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FALLHOMEIMPROVEMENT
&CARCAREGUIDE
2014
2014
&CARCAREGUIDE
FALLHOMEIMPROVEMENT
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2 - THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014
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Autumn is a beautifultime of year marked by wel-
coming cooler temperaturesand the natural beauty of
leaves changing colors. Au-
tumn also has a tendencyto y by, as if the power-
ful weather of winter sim-
ply cannot wait to make itspresence felt.
With such a seemingly
short time between the end
of summer and the dawn ofwinter, homeowners know
they dont have too manyweekends in between to
prepare their homes for thepotentially harsh months
ahead. But such prepara-
tion, often referred to aswinterizing, can make
a home more comfortablewhen the mercury dips be-
low freezing, while saving
homeowners substantialamounts of money along
the way. Clean the gutters.
Leaves falling in fall can bea beautiful sight to behold
but many of those leaves
are likely nding their wayinto your gutters, where
they can lodge and causea host of problems down
the road. If the leaves andadditional debris, such as
twigs and dirt, that pile
up in your gutters are notcleared out before the rst
winter storm, the resultscan be costly and even cat-
astrophic.Winter rain and snowfall
needs a place to go upon
hitting your roof, and gut-ters facilitate the travel of
such precipitation fromyour roof into street-level
drainage systems. If guttersare backed up with leaves
and other debris, then ice
dams may form, forcing wa-ter to seep in through the
roof. That damage can becostly and can even cause
the roof to collapse inwardin areas with heavy snow-
fall. Clean gutters through-
out the fall, especially ifyour property has many
trees, and be sure to checkgutters one last time before
the arrival of winter. Tend to your attic. Ho-
meowners who have attics
in their homes might want
to add some extra insula-tion up there, especiallythose who recall feeling cold
inside their homes last win-
ter, which is often a telltalesign of improper insulation
in a home. A good rule of
thumb when determining ifyour attic needs more insu-
lation is to look for the ceil-ing joists. If you can see the
joists, then you need more
insulation. Address leaky windows
and doors. Sometimes atticinsulation is not the cul-
prit when it comes to a cold
home. Oftentimes, leakywindows and doors are the
real bad guys in a draftyhome. Fall is a great time to
inspect for leaky windowsand doors, as the wind out-
side can serve as your part-
ner. When the wind outsideis blowing, take a tour of
your homes windows anddoorways, standing next to
them to determine if thereany holes or leaks that are
letting outdoor air inside.
If you notice any leaks be-neath exterior doors, in-
stall some door sweeps tokeep outdoor air where it
belongs. Leaks around win-dows can be snuffed out
with caulk or weather strip-
ping.
Test the furnace. Ho-meowners typically do notdevote much thought to
their furnaces in spring,summer and fall. But with
winter on the horizon, fall is
the time to test the furnace
to make sure its ready forthe months ahead. Expect
a somewhat foul yet briefodor to appear when start-
ing the furnace. That odor
should dissipate shortly,but if it does not go away,
then your furnace is likelyin need of repair. But even
if the smell does not stick
around, you might want tohave the furnace cleaned
by a professional anyway.Such cleaning ensures the
furnace works efcientlythroughout the winter.
Clean the garage.
You might not mind park-ing in the driveway during
the warmer months of theyear, but why subject your
vehicles to harsh winterweather if you dont have
to? Clean the garage in the
fall so you have an indoorparking spot throughout
the winter season. Protect-ing your car from the ele-
ments can add years to itslife and also saves you the
trouble of digging your car
out of the snow.
Fall is a time of year forhomeowners to spend aweekend or two preparing
their homes for the oftenharsh weather that awaits
when winter arrives.
Winterize To Safeguard YourHome From Harsh Weather
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION ... Cleaning gutters in the
fall can prevent roof damage resulting from winter rainsand snowfall.
It is almost time to bid adieu to the
warm days of summer. Chilly afternoonsfollowed by continually dropping temper-
atures are on the horizon, and fall is theperfect time to service the home furnace
to ensure it is ready to withstand the de-
mands of winter.Furnace maintenance should be done
on a regular basis. The best time to do so isin late summer or early fall, when you still
have enough time to address any problemsbefore it gets too cold outside.
HVAC systems malfunctions are typi-cally caused by one of a handful of com-mon problems. Inspecting certain compo-
nents can help to guarantee a furnace isin working order when the rst cold days
arrive.
FILTER AND AIR INTAKES
After several months of running the air
conditioning, the lter on the heating andcooling system may need to be changed.
Check the condition of the lter to see if it
is heavily soiled. Furnace lters are rela-tively inexpensive. Since this thin barrier
will be responsible for cleaning the air youbreathe, it is important to keep a fresh l-
ter in the unit. A clogged, dirty lter will
reduce the efciency of the HVAC systemand may contribute to poor indoor air and
allergies.Check the air intakes around the house
for obstructions. Do not place furnituredirectly in front of intakes or venting that
delivers air to the home, as this can com-promise air ow and force the unit to workharder. Without adequate air ow through
the system, the furnace may not turn on.Many systems also have some sort of
external vent or exhaust pipe. Check thatthe area is free of leaves, debris and animal
nests. Again, any blockages can impede
the efciency of the unit or cause it to fail.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Inspect Your Furnace Before Winter Arrives
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014 THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT - 3
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THERMOSTAT
Very often a furnace may not turn over
because the thermostat is faulty. Many
a homeowner has spent money to have aservice person come out to examine thefurnace, only to learn they only need a new
thermostat or battery in the thermostat.Check the thermostat against a sepa-
rate thermometer to ensure that it is read-
ing the right temperature in the house.Raise the setting a few degrees to test if the
heat kicks on.
FUEL
Furnaces are powered by various en-
ergy sources. Electricity, gas, or oil may be
involved in the process. If fuel is not beingdelivered to the furnace, the pilot will not
light and warm the air to be blown throughthe house. Some systems have an emer-
gency shut-off switch that will halt fuel de-
livery to the unit. Its easy for these switch-es to be ipped accidentally if a furnace is
located in a high-trafc area. Make surethe switch is in the on position before re-
porting a problem.
In addition to these steps, you may
want to vacuum the vent screens aroundthe house. This will reduce the amount of
dust blown around. Also, if the furnaceexhausts into a ue, be sure that the ex-
haust route is clear so that carbon monox-ide does not back up into the home.
If anything seems out of place or mal-functions, consult with an HVAC profes-sional.
Inspect Your Furnace Before Winter Arrives
Home improvement proj-
ects can add value to a homeand do-it-yourselfers know
the sweat-equity that goesinto such projects can give
homeowners a greater senseof pride in their homes. But
no two home improvement
projects are the same, andhomeowners should know
that certain projects arebest tackled during certain
times of the year.
Fall is a great season towork on your house, as theweather is often at its most
agreeable once the summer
heat has gone and beforewinter weather arrives. The
following are a handful offall-friendly home improve-
ment projects for homeown-ers looking to improve their
homes.
ROOF REPAIR
Whether youre repairing
or replacing the roof, fall isa great time of year to dust
off the ladder and get somework done on your roof for
a variety of reasons. First
and foremost, fall is ideal
for roof work because youwont have to be up on theroof with the summer heat
bearing down on you. Thiscan make the project move
along more quickly, which
is especially benecial if youare paying laborers to work
on the roof. The fewer hoursworkers are xing your roof,
the less you will be paying
in labor costs.In addition, xing up the
roof in the fall ensures those
winter storms, be it rain orsnow, wont nd their way
into your home via leaks. Aleaky roof in winter is hard
to x, as the roof surfacecould be treacherous in the
winter and winter winds
can make it dangerous tobe up on the roof at all. Ad-
dressing leaks in the fall
can prevent damage to yourhomes interior, which canmount up if a leaky roof is
not addressed until the fol-
lowing spring.
