treasure. Here are

some of the more common myths about Easter eggs:Myth: Easter eggs are safe to eat after your egg hunt is

over. Fact: Hard-boiled eggs generally remain safe to eat at room temperature for about two hours. If the tempera-ture is very warm, the eggs should be eaten within one hour. People risk food-borne illnesses if they consume eggs that have been left out for several hours.

Myth: It is unsafe to eat all dyed Easter eggs. Fact: Whether dyed eggs are safe or not depends on the type of dye used. Many kits use vegetable-based dyes that are food-safe. These same pigments are used in traditional food coloring. Even if the dye has penetrated the shell, it should still be safe for consumption. Kits for blown-out

Egg Myths Cracked

See COLOR, page 14

Page 12: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

HOMEHOMEHOMETwelve

Plumbing / Heating ContractorsIndustrial � Commercial � Residential

RED OAK LAWNCARE, LLC

� SPRING CLEANUP � Weekly lawn cutting� Complete property maintenance � Design and

installation � Commercial and Residential� Fully licensed and insured

� Serving Cheshire for 23 years � Free quotes� Reliable, Responsible and Reasonable

� Call Dave 203-980-8824

Make A Plan To De-clutter And Organize The GarageSpring cleaning plans

are on the minds of many once the weather

warms up. Many homeown-ers feel a sense of renewal in the spring, when the desire to clean house and get organized becomes a priority.

Garages are often targets for homeowners hoping to target clutter. Once a space reserved for cars, garages are no longer strictly for vehicles, used in-stead to store items that simply do not fi t inside the home or a backyard shed. Organizing the garage is typically a weekend or several-day project. Here’s how to turn a garage from a cluttered mess into a space suited for storing items of all shapes and sizes.

Enlist a helper. Organizing a garage is a signifi cant under-taking that is best tackled with two or more people. Enlist a helper to make the project less intimidating.

Decide what is important to keep. Start the organiza-tion process by clearing out the garage and taking inventory of what you have. Items that have not been used for several years

can likely be tossed. Make a pile of what will be kept and then put the rest at the curb or donate useful items to charity.

Give thought to where you want to store particu-lar items. Tools and items that are used more often should be stored within reach or where they are easily visible, while items that are not used as fre-quently can be stored higher up, even in the rafters. Think about how you operate in the garage. Recycling bins can be stored closer to the door into the home, while bicycles and skates can be nearer to the ga-rage door for easy access.

* Group like items togeth-er. Categorize items that will be kept. Garden tools, camping gear, sporting equipment, and automotive supplies should be categorized and stored in their own areas of the garage, deter-mining if certain items can be stored inside the home to free up garage space. Grouping items together will make them easier to locate in the garage.

* Move boxed items into clear storage containers. It’s much easier to see what you have

when it is stored in clear con-tainers. Some containers are interlocking or stackable, mak-ing it much more convenient to store items vertically and free up more fl oor space.

Invest in vertical storage systems. Moving items from the fl oor and putting them on shelving or behind cabinets can make the garage more orga-nized. Hooks and bins also can be used. Employ a peg board full of hooks for often-used tools or other items you need at the ready.

Leave space for hobby and work areas. Garages are where many improvement proj-ects begin or where hobbies, such as woodworking or craft-ing, take place. Leave space for

these tasks and hobbies.Give the space a fresh

coat of paint. Some garages are dingy and dark. Bright paint on the walls and fl oor can open up the space and, when com-bined with more lighting, can make it lighter and brighter.

Garage organization is a

common spring cleaning proj-ect. But it shouldn’t be re-served for this season alone. Periodic checks of the garage and straightening up can keep a garage clean and organized throughout the entire year and make yearly spring cleaning much more manageable.

Get Your Grill Ready For Cookout Time

T he weather is heat-ing up and no matter whether you grill year-

round or put the grill away for the winter, it’s always a good idea to clean it thoroughly once or twice a year.

