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March 2012

IMPROVEMENT

ARTICLE INDEX

JG-TCspring home IMPROVEMENT March 20122

4566&7891011121212131414&1516&1717-19

IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2012

SHOP OFF SEASON

DID YOU KNOW?

IS IT TIME TO ADD A HALF BATHROOM?

PROJECTS REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT

ASH BORER QUARANTINE

THE BASICS OF PROPERTY TAXES

RESOLUTIONS FOR HOME

HOME INSULATION

SPRAY FOAM MOLD

CONTROL AIR LEAKAGE

TOP EFFICIENCY INNOVATION

PATIO CLEANUP

BUILDING A DECK

PLYWOOD & MDF DIFFERENCE

FENCE ETIQUETTE

spring home IMPROVEMENT

Other Electrical Services Available too !Bucket Truck services up to 60’ high!Trenching and Underground service installationsService & Repair of PLC & VFD unitsTroubleshooting on all Single & Three Phase systemsCall for a FREE estimate for your next project or repairLicensed - Bonded - Insured

D & M ElectricalD & M Electrical1223 US Rt. 45

Neoga, IL 62447217-895-2365-office

217-895-3608-faxwww.dmelectricalpower.com

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARKDARK WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT!DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARKDARK WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT!Install, Service & Repair all makes and models of Generators;

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Full Stock of repair partsAutomatic Transfer Switch - Sales and Service

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Residential & Commercial • Licensed, Bonded & InsuredNew Construction • Additions & RemodelingFarm Service • Geo Thermal Sales & Service

Wiring • Heating • Air Conditioning

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All cabinets in stock reduced. Special sale prices on tall utility cabinets and bathroom vanities.

We sell only cabinets in stock. We do not special order any merchandise.

700 Broadway Ave. East, Suite 9A • Mattoon, IL 61938((221177)) 223355--55665566

Publisher CARL WALWORTH

Advertising Director TAMMY JORDAN

SALES CONSULTANTSClassified CONNIE ANDERSON238-6828

ClassifiedKAREN COLLIER238-6821

Sr Sales ConsultantSHANNON DAVIS238-6831

Auto & Real EstatePATTI PHILLIPS238-6832

Mattoon/Sullivan RetailMELODY PARKS238-6837

Charleston/Arcola RetailALICIA ROBERTS238-6834

Effingham/Arthur RetailKIM NUNAMAKER238-6838

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Advertising: To place a display advertisement, call (217) 238-68358 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays or email [email protected]

To place classified advertising, call 238-6828 or 345-7085 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays

ART & DESIGNCover & Layout DesignerALEXANDRA MEYER

Graphic Artist Supervisor SUSAN YOUNG

Graphic ArtistMARCUS ZEAL

Graphic ArtistALEXANDRA MEYER

Graphic ArtistVALERIE CORRIE

ONLINEOnline SpecialistMARCUS ZEAL

JOURNAL GAZETTE& TIMES-COURIER

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spring home IMPROVEMENT March 2012

Other Electrical Services Available too !Bucket Truck services up to 60’ high!Trenching and Underground service installationsService & Repair of PLC & VFD unitsTroubleshooting on all Single & Three Phase systemsCall for a FREE estimate for your next project or repairLicensed - Bonded - Insured

D & M ElectricalD & M Electrical1223 US Rt. 45

Neoga, IL 62447217-895-2365-office

217-895-3608-faxwww.dmelectricalpower.com

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARKDARK WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT!DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARKDARK WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT!Install, Service & Repair all makes and models of Generators;

-Residential - Commercial - Industrial-Specializing in Cummins, Onan & Baldor Generators

Full Stock of repair partsAutomatic Transfer Switch - Sales and Service

All cabinets in stock reduced. Special sale prices on tall utility cabinets and bathroom vanities.

We sell only cabinets in stock. We do not special order any merchandise.

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With the deepfreeze factor atits annual high, the potentialbenefits of making energy savingimprovements really hit home.Yet saving energy and moneyand adding comfort to your homeshould always be in season.Industry experts at Icynene(icynene.com) recommend youput these home improvementtips on your 2012 calendar:

Winter•Install affordable plastic

window-sealing kits, especiallywhere you feel drafts. •Install foam gaskets behind

electrical outlets and switches toreduce air leakage. •Close the fireplace damper

tightly when it's not in use. Ifyou use your fireplace regularly,consider adding a well-designedinsert.•Replace or clean furnace

filters at least once every threemonths.

Spring•Consider larger home

improvements, like replacingwindows that are best completedwhen the weather is nice.Consider adding spray foaminsulation (like innovativeIcynene) to your attic or in otherareas of your home where thesummer heat can infiltrate. Youcan start saving up to 50 percentin energy costs all year long.• Is your air conditioner old

or on its last legs? Before thingsheat up, consider investing in anenergy efficient Energy Star-

rated unit. Consult an expert toensure the size of the unit isproperly matched to the needs ofyour home.

Summer•Add window coverings to

block sunlight during the day, soyour air conditioner doesn't haveto work as hard.•Replace inefficient

incandescent lighting with moreefficient compact fluorescent orLED lighting that also produceless heat.•Check your hot water tank.

If it's warm to the touch, it mightneed some extra insulation.Check your home improvementstore for inexpensive pre-cuttank jackets or blankets.