WINDOW WORK
When the weather out-side gets frightful, poorly in-
sulated windows can allowcold air into the home. That
often has a trickle-down ef-
fect on nances, forcing youto turn up the thermostat
in an attempt to offset thecold air pouring into the
home. Whether you needyour windows replaced or
simply need to patch up any
leaks, a proactive approach
to leaky or older windows inthe fall can save you fromunnecessarily high heating
bills come the winter. Ad-dressing leaky windows also
makes a home more com-
fortable for its inhabitants.Fall is the ideal time to
address a homes windowsbecause the temperature
outside tends to be pleas-
ant. This means you likely
wont have to make muchof an effort to offset the el-
ements, and open windowsin the fall wont make your
homes interior very hot or
cold like they might if you
were to tackle the projectduring the summer or winter.
FIXING THE FLOORS
Wood ooring is a hotcommodity for many hom-
eowners. But not all oor-
ing can be added to a homeat any time of year. Thats
because certain types ofooring employ adhesives
that need temperatures in-
side the home to be within
a certain range, and thatrange is often within 70
to 80 F, which makes falla great time to install such
oors. Colder temperatures
can make it difcult for the
ooring to dry and bond,which will prove problem-atic down the road. Whats
more, many people enter-
tain friends and family comelate fall and into the holiday
season, and it can be dif-cult to do so if you are busy
installing new ooring.
PAINTING PROJECTS
Home Improvement Projects Perfect For Fall
FURNACE INSPECTION ... Many homeown-ers are fully capable of inspecting their fur-
naces to ensure they are ready for winter.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 ...
AUTUMN COLORS ... Fall is an ideal time of year to tacklehome painting projects.
Painting is another home
improvement project thatseems tailor-made for fall.
Paint can be pungent andthe aromas may last if its
applied at a time of yearwhen it cant dry while the
windows are wide open.
Painting at a time of yearlike the fall, when you can
keep the windows open dur-ing and after the project,
can help air the home out.
But interior painting isntthe only painting project ho-
meowners can tackle in thefall. Many exterior paints
are temperature-sensitiveand need the temperature
outside to be above 40o F.
Paint that freezes wont dryproperly, and homeowners
might be left with a costlyand unsightly mistake on
their hands. Fall tempera-tures tend to be amenable
to both interior and exterior
painting projects, just besure to check the weather
forecast before making yourrst brush stroke.
Clogged drains can bea nuisance. And if left un-
treated, that minor nui-sance can turn into an ex-
pensive repair.
A number of differentthings can cause drains to
clog. Food particles, hair,grease, soap residue, oil,
and even a foreign objectlodged in the drain can
each cause a drain to clog.
Before you have to call a
plumber, there are stepsto take that may get waterowing once more.
BUBBLES GALORE
Baking soda has many
uses in the home. This ver-
satile product can be useddislodge items in drains. It
is better to try baking sodawhen clogs are minor and
water drainage is sluggish rather than waiting for the clogto get so bad that water is impenetrable.
When baking soda and common household vinegar are
mixed together, they form a new chemical called carbonicacid. This acid immediately begins to degrade into carbon
dioxide gas, which produces foam and bubbles in the pro-cess. This bubbling action can upset the source of a clog
in a pipe and dislodge particles that may be causing thewater backup
Baking soda also can be mixed with salt and boilingwater to break down grease that may be clogging drains.Repeatedly washing this mixture down drains can gently
scour pipes and keep water moving steadily.
PLUNGE AHEAD
If a clog is especially stubborn, you may need to use aplunger. A plunger works by forcing the energy you push
on the plunger into the surrounding water, which then
applies pressure against the clog. Repeatedly forcing wa-ter against a clog can move it along until it frees up the
drain. Plunging can be messy, so wear old clothes whenplunging. Make sure the head of the plunger is lled with
water; otherwise, your work will be for naught. You maywant to keep a separate plunger handy for sink work so
you are not transferring bacteria and waste from a toilet
plunger into the sink, especially in the kitchen.
POP AND FIZZ
Colas are loaded with phosphoric acid, which is moreacidic than lemon juice and is also corrosive. This acid
will zz in the drain and break through any greasy, stub-
born residue. Its even effective at dissolving calcium de-posits, which may be a by-product of hard water.
SNAKE IT
Some clogs are more stubborn and require some extra
elbow grease to x. A pipe snake can push hair and otherdebris through the pipes until water can run free. They
also can be used to pull the obstacle back up out of the
drain. While there are snakes of various lengths, some-times a small one that makes it just to the bend of the
elbow trap can be sufcient. A snake is essentially a ex-ible piece of wire that is inserted in the pipe. It may have
a coarse or wound end to ensnare a clog.
CALL A PLUMBER
Unless you feel condent taking pipes apart to check
for and clear out clogs and then reassembling everything,you may need to call a plumber if the clog will not relent.
It may be lower in the system than at house level, espe-
cially if there are clogs in multiple sinks or appliances inthe home. Multiple clogged drains may be indicative of amore serious problem.
Tips For Unclogging Drains
KNOW THE FLOW ... Ho-meowners might be able
to address some clogged
drains on their own.
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4 - THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014
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WOOLACEELECTRIC
Many things in a kitchen contrib-
ute to giving this popular room its
personality. Appliances and choice of
cabinets go a long way toward craft-
ing that look, but perhaps nothing
denes a kitchen more than a hom-
eowners choice of counter tops.
Counter tops are where the action
takes place in a kitchen. Its where
meals are prepared and where hun-
gry house guests or curious kids
watch the family chef whip up thenights meal. The options with regard
to counter top surfaces are numer-
ous, and the following are just a few of
the more popular options homeown-
ers planning to replace their existing
surfaces might want to consider.
LAMINATE
Laminate counter tops are popu-
lar and affordable. Made of sheeting
glued to plywood or particleboard
substrate, laminate counter tops are
water-resistant but not very heat-re-
sistant, so homeowners will want to
place any hots pans, pots or baking
sheets on trivets to maintain the lam-
inate. Many homeowners prefer lami-
nate counter tops because they are
available in so many colors, mean-
ing they can match any homeownerspreferences, no matter how colorful
those preferences are. Cutting on
laminate counter tops is not recom-
mended, but such surfaces are easy
to clean and maintain.
QUARTZ
Quartz is among the most durable
counter top surfaces available, as it
is resistant to bacteria, heat, stains,
and water. Though quartz is not avail-
able in as many shades as laminate,
it is similarly easy to clean. Also like
laminate counter tops, quartz surfac-
es tend to have easily visible seams,
which may irk homeowners who nd
such minor imperfections an eyesore.
Quartz counter tops can be expensive
depending on the amount of surfacearea a kitchen has, so budget-con-
scious homeowners with especially
large kitchens may nd quartz coun-
ter tops bust their budgets.
GRANITE
The natural beauty of granite is
what draws many homeowners to
install this popular surface mate-
rial in their kitchens. Thanks to their
unique shading and tone, granite
counter tops are never the same from
one home to the next, and granite
complements many different cabi-
net colors. Granite also is resistant
to heat, scarring and, when sealed
properly, stains. Granite is naturally
porous, so if it is not sealed properly,
it can harbor bacteria. Some gran-
ite counter tops must be sealed an-
nually, while some pretreated coun-
ter tops can go as long as 15 years
without a need for resealing. Unlike
other counter top surface materials,
granite, which is among the most ex-
pensive counter top materials, doesnot come in a vast array of colors, so
homeowners should expect to choose
from just 20 or so color options.
RECYCLED GLASS
Homeowners who want to give
their kitchens a modern and eco-
friendly feel may want to consider
recycled glass counter tops. Recycled
glass counter tops, the majority of
which are now produced with 80 to
90 percent post-consumer glass, are
made of pieces of glass that are held
together with cement binders. Some
might be concerned that counter tops
made of recycled glass are not very
strong, but the cement binders are
very hard, making the counter tops
durable, strong and unlikely to chip
or crack. Recycled glass counter tops
come in various colors and are resis-
tant to both heat and stains. Instal-
lation of recycled glass counter tops
can be tricky, as improper instal-
lation can lead to stress points thatmake the glass susceptible to crack-
ing. As a result, the installation of re-
cycled glass counter tops is best left
to professionals with experience on
such projects. Recycled glass counter
tops can be quite expensive as well.
A homeowners choice of counter
top surface material can go a long
way toward dening the personality
of his or her kitchen, so homeowners
should consider their options before
making a nal decision.
