The 4-year-old tromped among the bright orange gourds, intently inspecting the offerings until she spied the one she had been looking for.

Katie Haynes, of Fall City, carries the perfect pumpkin she found at Fall City Farms’ pumpkin patch. Every fall thousands of people head to Snoqualmie Valley u-pick pumpkin patches for a fun, sometimes muddy outing. See a slideshow of photos at www.snovalleystar.com. By Dan Catchpole

Her arms barely wrapped around the pumpkin, which she proudly carried back to her parents, Ashley and Paul Haynes.

“I wanted the perfect one, and I found it,” Katie declared.

So, what made the tall, oblong pumpkin she picked perfect?

It had no dirt on it, she said, adding, “I liked the way it was shaped.”

No doubt, the Haynes family could have found a similar pumpkin sans dirt at a grocery store in just a few minutes for less money. Instead, the Fall City family spent the morning looking for a perfect one along with a few hundred other people.

Why?

“The experience,” Ashley said. “It’s just part of fall and autumn and Halloween.”

Going to a pumpkin patch turns an item on a grocery list into a fun family outing. There is no shortage of farms to choose from in the Snoqualmie Valley. In addition to Fall City Farms, there is the Nursery at Mount Si, Jubilee Farm, Oxbow Farm, Remlinger Farm and Two Brothers Farm.

For many people, it is a multigenerational outing as well.

For the past four years, Bill and Paula Lamb, of Duvall, have been coming to Fall City Farms with their children and grandchildren, who live in Kent.

“It’s an adventure for the grandkids, and where else can you get a kiwi pumpkin?” Paula Lamb said, holding up her prize find.

Rob and Deb Arenth, owners of Fall City Farms, began growing pumpkins for their children, and began selling them nearly 20 years ago.

Back then they planted 270 seeds. This year, they planted six acres with 22,000 seeds — by hand.

The biggest threat is birds, Rob Arenth said.

The Arenths make sure there is plenty for guests to do before and after walking to the pumpkin patch. Outside the farm’s store is an open-air market with a band, fresh doughnuts, hot cider, crepes and an espresso stand. There are hay rides and an air-powered pumpkin cannon.

The weekends are the busiest, but the farm is open every day.

“Last year, we saw the midweek sales take off,” Arenth said.

As for finding the perfect pumpkin, Arenth’s primary prerequisite is a good stem, which can get knocked off when they are transported from the other fields to the picking patch.

Picking the perfect pumpkin is, of course, a matter of personal preference.

Many people want big, bright pumpkins with no blemishes, but not everyone.

“For myself, it has to have at least a pretty smooth surface,” Holly Firmin, of Seattle, said as she walked through the patch.

She had come with her husband and their child, who were exploring another part of the farm.

“Long stems are really good. I’m digging the green veins this year,” she said.

The smooth surface is for Firmin’s husband, who takes his carving pretty seriously, she teasingly.

“It gives him a bigger surface to wield his weapon.”

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

U-pick pumpkin patches

Fall City Farms

• Where: 3636 Neal Road, Fall City
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Nursery at Mount Si

• Where: 42328 S.E. 108th St., North Bend
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Jubilee Farm

•  Where: 229 West Snoqualmie River Road N.E., Carnation
•  Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Oxbow Farm

•  Where: 10819 Carnation-Duvall Road N.E., Carnation
•  Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Remlinger Farm

• Where: 32610 N.E. 32nd St., Carnation
•  Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Two Brothers Pumpkin Patch

• Where: 7110 310th Ave. N.E., Carnation
•  Hours: 10 a.m. to dusk daily

Hours listed are for u-pick pumpkins in October.

Seasonal decorations

Pumpkins make good decorations, especially for entryways.

Patti Bosket, an indoor/outdoor designer, has encouraged some of her Snoqualmie Valley clients to add the seasonal highlights around their homes.

Bosket suggests stacking several pumpkins of varying sizes and colors beside a front door, along a walkway or driveway, or in a fun container.

Placement is the key, she said.

It also helps to mix in other gourds, such as squash, which can add great texture as well.

You can even mix in moss or leaves between pumpkins to give them a more natural look, Bosket said. It is best to do this with larger pumpkins.

Another autumn decoration to incorporate is dried corncobs.

Bosket suggested tying several together to create bigger bundles to add to your stack of pumpkins or hang around your house.

Adding fresh or silk leaves is a nice finishing touch, she said.

For ideas and materials, Bosket recommends that people simply walk through their yard. Good materials to work with include rose hips, berries from mountain ash, twigs, assorted grasses and dried leaves.

Gardeners can reduce the work they will have to do next year by preparing their garden for winter. Taking a few steps will minimize the weeds, diseases and pests, and create a healthier garden for next spring.

To protect your soil from winter’s harsh conditions and to make it harder for weeds to sprout, cover it with burlap. Contributed

Gardens in the late fall in the Snoqualmie Valley don’t look like they are brimming with life, but below the surface, important developments are taking place. Divided perennials, transplanted trees and shrubs, and strong bulbs are still growing and expanding their root systems. Organic material is still being processed by microbes and earthworms.

In general, the plants that do the best in the area’s weather are native species. They have already adapted to the region’s wet and cold winter weather.

Don’t leave the soil bare, cautions Joan Helbacka, a King County master gardener with Washington State University’s Extension Program. Helbacka is giving a talk about preparing gardens for winter at the Snoqualmie Library at 7 p.m. Oct. 24.

It is too late to plant a cover crop, so instead, cover the soil with burlap bags or mulch, Helbacka advised.

“Cover bare vegetable and flowerbeds with burlap bags or a mulch to keep weed seeds from sprouting, and plus it prevents winter rains from compacting the soil and washing out nutrients,” she said.

An even cover also helps maintain an even temperature in the soil during the winter months.

Fertilizing or pruning plants and shrubs too late in the season can be harmful, Helbacka said.

It can encourage late-season growth that can be more vulnerable to cold-weather damage.

Prudent pruning is worthwhile.

Chop off any diseased foliage and stems, and discard them. Also, clean up and dispose of any mulch that might be carrying disease spores.

Inspect trees and remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood that could be blown down during a winter windstorm.

For information about pruning specific plants and trees, Helbacka recommended consulting Plant Amnesty’s website or a local nursery.

If you need help pruning a large tree, hire a professional. To ensure you get a qualified specialist, look for the initials “ISA” for International Society of Arboriculture or “NAA” for National Arborist Association in advertisements and on business cards.

Don’t give disease-causing organisms or pests a place to wait out the winter, Helbacka said. As you harvest your vegetables, remove and compost crop refuse.

To protect a tree that has been recently transplanted, wrap its trunk with a light-colored bark wrap in the fall, Helbacka said.