Fall•Check insulation levels

where you can, like the attic orthe floor of a room over thegarage. If you didn't get to it inthe spring, install spray foaminsulation to seal aroundopenings and penetrations thatlet air flow in and out of yourhome.•Use caulking, sealant and

weather-stripping to create abarrier against air and wateraround doorframes, windows andbaseboards. Choose the rightcaulking for the surface.•Insulate your hot water

pipes to reduce heat loss. It mayenable you to reduce thetemperature setting on your hotwater tank.

Now is a great time to plan for even small seasonal improvements that cansave you energy and money and add comfort to your home.

FORIMPROVEMENTS

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Wood Ultrex Window SeriesYou can have it both ways. The Wood-Ultrex Seriescombines the unmatched performance of an Ultrexfiberglass exterior to protect against the elementswith the traditional look of a handcrafted wood inte-rior. It’s the perfect blend of classic styling and ad-vanced construction technology designed to giveyou windows that look beautiful and stay beautifulfor decades.

Wood-Ultrex Inswing French Patio DoorNothing says “welcome home” like an elegant Wood-Ultrex In-swing French door from Integrity. A door height of up to 8 feet of-fers gorgeous, unobstructed views and the rich pine trim can beeasily stainedor painted tomatch your in-terior. Thedurable Ultrexexterior standsup to thechanging sea-sons and of-fers strength inthe high-trafficthreshold

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Call forAppointment


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An often overlooked side-ef-fect of the recession is that manypeople cannot afford to move andhave decided to stick with thehome they have and make de-sired improvements. Thanks tooff-season discounts, somemonths of the year may be bet-ter than others for renovations.The home improvement in-

dustry is not much differentthan any other. When demand ishigh, prices are generally attheir peak. When demand is low,prices are lowered to enticeshoppers to buy.Right now, many homeowners

may be thinking of certain im-provements, such as the instal-lation of a pool or deck, or evenreplacing an air conditioningsystem in advance of the warmweather. But it could be finan-cially savvy to wait until thewarm weather is gone to do so.Many pool companies and

stores discount their inventoryconsiderably after September.That's because this time of yearin most of the country is whenthe weather starts to change andpeople are less likely to thinkabout a dip in the pool. With thearrival of the new school year,many others are focusing less onpool fun and more on carpoolsand sporting events. Further-more, in an effort to capitalizeon both the summer and winterseasons, many pool stores doubleas Christmas tree and accessoryoutlets come the colder months.That means they'll need to clearout their showrooms and stock

areas of pools prior to delivery ofChristmas merchandise. Youmay land a considerable dis-count on the pool package. Fur-thermore, if you have room in agarage or shed to store the poolequipment and assembled mate-rials, you can wait until the nextseason to hire an installer to setup the pool when you desire.As you are thinking about

turning down the thermostatand enjoying a blast of cool air-conditioning, it might be wise tothink about the performance ofyour furnace, too. While HVACprofessionals and home improve-ment chains could be chargingtop dollar for a new air condi-tioning system, they may offerdiscounts on furnaces becausethey're simply not in demandthis time of year. If you find anaffordable furnace, store the fur-nace until the time is right tohave it installed.The holiday season tends to

be a slow time for home-im-provement contractors simplybecause most homeowners arethinking more about shoppingand entertaining than knock-down, tear-out jobs. Waitinguntil the end of the year forsome major renovations could beadvantageous. The spring and summer are

prime times for outdoor enter-taining, so the addition of decksor elaborate landscaping maycome at an elevated price. How-ever, once autumn arrives, thesame services may be muchcheaper, depending on the job

and if the contractor can securematerials at a discounted price.If you can hold off on that newdeck or patio until after Septem-ber, it may be in your best inter-est. However, if a winterinstallation is in your design,you may find yourself actuallypaying more in labor costs if in-clement weather delays the in-stallation.Here are some other ways to

save off-season.• Explore wintertime reduc-

tions on air conditioning sys-tems.• New appliance models re-

leased could mean year-end re-ductions on that model year.• Purchase bulk topsoil and

other landscaping materials inthe winter when this industry isslow.• Many pests enter a dor-

mancy during the winter, so ex-terminators may discount fortermite reduction during thewinter and early spring.• Fireplace installation or

chimney masonry work could bediscounted during the summermonths.• The spring season is an

ideal time for roofing projects,although some contractors willwork in the winter, too. Roofingcompanies are often tied up dur-ing the summer months andmay ask for premium charges.Keep in mind that summer is

a prime time for any and all im-provements. Beat the prices andthe wait time by shopping off-season for your renovations.

When the weather is ripe for a dip in the pool or turning on the A/C, it mightbehoove savings-minded homeowners to think about a furnace replacement.

above draperies in Carole Fabrics

Elisa Roberts Interior Design217-549-4593 Charleston www.elisaroberts.com

• Draperies• Shades• Blinds• Designer Fabrics• Reupholstery• Design services

SPRINGSALEPost-Frame Buildings

28’x32’x8’ $7,99536’x40’x10 $10,95046’x64’x14’ $20,900

Sturdi-Built Corp.Charleston, IL

1-800-345-3770www.sturdi-builtbuildings.com

Shop Off-Season For Major Improvementsspring home IMPROVEMENT March 2012

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Did You Know?Women make up a fast-growing segment of the

home improvement market. According to research bySears, Roebuck & Co. and Investor's Business Daily,53 percent of married women are responsible forbasic household maintenance and repair. Women alsocomprise 50 percent of all residential buyers at majorhome improvement stores and generally spend morethan men when shopping. Women also make 85percent of all remodeling decisions around the home.As a result, more retailers cater to female shoppers intheir home improvement promotions.