Budget-Friendly BathroomTransformation Tips
Counter Top Options Abound Today
MANY TO CHOOSE FROM ... Homeowners have many options when pickingout the right counter top for their space and budget.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014 THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT - 5
Home improvement
projects range from small
scale undertakings that
can be tackled in a single
weekend to large remod-
els that can take several
months to complete. While
no two projects are the
same, every home improve-
ment project demands that
homeowners dip into their
pockets and spend some
money.
Much like the scale of
projects varies greatly, so,
too, do the nancial com-
mitments required of ho-
meowners to make those
projects a reality. But no
matter the size of the proj-
ect, homeowners can nd
ways to stretch their bud-
gets without sacricing the
quality of their improve-
ments.
Do your homework.
Before you decide to make
changes to your home, its
best to rst do some re-
search into any potential
projects youre consider-ing. Many homeowners
have decided to dive into
a project before they fully
realize its scope and cost,
and going in blind can bust
a budget, turning what
might have seemed like a
relatively simple project
into a money pit.
Understanding just
what a project entails and
how much its likely to cost
can give homeowners an
idea of what they can af-
ford and where they might
be able to stretch their
budgets. For example, if
you want to replace your
kitchen countertops but
cant afford engineered
quartz countertops, you
might be able to nd a
less expensive alternative,
such as tile, that you like
just as much. But its best
to research such alterna-
tives before you decide to
replace your existing coun-
tertops. If you cant nd a
less expensive alternative,
you might want to post-
pone the project until you
can grow your budget. But
starting the project with-
out rst grasping its true
cost is a recipe for disaster,
so do your homework be-
fore you nd your toolbox
and start working.
Build unforeseen ex-
penses into your budget.
Another way to stay within
your budget is to include
budget-busting unforeseen
expenses into the budget
from the get-go. Whether
youre doing the project
yourself or paying a con-tractor, nearly every home
improvement project will
present some unforeseen,
and costly, hurdles. For
example, you might nd
mold inside the walls when
youre converting a base-
ment, and it can cost a
pretty penny to make that
mold go away. If you go
into the project expecting
such hurdles, then the -
nancial sting of addressing
them wont prove too great
a burden. But if the mold
catches you and your bud-
get completely off guard,
you might be forced tooverextend that budget or
make sacrices elsewhere
in order to complete the
project. Build some con-
tingency money, including
permit and permit fees,
into your home improve-
ment project to safeguard
against such unforeseen
issues.
Get to work. If youre
hiring a contractor, speak
to him or her before sign-
ing a contract to see if there
is anywhere you can pitch
in to keep the labor costs
low. You might be able to
pitch in during the demoli-tion phase, saving the cost
of paying your contractors
workers to tear down walls
or remove debris you can
just as easily remove your-
self. Another way to pitch
in is to do the end-of-day
cleanup yourself. Any role
you play with regard to la-
bor will likely need to be
negotiated upfront, but you
can save yourself a sub-
stantial amount of money
on labor if youre willing to
get your hands dirty.
Determine if piece-
meal is the most afford-
able option. Sometimes it
makes sense to tackle one
project at a time, while
other times you might
want to combine projects
to save on the cost of mate-rials. For instance, if your
ultimate goal is to install
wood ooring throughout
your home, determine if
it makes more nancial
sense to install the oor-
ing all at once rather than
doing one or two rooms at
a time. You might save by
buying all of your materials
at once rather than buying
a small amount of materi-
als several times over the
next several years.
Home improvement
projects often go a long
way toward making a home
more enjoyable for its own-ers and inhabitants. And
while such projects can be
costly, homeowners who
stay disciplined can still get
their dream homes without
busting their budgets.
How To Stay Within Your Home Improvement Budget
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Insulation is one of the best investments a homeowner
can make, but too often people overlook insulation in favor
of more eye-catching renovations. Insulation is not some-
thing to be ignored, as it contributes to year-round comfort
in the home while reducing energy costs along the way.
According to the Energy Star program, you should add
more insulation if the existing insulation is just level with
or below the oor joists of your attic. If you cannot see
any of the oor joists because the insulation is well above
them, you probably have enough and adding more may not
be cost-effective. In addition, check to see if the insulation
is an even thickness across the entire attic. Sometimes it
can be thicker in the middle and then peter out toward the
eaves.
Attic insulation is measured according to its R-Value,
which measures the insulations ability to resist heat ow.
The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance
of the insulation. In many climates, the recommended level
for homes is R-38. If you prefer more insulation, increase
the R-Value.
Insulation is made from different materials, including
berglass, cellulose and rock wool. It comes in different
forms. Rolls and batts are some of the more commonly
used types of insulation. Loose-ll insulation is a loose
insulation with no backing that is usually blown into a
space. Rigid foam and foam-in-place insulation are addi-
tional types of insulation.
The type of insulation used depends on where the insu-
lation is needed and your budget. Certain materials are not
applicable for particular uses, and typically insulation that
provides a higher R-Value tends to be more expensive. Ex-amine the cost-effectiveness of the type of insulation being
considered before application. You also can mix and match
insulations depending on the application.
The U.S. Department of Energy offers these additional
tips with regard to insulation.
Consider factors such as your climate, home design
and budget when selecting insulation for your home.
Use higher R-Value insulation, such as spray foam, on
exterior walls and in cathedral ceilings to get more insula-
tion with less thickness.
Install attic air barriers, such as wind bafes, along
the entire attic eave to help ensure proper airow from the
soft to the attic. Ventilation helps with moisture control
and reduces summer cooling bills, but dont ventilate your
attic if you have insulation on the underside of the roof.
Ask a qualied contractor for recommendations.
Be careful how close you place insulation next to a
recessed light xture -- unless it is insulation contact (IC)
rated -- to avoid a re hazard. Follow the manufacturers installation instructions,
and wear the proper protective gear when installing insula-
tion.
In addition to making a home more comfortable, insula-
tion also can buffer noise, making the home more peaceful.
Insulation can reduce noises from outside the home as well
as absorb sounds from inside.
For insulation recommendations tailored to your home,
visit the DOE Zip Code Insulation Calculator at http://
http://web.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html.
Understanding Attic Insulation
8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
6/12
6 - THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014
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Think about what it might be like if youturned up the heat and then opened allof the windows in your home. All of thatwarm air would rush right out, and youwould be left with a cold home and a heftyheating bill.
A home that is full of drafts is inefcient
and expensive. And drafty homes are notjust a problem when the weather is cold,as air that seeps in when youre trying tokeep the home cool can be an inefcientnuisance as well. Higher energy bills andwasted resources do not have to be tol-erated if you simply scour your home fordrafts, sealing them to cut energy costsand make the home more comfortable.
Drafts are often small cracks aroundwindows and doors, but there are manyother places where drafts can form. Know-ing some of the less visible spots wheredrafts come from may help you to seal outunwanted cold air more effectively.
ATTIC
Homes that feature attics with pull-down stairs tend to be drafty. In suchhomes, a large hole is cut out of the ceil-
ing so residents can access the attic. Soinstead of thick insulation, these homesmay only have a sheet of plywood blocking
your interior space from the outdoors, asmany attics are directly vented to the roof.
To determine if there is a leak, turn on theattic light, close the attic door, and checkto see if you can see the light on from be-low. If you can, then there is a gap lettingboth the light and air escape. In additionto using exible rubber around the open-ing of the attic to better seal the door whenit is closed, you can think about adding athicker, more insulated door.
DRYER VENTS
The standard home laundry dryer ventsoutdoors via an exhaust duct. This ductis open to the outdoors, and it may be let-ting cold air into the home. Thats because
there is typically a imsy apper made ofsheet metal on the outside of the vent tohelp protect against air inltration. Butover time dryer lint can accumulate at thevent opening, causing the metal apper tostay open when it should close. Homeown-ers can invest in dryer seals that close thevent when the dryer is not in use. Not only
does this prevent cold air from enteringthe house, but also it keeps out pests, likebugs and rodents.