If you are worried about animals gnawing the bark of a young tree, wrap wire or commercial tree guards around stems or trunks.

Gardeners should make sure that landscape plants are getting enough water during dry spells in fall and early winter. This is especially true for plants that do not receive much precipitation.

When it comes to the lawn, Helbacka recommended fertilizing between mid-November and early December, and then not again until next April.

While waiting for warmer — if not drier — weather to arrive, take a few minutes to organize and stow tools, supplies, and garden or outdoor furniture, she said.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

If you go

• “Prepare Your Garden for Winter”
•  Joan Helbacka, WSU Extension Program, King County master gardener
•  Snoqualmie Library
•  7824 Center Blvd. S.E.
•  7 p.m. Oct. 24

On the Web

• PNW International Society of Arborculture: http://pnwisa.org
•  Plant Amnesty: www.plantamnesty.org
•  Washington State University Extension Program’s gardening program: http://gardening.wsu.edu

Maybe.

In some aspects, it makes sense to winterize your home while winter is still a few weeks away and you can step out onto your front yard without fearing mud up to your ankles or a fall on the ice.

But while starting early is recommended, it’s not mandatory for everything.

Bryan Woolsey, co-owner of Snoqualmie’s Carmichael’s True Value hardware store, said good winterizing tasks include insulating windows and doors, protecting pipes from freezing, and blocking underneath the house.

“The stagnant air under the house actually helps keep pipes warm,” he said. “Of course, you don’t want stagnant air there continuously because it will make things rot.”

The solution, he added, is blocking the cold air to keep it from blowing the warm air out and freezing the pipes.

Cardboard, insulation and Styrofoam can be used to block the cold breezes.

Woolsey said homeowners can tackle most of these tasks themselves, but recommended doing some research beforehand, for instance, for when cleaning out a chimney.

“There’s a lot of circumstances where you might need a professional to do it,” he said, “like if you have a catalytic converter in the stove.”

On the other hand, when dealing with floods, preparing months ahead of time may well be unnecessary.

“Most people won’t really prepare for a flood,” he said. “All that really consists of is getting things up above where the water is going to go. You won’t sandbag if you’re not expecting a lot of water.”

Preparing for the cold months entails getting areas outside the home ready, like gardens, he said.

“The main thing is to cover the plants,” Woolsey said. “Certain things will grow year round, but the best thing you can do is throw something over the top, like a sheet.”

Vehicles require their own brand of attention. Things like antifreeze, scrapers, windshield de-icer and windshield cleaner become essential to have before the mercury drops.

“They should check that their washer fluid is up to level,” he said. “That’s one thing that people will miss.”

If snow and mud pile up on driveways and sidewalks, that’s not the only thing people will miss. Woolsey recommended getting a pair of extra boots.

And speaking of Boots…

Cats and dogs also require special care during the winter months. A press release from the Humane Society of Seattle and King County, recommended tips as simple as hitting the hood of your car before starting it, to make sure no cat napping in your engine gets hurt once you turn the key.

“Outdoor cats will climb under the hoods of cars for warmth, so be safe and bang loudly on the car’s hood,” the release stated.

Other tips include increasing a pet’s food supply, dressing your pet appropriately — especially short-haired dogs — watching for puddles of antifreeze that may poison a pet, and providing a warm, safe spot for Spot to sleep.

Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com.

But humans aren’t the only living things shaking off winter’s sedentary ways. Insects and rodents are waking up, too, and they are hungry.

Their search for food and warm spaces can take them into your house.

The carpenter ant can cause many headaches for homeowners. The insects begin swarming in spring, as they search for new nesting sites. Contributed

Alan LaBissoniere, owner of Frontier Pest Control in North Bend, has already been out on several calls dealing with springtime pests.

The main culprits people need to be wary of are carpenter ants, odorous house ants and wasps, according to LaBissoniere.

The animals — like carpenter ants — perform useful jobs in their natural habitat, which help dead wood decompose faster. But inside or around your home, wasps and ants can become pests. Carpenter ants are especially troublesome, because they can cause structural damage.

Unwanted visitors

The first step to pest control is determining whether you have an infestation. That ant you saw scurry across you floor — was it just out foraging for food or was it indicative of a nest in your home?

This step involves some detective work, and getting down on your hands and knees. LaBissoniere recommends homeowners check their homes for pest activity. Look around your basement or crawl space, check where plumbing and wiring come into the house, and inspect your attic and soffits under your eaves.

Seeing a few ants or other pests doesn’t necessarily mean you have a problem. But don’t ignore a sighting, either. Ants forage for food, and you might have simply seen a worker out doing its job. Seeing trails of ants or many winged ants indoors means a nest is likely inside.

Careful observation can reveal a nest. Carpenter ants are most active during the evening and early night. You can follow them by placing a red film over a flashlight — they can’t see red light. Leaving food out for them will make it easier to follow them.

Carpenter ants typically make their nests in wood. Some common areas for nests, according to Laurel Hansen, a biology professor at Spokane Falls Community College, are outside walls and voids, attics, ceilings and crawl spaces.

Insects in nests can sometimes be heard in walls. They make a soft rustling noise.

Finding a nest isn’t necessarily the end of the problem, though. Carpenter ants establish satellite nests, which send food back to the parent nest. These nests can be several hundred feet apart. In her research, Hansen found houses typically had one to three nests.

If you think you have two or more nests in your house, you have to find out whether they are from the same parent colony. Hansen suggests putting an ant from each trail in a jar. Ants with the same parent colony get along; ants from different parent colonies fight.

To really end the problem, all nests have to be destroyed or removed, and your house has to be sealed against future invasions.

Eliminating the source

If you have located a nest, you can target it directly with pesticides.

The National Pest Control Operator’s Association and the Washington State Pest Control Association recommend that nests be directly treated.

Pesticides should be applied as closely as possible to a nest. Apply pesticides in areas traveled by the ants, such as wiring and plumbing, which can function as highways for ants.

If pesticides cannot be directly applied near the nest, a 1/8-inch drill bit can be used to make holes in the wall through which an applicator wand can be used.

Ants unwittingly help in their of elimination by passing along pesticides to their colony mates.

“Ants are very social creatures. When they get into the nests, they are rubbing up against each other,” LaBissoniere said.

Another approach is to use a perimeter spray. This method is particularly useful if the nest cannot be located. It takes about 24 to 36 hours to take effect, but it can kill the parent and satellite colonies, he said.

(See sidebar, choosing the right pesticide.)

Preventing new infestations

If you have carpenter ants — or any pest infestation — it usually isn’t by accident. They found your house accommodating.

To prevent future infestations, make your house as uninviting as possible.