DIRT, STAINS & PET ODORS?

CALL THE EXPERTS IN CARPET CLEANING TODAY!

The Floor Show, Inc.Mattoon: 235-3161 - Charleston: 345-3309

Effingham: 342-2740 - 1-800-926-1082

Call Patty!

OFFER EXPIRES June 30, 2012

Dr. Joseph BorregginePodiatrist

IS IT TIME to add a half-bathroom?

Pros Cons

When it comes to renovating a home,homeowners expect to spend money. Nohome renovation or home improvementproject is free, but some are less costlythan others.The addition of a half-bathroom is a

popular project among homeowners, andit won't necessarily break the bank. Ifconverting existing floor space into a

half-bathroom, such a renovation cancost as little as a few thousand dollars,making the addition of a powder roomone of the few home improvementprojects where the value added to thehome exceeds the cost of the renovation.Before deciding to add a half-bathroom,it helps to consider some of the pros andcons of the project.

CCoonnvveenniieenncceeA half-bathroom is often added onthe home's main floor or in thebasement or attic. This makes itmore convenient for guests to usethe restroom during a dinner partyor when coming over to watch thebig game in a basement home-

theater area.

PPrroobblleemm--ffrreeeeHalf-bathrooms are smaller

because they don't have a showeror bathtub. That means commonbathroom problems like mold andmildew are not as big a concern as

they are for full bathrooms.

MMoorree cchhooiicceessBecause mold and mildew aren'tlikely to present a problem in a half-bathroom, homeowners have moreoptions at their disposal when

choosing floors and countertops.

SSppaacceeAs their name implies, half-

bathrooms are much smallerthan full bathrooms. As a result,they tend to feel cramped.

VVaalluueeThough an inexpensive half-

bathroom addition might re-coup its value and then someat resale, the project won't addas much resale value to a homeas a full bathroom addition

might.

LLoossss ooff SSttoorraaggeeIf storage around the house

is sparse, homeowners mightbe better off keeping the areadesignated for the half-bath-room as a storage closet in-

stead of a bathroom.

Once the pros and cons have beenweighed, homeowners who want to goforward with the project should thencheck with their local municipality toensure the codes and requirementswon't restrict their project. Size or win-dow restrictions might curtail the proj-ect or limit what homeowners can do,

which might change their minds on theproject altogether.The addition of a half-bathroom

often makes practical and financialsense. But before making any addition,homeowners must weight the pros andcons to make the best decision possible.


The addition of a half-bathroom is a project that often makes practical and financial sense.

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Charleston

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Quality you can count onat competitive prices.


JG-TC8

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All too many homeownershave experienced the joy ofcompleting a home improvementproject only to learn uponcompletion that the project isnot in adherence with local laws.That realization, whileheartbreaking, is often theresult of a homeowner's failureto secure a building permit priorto starting the project.Homeowners who secure apermit before the onset of aproject will know what they can

and can't do and can rest easyknowing that an approved plancomplies with engineeringprinciples and local laws. Another disadvantage to

forgoing the permit process isthe potential perils such adecision cause whenhomeowners want to sell theirhomes. Projects completedwithout a permit might hurt ahome's resale value, and suchprojects are not often covered byhomeowner's insurance policies,

meaning damage to areas of thehome where an illegal projectwas conducted won't be covered.While homeowners shouldalways check with their localmunicipality before starting aproject, it might help to knowthe following are a few of themany home improvementprojects that typically require apermit before they can goforward.

• Above-ground pool• Attached storage shed• Awnings• Carports• Deck installation• Demolition project,interior or exterior• Fireplace addition• Garage conversion• Handicap ramp• Handicap restroom• In-ground pool• Patio enclosure• Patio installation• Partition wall installation

• Porch• Retaining walls• Roof change (i.e., flat roof to sloped roof)• Roof replacement• Room addition• Room remodel• Siding• Sliding glass door (if area is increased)• Skylight• Spa or hot tub installation• Windows, new or replacement (if area is increased)

Projects that might require a building permitspring home IMPROVEMENT March 2012

Well, we have gone throughanother month. So far this yearis flying by. Also, so far, we have had a

fantastic winter. I know thereare some of you who are reallymissing the snow, but I am notone of them. Not this year,anyway.I just want to get on with this

winter and say, "Hello spring."I do want to thank all of you

who got your reservation in forour Spring Into Gardeningseminar. It is great to have thekind of responses that we havehad with these events.Of course, this is what our

program is all about, bringingeducational ideas to you thepublic. I am looking forward toseeing all of you on Feb. 25.I have a different kind of

article this week. I have talkedabout the emerald ash borer, justhoping that it would not get intoour state or area, but that is notthe case.