PIPES
Check pipes that exit the home, suchas those that feed outdoor water spig-ots, as such pipes can let cold air backinto the house. The same can be said forwaste pipes. Also, check to see if pipesthat connect to garages, basements andcrawl spaces are not insulated. Use seal-ant around these pipes to block drafts intothe home. Foam insulation can be sprayedinto small crevices, where it will expandand harden, blocking off air access. Thesedamp, cool spots are also great places forinsects to enter the home. Sealing draftsalso may prevent bugs from entering thehome.
FIREPLACES
Although replaces often make for dec-orative and appealing accents to a home,many are not effective sources of ambientheat. They may draw more warm air outof the ue than they bring into the house.When a replace is not in use, air can riseout of the chimney and a draft can be feltin the home. Some studies indicate that anopen damper on an unused replace, evenin a well-insulated home, can increaseoverall heating and cooling energy con-sumption by 30 percent.
If you simply must have a replace, re-member to always keep the damper shutwhen the replace is not in use and usea glass cover you can seal tightly to fur-ther block the opening to the replace from
your living space. Fireplace plugs, whichcan keep out drafts during the seasonwhen replaces are not in use, may also bea worthwhile investment.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Outlets and light switches can be sig-nicant sources of drafts in a home. Checkto see that the switch plates are secure. Ifdrafts still come through, then employ out-let draft blockers to prevent cool air fromentering the home and warm air from exit-ing it.
Homeowners can address drafts in avariety of ways. And doing so can makea home more comfortable and cut energycosts considerably.
Homeowners whose homes have re-places understand that a little more main-tenance goes into autumn prep work fortheir homes than for those homeownerswithout replaces. Readying the replacefor another season of use requires someupkeep.
A clean replace and chimney is thebest defense against hazardous conditionsthat can cause a chimney or home re. Forthose who did not clean their chimneysin the spring after extensive winter use, it
is imperative to handle cleaning prior tolighting your rst re in the coming winter.Chimney cleaning can be a do-it-your-
self job. Rods and brushes can cost asmuch as $150, depending on where youlive. That is roughly equivalent to the costof hiring a professional chimney sweeponce. But if you have a fear of heights orprefer not to climb up on the roof to in-spect the chimney, you may just want tohire a professional.
When cleaning your chimney, rstplace plastic sheeting in the replace andaround the opening to the replace in-side the home. Then climb up on the roofand remove the chimney cap inspectingthe chimney for soot and creosote, whichtends to be thickest at the mouth of thechimney where it will cool and stick to theinside of the masonry. Use the correct sizebrush for your chimney to make adequatesurface contact to sweep out the debris.Go inside and clean up the residual mess,then reach up into the chimney from thereplace side and remove any other soot
before moving into the basement (or wher-ever the chimney reaches the bottom) to
remove any soot that has dropped fromthat area as well.Cleaning a chimney is a messy task
that will take some work, but it is a taskthat needs to be done to safeguard a homebefore the arrival of winter.
Home repairs are inevitable. For the ho-meowner who also happens to be handywith a hammer, the occasional home re-pair is nothing to fear and something thatmany even enjoy. But there many hom-eowners who arent so adept at home re-
pairs, and such men and women typicallyrely on trained professionals when some-thing goes awry around the house. Forthose homeowners who either dont havethe time or the ability to x issues thatarise around the house, the following is abreakdown of three of the more commonlycalled on home service providers.
ELECTRICIAN
An electrician specializes in addressinga buildings or homes electrical wiring is-sues, stationary machines and the equip-ment related to those machines. Electri-cians can x existing issues, but manyalso can design and install new electricalcomponents and systems. The dangers ofworking with electrical systems are many,so electricians typically must be certiedand licensed before they can practice their
trade. Such danger is one reason why eventhose who are adept at xing problemsaround the house might want to hire anelectrician should an electrical issue arise.
PLUMBER
A plumber is a professional whose areaof expertise is in installing and maintain-ing systems for drinking water, drainage
and sewage. Though not all jurisdictionsrequire a plumber be licensed before heor she can practice, many do, and it cantake years of training and experience tomaster the skill of plumbing. Many peoplecall a plumber when a toilet or sink backs
up, but plumbers must have far more ex-tensive skills as well. Plumbers must beskilled in a number of areas, includinghaving an ability to read and understanda homes blueprints, detect faults in aplumbing system if the homeowner cannotinstall and repair xtures and systems,and be aware of any legal requirements toensure a home is safe.
LANDSCAPER
Homeowners have increasingly lookedto professional landscapers to maintaintheir homes exterior and subsequentlyensure their property value remains high.A typical landscaper offers his client an ar-ray of services, from cutting the grass toraking leaves to more complicated tasksthat gravitate toward landscape archi-tecture. A homes curb appeal has been
shown to vastly improve a prospectivebuyers impression of the house, and as aresult many homeowners rely on a land-scaper to take care of their property. Manylandscapers an extensive knowledge of thescience involved in tending to a lawn andhow to help it weather the seasons withoutlosing its appeal.
These Professionals CanHelp Maintain Your Home
How To Rid Your Home Of Drafts
BLOCKING THE DRAFT ... Outlets and light switches can be signicant sources ofdrafts in a home. Stopping the drafts can help reduce the cost of heating and cooling.
Fall Chimney Cleaning Tips
FIREPLACES REQUIRE SOME UPKEEP ...A clean replace and chimney is the bestdefense against hazardous conditions thatcan cause a chimney or home re.
8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
7/12
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014 THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT - 7
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In this economy, homeowners are
watching every penny. Just because mon-ey is tight doesnt mean every renovation
plan has to be cast aside. Smaller projects
can revitalize a room without a big invest-ment.
Homeowners who dont have much tospend still dont want to compromise qual-
ity with smaller improvements. Therefore,
theyre often thinking of big appeal, albeiton a smaller scale.
To get started, homeowners shouldlook at the rooms they use the most and
begin there. Whats the point of starting ina guest room or renovating the basement
if its rarely used? Put available funds to
work on the rooms that get seen.For example, the kitchen is a popular
room in many homes. If budget doesnt al-low for a re-haul of appliances or cabinets,
think about less expensive ways to modifythe space. A new faucet can give the room
a different look, as can replacing cabinet
hardware and hinges. Revitalize the ap-pearance of the room with new ooring,
such as laminate that mimics the look ofstone, wood or other natural surfaces.
Bathroom make-overs are often highon the list of improvements. Think about
improvements that change what is dis-
liked. Maybe outdated wallpaper can be
removed and replaced with paint. Cleanup the grout around a bathtub by redoing
to freshen the room. Go with a new color
scheme achieved by replacing the old lin-ens, bath mat and shower curtain.
Living room re-dos can be achievedwith some accessory changes and perhaps
a new piece of furniture. Change a glass
coffee table for an earthy leather ottomanthat can also store toys or throw pillows.
A simple swap of window treatments candramatically change the look of the room.
Kids rooms often can be improved withsome much-needed storage space. Clear
up clutter from the oor by installing a
closet organizing system, which can hangclothes within reach for children. Older
children may appreciate a room that re-ects their maturity. Now is the time to
change princess prints for bolder graphicsor dump trucks for sophistication. All it
often takes is a little paint and some new
bed linens to achieve the look.Another simple and very inexpensive
way to renovate a home is to reduce. Byremoving clutter and items that are simply
collecting dust, homeowners can breathenew life into spaces. Rearranging furni-
ture is also another option.
Small Projects Add Up To Big Appeal
As quickly as autumn weather arrives it seems to move
aside for the blustery, cold days of winter. Winter cancatch a person off guard and the seasons are now less
predictable than ever before.Its never too early to begin preparing your yard and
outdoor living spaces for winter. Homeowners may be sadto bid farewell to the furniture and accessories of the fair-
weather season, but time is of the essence when prepping
for impending ice and snow. Clean patio furniture. Give cushions and structures
a thorough cleaning and allow to dry completely. Cleaningitems before storing them for the winter saves time and
energy next year when its time once again to set up theyard for recreation. If anything is damaged beyond repair,
discard it and look for replacements during end-of-season
sales when savings can be had. Move things indoors. The more items you can store
in a safe and secure location the better. Load the garage,basement or storage shed with outdoor gear. Leaving
items exposes them to the elements, and such exposurecan cause rust, wear and damage. Flower pots and lawn
ornaments also can blow around in winter wind or col-
lapse under the weight of the snow, so collect these itemsand store them for the winter. Take out patio umbrellas
and put them in the shed. If something is too large tomove indoors, such as a barbecue or a pool lter, cover it
with a durable tarp and secure it with rope.
