Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-19, Page 194
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 19
.a,
The 'dos and don'ts' Prepare your home for winter's arrival
of home renovation
When you're eager to get
caught up on home repairs,
it's easy to overlook the
basics that contribute to a
successful renovation. To
prevent mistakes, wasting
money or causing harm to
yourself or others, it's
important to recognize
what tools and knowledge
you can bring to home
projects before you begin.
Don't: Start a project
without a plan in place. it's
important to have a vision
of the finished result in
mind and a map of how to
achieve your end goal.
Skipping over the planning
stage can have disastrous
results.
Do: Recognize your own
capabilities and weak-
nesses. Consult ti profes-
sional before beginning
serious home repairs, such
as electrical work and roof-
ing. It's worth getting a sec-
ond opinion, or if you're
not comfortable, hiring
so111eone.
Don't: Use cheap materi-
als. Ask questions about the
products you buy to ensure
they are right for the project
at hand and will last.
Do: When taking on a
dik large home improvement,
such as installing insula-
tion, it's important to use a
quality product like Icynene
to add to the value of your
home and prevent future
issues.
Don't: Throw away
money on unnecessary
materials and fixtures. With
a bit of research before-
hand, you can save money
by purchasing the exact
amount of materials you
need to complete your
project.
Do: Take advantage of
government grants. The
Government of Canada has
renewed the ecoliNEfiGY
Retrofit - 1lonles program.
From June 6, 2011,10 March
31, 2012, homeowners
investing in energy-efficient
upgrades are eligible to
receive grants of up to
$5,000.
Don't: Get in over your
head. Small projects can
quickly become big projects
when you take the wrongapproach.
Do: Keep on track by
sticking to a planned
budget, hiring a contractor
when needed and never
leaving a repair job
unfinished.
to do right by your home,
you can visit www.icynene.
com for more information
on home insulation,
wlulu nelvscanada. oont
• Handyman • Repairs
• Renovations • Carpentry
• Honey Do Lists
BOB DIETRICH
Box 123, 12 Mary St. in
Zurich, Ont. NOM 2T0
519-236-4989 (Please leave a message)
"No Job is Too Small"
As the cold weather
approaches and the first
snowflakes begin to fall, it is
important to ensure your
home is winter -ready. 'There
are plenty of simple ways to
winterize your home without
breaking the hank, with a
positive effect on lowering
your heating bills.
interior: First, inspect your
furnace and replace' the filter.
Stock up on furnace filters
and be sure to change them
every month. Next, have your
fireplace cleaned so it will be
ready for use. Scteen the tog)
of your chimney to keep out
rodents and birds and store
firewood in a dry place away
from the outside of your
home. inspect the mortar
between bricks to slake sure'
that your fires remain con-
tained within the hearth.
And, ensure all smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors
have had the battery
replaced.
Exterior: i•:xanline the
exterior of yotll home for
cracks and crevices, which
could allow cold air to seep
inside. Apply weather-strip-
ping around door's and caulk
windows. Homes with base-
ments and attic's are prone to
cold drafts. in basements,
consider covering window
wells with plastic wrap. (Viler)
the warm weather ret urns,
you can remove the wrap.
Warm air rises, so adding
extra insulation to your attic
will ensure the warmth stays
where it's nee'de'd, "'('hese
small, but important steps
can make a huge difference
00 your hutting bill," says
Yvonne Ratigan, a senior
executive with Royal LePage
Canada. "Time and a little
money spent in the fall, can
pay big dividends in the
winter."
Garden: ('rune trees and
shrubs to minimize potential
for damage by snow, particu-
larly those that hang close to
the home. clear out planters
and store for spring and dust
plant bulbs with hone meal.
EASY
aunt; Hyo\,'IC
N1��it>tu�tictesta~ �f
Quality Steel Rooiing,
Siding and nllri.11
73000 Airport I lite, 1lcn' all, ( )N NOM XI)
We offer many products including:
• Custom cut sheet lengths
• Trim manufactured specific to building
• Windows
• Doors
• Barn d(x)r track and hardware
• Suntuff
• Corrugated PVC panels
• Reflective Insulation
tic��icic�r�1i�rl, .kgr'ic'tllitii d
and Commercial Steel
('!adding
Contact Easy Buddies Products,
for your free quote
1-888-763-7779
www.easybui ldingproducts.ca
• •
Drain all garden host's and
shut off outside water, if we
enjoy a \vilrin day, it may be a
good time to seal the drive-
way or deck.
'!'hese simple steps can
help you to enjoy the winter
without fall' of (damage to
your homime. Be i)1't'i)ared, itml
embrace all that the winter
bas 10 offer.
11'14,w newseanada.l'OJ)1
CONSTRUCTION
JEFFIIEY
BROTHERS LTD.
DESIGN • MLO
IIJIWINS CONTIACTORS
Residential • Commercial • Agricultural
Alum Soffit & Fascia & Siding
Roofing & Replacement Windows etc.
R•R. #2 Zurich, NOM 2TO
519-236-4441
I*x 71S