First, carpenter ants need moisture — especially damp wood — to survive. Replace any rotting or moist wood. Some common sources of damp wood in homes are:

• clogged gutters, which cause water to spill into soffits and down exterior walls;
• persistent window condensation, which creates damp frames;
• slow plumbing leaks; and
• faulty flashing.

Second, seal access points with caulk and expandable foam.

Third, properly store firewood. It should be off the ground and away from the house. Knock any insects off wood before bringing it inside.

Fourth, trim shrubs, bushes and trees back from your house. Vegetation next to a house can provide a way for ants and other pests to get inside. LaBissoniere recommends trimming everything back three feet.

Fifth, barrier treatments can be used as a preventive measure. Pesticides can be sprayed around a house and effective for 45 to 60 days, LaBissoniere said.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

Nests location

Frequency of locations, based on research by Laurel Hansen of the Camponotus modoc, the most common type of carpenter ant in Washington.

Inside

• Outside walls and voids — 35 percent
• Attic — 21 percent
• Ceilings — 19 percent
• Crawl spaces — 19 percent

Other sites (including interior walls, roof, sill plate, supports in crawl spaces and stacked lumber) — 6 percent

Outside

• Forest (within 50 meters) — 27 percent
• Live trees — 17 percent
• Dead trees, stumps or logs, buried wood — 16 percent
• Wood debris — 8 percent
• Decorative wood in landscape — 7 percent
• Stacked lumber — 3 percent
• Firewood — 3 percent

With small spaces, it only takes a little clutter to make it look messy. Sometimes, people find themselves overwhelmed by clutter, and they need help in sorting through it.

Cleaning up the clutter can give a living room a well-organized look. Contributed

Enter Shannon Guild, owner of TruSimplicity, a North Bend-based professional organizing service.

Guild says organizing space boils down to three key steps:

• Eliminate the clutter: Purge unneeded things until only items that are necessary or loved remain.
• Define the space: What is the purpose of the room? What is going to happen in this room? What things live in this room?
• Create storage space: Use functional, aesthetically pleasing storage. Storage systems should make it easier to put things away.

Of course, applying those three steps are often easier said than done. That is especially true with the first step.

Paring down

“The pare-down process is the most critical part,” Guild said.

But it can take time and be painful.

“It can be very overwhelming to organize a cluttered room. About 90 percent of my clients need some hand-holding” while purging their possessions, she said.

It is usually impossible to remove clutter without getting rid of things.

In sorting through items, a person must ask, is this item worth more to me than the goal of having an uncluttered space?

Guild said you will enjoy your home much more if it is filled only with items you either love or are absolutely necessary.

“To me, it all boils down to what’s used and what’s loved,” she said.

Keepsakes are fine, but don’t confuse personal significance with guilt. Sometimes, people hold onto presents that don’t really have any meaning because they feel bad about giving it away.

Guild has techniques for paring keepsakes down as well. Have a fine porcelain set that is a family heirloom but never use it? Keep one plate and frame it, and give away the rest. That way you can enjoy it, because it isn’t stuck in an attic, but it isn’t taking up room.

When clients aren’t sure about getting rid of a possession, Guild has another technique. She has them put the items in a bin. The bin goes in the garage. If they haven’t thought of the items after six months, out it goes.

Where their possessions go can make a big difference for some of her clients, Guild said.

She recommends people ask themselves:

• Do I want this item to go to family, Goodwill or some other charity?
• Can it be recycled, or does it need to be thrown out?

The answer can make the person feel better about giving the item away, she said.

Paring down possessions can be an exhausting and emotional process. Guild recommends people don’t do it for more than three hours at a time. But they must stick with it.

“The room always looks worse before it looks better,” she said.

Defining the space

With the pain of paring down in the rearview mirror, the next step is — thankfully — typically much easier. The space must be defined.

This step involves a few questions: What is the purpose of the room? What is going to happen in this room? What things live in this room?

Guild recommends storing things where you use them. The more something is used, the easier it should be access — and put away. So, if you like watching DVDs, keep them near your television. But if you only watch them once a month, they can go in a box in the closet.

Create storage space

The last step can be very difficult for people who don’t have an eye for maximizing space. But there are some basic guidelines that everyone can use, Guild said.

There are plenty of storage options out there, so finding the right one can be difficult. Customizing is usually the best option, but also the most costly, Guild said.

Never buy any storage items until you have pared down your possessions and defined the space. Those two steps play a big role in determining what is needed.

A storage system should make it easier to stay organized. It should be functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Bookcases can be dangerous, because they can become sources of clutter themselves. Putting boxes on the shelves can solve this problem, she said.

Storage units should conceal items, Guild said.

To stay organized, a person needs to set time aside each day to put things away. The storage system can help or hinder this step, Guild said and added that properly defining a space and storing things where they are used help the process.

Some people don’t even have 10 minutes a day to put things away. Guild suggests tossing everything in a big basket at the end of the day, and then put it all away when the basket is full.

The important thing is to set up a system for success. Guild said she hasn’t done her job if her client has to have her come back a year later.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

Well, reach for that spade, of course.

Gardening in the fall differs from gardening during the warmer months and we’re not just talking wardrobe.

We’re talking about how you take care of your plants and flowers, how you water them, how you protect them from frost.

Experts recommend mulching around the base of plants to keep the roots from freezing.

“You really need to protect the plant,” said Kitty Holland, nursery manager at North Bend’s Ace Hardware and Garden.

If the plant is in a pot, mulching is just as important, she added.

Watering is a different story.

“You should not water at all. Only water if there’s a spell of cold, dry weather,” said Matt Dowd, Ace Hardware and Garden’s lawn and garden manager.

Diana SanVenero is a Snoqualmie resident whose front and back yards are a tribute to her thoroughly green thumbs. Sedums, grasses and hydrangeas are a few of her leafy pals. The cool weather brings a different sort of beauty to her garden, she said.

“The sedums turn a beautiful rust color in the fall,” she said. “The nasturtium flower, they bloom all the way to the first frost.”

Ever the gardener, she digs raking leaves.

“I love to rake leaves. It’s just the joy of being outside,” she said.

She even digs digging.

“Digging in the dirt is kind of therapeutic for me,” she said.

A gardener for the past 20 years, she didn’t take the hobby up until she was 30.

Not everything has been joy. Over the years, she has had her share of weather-induced heartbreaks.

“I had a bush of rosemary and it died,” she said. “I had it for 20 years, close to the house, until we got that snow last year.”

Rosemary demises aside, SanVenero still finds plenty to love about gardening. When talking about spices, she spontaneously burst in to a bit of song, reciting the famous Simon and Garfunkel line from the song “Scarborough Fair.”

And why not? Over the years, the plants and flowers of her garden have brought joy to her senses and her heart. And let’s not forget her tummy.

“I make this sage butter that I put on ravioli,” she said. “It’s absolutely delicious.”