Cover delicate trees. Depending on where you live,certain fruit trees, including g trees, may need to be
covered for the winter. Covering protects them from sub-freezing temperatures and helps ensure they will rebound
in the spring. Tropical plants should be moved indoors
where they can thrive in a heated home. Do not rip outchrysanthemum plants. Contrary to popular belief, these
are not annuals. They will rebloom year after year if al-lowed to do so.
Remove water collectors. Bring in or cover anythingthat may accumulate water, such as bird baths or kids
toys. Water expands when frozen, and that means watertrapped in any ceramic, glass or even plastic vessel can
expand and cause the container to crack.
Clean up leaves and debris. Piles of leaves not onlycan suffocate a lawn and cause discoloration, but also
can be attractive homes for rodents and insects lookingfor a warm place to spend their winters. Keep your yard
neat and clean to discourage wildlife from taking up resi-dence near your home.
Cover vegetable and ower beds. Invest in some bur-
lap to lay down over planting beds. This helps to keep theground from freezing over and minimize weeds for next
season. Care for outdoor ponds. If you have a pond on your
property, remove any weeds around it and sh out any
leaves from the water. Leaves will decay in the water andbuild up ammonia levels that can harm sh. If the pond
is small, cover it for the winter. Also, start cutting back onfeeding outdoor sh. These aquatic animals bodies begin
to prepare for winter by slowing down metabolism. Con-tinuing to feed them can harm the sh when the tempera-
ture drops. Wrap up pool season. Its wise to close the pool and
cover it before leaves start to drop. Otherwise you will
have a hard time of keeping the water clean. Plant spring bulbs now. Now is a good time to plan
where you want to put spring bulbs. Once you havemapped things out, get the bulbs in the ground. Bulbs
are relatively inexpensive and will provide that rst punchof color when winter nally skips town.
According to the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, inadequate ventilation in a home can increase
indoor air pollution levels. Those pollutant levels rise
in a poorly ventilated home because not enough out-door air is making its way into a home to dilute emis-
sions from indoor sources of pollution. In addition, in
a poorly ventilated home, indoor air pollutants are notbeing carried out of the home, leaving the pollutants to
linger and potentially putting the health of the homesresidents at risk. Though it might seem counter intuitive
to allow outdoor air into a home during winter, when
such air tends to be at its coldest, such outdoor air canprotect a homes inhabitants from the immediate effects
of indoor air pollution, which include irritation of theeyes, nose and throat, as well as headaches, dizzinessand fatigue. Long-term effects of prolonged exposure
to indoor air pollution can include respiratory disease,
heart disease and cancer. But homeowners who wantto increase outdoor air inltration in their homes do not
have to open the windows even when temperatures dip.A simple inspection of mechanical ventilation systems,
such as bathroom and kitchen fans and air handling
systems that employ fans and ducts to remove indoorair and distribute ltered and conditioned outdoor air
throughout a home, may be all thats necessary to en-
sure indoor air stays healthy during the winter.
14093 Co. Rd. N65 Pioneer, Ohio www.kbuildings.com419-485-8593
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Did You Know? Prep The Yard For Winter Weather
FALL CLEAN UP... Autumn is a busy time for preparing
your home and yard for the arrival of winter weather.
Choosing the right ooring for ahome is no small task. Flooring isexpensive, so homeowners want to
make the best decision possible so
their choice of ooring is not one theyregret and ultimately replace in the
years to come.Educating yourself about ooring
is a great way to make the process of
choosing your next oor much lessoverwhelming and more enjoyable.
The following are some of the morepopular ooring options.
HARDWOOD
Nearly everyone is familiar with
hardwood oors, which are durable,
warm and a favorite of homeownersaiming for a traditional look. Homes
with open oor plans often benet
from hardwood ooring, as it createsthe feeling of continuity that hom-eowners hope to achieve with open
oor plans. Solid wood ooring can be
renished several times to increaseits lifespan.
ENGINEERED WOOD
Engineered wood is less suscep-
tible to temperature changes andhumidity than solid wood, and some
new varieties of engineered wood in-clude substrates made from recycled
wood ber and stone dust, which may
appeal to eco-friendly homeowners.
BAMBOO
Bamboo is another ooring alter-native thats popular among eco-con-
scious homeowners, as it comes fromplants that regenerate quickly and is
therefore considered a sustainable
material. Bamboo ooring is made ofstrands of bamboo that are glued to-
gether, forming engineered planks orsolid strips. Bamboo ooring is strong
and able to resist the negative effectsof uctuating humidity, which in-
clude swelling and contraction. Manypeople prefer the fresh, bright feel ofbamboo ooring.
LAMINATE
Laminate ooring is among theless expensive ooring materials to
buy and install. Homeowners whopurchase laminate ooring have an
array of options to choose from, and
oating laminate ooring systems canbe installed over existing oors with-
out glue or nails.
CORK
Cork is another sustainable oor-ing material thats a favorite among
homeowners looking to make their
homes more eco-friendly. The ap-pearance of cork oors is unlike
many ooring materials, as it isspeckled thanks to unusual grain
patterns of the trees from which it isharvested.
Get The 411 On Todays Flooring Trends
8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
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8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
9/12
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014 THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT - 9
Few drivers want to think about their
vehicles breaking down. But cars are notfoolproof, and even the most well-main-
tained vehicle can be sidelined by a attire or a dead battery. In certain times of
the year, a breakdown may be an inconve-
nience that takes up a few hours of a per-sons time. In extreme weather situations,
a broken down car could be dangerous.Preparing for emergency situations can
help drivers get moving faster.There are certain items that should be
kept in the trunk or cargo area regardless
of the season, and some of these itemsshould be modied as the seasons change.
First aid kit: If someone is hurt in anaccident, medical supplies in the trunk al-
low drivers and/or passengers to treat in-jured persons until paramedics can arrive.
Go over what is in the kit and learn how to
use each item correctly. Flares: If your car breaks down at
night or in situations where visibility ispoor, ares can keep other drivers away
from your vehicle when it is parked on theside of the road. Flares also will illuminate
the area so that you can work on xing a
problem or alert emergency personnel asto where you are located.
Jumper cables: Jumper cables enableyou to recharge a dead battery, a common
problem in cold weather. Automotive re-tailers also sell portable car battery char-
gers that can provide the boost needed to
the battery in the event you cannot ndanother car around to offer assistance.
Spare tire and tools: Tire blowouts
or holes in tires are unpredictable. Havingthe necessary items at the ready can get
you back on the road faster. Learn how tochange a tire. In a pinch, tire sealant can
be used to get you to the next service sta-
tion and away from the side of the road.
Flashlight and batteries: A ashlightmakes it possible for drivers to see under
their vehicles and under the hood more ef-fectively. It also can be used to grab the
attention of fellow motorists who might be
able to help. Keep extra batteries for theashlight on hand as well.
Blankets: A blanket can keep passen-gers warm if a car breaks down in chilly
weather. Blankets also can be placed onthe ground so that you can lay on the road
and be cushioned from debris when look-
ing under the car. Extra clothing: An extra set of clothing
can be handy should your clothing becomesoggy or soiled.
Nonperishable foods: A few snacksand bottles of water stashed in the car can
help quell hunger while waiting for a tow
truck. Sand and kitty litter: Sand can weigh
down the back of a rear-wheel drive ve-hicle to provide better traction on slippery
roads. Sand and kitty litter also can besprinkled underneath tires to help them
grip the road better when you are trying to
get the car out of an icy or muddy patch. Charged mobile phone: Keep your
cell phone charged so that you can makeemergency phone calls or contact a tow
company in the event of a breakdown. Shovel: A shovel makes it easier to dig
a vehicle out of mud or snow.
