Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Snow clearing can be a very strenuous job, even with the help of a snowblower. If you aren t physically able to do it or just don t want to ever again, you should look into the latest in snow melting technology. The simplest way out is the manually applied de-icing solution. Applied before a snowfall, it keeps light snow from accumulating. It can last a week or two, but you have to stay on top of it. Heated driveways, the envy of some neighborhoods, can cost between $10 to $15 a square foot to install. One type is the hydronic system that runs heated water mixed with anti-freeze under the driveway surface and requires a boiler and controls. Proper installation is crucial as a leak can compromise the whole system. The other type is an electric radiant system, which uses low-voltage mats under the driveway surface and can be purchased as smaller roll-out mats for walkways that must be kept clear at all times. Either type of system can be controlled manually, which works if someone is home to turn it on before the snow falls. But because snow is such a good insulator, late starts can keep a system from working at all. Automated controls are more expensive but work best as they turn themselves on when they sense the right moisture and temperature. Heated driveways cost about 25 cents a square foot per month to operate, depending on your climate and electric rate. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Take a look around your home. The landscaping can be attractive but is it as safe as it can be in the event of a natural disaster? Every year falling trees and limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage as well as personal injuries and deaths. In Orlando it's estimated that more than 20,000 trees were lost in that city alone due to Hurricane Charley. Whether it's a hurricane, tornado, ice storm or wildfire - trees that are old, weak, diseased, not properly maintained or just in the wrong place can be a dangerous hazard to your home. But there are ways to protect your home and family from damage and injury caused by trees. Here are some suggestions. Choose the Right Tree Some varieties of trees are more prone to storm damage than others. Thousands of homes have been damaged because nearby trees were wrong for the soil or region where they were planted. A strong wind can easily topple a shallow rooted tree growing in soft soil. City foresters, county extension offices, local nurseries and landscape firms can provide advise on tree selection for your area and soil conditions. Learn how to care for your trees Regular and proper pruning can strengthen the health and vitality of your trees. Removal of dead, diseased or damaged parts of the tree will also stop the spread of disease and harmful insects that can significantly weaken or destroy your tree. Avoid pruning branches flush to the tree. Doing so removes not only the limb but part of the trunk, opening the tree to possible decay or insect damage. Learn how to spot potential problems early Homeowners are the first line of defense against problem trees - regularly check for signs of damage or disease including: Cracks in the trunk or major limbs Insect infestations Trees that look one-sided or that lean significantly Branches hanging over the house or near the roof Limbs in contact with power lines Mushrooms growing from the bark signaling decay Crossing branches that rub or interfere with each other Tree care professionals including arborists, can examine trees for more subtle signs of weakness and take care of problems including pruning limbs that may be too big or too high for a homeowner to take down safely. Plant with Wildfire in Mind In recent years, thousands of homes have been burned and lives lost because of wildfire and in many cases improper landscaping has contributed to the problem. In areas of wildfire risk, landscaping should be considered an essential part of fire protection. Create a defensible space around your home using this rule - clear at least 30 feet around your home, 50 feet if your are in a heavily wooded area or 100 feet if you live on a hillside. Plant fire resistive, native vegetation. Space trees at least 10 feet apart. Remove dead or dying trees. Keep trees properly pruned. Branches of mature trees should be at least 6 feet from the ground and shrubs under the trees should be no more than 18 inches high. Trim branches so they don't extend over the roof or near the chimney. Properly dispose of cuttings and debris. Plant with Crime in Mind Burglars enter a home in the United States every five seconds. You can avoid becoming a statistic by making sure your home doesn't look like a target of opportunity. Trim shrubs and trees back to avoid a hidden entry into your home and trim lower limbs of trees that could help a thief climb into a second story window.

Metal roofing has long been associated with agricultural and industrial buildings; but these days, new sytems designed for residential use are becoming enormously popular. These standing-seam steel shingles are coated to resist corrosion and can withstand high winds, rain, snow, and ice. Installation is easy, and there is no welding involved; you just attach them to the roof with metal clips and screws.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While you were having fun in the sun this summer, it was no vacation for your house. Sun, wind and rain can cause as much wear and tear as snow and ice. A fall checklist will tip you off to some problems before they become nasty mid-winter surprises. Check your house from top to bottom. Start by inspecting the roof with binoculars: Are your shingles worn or failing? Check the attic for signs of leaks around the skylights or vents, chimneys, and have your chimney cleaned once a year. Clear out your gutters and check for leaks there, too. Drain your outside hose spigots if you live where pipes can freeze. Switch your screens for storm windows, and seal any drafty windows and doors. The same goes for paint and siding: make sure you caulk or repair those gaps around windows, doors, trim and vents, and replace any siding that is failing. In the basement, check for dampness on the floor and walls, test your sump pump, flush your water heater and check for any signs of leakage. Clean your dryer vent regularly. Make sure that paints or any flammable materials are stored away from heat sources in a closed metal cabinet. And make that appointment to have your heating system serviced yearly. Do the top-to-bottom check this fall, and you ll avoid expensive surprises this winter! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Since 1999 Renovation Experts has helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners locate and hire a local residential remodeling contractor. Renovation Experts is a premium network of over thousands of remodeling contractors, who carry out bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, attic and roof

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