Sebastian Moraga, 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com.

Many clients of First Choice Carpentry are looking to add value to their homes and improve their energy efficiency, according to Max Capestany, the Issaquah-based company’s project specialist.

First Choice Carpentry founder John Capestany (right) talks with one of the company’s designers while working on a home remodel project. Contributed

The company has worked extensively in the Snoqualmie Valley, including framing houses on Snoqualmie Ridge.

The tight housing market has changed some homeowners’ plans, he said.

“Some had planned on getting a bigger house as their family expanded, but they can’t sell, so they’re adding another bedroom instead,” he said.

Other homeowners are taking advantage of tax credits to improve their houses’ energy efficiency and save on their heating bills. Some are just taking advantage of a buyers’ market.

While it will continue to be a buyers’ market for the near future, tax credits for energy improvements will go away soon. The credits in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008 expire at the end of the year.

Until then, homeowners can receive tax credit for installing Energy Star materials or appliances. The credit is up to 30 percent of the project’s cost or $1,500, whichever is lower.

Plenty of things have an Energy Star rating: windows, dishwashers, insulation, shingles and so on.

A home remodel project is a big commitment for a homeowner, and there are some things they should keep in mind, Capestany said.

The first question they should ask is “Who’s doing the work?”

“The temptation of every homeowner is to get caught up in the types of materials being used,” Capestany said. “What’s most important is who you have doing the work.”

Don’t just go for the cheapest contractor. Check out their credentials and track record first.

When a contractor comes out to look at your house, ask for references on the spot, Capestany said.

“Anyone who’s legit in this business has four or five references saved on their phone,” he said.

Ask for the person’s contractor license number, and look it up on the website for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry.

Check Angie’s List for customer reviews.

Talk to the contractor about how he or she does his or her work.

“Just taking time with the contractor in the home before any documents are signed” can save major headaches down the road, Capestany said.

If it is a general contractor, ask for a thorough energy-efficiency inspection of your house. This simple task can prevent a homeowner from wasting hundreds or thousands of dollars, he said.

Capestany recalled one house where the owner had installed an air conditioning unit because inside was sweltering hot in the summer.

The owner didn’t have a general contractor look at the house, which would have revealed that the attic was not properly ventilated and causing the house to heat up.

Walking around a house, Capestany said, he can quickly spot where a home is losing heat.

“Sometimes, I’ll go into a house and see 1970’s-era single-pane windows with aluminum casing,” he said. “When you stand next to the window, you can literally feel the cold air coming in.”

When crunching numbers, homeowners should consider a project’s cost versus the expected savings, Capestany said. Remodeling Magazine has useful cost-versus-value comparisons.

Seek information from professionals.

“Home shows are a great source of information,” he said.

Some homeowners are also taking advantage of the fact that it is a buyers’ market.

Ahren and Allie Johnson hired First Choice Carpentry to redo the exterior of their home in North Bend.

The project involved adding gutters, masonry work, a new entryway, new window trim and painting.

Because First Choice Carpentry was able to do all of the work, the couple was able to get price breaks.

“They got great bang for their buck,” Capestany said.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

On the Web

• Washington State Department of Labor and Industry: www.lni.wa.gov, search for “contractor”
• Angie’s List: www.angieslist.com
• Remodeling Magazine: www.remodeling.hw.net

“As the heating season approaches, consumers should consider making any needed repairs to furnaces now, so they are ready and operating efficiently when colder weather arrives,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services at PSE.

“It also is a good time to take advantage of our rebates for energy-efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps, boilers, natural-gas furnaces, water heaters and insulation products. A few simple measures to save energy will help lower energy costs.”

PSE offers the following checklist to consider when getting homes ready for cooler weather:

• Run the furnace to make sure it’s operating properly. Check for unusual odors or sounds, or warm, moist air escaping into the house from the furnace or vent pipe. If any of these problems exist, call a furnace technician.
• Check the chimney. Make sure it is not blocked by bird nests, leaves, dirt or obstructions that could prevent proper ventilation.
• Clean or replace dirty furnace filters. Change or clean monthly during the heating season. The furnace will run more efficiently and use less energy.
• Check filters monthly on heat pumps. Keep the indoor coil free of lint and dirt, and clean the outside coil at least twice a year.
• Check the vent pipe. Make sure the metal or plastic vent pipe is connected securely to the furnace and shows no signs of damage, soot, rust or corrosion.
• Keep furnace area clutter-free. Clean the area around the furnace to allow ventilation and prevent fire hazards. Never store corrosive or flammable materials on or near the furnace or vent pipe.

PSE recommends customers manage heating costs by taking these simple steps to be more energy efficient:

• Seal up leaky drafts around doors and windows with weather-stripping, caulking and door sweeps. Also seal up any leaks or gaps in furnace ducts that extend through unheated basements or crawl spaces.
• Reduce air leaks by repairing broken windows and using inexpensive weather-stripping around entry doors. Insulate attics, outside walls and floors over crawlspaces.
• Set the thermostat at the coolest level you can without making your rooms uncomfortable. For most homes, the heating bill drops by about 2 percent for every 1 degree the thermostat is lowered.
• Lower the thermostat at bedtime or while away during the day. Setting the thermostat to 58 degrees while asleep can cut a natural-gas bill by up to 7 percent.

Get additional tips about making homes more energy efficient for the winter heating season at www.PSE.com or call a PSE energy adviser at 800-562-1482 toll free from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Residents can receive rebates for buying energy-efficient appliances through the Cash for Appliances program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Only completed applications will be processed, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Commerce, which administers the program.

Applications with missing or incomplete information will be returned. Residents must submit their completed applications before funds run out.

The program has less than 20 percent of its funding still available.

So far, Cash for Appliances has given more than $4 million in rebates to more than 30,000 Washington residents who have purchased new, energy-efficient Energy Star appliances.

The program has generated more than $30 million in retail appliance sales in Washington, according to the news release.

“In addition to providing needed, local economic stimulus, more than 30,000 consumers who have so far claimed rebates through this program are benefiting from energy savings,” Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, said in the release.

Cash for Appliances offers cash rebates on Energy Star refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters and ductless heat pumps.

In many cases, consumers can receive additional incentives from their Washington gas or electric utility.

All Washington state residents are eligible for the program.

Complete program details are available at www.cashforapplianceswa.com.

Upcoming area home and garden shows:

Some of the best home and garden experts and vendors will show off their wares and their skills at these big shows around the Puget Sound in the coming months.

• Tacoma Fall Home and Remodeling Show, Oct. 28-31, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma. One-day tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors (weekdays only).

Children under 16 get in free. Free seminars include tile installation, painting techniques and fire safety. Go to www.otshows.com/shows/ths.