Certain things should not be stored ina vehicle. For example, hot weather can
cause lighters and cans to burst inside of
a car, so such items should not be keptin your car. In addition, freezing tempera-
tures may reduce the effectiveness of cer-tain products and cause liquids to freeze
and burst.
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For many vehicle owners, nding theright auto body shop is nearly as important
as nding the right physician. The averageprice of a new automobile continues to rise,
and protecting that investment is of para-
mount importance to motorists hoping toextend the lives of their vehicles and maxi-
mize their investments. Get a recommendation. Aside from
his skillset, a trustworthy mechanics bestfriend might just be his reputation. Word-
of-mouth recommendations from satis-
ed customers are invaluable assets for
mechanics, and such recommendationsshould be equally valued by vehicle owners.When looking for a new auto body shop,
drivers should ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members if they can
recommend any local shops. If anyone of-
fers an especially glowing recommendation,take it to heart and consider that shop the
next time your vehicle needs work. Dont be afraid to get estimates. Driv-
ers who tend to agonize the most overnding a new auto body shop tend to be
those with little history taking vehicles in
for repairs. This group is likely growingthanks to the escalating costs of new ve-
hicles. Those costs are encouraging driversto keep their vehicles longer, which means
drivers are now keeping their vehicles evenafter the manufacturer warranty has ex-
pired and the dealership where the car had
been serviced will no longer do so under thewarranty agreement. In such instances, it
might be less expensive to take the vehicleto an auto body shop thats not afliated
with a dealership. But that can be a fright-
ening prospect for those who have not doneso in the past. To ease those concerns, driv-
ers should obtain several estimates. Thecheapest estimate wont necessarily be the
best t for you and your vehicle, but mul-tiple estimates should give you an idea of
how much certain repairs should cost and
who may or may not be overcharging you. Consider the shops location. Recent
transplants to an area who might have re-located for a new job often want to familiar-
ize themselves with their new home baseas much as possible, and this can pay divi-
dends when a vehicle needs repairs. The
lay of the land also should be consideredby those people who have lived in the same
town their whole lives. Auto body shopslocated in afuent neighborhoods may
charge their customers more for labor thanshops in middle-income locales. And those
escalated labor costs might not be sinister.
Instead, higher labor costs may be a re-ection of the shop having higher operation
costs, such as rent, than its competitors onthe other side of town. So when shopping
for an affordable auto body shop, motorists
should consider the location of the shop
and how that location might ultimately im-pact their bottom line.
Ask as many questions as you need
to. Some drivers, especially those who ad-
mit to having limited knowledge of cars,feel as if they must simply accept a me-
chanics assessment and estimates at facevalue. Though a good mechanic wont try
to mislead you, its still good to ask asmany questions as possible before agree-
ing to let an auto body shop work on your
vehicle. When the mechanic diagnoses theproblem, dont be afraid to ask him to ex-
plain the problem, including what mighthave caused it. In addition, dont be afraid
to ask about service warranties, and be asspecic as possible, asking what a warran-
ty covers, how long work and/or parts are
covered and if the warranty can be deliv-ered in writing. These questions and their
subsequent answers can provide you somepeace of mind, and a reputable auto body
shop should have no problem answering asmany questions as you can ask them.
Initially, nding a new auto body shop
can seem like a daunting task. But seekingthe help of others and taking some addi-
tional steps can make the process go moresmoothly and increase your chances of
nding a mechanic you can trust.
Finding The Right Auto Body Shop
FIND SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST... Partof protecting your automobile investment
is nding an auto body shop you can trust.
There is seemingly no end in sight
with regard to the rising costs of owning
an automobile. From the cost of the car
or truck itself to the high prices of fuel,
drivers increasingly are on the hunt for
ways to curtail the costs of owning an au-tomobile. One way to save some cash is
to take advantage of auto insurance dis-
counts you may be eligible for.
Auto insurance company fulllment is
at record high. However, many discounts
may still be available, even if drivers or
their agents may overlook them. Fierce
competition among insurance providers
continually adds to the bevy of new dis-
counts many are willing to offer to woo
new customers.
Daytime running lights: Four out of
the 10 largest auto insurance companies
now offer discounts if your vehicle has
daytime running lights.
Low mileage: Dont take the car out
often? Such habits may earn you a re-
ward.
Grades: Check with your insurancecompany if you have a student on the
policy. His or her good grades may qualify
you for a discount.
Occupation: Your occupation also
may entitle you to a discount on insur-
ance. Insurance companies believe that
people in certain occupations or those
who spend a lot of time on the road may
be less likely to take risks. Find out if
your occupation qualies. Alumni associations and clubs: Cer-
tain organizations have teamed with in-
surance providers to offer discounts to
members. Therefore, if you are in a fra-
ternal group, a credit union, an alumni
association, or some other organization,
you may eligible for certain discounts.
Multiple policies: Many insurance
companies will offer a discount if you
group your policies together into a bun-
dle.
Insurance companies have many
other discounts available if you ask. For
example, if your vehicle has an antitheft
system or environmentally friendly com-
ponents, you may be eligible for a dis-
count. Customer loyalty, paperless bill-
ing, paying all your bill at once, being a
current or former member of the militaryor if your vehicle is a new model year also
may make you eligible for discounts that
can drastically reduce the cost of your
policy.
Fall is a time to prepare homes, vehi-
cles and even our psyches for the arrival ofwinter. To get your car cold-weather ready,
check and repair these items now.
Tire pressure can drop in cold weath-er. When tires are under inated, you lose
fuel efciency, so monitor and maintaintire pressure throughout the winter.
Those who live in particularly coldclimates should switch from all-season
to winter tires. Much as you wear winter
boots to provide more traction and protec-tion than sneakers, so should you equip
your vehicle with tires that will stand up towinter terrain.
Check on the status of your battery
and its starting power. Cold weather canput more strain on a car battery. A bat-
tery that is already weak may not turn overwhen you need it most.
Replace worn wiper blades and up-grade to a windshield uid that is rated for
subzero temperatures. Each of these items
will improve visibility when winter precipi-tation is making its presence felt.
Schedule an oil change at the begin-
ning of winter. Dirty oil can hinder cold-
weather starts and, if coupled with lowcoolant levels, can make it difcult for the
engine to turn over.
Keep jumper cables, a battery boosterpack and warning cones in your vehicle.
These can come to the rescue if your bat-tery dies and you are stranded on the side
of the road. While you are stocking the trunk or
cargo bed, include a shovel, sand or cat lit-
ter, a ashlight, an ice scraper, water, anda blanket. These are good emergency items
to have in the event your car breaks downin the winter. You can dig your tires out
of a snow drift with the shovel and apply
litter to increase traction. The blanket willcome in handy if you have to sit in a cold
car for a while awaiting roadside service. Consider taking a winter driving
course. Icy, snowy conditions completelychange the defensive tactics needed to
navigate the roads. A prepared driver is
one who is more likely to avoid accidentsand make it home safely.
Vehicle Winter Prep Checklist
Must-Have Items For Automotive Emergencies
BE PREPARED... Certain items should be kept in the car for emergency situations.
Dont Miss Out On These Auto Insurance Discounts
8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
10/12
10 - THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014
www.thevillagereporter.com www.facebook/villagereporter
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419.485.4851
The Village Reporter
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877.778.9425
Chelsie FirestoneAdvertisement Sales Manager & News Reporter
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Main Office
419.485.4851
The Village Reporter
The Hometown Huddle
Fax
877.778.9425
Monica SmithAdvertisement Sales Representative
www.thevillagereporter.com www.facebook/villagereporter
Main Office
419.485.4851
The Village Reporter
The Hometown Huddle
Fax
877.778.9425
Jamie GilmourAdvertisement Sales Representative
Leasing an automobile is a greatoption for many people. Leasing al-lows motorists to drive a new car ev-ery few years if not more frequently,and the lower monthly payments as-sociated with leases make it possiblefor drivers who otherwise may not beable to afford a new car to drive thevehicle of their choosing.
But unlike buying a new or usedcar, leasing requires drivers to returntheir cars at the end of their lease.