It is definitely here, so Idecided to bring someinformation straight from thepeople that know. So please readthe following article andhopefully you will not have todeal with this borer.The Illinois Department of

Agriculture has added all of 14counties and part of two othersto its emerald ash borerquarantine. The expansionbecame necessary after the tree-killing beetle was detected thissummer in four new counties.Traps placed throughout the

state to track the spread of thebeetle captured its presence inDeWitt, Marion and Starkcounties. Alert IDOA staffspotted the fourth infestation inEffingham County whiletraveling to Marion County toinvestigate the discovery there."This is the eighth and

largest amendment to theoriginal EAB quarantine thatwas enacted after the beetle was

discovered here in 2006," WarrenGoetsch, IDOA Bureau Chief ofEnvironmental Programs, said."The boundary expansion is

so significant because two of thedetections this summer were insouthern Illinois nearly 125miles from the closest,previously-known infestations."In addition to DeWitt,

Marion, Stark and Effingham,the counties added to thequarantine in their

entiretyareClark,Coles,Cumberland,Douglas, Edgar,Fayette, Macon,Moultrie, Piatt andShelby.Portions of Bureau and

Marshall counties, notpreviously included in thequarantine, also were added,bringing the number of impactedcounties in northern, central andsouth-central Illinois to 39.Other counties under

quarantine are Boone,Champaign, Cook, DeKalb,DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois,Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake,LaSalle, Lee, Livingston,McHenry, McLean, Ogle,Putnam, Vermilion, Will,Winnebago and Woodford.The full quarantine order and

detailed information about theEAB program can be accessed onthe Internet atwww.IllinoisEAB.com.The quarantine is intended to

prevent the artificial spread ofthe beetle through themovement of infested wood andnursery stock.Specifically, it prohibits the

removal of the following itemsfrom quarantined areas:* The emerald ash borer in

any living stage of development.* Ash trees of any size.* Ash limbs and branches.* Any cut, non-coniferous

firewood.* Bark from ash trees and

wood chips larger than one inchfrom ash trees.* Ash logs and lumber with

either the bark or the outer one-inch of sapwood, orboth, attached.

* Any item made from orcontaining the wood of the

ash tree that is capableof spreading theemerald ash borer.* Any other

article, product or means ofconveyance determined by theIDOA to present a risk ofspreading the beetle infestation.The emerald ash borer is a

small, metallic-green beetlenative to Asia. It does not poseany direct risk to public health,but does threaten the ash treepopulation. Its larvae burrowinto the bark of ash trees,causing the trees to starve andeventually die.Since the beetle was first

confirmed in the Midwest in thesummer of 2002, it has killedmore than 25 million ash trees.The beetle often is difficult to

detect, especially in newly-infested trees. Signs ofinfestation include the presenceof metallic-green beetles, abouthalf the diameter of a penny, onor around ash trees, thinningand yellowing leaves, D-shapedholes in the bark of the trunk orbranches and basal shoots.Anyone who suspects an ash

tree has been infested shouldcontact their county Extensionoffice, their village forester or

the IDOA.EAB was first confirmed in

Illinois in Kane County. HowEAB arrived in the state isunknown, but the IDOAsuspects it was transported herein contaminated firewood.To prevent future such

occurrences, the departmentencourages Illinoisans topurchase only locally grownnursery stock and locally cutfirewood.I encourage all of you with

ash trees to examine themcarefully. We have one ash andso far so good - it is a wonderfulshade tree and one I certainlywould hate to lose.Another problem a lot of you

are having is with the deer. Ofcourse you do realize that we arein their territory and not theother way around.Anyway, I wanted to shed a

little light on this subject. Somany times I hear people saythey think deer have beenchewing on their trees. How canI be sure? What can I do if theyare?Damage by deer is not hard

to identify. Since both mule deerand white-tailed deer lack upperincisors, deer browsing oftenleaves a jagged or torn surfaceon twigs or stems, whereas arabbit or rodent browsing leavesa clean surface.In addition, deer tracks are

very distinctive. The height ofdamage from the ground oftenrules out any other mammalother than deer.Deer are often observed "in

the act" of causing damage. Theonly sure way to eliminate deerdamage is to fence the deer out,however, that is often cost-prohibitive except for orchardsor private gardens. A dog on along run can keep deer out of thelimited area. There are a varietyof contact (applied directly to theplant) and area (applied nearthe plant) repellents available.These include "Hinder,"

"Thiram," "Deer-Away," humanhair, bone tar oil, Naphathalene(mothballs), hot pepper sauceand blood meal.Remember that success with

repellents is measured in thereduction, not total eliminationof damage.This column is based on

information and materials at theUniversity of Illinois Extensionoffice, located at 707 WindsorRoad, Charleston, 61920; phone345-7034; or check us out on the Web:

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ccdms/ .Marsha Overton is a

University of Illinois Extensionmaster gardener and co-president of the Pleasant PrairieGardenClub.

9JG-TC

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All too many homeownershave experienced the joy ofcompleting a home improvementproject only to learn uponcompletion that the project isnot in adherence with local laws.That realization, whileheartbreaking, is often theresult of a homeowner's failureto secure a building permit priorto starting the project.Homeowners who secure apermit before the onset of aproject will know what they can

and can't do and can rest easyknowing that an approved plancomplies with engineeringprinciples and local laws. Another disadvantage to

forgoing the permit process isthe potential perils such adecision cause whenhomeowners want to sell theirhomes. Projects completedwithout a permit might hurt ahome's resale value, and suchprojects are not often covered byhomeowner's insurance policies,

meaning damage to areas of thehome where an illegal projectwas conducted won't be covered.While homeowners shouldalways check with their localmunicipality before starting aproject, it might help to knowthe following are a few of themany home improvementprojects that typically require apermit before they can goforward.

