today's home - 2015 spring today's homes

www.kentreporter.com [1]March 20, 2015Supplement to the Federal Way Mirror, Auburn Reporter, Covington Maple Valley Reporter and Kent Reporter

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTToday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sToday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEoday’soday’soday’sHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOME

Spring 2015

[2] March 20, 2015 Today’s HOME SPRING 2015

• Window Replacement• Repairs• Decks• Siding

• Roo� ng

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HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOME

[3]March 20, 2015Today’s HOMESPRING 2015

A home improvement project such as new roof, siding, windows or gutters is very exciting. Spring has sprung and the time has come for home transformations to begin! The work performed on your home will transform its appearance and add value to your home. It is a very rewarding experience in most cases IF you take the proper steps to make sure you hire the right contractor for your project. In a day and age when 80% of local contractors go out of business in the � rst two years and labor warranties are voided, it is of the upmost importance to prequalify your potential contractors. As a responsible local home improvement contractor we have put together a list of questions and instructions you can follow that will help to ensure you have a positive contractor experience.

Are they licensed, bonded and insured? It is critical that your roofer carry these credentials. If they do not have the proper

insurance you will be legally responsible for any injuries that take place on your property. Ask them for a copy of their current insurance. Most contractors will not have a problem providing this information. You can verify a company’s credentials on the L&I website at: http://www.lni.wa.gov

How long have they been in business?Industry statistics show that 80% of roo� ng contractors go out of business in their � rst

few years. What does this mean to you? If a contractor is not in business they are no lon-ger responsible for their workmanship warranty. Simply put, you are not covered. When hiring a roo� ng contractor in Washington State you should make sure they have been in business for at least 5 years. At the 5 year mark a contractor has proven they can operate a business and have navigated through the challenges that sink many other companies.

Do they have a list of references from previous customers that you can check?There are many different types of roo� ng. Some contractors have crews that specialize

in all types of roo� ng while others might lack experience with certain material types. If you are having material such as wood shakes, metal roo� ng, concrete tile or slate put on your roof it is very important that the potential contractor can provide you with a list of jobs that they have successfully installed with this material.

Does the contractor have a legitimate place of business?

A very good question to ask your potential contractor is if they have a physical of� ce or legitimate place of business as many work out of their garage or rent a month to month storage locker. If they have a physical of� ce this indicates that they are � nancially sound and have the � nancial capital to operate a substantial business. It also shows a level of permanency and long term commitment from the contractor. A business that operates out of a truck has a much easier time closing their doors if things are going wrong. They also do not have the � nancial responsibility of making sure they keep their of� ce pay-ments up to date so the chances of them missing in action increase. A lot of times you can also verify this on the Labor and Industries website as many will just have a PO Box number as their address.

Check online reviews from various sources including manufacturer sites.Fortunately for us all we live in the era of un� ltered online feedback. Review of sites

such as Google, BBB and an independent site like GuildQuality.com have detailed reports on local contractors and the level of performance they provide for their customers. Some of the most credible review sites are certi� ed contractor programs from industry leaders such as GAF, the nation’s largest roo� ng manufacturer. They provide a customer review report to each homeowner to � nd out how their contractor partners are doing. Those results are posted on the roofers master elite page. Checking each of these resources will provide a very well rounded idea of how consumers felt about their experience with a particular roofer. Another valuable referral source is thru the Roo� ng Contractors Association of Washington which you can reach at 253-282-9823 and ask for good roof-ing companies to pick from.

As a local roo� ng and exterior home improvement company we feel responsible to make sure every homeowner is protected. We hope you � nd great value in the informa-tion we provided. If you have an upcoming roo� ng, siding, window or gutter project please consider contacting us for a no obligation project estimate. You will � nd our sales staff to be both well informed and courteous. Thank you for considering us for your next project! Best wishes from our family to yours.

John Holum, President TriState Roo� ngPresident Roo� ng Contractors Association of Washington

How to safely hire a Washington roofer

Spring 2015

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTToday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sTToday’sTTToday’sToday’sToday’sTTToday’sToday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’soday’sSpring 2015

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www.kentreporter.com[2] March 20, 2015

• Window Replacement• Repairs• Decks• Siding

• Roo� ng

800-270-7544

1901 Center St. Tacomawww.tristate.pro

Financing available with $0 DownSee what people are saying on guildquality.com

LICENSED • BONDED •INSUREDTRISTE1903P7 & TRISTI*931QH

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President of Roo� ng Contractors Association of Washington

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Spring 2015



Over 1OO,OOO tile options, and we’ll help you find the

perfect one.Our new retail showroom is open to homeowners, designers, and contractors.