That process often goes smoothly,but it goes even more smoothly for
those motorists who know what toexpect when the time comes to re-turn their vehicles. The following tipscan help lessees better navigate theprocess of returning a leased vehicle.
Expect an inspection. A leaseinspection is standard with manylease agreements, but lessees maynot know that this inspection canoccur as early as 90 days beforethe end of the lease agreement. Theleasing company will contact les-sees to schedule an inspection, butsuch a call can catch some lesseesoff guard if theyre not prepared toreceive it. The lessee does not haveto pay for the inspection, which isconducted to determine if there areany mechanical problems, cosmeticdamage to the vehicles exterior and
interior, cracks and/or pitting in thewindshield, or excessive wear on thetires. Once the inspection has been
completed, lessees will receive a re-port assessing any damage found bythe inspector and the cost associat-ed with addressing the damage. Thisreport may be handed over imme-diately or in the days following theinspection.
Conduct your own inspectionrst. The best way to prepare for thelease inspection is to beat the in-spector to the punch and inspect thevehicle rst. Some auto manufactur-ers provide sample inspection re-ports to lessees so the drivers know
what to look for in advance. If yourvehicle manufacturer does not, nda sample report online and use thatas your guide.
When conducing your inspection,pay particular attention to any dents,dings or scratches on the vehiclesexterior as well as any tears or stainson the vehicles interior. A thoroughdetailing may be enough to addresssome scratches, while others mayneed a more creative solution, suchas some new paint. Speak to an autodetailer if you think the scratches aresignicant enough that your leaseinspector will charge you for them.In addition, remove personal itemsfrom your vehicles interior and cleanand detail the interior if necessary.Handling issues on your own is typi-
cally less expensive than letting themanufacturer address any problemsfound during the inspection.
Request a second inspection.Many leasing companies schedulethe rst inspection so far in advanceof the turn-in date so lessees can ad-dress any issues on their own andsave money in so doing. Such com-panies will typically then schedulea second lease inspection upon re-quest, so dont be afraid to schedulea second inspection after you haveaddressed issues found during theinitial examination. Inspectors willcheck to verify all issues have beenproperly addressed, and you may
even receive a second inspection re-port if some problems were not satis-factorily addressed.
Return everything. Many les-sees are caught off guard when theyare charged for items they receivedwhen they initially signed the leasebut have long since lost or forgot-ten. Whether its that second set ofkeys you have never used or thoseannoying manufacturer oor matsthat came with the vehicle when youdrove off the lot, you need to returneverything that came with the car.Failure to return items can incurpenalties, some of which may be sig-nicant.
Returning a leased vehicle is notas simple as returning a rental car.Lessees must take steps to ensure
they are not subject to potentiallycostly penalties when they returntheir leased vehicles.
Driver distractions have grown over the previous de-
cade. In addition to cell phones, in-vehicle entertainmentsystems have grown more popular. The threat posed by
drivers using their cell phones while behind the wheel
has been widely documented, but drivers also can losefocus on the road when music is blaring or passengers
are watching DVDs in their vehicles. Lack of focus caneven occur when drivers are alone in their vehicles and
their minds begin to wander. The following are a handfulof ways drivers can maintain their focus on the road and
reduce their risk of being in an accident.
Take different routes. Familiarity with certain road-ways, such as the route you might drive to the ofce, can
lead to a lack of focus. While its good to be familiar withroads to reduce surprises, taking the same route every
day can make it easy for your mind to wander. Losingfocus or taking your eyes off the road, even if for just a
moment, can cause an accident. If possible, spice up yourdaily driving routine by taking different routes every sooften.
Leave on time. Its easy to lose focus on the roadif youre running late and hurrying to get somewhere on
time. When you hurry, your focus is largely on gettingto your destination on time and not on getting to your
destination safely. Giving yourself enough time to arrive
at your destination on time can make you a more alertdriver. If you are running late, call ahead to your destina-
tion before leaving and let them know you will be a fewminutes late. Doing so will calm you down and make you
a better driver.
Switch cars. Much like familiarity with a certainroute can lull you into a false sense of security, so can
a familiarity with your vehicle. Driving the same vehicleevery day has its advantages, but its easy to become dis-
tracted in an automobile you spend hours driving eachweek. Switch cars with your spouse once or a twice a
week if possible. You might nd driving another vehicleevery so often is fun, and a new vehicle might break upthe monotony of a daily commute while increasing your
alertness. Ban smartphones in your vehicle. Smartphones are
technological marvels that have quickly changed the waywe live our lives. But smartphone use behind the wheel is
both dangerous and illegal. Even hands-free devices that
allow drivers to keep both hands on the wheel can takedrivers attention away from the roads if theyre busy hav-
ing a discussion on the phone. If your goal is to improveyour focus on the road, turn your smartphone off when
behind the wheel. Encourage backseat passengers to wear headphones
when using in-vehicle entertainment systems. If passen-
gers want to make use of your in-vehicle entertainmentsystem, such as a DVD player, then make sure they wear
headphones while doing so. This allows you to hear thesounds of the road without being distracted by a loud
movie entertaining passengers in the backseat. Front-
seat passengers should refrain from watching movies orplaying games on their tablets, as such devices can draw
drivers attention away from the road.
Prepare To Return Your Leased Vehicle
Improving Driver Focus
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD... Maintaining focus onthe road can reduce the risk of being in an accident.
Many motorists bemoanthe myriad costs associ-ated with owning a vehicle.According to the NationalAutomobile Dealers Asso-ciation, the average pricefor a new car in the Unit-ed States is slightly morethan $28,000. But as anyvehicle owner knows, thatsticker price is only the be-ginning. The cost of main-taining a vehicle and keep-ing it on the road is notexactly insignicant.
Motorists have resolvedto keep their vehicles onthe road longer in an effortto stretch their automo-bile dollars. Thats a soundresolution, and one that isnot necessarily difcult toaccomplish.
Air Filter - If the lteris lthy, simply replaceit. Auto parts stores sellair lters, and most driv-ers shouldnt have troublereplacing a lter by them-selves.
Belts and Hoses - Is-sues with belts or hoses
are often recognizable to
the naked eye, regardlessof a drivers automotiveskill. A hose in poor con-dition can appear bulgingor brittle, and should notfeel too soft or too hard. If ahose exhibits any of thesesymptoms, replace it. Abelt thats worn or frayedshould also be replaced.
Brake Fluid - One of themore expensive repair jobson a vehicle is to replacethe brakes. Drivers shouldroutinely check the vehi-cles brake uid. Withoutsufcient brake uid, thebrakes lifespan decreasesdramatically. Checking thebrake uid is easy; simplylook in the owners manualto nd brake uid reservoirand remove the lid (somevehicles might require thelid be unscrewed). Thereservoir will likely haveinstructions on the insideadvising how much brakeuid should be added. Ifthe uid is below the line ofdemarcation, add uid upto that line. But be care-
ful not to overll. Check
the brake uid levels on amonthly basis.
Motor Oil - Oil changeguidelines have changeddramatically thanks to bet-ter cars and more reliablemotor oils. But it still helpsto check motor oil levelsafter every ll up. If motoroil levels are low, add moreoil. If oil is signicantly lowafter each ll up, consult amechanic just to be safe.
Exhaust - Once a year,be it at a routine tune upor should repair work benecessary, ask your me-chanic to check the ve-hicles emissions. Failingan emissions test might beindicative of a larger prob-lem.
In addition, inspect themufer and exhaust pipefor holes, particularly afterwinter, when debris fromsnow trucks may do signif-icant damage. Replace anydamaged or rusted parts.
Power Steering - Powersteering uid should alsobe inspected on a month-
ly basis. When checking
power steering uid, alsoinspect the pump for anyleaks.
Tires - Keeping tiresproperly inated pays nu-merous dividends. Prop-erly inated tires make iteasier for the engine to op-erate, lowering fuel costswhile also decreasing wearand tear on the engine.
Maintaining tires alsoinvolves checking for wearand tear. Uneven wearcould indicate the tires aremisaligned. Discuss thiswith your mechanic.
Transmission Fluid -When checking transmis-sion uid, do so while thecar is running and afterthe engine has warmedup. If the vehicle needstransmission uid, add therecommended uid but becareful not to overll.
