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The Citizen, 2000-05-10, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2000. Home & Garden 2000 Spring brings home renovations Ah the joys of spring - birds chirp­ ing, tulips peeking through the soft­ ening earth, children flooding into their neighbourhood streets to play ball hockey, jump rope and ride their bikes. Spring is perhaps the most anticipated season of the year, but it has also traditionally marked the time for one thing - home renova­ tions. “Home renovations should not be taken lightly,” said Holly Levine, editor of Kitchen & Bath Projects, a do-it-yourself renovations book. “Whether the work is to be handled by a contractor or as a do-it-yourself project, it can be an exciting but stressful time for any family.” Levine points out, however, that home renovations really are worth the time and effort. “Kitchens and bathrooms, for example, are two of the most well used rooms in any home, and they are also important in determining a home’s resale value. As a result, any upgrades will deliv­ er immediate and long-term benefits: adding to the quality of life in your home and offering a potentially • greater return on your investment if and when you sell.” If you’re considering renovating your home, here are some tips to help your project go more smoothly: • People’s experience and skill lev­ els vary. Do-it-yourselfers must decide whether their particular skills are appropriate for the suc­ cessful completion of the job. Be prepared to seek professional help and advice - your local hardware store or building centre is a great place to start. • In most jurisdictions, making changes to the structure, plumbing or electrical wiring of a home will require a permit before commenc­ ing work. Requirements and con­ struction codes vary from region to region, so check with the local per­ mit office before starting your proj­ ect. • Be prepared that life will not go on as usual during the renovation period. It will be noisy and dusty, water and electricity may be shut off at inconvenient times, trades­ people may be anywhere in the house working on the project. • Whether working with a contrac­ tor or on your own, keep in mind that the final cost of the renovation can vary considerably. Set aside some additional budget to cover the little extras that come up along the way such as upgraded materials and other unexpected expenses. • Pay particular attention to chil­ dren, seniors and pets during a ren­ ovation. They are most vulnerable to the dangers inherent on the work site: sharp tools, electrical wires, toxic chemicals and dust. • Always leave yourself some extra time to complete the renovation - it will often take longer than original­ ly planned. Although renovating your home can sometimes feel like a daunting task, in most cases, it can be a very worthwhile endeavour. Once the work is complete, the joys and pleas­ ures of a new bathroom or kitchen, not to mention the increase in value to your home, will definitely out­ weigh any minor trials and tribula­ tions endured along the way. Treebe Landscaping & Supplies JT 6eautifubigarden bit^e this one can be yours All it takes is some professional planning and a little love and care Pointers for cleaning blinds ■ • - ■ / ■ . ■ It’s that time of year again. The birds are chirping, the flowers blooming and the mops and sponges are calling. That’s right, it’s time for the dreaded “spring cleaning”. Everything must get done from the ceiling to the floor, but don’t neglect your blinds and shades. Here are some simple and effec­ tive tips from experts to help you through this year’s cleaning of your blinds and shades. Aluminum and Vinyl Miniblinds Use ordinary soft, clean dust cloths, chemically treated dust cloths, vacuum cleaner brush attach­ ments, or other available ordinary household aids. The paint surface of the slats is quite smooth and dust is easily brushed off if done at regular intervals. To vacuum, use the brush dust head attachment and tilt slats first up, then down (but not totally exposed) to reach the entire top and bottom surfaces. To dust, use a soft clean or chemi­ cally treated dust cloth and tilt the slats as above. To wash, use a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent. Use warm or cold water - not hot water. Tilt the slats as above. Protect the floor or sill from excess water. The blind can also be taken down, placed in a bath tub of mild soapy water, then rinsed clean, wiped dry, or allowed to dry completely in the open air. Wood Blinds Special care must be taken when cleaning real wood blinds. Washing the blind is not recommended. Although the wood is sealed, water or even excessive dampness may cause warping or discoloration of the slats. Since the surface of the slats is smooth, dust may be easily brushed off at regular intervals using a clean soft dust cloth or a vacuum cleaner brush attachment. Fabric Pleated Shades Many cellular shades are anti-stat­ ic, and require very little cleaning. A light sweep with your vacuum clean­ er brush attachment is all that is needed to keep them dust free. For a more thorough cleaning, the entire shade assembly may be gently wiped with a soft damp cloth using lukewarm (not hot) water. Take spe­ cial care when handling opaque shades to avoid creasing, and do not immerse them in water. For tougher stains, spot clean the area with a mild detergent. - News Canada Count on Treebelt for everything you’ll need: Creative designing and planting Residential laWn and garden maintenance including grass cutting and fertilizing Garden Rototilling Flowering shrubs and perennials □ Ornamental and shade trees □ Screened topsoil, peat loam, crushed red chips □ Windbreak trees and cedar hedging □ Bulk composted sheep manure □ Lawn seeding & sodding 1 mile west of Blyth Can 519-523-9771 □ □ □ □ We have a large selection of Mother s Days Cards $1.00 ea. The new Ecoflo® Biofiltration System uses peat moss technology to treat your domestic waste water. / Small Lots / Difficult Soils / Compact Size / Ideal for Cottages / Inspections (7 yrs) / No Electrical Parts / Excellent Reliability / Environmentally Friendly Excavating Inc. for Free Information Toll Free: 1-877-532-4394 (519) 482-3783 Call Vandriel fzcoflo* Look what is OUT THE BACK A whole greenhouse full of garden flowers, perfect for Mother’s Day VARIETY INC. ■ Hanging Flowering baskets ■ 6” Mixed pots perfect for Mother’s Day ■ Wall Bags ■ and lots more Plus: Seeds, seed potatoes, corn, peas, beans, onions, bedding plants, geraniums and much more. Open 7 days a week Brussels Phone/Fax 519-887-622