Stop by to see thousands of products: from durable floor tiles to sleek shower tiles, from decorative accents for kitchen backsplashes to beautiful granite, marble, and quartz for your countertops...

We offer complimentary in-store design assistance and professional installation advice.

Whether you plan to install your new shower, floor, or backsplash yourself or if you’re just supervising, we have the experience and the knowledge to guide you through your project!

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Tile Lines

253.872.0449

1531 Central Ave SKent, WA 98032

Open Mon–Fri 7–6:30, Sat 9–5

[email protected]

TileLines.com Auburn

S 277th St

S Kent Des Moines RdWillis St

HW

Y 167

Central A

ve S / E Valley H

wy / 83rd Ave S

Downtown Kent

1256513

Welcome to Tile Lines…What project are you working on?

We’re a family-owned retail tile and stone showroom located in Kent, Washington. We pro-vide a wide range of quality products to homeowners, designers, and contractors from Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, and the greater King County area. We have a great selection of porcelain tiles, granite and marble tile for � oors and countertops, travertine tiles for showers, � oors, and backsplash projects. We can help you order solid surface countertops in granite, marble, and quartz. We have many decorative glass, metal, and stone tile and mosaic options on display. In-store designers can assist with ideas and product selection and answer many installation-related questions. We stock many installation supplies, including thinset mor-tar and grout, as well as shower waterproo� ng kits such as Wedi and Schluter Kerdi. Unlike the big box home improvement stores, we deal exclusively with tile and tile products; so we have consistently better selection, better information, and better customer service. Stop by today and see what’s in store!

Start your Project & Get Inspired!Allow us to guide you through your next tile or countertop project! Whether you need a

kitchen countertop with a coordinating backsplash or are replacing your bathtub with a walk-in shower, we can provide installation advice, design assistance, and one of the biggest selections of tile and stone in the Northwest.

We o� er complementary design assistance! Our talented sta� can help you choose the right tiles, countertops, and decorative pieces to � t your style and your home. We also have numerous in-store design boards, product samples, and idea books that can help with the design process.

Frequently Asked Questions about our Products:

Why can’t I buy any products on your website? Tile and stone can look extremely di� erent on a computer screen than they do in real life. We strongly recommend you see the color and feel the texture of a tile in person before buying. Choosing a product that you’ll live with for 10+ years without seeing it in person is like buying a new car without taking it for a test drive!We may, in the future, sell non-design items such as thinset and tools on our website and have them available for delivery or in-store pick-up. Subscribe to our quarterly email newsletter, to keep up to date on our latest website and product developments.

I found a tile/stone at another store. Can you order it for me? More o� en than not, yes! We work with over 30 di� erent tile distributors, hundreds of tile manufacturers, and can order over 100,000 tile and stone products. Contact us with the name of the product and when and where you saw it, and we’ll be able to tell you if we can get it and how much it would cost. However, if a man-made product has been discontinued, is exclusive to another retailer (such as a Home Depot or Lowe’s), or is unavailable in our region, we might not be able to order it.When looking for natural stone products from several di� erent sources; so even if Company A stopped carrying a product, Company B might still have it. We always recommend seeing a sample of the current batch of any natural stone mate-rial in person, due to the high variation inherent in the product. � e stone sample you saw three months ago might look very di� erent from a current sample from the exact same company or quarry.

I have a tile I’m trying to match, can you help? We’ll certainly try! At least once a week, a homeowner comes to us with a broken piece of tile from a damaged shower or an old � oor and asks if we can order it or something like it.Occasionally, we can track down the manufacturer and order more of the exact same tile. But if the tile is out of production or completely unavailable, we’ll let you know up front and recommend alternatives.

Submitted by Darrell Helbling, owner of Tile Lines, website www.tilelines.com.


Spring 2015



INTERIOR ♦ EXTERIOR ♦ RESIDENTIAL ♦ COMMERCIALTransform your

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Exterior Painting Preparation Tips for Home Owners

We are ProTect Painters, a full-service, interior and exterior painting company. We believe in helping oth-ers fully realize the pride and joy of home ownership. We, not only treat our customers like family, ProTect Painters treats your home like it was our own, by � nd-ing the right color that represents you and your space. We’re professional painters that never cut corners in delivering unparalleled quality - YOUR home is our showcase.

What makes ProTect Painters different? We always do what we say we are going to do! We’re proud of the Top 5 reasons why customers choose ProTect Painters:

1. Gift of Time: ProTect Painters manages the entire project from beginning to end.

2. Upfront Pricing: A detailed plan. No hidden costs.

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Terry & Jeanette KoubeleProTect Painters of Federal Way & NE Tacoma253-561-8493

Chuck RegerProTect Painters of Covington253-200-3272

You can make prep work go quickly and smoothly by doing some prep of your own. The following is a helpful checklist to follow to ensure your home’s exterior is ready prior to the ProTect Painters professionals arriving at your home.