Prolonging a vehicleslifespan is not as difcultas it sounds. Oftentimes,all it takes is minor, yetroutine, maintenance tokeep a car on the road for
years and years.
Preventive Maintenance To Keep Your Car On The Road
8/11/2019 2014 Fall Home Improvement & Car Care Guide
11/12
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2014 THE VILLAGE REPORTER - 2014 FALL CAR CARE & HOME IMPROVEMENT - 11
Shop at:
www.
EDGERTON AUTO SALVAGE
Carl W. BellmannOWNER
800-272-4097
419-298-2566
06018 STATE ROUTE 62 Miles East of
EDGERTON, OH 43517
Used Truck and Auto Parts
We can pick up old cars8-5 DAILY; TILL NOON ON SAT.; CLOSED SUNDAY
Auto WreckingAll Late Parts
Cars and TrucksUSED CARS
06018 US HIGHWAY 6
GUNNS AUTO SERVICE
& TOWING LLC2254 B North Scott St., Napoleon, OH 43545
419-592-8383
- 24 Hour Towing -
419-579-0059 or 419-966-7080
E & H AUTO
CLINIC INC.Harold Stickley, President
419.335.67711066 Ottokee Street Wauseon, Ohio 43567
TERRY
HENRICKSCHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP-RAM
www.TerryHenricks.com
1935 South Defiance St., Archbold
419-445-2576Toll-Free
1-800-445-6576
YOU TALK......WE LISTENService & Parts Departments
Open Saturdays 8:30 am-1 pm &Monday evenings until 7:30 pm
Oil Changes: No Appointment NeededMaintenance: Call For Appointment
We service all makes & models
Putting off routine auto mainte-nance or ignoring service intervals
is false economy. Small issues can
morph into more expensive repairs.For example, failure to replace worn
brake pads or a faulty oxygen sen-sor -- both relatively easy services for
qualied auto technicians -- can re-
sult in expensive brake rotor serviceor costly replacement of the vehicles
catalytic converter.Frequently neglected items include
oil changes, tire and brake service,
wheel alignment, air and fuel lters,and transmission service, according
to ASE-certied auto technicians.Besides, a well-maintained vehicle
gets better gasoline mileage, pollutesless, is safer to operate, and lasts lon-
ger than one thats neglected, notesASE.
To help consumers choose a repair
shop that ts their needs, ASE offersthe following checklist:
Look for a neat, well-organizedfacility, with vehicles in the parking
lot equal in value to your own andmodern equipment in the service
bays.
Look for a courteous staff, witha service consultant willing to answer
all of your questions. Look for policies regarding esti-
mated repair costs, diagnostic fees,guarantees, and acceptable methods
of payment.
Ask if the repair facility special-
izes or if it usually handles your typeof repair work.
Look for signs of professionalismin the customer service area, such as
civic, community, or customer service
awards. Look for evidence of qualied
technicians: trade school diplomas,certicates of advanced course work,
and certication by ASE.
Look for the ASE sign or logo; itmeans the shop employs nationally
certied technicians.The National Institute for Auto-
motive Service Excellence (ASE) wasfounded in 1972 as a non-prot, in-
dependent organization dedicated toimproving the quality of automotive
service and repair through the volun-
tary testing and certication of auto-motive technicians.
ASE-certied technicians wearblue and white ASE shoulder insig-
nia and carry credentials listing their
exact areas of certication. Their em-ployers often display the blue and
white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.comfor seasonal car care advice and more.
Advice From The Pros: Do Not Neglect Auto Service
Very often drivers nd that the seats or the mats belowtheir feet are damp or downright sopping wet. But unless
a window or sunroof was left open during a rainstorm,
drivers may nd it difcult to decipher why their vehiclesare suddenly soaked.
Unfortunately, when a vehicles interior is wet, thatcould be a sign of a signicant problem, one that can
gradually worsen over time. Wetness can cause electricalcomponents or metal structures in the car to rot, and a
soggy interior may eventually be overcome by mold. It is
best to nd out what is causing the leak as soon as pos-
sible and have the problem xed just as quickly.Finding the source of a leak is not always easy. Some-times drivers can locate it themselves and then x the
problem on their own, while more serious problems mightneed to be handled by a professional. But it is best to as-
sess the situation before booking an appointment with
your mechanic.Cars can spring a leak for a variety of reasons. Leaks
from systems under the hood, as well as rainwater or wa-ter from washing the car, can inltrate the interior if seals
around doors and/or windows are broken or gaskets areworn out. Figuring out which type of liquid is entering
your vehicle can help you determine whats behind the
leak.A clear, slippery liquid under the seats may be indica-
tive of a leak in the brake uid reservoir. Brake uid isa liquid used in the braking system to apply hydraulic
pressure from the master cylinder to the calipers to the
pads against the wheel drums. If you discover brake uid,check the master cylinder or the clutch master cylinder to
see if there is a leak or spillover of the uid.Coolant also can leak under the dashboard and into
the foot wells of a car. Coolant is a sticky, green andsweet-smelling uid, and a coolant leak could mean that
a heater core or hose in the cooling system is leaking. In
such instances, hoses may need to be replaced.Some vehicles have water diverters on the sides of
their windshields to make sure water ows off of the wind-shield when the wipers are in use. Also, the trough where
the wipers rest should have a sealant that prevents waterfrom entering at the base of the windshield. Over time,
both can wear out and may need to be replaced and re-
sealed. Try sitting in the car on a dry day and spraying ahose on the windshield. See if any water eventually makes
it inside of the car. If it does, the windshield is likely thereason your vehicles interior is getting wet.
A clogged drain in a vehicles heating, ventilation andair conditioning system is one of the more common causes
of interior water damage. If the drain is clogged, conden-
sation from the system cannot drain from the tube. Insuch instances, water backs up into the system and can
actually blow out of the car vents or elsewhere in the ve-hicle, forming a pool on the oor of the car. Leaves or
debris can cause a blockage. If excess water is left in theHVAC system, it can damage the blower motor. Also, a
faulty seal that is located between the HVAC case and the
rewall of the vehicle may cause water to leak into thepassenger compartment under the carpet.
In some cases, cleaning blocked drains in a vehiclesHVAC system may be as simple as blowing compressed
air through the vents or using a wire to clear out leaves ordirt. Other times it may be hard to access the leaks, and
such instances are often best left to a mechanic.
The causes of leaks in a car are not always so easy todiagnose. But it is important to gure out where the water
is coming from early on to minimize the damage water cando to your vehicle.
LOOK FOR QUALITY... Look for trade school diplomas, certicates of ad-vanced course work, and certication by ASE to ensure your mechanic is
properly ensured.
Diagnosing A Leaky Car
LOOK FOR LEAKS ... After taking a vehicle through the
car wash, drivers may notice a leak inside the car.
Drivers rarely think of the tires on their vehicles until
they have a at. But the type of tires on your vehicle canimpact its performance. When choosing tires for their ve-
hicles, drivers should consider a host of factors, includingthe terrain and driving conditions vehicles are likely to
encounter.Understanding tires and what makes some a better t
than others for certain vehicles can make for safe driving
and improved handling.
ALL-SEASON TIRES
The most common type of tire and arguably the bestknown is the standard all-season tire. Many vehicles
come equipped with these tires, which are designed to beversatile enough to grip the road in various conditions.
They are commonly made of a harder rubber that will not
wear out quickly and will retain their tread. Most day-to-day driving can be done on all-season tires.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE TIRES
People who live in dry climates or drive sports and rac-
ing cars can benet from high-performance tires. Thesetires are specically designed to grip the road better and
offer superior handling under higher speeds. Because
high-performance tires are made of a softer rubber com-pared to standard tires, they will not last as long as all-
season tires.
SNOW TIRES
People who live in snowy, icy conditions will benetfrom the use of snow tires. These tires are designed with
special treads to offer more traction in slippery conditions.
The rubber used to manufacture the tire can remain ex-ible even at extremely low temperatures. Winter tires are
best reserved for extreme weather and not used all seasonlong because they will wear o