You will need:- Sturdy bristle brush- Grill cleaner - Toothpicks- Soap and water- Venturi brushStep 1: Remove all the cook-

ing grids, grates and burners and use a sturdy bristle brush to remove the buildup of grease on the inside of the oven. Using a grill cleaner, scrub the inside and outside of the oven and then rinse with water. Never use oven cleaner on your grill. It is corrosive and can damage the

other components.Step 2: Inspect the burners,

making sure there are no holes rusted through any of the com-ponents. If there are, it’s time for a replacement. Clean out any clogged burner ports using

a toothpick, being careful not to damage the ports. Check all igniter contacts to ensure they are not corroded or loose and remove any debris from the electrode. Next, clean out the burner venturi tubes using a venturi brush. It’s very impor-tant to keep these tubes clean. Spiders love to make nests in these tubes, creating block-ages that can cause serious damage.

Step 3: Examine the heat medium. If you have a heat plate, remove any grease build-

up and make sure there are no holes rusted through. If you have briquettes make sure they aren’t crumbling and the pores aren’t clogged with grease.

Step 4:Check the cooking grids and

make sure no welds are broken and brush off any stuck-on resi-due. If you have cast iron cook-ing grids, season them with oil to help keep food from sticking and help prevent rust.

Step 5: Inspect the gas hose to make sure there aren’t any cracks or leaks. This can easily be done by preparing a soapy solution and applying it to the connections at the tank and valve. Turn the tank on slowly and watch for bubbles to form, which indicates that there is a leak. Try tightening the connec-tions and re-test. If persistent leaking or blistering is detected, stop using your grill and replace the gas assembly.

Finally, check the condition of your control knobs, thermom-eter, and handles. Replacing small items like this can refresh your grill and make it look new again.

Page 13: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

HOMEHOMEHOMEThirteen

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Closed Sundays

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www.rpmpowerequipment.comSTANLEYPAVING LLC

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Not affi liated with any other paving contractorwww.stanleypavingllc.com

(203) 294-0657

“BEAT ANY PRICE WITHIN REASON.”

SILVERSTREAM ENTERPRISES, LLC

vMASONRYvCONCRETE vEXCAVATIONS vCHIMNEYS

Cheshire:

203-439-0429www.silverstreamenterprises.com

Licensed & Insured - License #584301

From Concept, to Creation to Care

EXCAVATIONSCHIMNEYS

vFIREPLACESvPIZZA OVENS vLANDSCAPESCHESHIRE ARBORIST

Tree Pruning & Removals(203)651-9663CT Arborist Lic.# S-4658

Nine Steps To Repair Damaged Window ScreensW indow screens can

let fresh air into a home while pre-

venting insects and outdoor critters from making their way inside. But screens are far less effective at keeping critters out when they’re damaged.

Addressing such damage is typically an easy do-it-yourself project, one that begins with gathering the right materials, including:

– new screening, either syn-thetic or aluminum

– a rubber spline– a screen rolling tool– a razor knife or pair of sharp

scissors– a measuring tape– masking tape– a screwdriver or an awl

Once those materials have been gathered, the process of replacing or repairing damaged screens is rather simple.

1. Measure the area of the window to determine how much replacement screening you will need. Remember to leave extra room in your mea-surements so you have slack to make the new screen fi t taut. The measurement will also help you determine how much spline you will need.

2. Remove the screen from the window frame. Some win-dows do not have removable screen frames, and you will have to work on the screen in its upright position.

3. Use the screwdriver or awl to pry the edge of the existing

spline that holds the screening material in the frame. Pull out the old spline and remove the damaged screening.

4. Measure the new screen-ing from a replacement roll. Lay the screening down on the frame, ensuring there is over-hang on all sides. If necessary, use masking tape to temporar-ily secure the screening to the frame while freeing up your hands. This also works if you must replace screening verti-cally and cannot remove the window frame and make re-pairs on a fl at surface.

5. Take a new piece of rubber spline and push it into the edge of the screen frame, securing a corner of the new screening to the frame. Continue to press

the spline around the perimeter of the screen frame fi rmly into the groove with the screen roll-ing tool, which looks like a small pizza cutter. This effectively secures the screen into the frame.

6. Continue around the edge of the frame, pulling the new screen-ing taut as you go. This helps to keep it free of wrinkles.

7. Once you have in-serted the spline all the way around, cut it off from the spline spool and push in the edge.

8. Use a razor knife or sharp scissor to cut off the excess screening, being careful not to dislodge it from behind the spline when cutting.