• Tacoma Home and Garden Show, Jan. 26-30, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma. One-day tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors. Children under 16 get in free. Get information about seminars and exhibitors at www.otshows.com/shows/ths.
• Seattle Home Show, Feb. 19-27, Qwest Field Event Center, 1000 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle. Get your questions about home projects answered by experts and vendors on hand. Go to www.seattlehomeshow.com.
• Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 23-27, Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place, Seattle.

Free seminars will explore year-round container gardening, environmentally-friendly gardening techniques and selecting trees, shrubs, vines and perennials best-suited for your garden, among other topics. Get details at www.gardenshow.com.

Puget Sound Energy encourages residents to call the 811 Call Before You Dig hotline to schedule a free utility locator service before digging for construction of a fence or deck, for planting trees and shrubs or removing a tree stump.

Residents, contractors and other excavators who failed to determine whether underground utilities have damage lines owned by PSE.

Last year, PSE experienced more than 1,000 incidents related to accidental dig-ups of 25,000 miles of underground natural gas lines and about 400 incidents to 9,960 miles of buried power lines.

State law requires utilities to be marked before all digging projects on private, public and commercial property can commence. Learn more at www.call811.com.

“Any scratch, dent or gouge to a natural gas pipe or nick to an underground electric line could become a safety hazard, and eventually ends up costing time and money to repair,”PSE Senior Vice President Sue McLain said.

The utility advises people to take several steps if digging damages buried natural gas pipes or electric systems: Quickly move a safe distance from the damaged line, call 911 after reaching a safe distance and then report the damage to PSE by calling 888-225-5773 toll free.

Rebates are available for homeowners looking to save a buck and be green.

With $5.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Cash for Appliances Washington program is giving rebates to residents who have purchased eligible Energy Star refrigerators and clothes washers.

The program began giving rebates to people who purchased energy efficient appliances after March 15 and will continue to do so on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.

Some local utilities are combining their rebates with the state program to help customers save more.

Puget Sound Energy customers can receive as much as $200 off the purchase of an energy-efficient clothes washer.

“Clothes washers that are more than 10 years old add an extra $135 per year in utility costs compared to a new Energy Star qualified model,” Rebecca Stillings, energy policy program manager for the Washington state Department of Commerce, said in a news release.

Purchasers need to complete a form, include appropriate documentation and mail it to Cash for Appliances Washington. Visit cashforapplianceswa.com for details.

PSE residential electric customers can qualify for one of three levels of utility rebates ($50, $75, $100) for premium-efficiency clothes washers that meet the energy and water efficiency standards of the WashWise program, a partnership of participating electric and water utilities.

Customers need to complete a form and mail it to the WashWise Clothes Washer Rebate Program. Visit www.PSE.com/rebates for details.

Several thousand chicks are sold every spring at The Grange Supply, with more and more customers getting into raising chickens for the first time. (Photo by Greg Farrar)

Where did your dinner today come from?

If you’re like Teresa Schomber, it could come from your own backyard.

“I plant everything so there’s a salad in the yard,” the Riverbend resident said.

While Schomber has been growing fruits and vegetables since she was a little girl, urban farming has become increasingly popular in recent years, and people are pushing its boundaries beyond a few tomato plants. Year-round vegetable, fruit and herb gardens, and chickens, goats and even bees are now being raised in people’s yards.

“The last couple years, we’ve seen a huge upsurge in people’s interest in growing food in the city,” said Liza Burke, communications director of Seattle Tilth, a nonprofit education group with classes in Seattle and Issaquah.

Such people come from all walks of life.

The demand for baby chicks “is crazy” at the Snoqualmie Feed Store, said Chris Wood, the store’s manager.

“I never really thought there was this many people in the Valley who had chickens, let alone people who want to start raising chickens,” he said.

The Grange Supply in Issaquah has seen a similar rise in demand, according to Susan Saadati, the company’s shipping manager.

“Most of our customers are new to chickens,” she said.

Many people might be intimidated at the idea of raising livestock or even just lima beans in their backyard, but anyone can be an urban farmer, experts said.

For the cluck of it

For all their clucking and pecking, chickens are low maintenance.

“They’re so easy, and then they give you back presents for your time and energy,” Saadati said.

The big time investment comes in building a coop, but one can easily be purchased from Snoqualmie Feed, the Grange or other suppliers in the area.

Some guidelines need to be followed when raising chicks, which need to be kept warm in a brooder, a small space like a rabbit cage or even a cardboard box lined with wood shavings.

Clean water and food has to be available, and the wood shavings should be changed every few days.

When they are older and have their feathers, they can be moved into a coop, which should be confined to protect them from predators and sometimes the family dog or cat.

Aside from food and water, little else is needed.

“They just do their chicken thing, which is scratching at the dirt and putting themselves to sleep” at night, Saadati said.

All you have to do, she said, is open the hen house in the morning, close the door at night, give them food and water every few days, and collect the eggs.

“Nothing beats a farm-fresh egg,” said Wood, who has raised chickens off and on his whole life.

There is a multitude of chicken breeds, which rise and fall in popularity over the years. The fad last year at the Grange, Saadati said, was for marans.

Others, like Rhode Island reds, are popular every year.

But the breed doesn’t really matter when it comes to laying eggs.

“They all lay really good eggs,” she said.

While all eggs taste the same, they certainly don’t look the same.

Marans lay dark brown eggs, while araucana’s lay bluish-green eggs.

Colored eggs can be a great way to interest children in chickens.

“If you come up with different color eggs, that is like Easter,” Saadati said.

Having children involved in raising chickens teaches them responsibility for another living animal and where their food comes from, she said.

For economy or hobby

Gardening doesn’t have to end when the weather starts to turn cold. A volunteer at Seattle Tilth’s community learning garden at Pickering Barn prepares a cold frame last fall. The hoops will be covered to create a mini-greenhouse, helping to extend the growing season. (Photo contributed by Seattle Tilth )

Schomber raises produce because it is what she has always done.

It doesn’t hurt that the food she harvests saves money and tastes better.

Two 4-foot by 6-foot garden boxes produced enough food for five adults and one child, with plenty to give to neighbors, she said.

It doesn’t take much time either.

“You spend 10-15 minutes in the evening, get your hands in the dirt and get back to reality,” she said.

Knowing where food comes from is one reason many people have taken up urban farming, Burke said.

But she’s heard a wide variety of reasons from customers at Seattle Tilth.

Some do it to save money. For others, it is a hobby. Some say food tastes better when they grow it. Increasingly, people tell her they are interested in eating locally.

“People are concerned about where their food comes from,” said Laura Matter, a volunteer with Seattle Tilth who helps tend to the group’s garden at Pickering Barn.