ALL ASH TREES AREENDANGERED!

EMERALD ASH BORER

Call Today to Find Out Why!It is Important to Treat Your

Ash Trees Before Infestation!

To Protect Your Trees Nowis Cheaper Than

Treating an Infestation!

Visual Symptoms to Look For• Emerald Ash Borer insect flying around your trees

• D-Shaped exit hole on branches & trunk of tree• Dead or dying branches usually near top of tree

TREECARE

217-820-2841

Coles County Region Is Included In Emerald AshBorer QuarantineBy Marsha Overton; University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener


JG-TC10

Paying property taxes is anecessary side effect of homeownership. Across the UnitedStates and Canada, residentsare required to pay propertytaxes based on an assessment oftheir homes' value. Taxes on land and the

buildings on it are one of thebiggest sources of revenue forlocal governments. In the UnitedStates, property taxes are notimposed by the states, but by thesmaller governing bodies incities, towns, townships,counties, and other jurisdictions.In Canada, property taxes, ormilliage taxes, are levied by thejurisdiction in which theproperty is located. They may bepaid to a federated state or amunicipality or the nationalgovernment. Sometimesmultiple jurisdictions may taxthe same property.Although the taxes are

mandated by a higher governingpower, the rate at which you paytaxes could be based on a verylocal assessment of the area inwhich your house is located andthe current market conditions.An assessor will visit a home --usually prior to purchase -- andmake a determination on thepercentage of tax to be paiddepending on the condition ofthe home, the improvementsthat have been made and theclimate of the economy in yourparticular town or city. Propertytaxes are usually calculated bytaking the assessed value ofyour home and multiplying it bythe tax rate that has beendetermined by your localgovernment.While no one can "legally"

escape paying property taxes,there are several ways to havethem lowered. Getting yourhome re-assessed is one suchway. Individuals who have

reached a certain age may beeligible for certain discounts onproperty taxes. But this mayrequire a very low income toqualify. There are also some taxcredits or homestead exemptionsthat may qualify you for alimited assessed value on theproperty.According to data from the

Tax Foundation and Forbes,areas of New Jersey, New Yorkand Illinois boast some of thehighest property taxes.Residents of Hunterdon County,New Jersey paid on average$8,600 a year between 2005 and2009. Those in Lake County,Illinois pay around $6,500.People living in WestchesterCounty, New York can plan onspending $8,400 per year.Statistics indicate that homeslocated in Ontario cities incentral Canada have the highestproperty taxes. Torontoresidents, for example, pay anaverage of $3,900.In this tough economy,

lowering property taxes (whichare generally rolled into themortgage amount for ease ofpayment) could substantially

reduce bills. As many as 60percent of properties across theUnited States are overassessed,according to the NationalTaxpayers Union, a nonprofitgroup that promotes lower taxes.If you suspect your property

taxes are high, here are thesteps to take.• Get a copy of your property

tax assessment from the localassessor's office and double-check all the informationcontained to see if it is correct.• Check the assessments of

five comparable homes that havesold in your neighborhood in thelast three years.• An independent appraiser

can also provide you accurateinformation at a cost. Make surehe or she is licensed with theNational Association ofIndependent Fee Appraisers orby the American Society ofAppraisers.• It's not possible to lower

the property tax rate, just theassessed value of the homethrough an official appeal. Theremay be fees associated with thisappeal, however.Some home improvements

will increase the value of yourhome and, in turn, your propertytaxes. Here are some of the mostcommon culprits:- extra stories to the home- outhouses, like a guest house- sports courts, like tennis- installation of an inground pool- improvements to fencing- addition of a garage or another room on the homeA change in the status of a

neighborhood can also give riseto higher property taxes. Aninflux of new residents or newconstruction of stores and homescan have a major effect on theassessed value of your home.forward.

The Basics of Property Taxes

whether your catching up onwinter utility bills or planning tospruce up your home …

• Up To $3,000*

• Usually 30Minute Service!

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11JG-TC

The Basics of Property TaxesMany people feel a new

calendar year symbolizes a freshstart. Perhaps nothingillustrates that better than thepopularity of New Year'sresolutions, which people makein an effort to improve theirquality of life both in the yearahead and the years that follow.Popular plans include

resolving to lose weight or quitsmoking. But homeowners canmake resolutions for their homesas well. The following are someresolutions to ensure your homehas as good a year as you doover the next 12 months.* Clear away clutter. Spring

is the season most peopleassociate with clearing a homeof clutter, but the immediateaftermath of the holiday seasonmarks a great time to begintidying up. During the holidayseason, homeowners often arrivehome to a mailbox filled withholiday catalogs. In addition,extra rolls of wrapping paper,packaging tape and holidaycards can transform a normallyneat and airy home into acluttered space with little roomto breathe. Instead of waiting forspring to clear out clutter,resolve to spend some time eachmonth getting rid of any

unnecessary items. Not only willless clutter make a home lessstuffy (particularly duringwinter when the windows areclosed), it will also make springcleaning that much easier.• Reduce the energy bill. Few

people are in a position to scoffat ways to save money, andreducing energy costs is agreat way to do just that.This year, resolve toturn the lights offwhen you leave aroom, lower thetemperature on thethermostat duringdaytime hourswhen no one ishome and consideralternativemethods of savingenergy as well. Most homeowners