9. Replace the screen in the window.

In the case of small tears in

a screen, a complete replace-ment may not be necessary. Home improvement stores sell screen patch kits. Some work

by cutting out a piece of patch that is at-

tached to an adhe-sive back-

ing and sticking it

over the hole. Other patches

are small, wo-ven wires that

can be threaded through the hole

in the screen. A re-ally small hole can be

mended with a drop of clear-drying glue.

The same method of screen replacement can be used to replace screens on screened-in porches, aluminum doors or sliding patio doors. Just be sure to purchase replacement screening that will fi t the dimen-sions.Y ou may rou-

tinely check the expiration

dates on food you buy and store it prop-erly once you get it home. If you’re a pet owner, though, can you say the same for the food you buy for your dog or cat?

Correct storage of pet food is important to keep it fresh and to ensure the well-being of your pet. Here’s how:

– Start by choosing a high-quality pet food for your dog or cat, from companies that en-sure their products meet high manufacturing standards and use recipes crafted with the highest-quality ingredients.

– Store kibble in a cool, dry location. Avoid areas like base-ments or open containers where condensation or tem-perature changes can encour-age mold growth. Canned food should be covered and can be kept in the refrigerator for three to fi ve days. It also can be fro-zen, but move it into ice cube trays or another freezable con-tainer fi rst.

– Avoid storing pet food in reusable plastic containers, unless the food is left in the bag. Plastic containers may not be airtight and the material itself can absorb fat and oils, increasing the risk of food be-coming rancid.

– Cover and refrigerate or discard any uneaten canned

food immediately.– Store pet food

away from young children and from pets themselves. Don’t allow pets near an open or

empty bag of food, which can be a safety concern.

– Check “best used before” dates on pet food, which are sometimes found on the back of the bag or on the bottom of the can.

Fido’s Food Requires Proper Storage Too

Page 14: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Fourteen

Kitchens and Bathsby

A Matter of Style

680 South Main Street • Cheshire, Ct 06410 • Phone: (203) 272-1337Email: [email protected] • Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

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Try These Alternatives To Hard-Boiled Easter Eggs

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Professional Landscape DesignsBy

CHRIS RIZZUTO

Religious customs abound on Easter, but a number of secular

traditions have emerged as well. Perhaps the most popular is the coloring of Easter eggs.

Easter egg dyeing kits emerge in early spring. Consumers have a variety of alternatives to these kits at their disposal. For those folks who desire more environmentally friendly Easter treats, here are some creative and greener ideas for coloring eggs this year.

❃ Wooden eggs. Visit a craft store and purchase wooden eggs that can be painted and decorated however you desire.

The wooden eggs will be dura-ble and can be stored away for use each and every year. Be-cause they are made of wood, a naturally recyclable material, they are easy on the environ-ment.

❃ Consider natural dyes. Use different food items to create all-natural dyes for the eggs. Tea, fruit and vegetable juices—even packaged drink mixes—can be used to tint Easter eggs in various colors. Because you’re controlling the materials you use, you can en-sure they are safe to use.

❃ Experiment with papier mache. This ancient paper

crafting technique uses re-cycled paper and a paste to create a hardened mold. Turn excess scraps of paper into de-lightful eggs put on display for the holiday.

❃ Purchase corn starch eggs. Corn starch is used in everything from packing materi-als to children’s craft products. Corn starch can be molded into solid forms or foam-type con-sistencies. Egg kits are sold with this green material. When Easter is over, the corn starch eggs can be put out for com-posting. Foam-type eggs may be dissolved with water.

❃ Make edible eggs. Tra-

ditional Easter eggs can be wasteful if the eggs are boiled and used entirely for display. Rather, make eggs that will be enjoyed and are not at risk of spoil-ing too soon after being on display. Gelatin-dessert eggs is one way to use the eggs af-ter Easter, and creative people can try crafting eggs out of meringue as well.

❃ Dough eggs. Have the children get out their favorite modeling dough and craft multi-colored eggs as a fun, rainy-day proj-ect. Those who want the eggs to last can purchase actual clay

from the craft store or whip up their own medium at home. Af-ter drying, the eggs should be

ready to paint.❃ Drained eggs:.