Matter also answers the group’s garden question hotline, and said in the past two years she’s spoken to an increasing number of people in their 20s who are starting gardens.

Breaking ground on a garden can be intimidating.

“It can be pretty bewildering, because there’s so much to know,” she said.

First-time gardeners need to start small and first focus on building healthy soil. A soil analysis can be done through the King County Conservation District for a nominal fee.

Based on the results, the soil should be supplemented, if needed, to ensure it is the right mix of mineral content (nonchemical fertilizer), organic matter (compost), air and water. The right combination supports a healthy community of microorganisms, which help plants grow.

Schomber has some local advice to add: Don’t plant cucumbers until the snow is off Mount Si, and plant peas to harvest by mid June or early July, otherwise moths will lay eggs in them.

Deciding what to grow

Katie Pencke demonstrates pruning a tomato plant for students at Seattle Tilth’s community learning garden at Pickering Barn. Pruning is a valuable skill that helps maximize a plant’s production and keeps it healthy. (Photo contributed by Seattle Tilth )

After that, Matter said, a gardener should sit down and think about what he or she eats, and plant that.

“You don’t want to end up with a ton of cherry tomatoes if you don’t really like tomatoes,” she said.

Once the garden is going, it is like having a fresh produce stand outside.

“As you get into the (peak) season, you’re basically picking dinner,” Matter said, adding, “You could have essentially a whole salad growing outside your house.”

One nice perk of a garden is you can pick only what you need, meaning no more uneaten vegetables going bad in the refrigerator.

A garden doesn’t require much space either. Matter’s yard is mostly shaded, so she grows a few plants in containers and also tends a p-patch.

While gardening does require some small time commitment, you don’t need a lot of time or a green thumb to do it.

It is also something that can be done year round in the Pacific Northwest.

“When you pull something out, you put something back in,” Matter said.

Gardening never grows old, either.

“There’s always something new to learn, and that’s what keeps it fun,” Burke said.

It can also be fun for the whole family.

“For kids, it can be lots of fun playing in the dirt outside and with critters,” she said.

Resources

• Snoqualmie Feed Store, 9055 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 425-888-7711
• Seattle Tilth: www.seattletilth.org
• Seattle Tilth’s garden hotline: 206-633-0224
• Seattle Urban Farm Co.: www.seattleurbanfarmco.com
• King County Conservation District: www.kingcd.org
• The Grange Supply, Issaquah: www.grangesupplyinc.com
• Backyard chicken forum: www.backyardchickens.com

Local Resources

View Snoqualmie Valley urban farming resources in a larger map
 

Popular crops by season

• Winter/late winter: Kale, cabbages, collards, leeks, carrots
• Spring: Lettuce, arugula, spinach, chard, green onions, radishes
• Summer: Greens and root crops, potatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, garlic
• Late summer/fall: Tomatoes, winter squash, pumpkins, parsnips, bok choy, radishes, lettuce

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

A gravel pathway winds through a flowering garden designed by horticulturist Kathy Nielsen. (Photo contributed)

The Snoqualmie house was angular, in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture.

Its large, rectangular window gave views of both Mount Si as well as the garden, and though its owners agreed the view of Mount Si was magnificent, they knew something had to be done about the backyard.

They had just moved in October, and with spring approaching, the yard was a fertile zone for landscaping their dream garden.

“I had the winter to think about the garden, and I really didn’t want grass,” said Ann Acton, surveying the green expanse through her living room window. “I don’t want to have to mow it, I want to have something more than just green and brown. It’s just too boring.”

The house was full of right angles, except for the curvy patio outside.

She wanted her garden to curve like the patio, to have long grasses such as Mexican feather grass, that, like on a prairie, would bend in the Snoqualmie wind.

“The house has very strong angles, so it needs things that will soften it,” Acton said.

She met Kathy Nielsen through the Snoqualmie Valley chapter of the Master Gardeners program and soon enlisted in her landscape services.

Nielsen (left) and Acton check out parts of Acton’s yard, which she wants to spruce up, figuratively speaking. (Photo by Laura Geggel)

“I love plants, but I need someone else with a different landscape perspective,” Acton said.

Nielsen, a tall, blue-eyed brunette with an affinity for native plants, received her horticulture degree from Iowa State University and has taken landscape classes at South Seattle Community College.

She briefly lived in Alabama, where she received a degree in occupational therapy.

Massaging hands paid the bills, but she got serious again about plants when she, her husband and son moved to North Bend in 2000 and she started Trillium Garden Design.

Joining the King County Master Gardeners program gave her a gateway into landscaping, in addition to several clients.

Like Acton, she saw the potential of shaping the garden around the curvy patio.

The two leafed through magazines looking for plants they thought would fit the yard, much like teenage girls flip through magazines looking for new fashions.

Acton talked with Nielsen about what kinds of plants she liked, what sort of recreation she wanted (it turned out Acton wanted a fire pit, a pond and maybe even a greenhouse, “so it’s a little retreat out there,” she said), her price range and Nielsen drew three potential concept plans accordingly.

The plans take native flora and fauna — the butterflies, wrens, robins and deer — into account.

Nielsen prefers deer resistant plants, which are prickly or smelly like rosemary or lavender.

She also likes coneflower, which can feed birds in the winter once the flower dies but leaves its seeds for eating.

Acton thanked Nielsen for her practical work.

“If you call a landscape designer, a lot of times it’s just extravagant stuff,” Acton said. “I wanted to be able to do something myself so I understand the design.”

Acton (left) and Nielsen joke as they review the landscape plans for Acton’s new house on Snoqualmie Ridge. (Photo by Laura Geggel)

Kathy Nielsen’s landscape design tips

•  Splurge on a few large trees or shrubs for a new landscape to give it some structure in the early years.
• A common design mistake is too many unusual plants.
• ‘Right plant, right place’ is a key point in landscape design. Be aware of a plant’s ultimate size and plan accordingly.
• Use a low soggy spot in the garden to your advantage by creating a rain garden.
• Winter is a good time to re-evaluate your garden. If there is no winter interest, it may be time to consult with a landscape designer.

Landscaping process

• Consultation, questionnaire, and site mapping.
• Conceptual plan review and preliminary plant selection
• Delivery of master plan, plant list and installation notes

On the Web

• Follow Kathy Nielsen on Twitter: @nwgardentips
• Visit her website at trillium-garden-design.com.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.

Homeowners can get a $75 rebate from Cash for Appliances Washington on new, Energy Star refrigerators if they recycle their old refrigerator.

PSE customers can get their old refrigerator picked up by the Appliance Recycling Centers of America.

For a fee, ARCA will pick up old refrigerators and provide the required recycling verification needed to obtain the $75 state rebate.

PSE electric customers who would like to recycle their old refrigerator can schedule a pick-up time with ARCA by calling 1-866-416-6331 toll free.