might be surprised tolearn their set-top cableor satellite boxes, whencoupled with a digital videorecorder, are quite possiblygobbling up more energy thantheir refrigerator. Such was thefindings in a 2011 studyconducted by the NaturalResources Defense Council,which found that a high-definition cable or satellite

set-top box, when combined witha DVR, used more kilowatthours per year than a newEnergy Star rated 21 cubic-footrefrigerator. While few

homeowners are likely willing togive up their cable service orDVR, you can ask your serviceprovider for Energy Star 4.0-rated devices to help reduce

energy consumption.* Grow a green thumb. A

lawn is the first thing passersbynotice about a home. No matterhow beautiful the home itself is,if the lawn is not well-maintained that is what mostpeople are going to remember.This year, resolve to grow agreen thumb. Thoughspring and summer areconsidered the seasonsfor lawn care, winteris not necessarily abad time to getstarted. Clear awayany fallen branchesand rake away thelast of the leaves,which can be usedto create a compostpile that can benefitthe lawn throughoutthe year. Dependingon the type of grassyou have, late winter

and early spring can be agreat time to fertilize.* Make your home safer.

Improving safety around thehouse should not have to be aNew Year's resolution, but forbusy homeowners it's easy tooverlook safety around thehouse. This year, resolve to makeyour home safer and keep it safe

and secure. Have the hometested for radon if you haven'talready, and inspect all smokeand carbon monoxide detectors,replacing any ones that are nolonger operating at full capacity.If there are any safety hazardsaround the house, such as aloose step or handrail on thestaircase or a leaky gutter thatmakes it easy for ice patches toform after winter rain orsnowstorms, then address theseissues before they cause seriousinjury.New Year's resolutions don't

just apply to humans. Make themost of this year's fresh start bymaking your home a happier,healthier and safer place to livethis year and in the years tocome.

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RESOLUTIONS for homespring home IMPROVEMENT March 2012

Keeping your home at acomfortable temperaturebecomes an increasinglyexpensive proposition withsteadily rising energy costs. Withthe full force of winter upon us,you can keep air leakage and

energy loss in check with a minienergy audit of your home thatincludes these three quick stops:

#1 - Check for draftsAir leakage (especially in the

basement, on the main floor orthrough a windward-facing wall)can make your home drafty,uncomfortable and difficult toheat, no matter how much youturn up the thermostat. Addressair leakage by plugging thebiggest leaks first, such as in theattic and around electrical holes,

plumbing vents, basement rimjoists (where the foundationmeets the wood framing),recessed lighting, windows anddoors.

#2 - Check your insulationIf you have conventional

fiberglass or cellulose insulation,settling and sagging cancompromise its performance andlead to a big hit on your energybills. Look for gaps and signs ofmoisture problems in yourinsulation, especially in the attic,in the basement and in the roomover the garage. If you'replanning home improvements oran addition, consider installingan insulation/air barrier (likeinnovative Icynene) for completeair sealing and energy savings ofup to 50 percent overconventional insulation. Moreinformation about yourinsulation options is availableonline at www.icynene.com.

#3 - Check your furnaceHow old is your furnace? If it

pre-dates 1992, it might onlyoperate at about 55 to 78 percentefficiency. A new Energy Star-qualified furnace can operateabove 90 percent efficiency as aresult of more efficient heatexchangers and electronicignition.icynene.com.

If you worry about mold inyour home and are trying to findsolutions, you can take onesimple step to help prevent itfrom happening. Mold is commonly found in

houses that have poor wallinsulation. As moisture buildsup, the interior of the walls canslowly rot. This gives off a foulsmell and reduces the overallstability and quality of a

property. You may need tocompletely strip your walls toeffectively repair them.Such a repair can be

expensive, but in order toprevent this situation fromoccurring, you can choose analternate kind of insulation foryour home. Spray foaminsulation, like Icynene, is agood choice, especially forpreventing mold. Unlike other

insulation, spray foam protectsyour walls against moisture byforming an air barrier. Prevention of mold, dust, dust

mites and other commonairborne irritants will improvethe quality of the air in yourhome and ultimately theinvestment value of your house.More information on this

topic is available online aticynene.com.

While investing in retirement is top of mindfor many of us, there are other

investments that can pay off over a longerperiod of time, like insulation. Home

improvement specialists tell us that we canprotect our home investment, too, with a

spray foam insulation like the popular-selling,Icynene. This type of insulation can provide acomplete air seal with optimal R-values, delivering up to 50 percent in monthly

energy savings. More information on thistopic is available online at

www.icynene.com.

