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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1996-05-08, Page 24Enter o Win' No Purchase Necessary' . 88 Britannia Rd. Goderich 5245361 BRIAN ARGYLE OTROYEILT 0 REAR TINE TILLERS GROW YOUR BEST GARDEN EVER! Discover the Performance and Ease of the Legendary, JUST ONE HAND Tiller! TROY-Bilr Great North American Lawn & Garden Sweepstakes Details At This Participating TROY-BILT Dealer: MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPEN • Boxed Plants • Perennials • Hanging Baskets Super Special Euonymus Reg. $13. $8.99 .. • , sip,- - 1 • ai s-;," 11 ,k ;WI qbg? 66 •., 4 I, V 1.,11 A See our large selection of ornamental junipers and corkscrew hazels. Happy Mother's Day & Don't Forget Grandma ) Visit our expanded Craft Boutique MAITLAND MANOR NURSERY East of Bluevale "r 519-335-3240 MI IN= NINE MI MEM IMO Quality Pools At Affordable Prices Middegaal Pools & Sports SALES SERVICE 527-0104 234 MAIN ST. N. SEAFORTH r— USElall2 COUPOH % OFF CARPET CLEANING Re adeacela OVER $75.00! Call GAVIN'S CARPET CARE today to book one of Huron County's most recommended Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning firms. Example: 12 x 24 = 288 sq. ft. x 27' = '77.67 less 15% = '66.10 + G.S.T '70 73 Coupon must be presented at time of cleaning. Coupon may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts. Offer expires May 31, 1996 — We do not telephone solicit 1 Cleaning & -;(1.. Restoration eAtie GAVIN 524-2440 or 1-800-450-4333 186 Rich Street, Goderich 9 Services *We Do Not Telephone Solicit LOW COST... I$ HIGH QUALITY KITCHENS You won't sacrifice Quality for COSt! Check out our prices on quality kitchens vtingannon Custom Builders Ltd. DC B LTD. CUSTOM KITCHENS, VANITIES & WALL UNITS Box 70 Dungannon Bus.: (519) 529-3129 Fax: (519) 529-1044 Res.: (519) 528-2302 Between comet-glazing and looking for the return of our feathered friends from the south, many people in Ontario have had their eyes glued to the heavens this spring. If you're a homeowner, Ontario's Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations suggests you continue to keep a pair of binocu- lars handy and use them to have a look at your roof. "After the long, icy winter people should take a good look at their roof for signs of damage that need repair," says Marilyn Gurevsky, a manager with the ministry's Consumer Affairs Branch. People are sometimes tempted to postpone roofing work because of the cost. But this is almost always a mistake," she says. "Finding out about any problems your roof may have, then getting some estimates on what it will cost to repair now can give you time to save up for the work and to shop around for the best contractor." To check your roof, focus the binoculars on the shingles first. Signs of wind or weather damage to asphalt shingles — the roof covering most commonly used in Ontario — should -stand out. Shingles that are cracked, curled, loose or missing are signals that repairs are needed. If many of the mineral granules have been lost from the shingles, it means they're worn. A note of caution — whether you spot a single crack or see that half of the shingles are missing, don't climb onto the roof for a closer look. Unless you are familiar with construction work you won't be safe on a steep, slippery roof. "Roofing problems can develop at any time, but you should begin to expect some trouble when your roof reaches the age of eight to 10 years," says Gurevsky. Most roof shingles sold today are made to last about 15 years, but the lifespan of older shingles may be less. As well as damaged, worn or missing shingles, consumers should look for other signs of common problems. • Metal flashings around the chimney or in the valleys at roof joints that are corroded, cracked or have lifted, indicate that water may have seeped in and damaged the roof deck. On a roof less than 10-years-old, metal flashings can normally be patched. But on an older roof, full replacement is usually necessary, • If the shingles along the bottom of the roof appear raised, it may be a sign of damage from ice damming — a problem in many Ontario homes. In winter, snow at the top of the roof melts when warmed by heat escaping from the attic. The water flows down the roof under the snow and freezes again at the unheated edge of the eaves. This ice acts as a dam, pushing more melted water back up the roof and under the shingles, where it can leak through. • Have a look in the attic for signs of water leakage. Special trouble spots are the points where rafters or beams pass under a roof jupction, the rafters along the eaves and around plumbing-vents and the chimney. It's probably time to replace the roof if it is more than 10 years old and you find warped, watermarked or rotted wood at a couple of these locations. Once you have decided your roof needs repairs or replacement, you'll want to get references from friends and neighbours and call in three professionals for quotes. "Most reputable roofers provide a Dne- to two-year guarantee on labour, but remember to get all the details of both the guarantee conditions and the work to be performed in writing, both on the estimate and the contract," says Gurevsky. She says qualified contractors should want to answer these simple questions for you. • Will the old shingles be torn off and removed from your property? Shingles need only be removed every second or third time they're replaced unless they're in very poor shape or there is damage beneath them. The weight from too many layers of shingles on a roof can cause structural damage to a building. If the shingles are being removed, ask how long this will take. Then you'll know how long you'll have to put up with a mess in the yard. • Is eaves protection to be installed? Eaves protection combats the problem of roof damage from ice damming. It is a roll-on material made to standards approved under the Ontario Building Code, laid on top of the roof deck from the eaves to a foot above the exterior wall. It will prevent water that does back up from leaking through the roof. • What kinds of shingles and metal flashings will be used? Shingles with extended warranties will last the longest. In general, good shingles are guaranteed by the manufacturer for a minimum of 10 to 15 years. A competent contractor will be able to help you choose a good quality shingle. Some will offer guidance on choosing a colour that compliments your home. Gurevsky advises choosing a shade that contrasts slightly with your exterior walls. But she suggests consumers should avoid very light colours because they make any damage highly visible. For more information on home renovations, or a copy of a standard renovation contract, contact the Ontario Home Builders' Associa- tion at 1-800-387-0109. To find out about special regulations that apply to contracts signed in your home, ask for a free copy of the ministry's brochure A Guide to the Consumer Protection Act. To make your request, telephone the General Inquiry Unit, at (416) 326-8555 in the Toronto area or at toll free 1-800-268-1142. Special visual equipment for use by the hearing and speech impaired is available at (416) 326-8566. • In kitchens 150 square feet or less, at least 144" of wall cabinet frontage, with cabinets at least 12" deep and a minimum of 30" high (or equivalent), must be installed over counter tops. In kitchens over 150 square feet, 186" of wall cabinets must be included. Diagonal or pie cut wall cabinets count as a total of 24". Difficult to reach cabinets above the hood, oven or refrigerator do not count unless specialized storage devices are installed within the case to improve accessibility. PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1996 Homeowners should keep looking up