PSE customers who have secondary refrigerators or freezers can get $30 from PSE if they recycle them.

To learn about other PSE rebates and incentives, including Energy Star qualified light bulbs and fixtures, and upgrades to windows and insulation, call a PSE energy advisor at 1-800-562-1482 toll free, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit www.PSE.com.

Home theaters — or media rooms — can be customized to fit a person’s particular tastes. This one has a ceiling-mounted film projector and a television for video games. Contributed

Snoqualmie Valley-resident and businessman David Gray can remember a time when a mainstay of family entertainment involved going to a movie theater. Now, he runs a business that brings the movie theater to people’s homes.

Gray started in the entertainment business 31 years ago, installing big screen televisions and sound systems at nightclubs and sports bars. His business switched to home theater installations in the 1990s. People going to sports bars to watch football started to want the same high-end television systems in their homes, Gray said.

Residential developers noticed that homes that already had home theaters — or media rooms as they are also called — sometimes sold quicker than homes without those amenities, Gray said.

Another trend that helped his business was the growing popularity of the “man cave” – a room where men retreat to watch sports or play video games with their friends. Gray has seen the concept carried to the extreme. He once worked on a project where the client wanted four separate rooms outfitted with big screens and surround-sound stereo systems, so the homeowner and his friends could play multiplayer videogames, such as “Halo.”

During the housing boom, Gray’s Master Theater Builders did brisk business, installing home theaters, surveillance systems and automated control systems in homes throughout the Puget Sound area. The automated control systems are becoming a bigger part of his business, Gray said.

With automated control systems, homeowners can program their thermostats to lower temperatures during the day when the house is empty, or set the blinds to close to reduce glare when the television is turned on. Programmable systems for automatic blinds and sprinklers have existed for years, but recently. the control systems for these devices have been integrated, Gray said.

“Technology is finally getting to a place where it is really useful to people in everyday situations,” he said.

contributed

Piles of black-and-gray remotes may litter most coffee tables, but now, one remote can do many things. New technology also helps ease conflicts between family members over remote settings, Gray said. Husbands, wives and children can have their own user settings on the remote.

One of Gray’s goals is to help people remove the clutter that often comes with technology.

Control systems can be stored in closets or pantries where they are out of sight and do not take up living space. Keeping clutter out of the way and in one location is not only more visually pleasing, but also reduces the chance of damage, he said.

Gray has hidden televisions behind paintings on walls and speakers inside granite countertops.

Home security systems are becoming a bigger part of his business, and are also being integrated with remotes and technology, such as iPhones. It’s possible for someone to check security cameras from their iPhone or turn on lights inside before getting out of the car, Gray said.

When the market for new houses dried up, so did a large part of Gray’s home theater business. Many are nervous about making big-ticket purchases like home theaters, he surmised.

Gray recently merged his company Master Theater Builders with a former competitor to create Sound ‘N Theater.

Gray used to not take jobs where a homeowner buys a television and just needs help setting up the system. Now he will help install those systems if the homeowner will buy stereo components or other equipment from him, he said.

He said he hopes that people will take advantage of new technology to make life easier and more entertaining.

Reach a reporter: editor@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434, ext. 246.

Heat can escape and cold air can enter a home from a variety of cracks and surfaces, some of which aren’t always obvious to a homeowners.

Gary Wood, of Applied Performance Technologies Inc., expanded his business into energy audits in the past year. He has been a home improvement contractor for 25 years and his business is a certified member of Home Performance Washington.

“I’ve been aware of energy issues for years,” he said. “Many of these houses were spending 25 percent of their operating costs on their energy budget.”

The first step in the audit is to determine what the homeowner is looking for, what type of savings he or she is trying to realize. Then, he helps find trouble areas in the home, from drafty spots to the worst heat exchange locations. The inspection covers the home from top to bottom, from the attic to the crawl spaces.

“In the past, houses were built pretty leaky,” he said. “But energy costs were so cheap, it wasn’t a big concern at the time.”

Home designers, such as Shirey Contracting, have been aware of building science for a long time, such as creating a closed envelope for air flow and managing the air within that envelope.

The difference is these days they’re offering energy audits to measure it.

Owner Donna Shirey said the business uses modern technology to show where problem spots are within a home.

The technology Shirey uses to find problem spots in a home includes smoke sticks that locate currents of air coming into a home; thermal energy guns that show in a scale of colors the heat loss occurring; and blower doors, which suck air out of a sealed home to better locate leaky spots.

The energy audit, Shirey added, can also help locate bad air entering the home.

“We had one home where gas from the water tank was causing a backdraft, which can be a safety and health issue,” she said.

“Invasive species can devastate our native plants and animals,” said Chris Christopher, chair of the council. “If left unchecked, they can change how Washington looks and what wildlife lives here, and devastate farming, fishing and other businesses that depend on this state’s natural resources. They also can affect where and how people can recreate in the state’s lakes, rivers and Puget Sound.”

The creation of the toll-free hotline, 1-877-9-INFEST, is one of a series of actions being taken by the council and its partners to combat invasive species. The council also has revamped its Web site at www.invasivespecies.wa.gov and created posters in state parks and other materials to help educate the public about what they can do to help stop invasions.

“We hope this telephone number and Web site will encourage citizens, gardeners, boaters, hikers and others who are outdoors to tell us when they spot an invasive species, so we can stop it before it has a chance to spread,” Christopher said.

People are encouraged to call the hotline or report online if they see a new plant, insect or animal in their neighborhood or know of someone smuggling plants into the country or releasing pets, such as snakes or aquarium fish, into a stream or park. The Web site also has photographs and stories about invasive species, as well as links to many resources for combating their spread.

In today’s crowded buyer’s market, it’s not what you do to the inside of your home that matters. What counts is curb appeal, what your house looks like from the outside. Upgraded siding, wood replacement windows or a new wood deck can bring would-be buyers to your door, but don’t count on getting the heady 90 percent or better return on your investment that up until recently helped define the seller’s market.

That’s borne out in the results of the 10th annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value study conducted by Hanley Wood LLC, a company that monitors and reports on housing and construction industry trends. The study, available online at www.costvsvalue.com, compares remodeling costs with resale values in 60 markets nationwide.

The results, covering 29 typical midrange and upscale remodeling projects in nine U.S. regions, are based on information gleaned from remodeling contractors and suppliers and nearly 3,000 National Association of Realtors sales agents, brokers and appraisers who responded to an e-mail survey. Supplied with project descriptions, construction costs and median home prices for each city, they were asked to estimate the value the remodeling projects would add to a house at resale in the current market.