JG-TC12

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13JG-TC

SPRAY FOAM INSULATION COMBATS MOLD

Our homes are a great measuring stick of how farwe've progressed in the past 20 years, especiallywhen it comes to their efficiency in terms of savingus energy and money.Here are the top three innovative technologies thatcan improve the efficiency of our homes:

Home Automation* It wasn't that long ago

that an automated home was afocus of science fiction. Today,adding the convenience andcontrol of our indoor climate,lighting, electronic media andhome security is increasinglyaffordable and accessiblethrough home PCs, smartphone and tablet applications.With home monitoringsystems, you can track energyand water usage in real time,spot key sources of energy lossand make immediateadjustments. Insulation* If your home is more than

10 years old, there's a goodchance it has fiberglass orcellulose insulation behind itswalls. While these were oncethe insulations of choice, thereare many holes in thesetechnologies. Since they aredifficult to install perfectlyand can sag or settle overtime, they can leave gaps andseams. It's like leaving a

window open 24 hours a day inthe freezing cold. * Experts remind us that

insulation advancements (likethose from leading innovatorIcynene) have brought usspray foam insulation optionsthat won't settle, sag or leaveany gaps. Spray foam acts asan air barrier and can deliverup to 50 percent energysavings over older insulationoptions, while making ourhomes healthier, quieter andmore comfortable. You cancompare insulation options atwww.icynene.com.Appliances and HVAC* Appliances and

heating/cooling systems areessential in American homes --and not surprisingly, they areconstantly undergoingimprovements. New energy-efficient refrigerators use lessthan half the energy of modelsthat are 12 years old and use75 percent less energy thanthose produced in the late1970s (Source: National

Resources Defense Council).* If you have a conventional

natural-draft furnace madebefore 1992, it might onlyoperate between 55 to 78percent efficiency. Upgradingto a new induced-draftcondensing furnace canincrease efficiency to above 90percent as a result of moreefficient heat exchangers andelectronic ignition (Source:Mother Earth News).

Advances in home automation, insulation and appliances have become increasingly affordable and accessible to more homeowners, saving them energy and money.


Outdoor entertaining is aprimary component of the warm-weather season. Individualsflock to their backyard patiosand decks to barbecue or simplysoak up a little sun.Over the course of the fall

and winter your patio may haveexperienced some wear and tear.Or if the patio is several yearsold, it may need somemaintenance to improve itsappearance for the new season.Maintenance often depends onthe material used.Before starting, figure out

what your patio needs and stockup on the supplies. Many patiosare poured concrete, and asimple pressure-washing couldbe all that's needed to revive thelook. Pressure washers can berented or purchased. If there arecracks or chips in the patio,some minor patchwork may beable to fix unsightly problems.There are fast-dry patching kits.If the patio is especiallydamaged, it may be in your bestinterest to simply replace thepatio or cover it with a differentmaterial, like wood decking.Some patios are constructed

from paving stones. Pavers areusually installed atop a thinlayer of sand and then moresand is brushed into the seamsbetween the pavers to set themin place. Over time, the sandmay become dislodged causingthe pavers to wobble or evengrow uneven. Taking the time tobrush new sand over a paverpatio can keep the stones stable.Because pavers are not a solidsurface, weeds can grow inbetween the stones. Handweeding and the application of aweed-killing product can helpwith keeping weeds at bay andfrom being unsightly.This year, maybe it's not

about refreshing the patio butinstalling one instead. Althoughmany homeowners choose tomake the installation of a patioa do-it-yourself project with fineresults, if you have a large yardor an intricate design, you maywant to price out masons. Thesecontractors could haverelationships with suppliers of

concrete and patio pavers, whichcould save on the cost ofmaterials for the job. Plus youwill have the benefit of knowingthe work was done correctly. Now is also the time to wash

the cushions to your patio set toenhance your patio decor. Do soon a sunny, warm day to allowthe cushions to dry adequatelyso they won't develop mildew ormold staining and odor.If the cushions look dated or

beyond repair, this season couldbe a good time to head to thestore and purchase a new set.Nothing refreshes a patio morethan bright colors and attractiveaccessories. While new plantersfilled with flowers could do thetrick, coordinate patio colorswith new upholstery for outdoorfurniture, throw pillows and anew patio umbrella to completethe look.

JG-TC14

patio clean-upfor seasonalentertaining

Things to know before building a deckStatistics from the U.S.

Census Bureau Housing Surveyindicate that homeownersannually spend billions ofdollars improving outdoor livingareas.One of the most popular ways

to do just that is to add a deck toa home. Decks are beneficial inmany ways. Grillmasters lovedecks because they make theperfect place to set up a grill and

a table and cook for family andfriends. Those who simply lovebeing outdoors find decks theperfect place to relax and soakup some sun or idle away theevening hours. But homeowners who want to

build a deck should know a fewthings before that processbegins.• Permits are necessary.

Unless the deck is going to be

especially small, you will likelyneed a permit to build it. Beforebuying any materials orconsulting any contractors, makecertain you know which permitsyou need and how to get them. Ifthe proper permits are notsecured before the projectbegins, you might have to teardown the whole project and startall over again.Continued on Next Page


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• Decks don't have to go onthe back of the house. If the backof your house sits in the blazingsun all day, then it's probablybest to build the deck elsewhere,and that's perfectly alright. Solong as the property and permitsallow, decks can be built on the

side of a home as well, andputting a deck on the side mightbe more comfortable.• Decks don't have to be

made of wood. It's easy toassume all decks are made ofplain wood. However, decks canbe made out of a wide variety of

materials, natural or synthetic.Pressure treated wood isperhaps the most popularmaterial for decking because it'snot very expensive. Butmanmade materials that are amixture of recycled plastic andwood bits or sawdust are also

popular because they require nomaintenance. But homeownersshould know that manmadematerials can get hot in the sun,which will require thoseenjoying the deck to wear shoes.• Expect to do some digging.