Pressure Washing• Trim back landscaping to allow painters close access to siding and trim• Move items, such as potted plants and/or lawn furniture, to allow close access to siding and trim• Make sure water spigots are in good working order for pressure washing• Close your windows on pressure washing days • Check window sills for water after pressure washing is completed

Prep and Painting• Have paint colors selected approximately one week prior to scheduled painting• Move items, such as potted plants and/or lawn furniture, to allow close access to siding and trim• Ensure that the painters will have access to electrical outlets• Designate a safe area where the crew can leave their ladders and miscellaneous equipment• Coordinate your painting plans with other potential tradespeople working on your project• Reschedule lawn service and turn off sprinklers while your house is being painted• Unlock windows on the days they are painted – it is necessary to open and shut• Ensure access to doors that will need to be painted, as they may need to be open for several hours on the day

they are paintedCall TODAY for your free estimate!


Spring 2015



Marti Reeder REALTOR®, Broker, CRS

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, Broker, CRS

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“Spring market ‘not waiting for tulips’, but limited inventory frustrates home-buyers.” (NWMLS)

We are entering spring with a severe shortage of homes for sale and we expect that shortage to continue throughout the spring market. Interested in buying this spring? You need to work with an expe-rienced professional to become buyer-ready more than ever. Thinking about selling soon? I say think about NOW. Read this article about curb appeal and get moving!

Curb appeal helps a buyer quickly determine whether or not they want to consider buying a home just by its outward appearance. Let’s look at how it can affect your house positively and negatively.

1. Your home is welcoming to poten-tial buyers. It can help in� uence some-one’s decision to consider your home. Make it look inviting by adding � owers to the front yard, make sure the grass has been clipped recently and the yard is well groomed, and create an appealing entry way.

2. Poor curb appeal can detract from an otherwise attractive home. If you have too much outdoor clutter, a poorly maintained exterior or an overgrown

lawn, it can detract from the value of the home. You may have a great living space, but if the outside isn’t attrac-tive, potential buyers may never see the inside of your home.

3. A well-lit exterior can make a big difference. It may not make or break a house, but an exterior that is lit up at night can help draw in buyers. It may make them feel safer while providing attractive lighting.

4. Think about your exterior paint color. While you might love your lemon yellow house, someone else might not. It’s not a deal breaker for most, but it can be for some. Use two paint colors maximum, or you might be turning away potential buyers.

5. Keep your exterior simple. Park cars in the garage if space allows, and don’t overwhelm the eye with plants. These little things can turn off potential buyers.

For additional tips, talk to your REALTOR® about exterior staging to maximize your home’s curb appeal. Expert advice coupled with some TLC can go a long way to showing your home at its best.

– Marti Reeder, John L. Scott Real Estate.

How curb appeal can make or break your houseSpring is starting to

emerge this week as the green tips of snowdrop bulbs and crocus show up in area gardens.

� is means it is time to or-der seeds, hunt down helle-bores to add to the landscape and decide that this is the year you will enjoy your garden more.

Garden shows and nurseries also unwrap a fresh season of classes and lectures and now is the time to signup. Here are some early season garden questions:

Q. In my neighborhood there is a pink rhodo-dendron that I noticed � owering on the same Sunday that the Seahawks won the title. � is means it was in bloom in January. Is this another January miracle? Sign me Seahawk Gardener

A. Keep cheering be-cause the name of the early blooming (as opposed to the hawks who are late bloomers) rhododen-dron is called “Christmas Cheer” and this compact rhododendron with pale pink blooms is usually in � ower by February or March. A bit of mild winter weather can coast

it into bloom on a balmy January day but unlike the name implies, I have

never seen my Christmas Cheer rhododendron � ower during December.

You can � nd this evergreen rhododendron at local nurseries or

ask that they order one for you. A plant that cheers in the winter is a great way to

be a 12. Better yet, order a dozen early bloomers and start a winter garden.

Q. I saw a magazine article about forcing bare branches of � owers into bloom. � ey showed how to force forsythia, quince and cherry tree branches. Will this work in our area of Western Washington? When is it safe to cut the branches? A.M., Bonney Lake

A. Yes, forcing newly pruned whips or thin branches from forsythia, quince, cherry and even magnolia will work in our climate and the time to get snippy is now. � e trick is to keep the cut branches hydrated so split the stem with a knife or remove some of the side bark on the bottom third of the cut branch to help the harvest soak up the water.

Once cut, place the vase of twigs in a cool garage or dark room until you see signs of color from the buds. You can also collect-ing pussy willow branches and bring them indoors to enjoy this week.