“Realtors visit hundreds, if not thousands, of homes with their buyer-clients each year, and have a unique understanding of what home buyers value in their local markets,” explained NAR senior public affairs associate Stephanie Singer, who tracks consumer trends. “They have insight into what projects really make a difference in the buyer’s eyes, when it comes to remodeling.”

The study found that nationally, homeowners who spent about $10,000 to $13,000 to replace existing siding with upscale products made of fiber-cement or foam-based vinyl recouped 88 percent of the cost when the home was sold. Adding a $10,000 wood deck or allotting $12,000 to about $20,000 for wood window replacements returned 85 percent and 81 percent, respectively.

The only interior project returning more than 80 percent of its cost was minor kitchen remodeling. While there are regional price differences, nationally, home sellers recouped 83 percent of an average $21,185 outlay to update an outmoded kitchen, redoing countertops, replacing cabinet doors and pulls with raised panel wood fronts and new hardware. An energy-efficient wall oven and cooktop, a mid-priced sink and faucet, a new laminate floor, repainting trim and wallpapering are included in the cost.

Ironically, even though the recoup rate is 78 percent of what is spent, a $16,000 midrange bathroom-remodeling project continues to be popular among home sellers.

That kitchen and bath remodeling and other home improvements have declined in value has not gone unnoticed by kitchen and bath industry expert Ed Pell, manager of market research for the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Pell pointed out that as recently as 2005, 10 of 22 projects tracked in the annual Cost vs. Value Report returned more than 90 cents on the dollar. That hasn’t stopped the home remodeling industry from growing, Pell said. In 2007, homeowners spent $70.2 billion on remodeling bathrooms, a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year. The number of kitchen remodeling projects was up, too.

Bargain-hunting home-buyers would do well to talk to a home improvement contractor before they make an offer. Most remodelers will offer a professional opinion free of charge.

Source: Copley News Service

Yet, most of us have a lot riding on our roofs. If they should fail, much of what we hold dear would be exposed to rain water and the elements.

So, for the comfort of ourselves, our families and to protect our valuables and belongings, it makes sense to perform an inspection at least twice a year on our underappreciated roofs and their associated roofing systems.

Many experts recommend performing these inspections in spring and fall. In the spring, you should look for damage caused by severe winter weather. In autumn after the leaves have fallen, you should make sure they have been removed from your gutters and ensure that your roof is in shape to protect you from severe winter weather.

Experts, such as television handyman Bob Vila, and Steve Thomas, who writes for This Old House Magazine, recommend getting out the ladder and climbing up for a closer look. If you are averse to ladders, or your roof is pitched at a severe angle, making walking on it too difficult, the next best thing is to use a pair of binoculars.

The objective of performing an annual roof inspection is threefold: to determine if the roof is performing according to its intended function; to identify signs of weakness, deterioration or hazard; and to identify needed repairs.

A visual survey should include:

• Looking for holes, sagging, or other signs of deterioration of the roof’s underlying foundation.
• An examination of shingles or other roofing material for cracks, tearing or peel-back. You should check for other signs of aging, such as blistering, delaminating seams and granule loss.
• An investigation of sheet-metal flashings. These are usually found around vents, chimneys and rooftop air-conditioning systems.
• An examination of drains and gutters. Downspouts filled with leaves and other debris can cause water to back up into gutters and to seep under roofs.q Pay special attention to any portion of the roof that faces south. Constant sun and heat have been identified as particularly damaging to most roofing materials.
• Performing housekeeping duties, such as cleaning roof drains, replacing misplaced drain covers, removing debris, sealing seam voids, caulking where needed and filling pitch pans.

Another important time to inspect your roof is after exceptionally windy weather. High winds can peel back and break off shingles. The relentless force can cause the underlying structure to fatigue or bend.

If your inspection reveals damage or wear that requires repairs, schedule them as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary costs due to water intrusion.

When we do look at our roofs, the roofing material we see the most — the one that covers the roofs of a great majority of houses — is the standard three-tab asphalt shingle.

Asphalt shingles being produced today are usually guaranteed for 20 or 30 years, making them an excellent value.

Yet, in time, shingles must be replaced. It is a good idea to keep records of when your roof was last replaced, and of any repairs you have made. Also, keep warranties for roofing materials or workmanship.

The next upgrade from a standard three-tab is a thicker variation called an architectural shingle. These shingles are built up to be about twice as thick as the more common ones, with the layers staggered to give them a heavier, more substantial look.

Another common roofing material is wood shake shingles. Prohibited by building codes in some areas of the country, especially the West, because of fire danger, their looks are hard to beat. For all their great looks, however, they do require periodic maintenance.

A properly installed and maintained wood roof should last at least 30 to 50 years.

Source: Copley News Service

Various low-cost weather-sealing products can save money on your monthly energy bill. Various low-cost weather-sealing products can save money on your monthly energy bill. Various low-cost weather-sealing products can save money on your monthly energy bill. Photo by Christopher HuberPhoto by Christopher Huber

But the average person doesn’t necessarily save tons of money on their power bill from buying expensive “green” homes or installing all new windows around the house, according to local experts.

The expensive options — like triple-paned windows or energy-efficient appliances —certainly will save money in the long run — from 7 percent to 24 percent, according to Energy Star.

For those who can’t wait or can’t afford to, there are a few quick, low-cost options for weatherproofing their homes for the looming cold weather.

“How much do you want to pay Puget Sound Energy?” asks Sammamish Ace Hardware manager John Sullivan.

“If you can save $5 a month, it’s worth it. And you only paid $15 for the supplies,” he said.

First, if you’re worried about those old windows leaking cold air, seal them off from the inside with a clear plastic insulation kit.

Local hardware stores carry varying sizes from patio sliding doors to small bathroom windows.

The kit comes with adhesive tape and the plastic sheet. Directions are simple and on the back of the box. All you need is a hair dryer to shrink the plastic around the window.

“You need two people to put it up,” Sullivan says.

He says it’s a basic method that’s easy to do and it can save a family $50-$100 over the winter.

In addition to sealing your windows from the inside, seal them on the outside with various weatherproof tapes, foams, felts or all-purpose caulking.

For between $3.50 and $10, you can add an extra seal on a couple of windows or doors around the house.

Another easy weather-sealing method is to check the weather stripping (or threshold seals) on each of your home’s doors. A $5 piece of rubber stripping at any of the local hardware stores will help keep that chilly draft from seeping under the door.

Less draft means less cranking up the thermostat.

For those ready to purchase new windows, the federal government offers a federal tax credit of up to $1,500 for qualified windows, doors and skylights.

Other ways to reduce your monthly energy bill: Sullivan says replace your furnace filter in October, January and March. A clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, allowing it to push air through without getting bogged down.

“With a little effort, you can save some money,” Sullivan says.

Reporter Christopher Huber: 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.snovalleystar.com.