If you're going to build your owndeck, expect to do some seriousdigging. Local building codeswill dictate how deep you willneed to dig for the pier footings,which support the deck's weight.Just how deep you'll dig dependson your climate's specific frostline, but it's safe to assume you'llget a workout in when digging.• The deck can have multiple

levels. Though many peopleassociate decks with one level,it's possible to have a multi-leveldeck if you simply don't haveenough room to build a deck thatwill be big enough to meet all ofyour needs. A multi-level deckcan break up those long flightsof stairs while ensuring you willalways have somewhere to go toescape the sun on a hot day.• You will want to protect the

deck. Decks are a costly

investment, and you will want toprotect that investment. Ifyou're building a wood deck,keep in mind the sun will beatdown on the deck for most of theyear. You can protect the deck bypainting it. Paint providessunscreen for the deck, stoppingthe sun from breaking down thematerial. Once you've finishedpainting, apply sealant, whetherit's oil- or water-based.• Don't forget fasteners.

Fasteners will hide the screwsfor aesthetic appeal. But not allwoods and fasteners are theright fit, as certain woods areonly compatible with certainfasteners. Find out whichfasteners make the right fitahead of time. Because fastenersconceal the screws, they alsomake it possible to go barefooton the deck.A deck makes a great

addition to many homes, buthomeowners should learn asmuch as possible about decksand what goes into buildingthem before making any deckingdecisions.

15JG-TC spring home IMPROVEMENT March 2012

JG-TC16

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For decades plywood was thego-to inexpensive wood of choicefor many home-repair projects.In fact, it was actually the firstmanufactured wood productavailable. Then the term MDF,or medium-density fiberboard,started making its way onto

home-improvement shows andamong do-it-yourselfers, makingit a popular material in recentyears. Still, many people do notknow the differences betweenthese types of wood products.Plywood is constructed by

gluing several layers of thin

wood veneers between twopieces of wood to create a solidsheet. Experts say there is anodd number of veneer layers,and each one is attached at aright angle to the one below toadd strength to the plywood.Continued on Next Page


•Decks don't have togo on the back of thehouse. If the back of

your house sits in theblazing sun all day,then it's probably best

to build the deckelsewhere, and that'sperfectly alright. Solong as the propertyand permits allow,decks can be built onthe side of a home aswell, and putting a deckon the side might bemore comfortable.•Decks don't have to

be made of wood. It'seasy to assume alldecks are made of plainwood. However, deckscan be made out of awide variety ofmaterials, natural orsynthetic. Pressuretreated wood is perhapsthe most popularmaterial for deckingbecause it's not veryexpensive. Butmanmade materialsthat are a mixture ofrecycled plastic andwood bits or sawdustare also popularbecause they require nomaintenance. Buthomeowners shouldknow that manmadematerials can get hot inthe sun, which willrequire those enjoyingthe deck to wear shoes.

Continued on pg. 19

17JG-TC

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There may be knots orirregularities in the plywoodbecause it is made of actualslices of wood. It comes in avariety of strengths, dependingon the thickness of the plywood.Thickness can vary by sheetdepending on the manufacturer,so each sheet may not beconsistent.MDF is formed with wood

fibers or shavings mixed withglue or resin. Under heat orpressure, the MDF is made intoa solid material. Because MDFis not made from slices of woodto form veneers, it will not havethe traditional graining or knotsassociated with wood. This canbe an advantage or disadvantagedepending on how it isultimately used. MDF is ofteneasy to cut, drill and manipulatebecause users will not have towork around grain or knots. Butusers should be careful to drillpilot holes before attaching MDFbecause it can split. Due tomachine creation, MDF isgenerally uniform in thickness,which makes it consistent formany uses. It is important tonote that sanding and cutting ofMDF can cause the release offormaldehyde. Safety gogglesand a mask are a must whenusing this product.Plywood is more readily used

for walls, ceilings and subfloorsbecause of its strength. MDF iswidely relied on for buildingcabinets, crafts, shelving andtrimwork.


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JG-TC18

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Continued from page 17•Expect to do some digging.

If you're going to build your owndeck, expect to do some seriousdigging. Local building codeswill dictate how deep you willneed to dig for the pier footings,which support the deck's weight.Just how deep you'll dig dependson your climate's specific frostline, but it's safe to assumeyou'll get a workout in whendigging.•The deck can have multiple

levels. Though many peopleassociate decks with one level,it's possible to have a multi-leveldeck if you simply don't haveenough room to build a deckthat will be big enough to meetall of your needs. A multi-leveldeck can break up those longflights of stairs while ensuringyou will always have somewhereto go to escape the sun on a hotday.• You will want to protect the

deck. Decks are a costlyinvestment, and you will want toprotect that investment. Ifyou're building a wood deck,keep in mind the sun will beatdown on the deck for most of theyear. You can protect the deck bypainting it. Paint providessunscreen for the deck, stoppingthe sun from breaking down thematerial. Once you've finishedpainting, apply sealant, whetherit's oil- or water-based.• Don't forget fasteners.

Fasteners will hide the screwsfor aesthetic appeal. But not allwoods and fasteners are the

right fit, as certain woods areonly compatible with certainfasteners. Find out whichfasteners make the right fitahead of time. Because fastenersconceal the screws, they alsomake it possible to go barefooton the deck.

A deck makes a greataddition to many homes, buthomeowners should learn asmuch as possible about decksand what goes into buildingthem before making any deckingdecisions.

19JG-TC

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