Rinse uncooked eggs clean and

shake them carefully to “ s c r a m b l e ”

the con-tents. With

a pin, poke a small holes

on each end. Blow through one end to push out the con-tents through the other hole and into

a bowl for use in an omelet or other egg dish. Rinse care-fully and blow the moisture out. Let the empty eggshells dry thoroughly before decorating.

eggs may use dyes that are not food-safe. Anyone allergic to certain food dyes might want to avoid eating dyed eggs.

Myth: An Easter egg roll is an American tradition. Fact: In Germany, England and other countries, children tradi-tionally rolled eggs down hillsides at Easter. When Euro-pean immigrants arrived in North America, they brought these Easter egg traditions with them. One of the more popular Easter egg rolls of modern day takes place on the White House lawn, where children push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon. Some say this tradi-tion was established by Dolly Madison in 1814.

Myth: A raw egg will stand on end during the spring equinox. Fact: It is believed that because the sun is equi-distant from the south and north poles on the spring equi-nox, special gravitational forces apply on this day. These forces should make it possible to balance an egg on its end only on this day. However, eggs can be balanced at other times of the year.

continued from page 11

Color With Food-Safe Dyes

Page 15: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014

S P R I N GS P R I N GS P R I N G HOMEHOMEHOME ImprovementImprovementImprovement

Fifteen

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Decorating can be in-timidating and seem-ingly costly to many,

which means homeowners continue to look for ways to add style and refresh their home décor without spending a fortune. If you take it room-by-room, and assess the way your family lives and your own personal style, you can up-date that outdated room with simple, cost-effective chang-es.

Patti Stern, owner of PJ & Company Home Styling, LLC, a Connecticut home decorat-ing and staging fi rm, recom-mends prioritizing your deco-rating needs and looking to nature for inspiration.

“I tell my clients to start with the room they use most, whether it’s the kitchen, fam-ily room, or offi ce, so that they don’t get overwhelmed by cost and the task at hand,” says Stern.

She offers the following ad-vice when tackling home dec-orating projects:

Create a budget. The most important thing is to know exactly how much you have to spend before you begin any decorating project. If you can’t afford new cabinetry—often the most expensive item in a new kitchen—consider painting them if they’re in good condition.

“A recent kitchen make-over for one of my clients was incredibly cost-effective,” says Stern. “The homeowner didn’t want to spend a fortune remodeling her outdated, late-1980s kitchen because it was still in good shape and she had two children getting ready for college. Repurpos-ing what she had was easy and included painting versus adding new cabinetry, dress-ing up the kitchen island with furniture legs and beadboard trim for a more modern, so-phisticated look, and investing in granite to give the kitchen added style and functionality.”

Repurpose. The buzzword in the home décor indus-try is “repurposing”—giving existing home furnishings a new look with fabric or paint. Take stock of what you have, what’s in good condition, and what you love. If you’re con-

Update Your Décor With PJ & Company Home Styling

sidering updating your master bedroom, for example, and love your bedroom chair, re-upholster it with new fabric (often cheaper than buying new). Tie the overall color theme to the rest of the room with wall paint and bedding. Update a brass chandelier with silver spray paint or col-orful lamp shades for a com-plete redesign without spend-ing a lot.

Look to nature for inspira-tion. Whatever the season, look to nature to inspire your home decorating. Inexpensive accessories, such as botanical prints, topiaries, and fresh fl owers, can dress up any fi replace mantle.

Showcase what you love. Build a room around a favor-ite painting, rug, or mirror—a great way to start thinking about the look and style you want to create in the room. Then pick a paint color from artwork or the rug for the walls and accessories.

“For another client, we cre-ated a built-in bookcase with a window seat that showcased the antique collection she had amassed since she was a little girl. She was even able to fi nally display her grandpar-ent’s marriage certifi cate from the late 1800s,” adds Stern. “I then built the entire décor of her living room around this

showpiece.”Creating a warm

and welcoming look can be done without spending a fortune. It just takes a little thought and creativity and tak-ing stock of what you have and love that can be repurposed and refreshed for a whole new look and style.

For more information on PJ & Company Home Styling, LLC, contact Patti Stern at (203) 640-3762 or [email protected]. Visit her Web site at www.pjhomestyling.com and “like” her on Facebook.

Photos courtesy of PJ & Company

Page 16: 2014 Spring Home Improvement

THE CHESHIRE HERALD, APRIL 3, 2014Sixteen

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