Q. Is it too late to prune my roses? I am seeing green leaves sprouting from the branches. T.C., Auburn

A. It is not too late, and it could be a bit early. I usually prune back roses right a� er Valentine’s Day but you can wait until mid March or even April to prune your roses. Di� er-ent varieties have speci� c likes when it comes to how much to prune o� but all roses bene� t from removing the three D’s – anything dead, damaged or diseased can be cut o� anytime of the year.

Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of “Easy An-swers for Great Gardens” and several other books. For more gardening information, she can be reached at her website, www.binettigarden.com.

THE G

ARDE

NER

Mar

iann

e B

inet

ti

Time to plan ahead for your spring garden


Spring 2015


HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORY

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ProfessionalProfessionalProfessionalDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORYDIRECTORY

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1In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company, through Hartford of Texas General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Twin City Fire Insurance Company.

*Savings amounts are based on information from The Hartford’s AARP Auto Insurance Auto Insurance Program customer who became new auto insurance policyholders between 7/1/11 and 6/30/12 through the traditional AARP Auto Insurance Program and provided data regarding their savings. Authorized agents can also provide coverage under this Program. Your savings may vary.

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The AARP Automobile & Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. CA license number 5152. In Washington, the Auto Program is underwritten by Trumbull Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. AARP does not employ or endorse agents or brokers. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify. Specific features, credits, and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. You have the option of purchasing a policy directly from The Hartford. Your price, however, could vary, and you will not have the advice, counsel or services of your independent agent.

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State Farm received the highest numerical score among life insurance providers in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Household Insurance and Bundling StudySM. Study based on 23,171 total responses measuring 21 providers and measures opinions of consumers with their life insurance provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed June-July 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL 1501056

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• They’re dirty: Ash, soot, smoke – need we say more? It’s no secret that wood-burning � replaces are messy – and all the cleaning you have to do de� nitely diminishes the pleasure of the � re’s glow.

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• They’re high maintenance: You chop the wood, haul it in, light the � re, poke and prod, and…wait. Once the � ames � nally appear, it’s nearly time to put them out – and then you have to deal with that messiness we mentioned. Face it – a wood-burning � replace is like an ex-girlfriend: high maintenance. Isn’t it time to upgrade to a newer model?

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Before After


Spring 2015


HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMESpring projects sprout

this time of year. March is good time to restore and rejuvenate an old lawn, start some raised beds for vegetables and weed and

mulch the � ower and shrub beds to keep out future weeds and conserve soil moisture. � ese spring projects will require soil and mulch resources – so here is the garden gos-sip: buying soil can be a dirty business. � e sale of “topsoil” is not a regulated industry in our state.

It’s time to educate yourself and ask questions before purchasing topsoil for landscape or lawn renovation projects. My mail tells me the biggest

consumer complaint about buying topsoil, bark or compost is that products can be contaminated with horsetail or other noxious weeds. Consumers have also reported having a load of “soil” delivered that is full of large rocks, building debris like nails and sheet rock and even undecom-posed food scraps and garbage.

Gardeners in Western Washington are lucky to have many vendors of soil, compost and mulches

with excellent reputations who have been in business for many years. Here are some tips from success-ful soil companies that have managed to keep their products weed- and debris-free and their customers happy through the years.

1. Ask if the company does product testing

and how o� en they test the soil. Jami Burke of Corliss Resources is a hor-ticulturist that helps create the compost and topsoil at the indoor compost mak-ing operation for Corliss Resources in Sumner.

“Our soil is tested quarterly and we undergo strict testing as a regis-tered organic material with the Washington State Department of Agricul-ture,” he said. “Constant monitoring of the heat and oxygen is key to creating clean, weed free compost.”

Corliss Resources also sells topsoil that mixes their weed-free compost with sand and loam and o� er both a two-way mix suitable for lawn reno-vation and a three-way mix for landscaping and garden beds. Learn more at www.corlissresources.com.

2. Ask what goes into the product and

where the ingredients come from. Jason Gwerder makes mountains of Moo

Doo on his family farm in Enumclaw and uses only the resources given to them from their organically fed and free range cow, calf and dairy operation.

“We have a closed loop system for feeding and car-ing for our animals,” Gw-erder said. “We know our manure-based mulching product will be weed-free because we heat our prod-uct to 180 degrees and age it for two to � ve years. We don’t truck in raw materials so we know exactly what goes into our Moo Doo – it all comes from our organic farm from start to � nish.” Learn more about Hy Grass Farms at www.moo-doo.com.

3. Ask where the product is created and who

oversees the operation. Tagro is municipal sludge or biosolids recycled by the city of Tacoma into a mix with sawdust and bark that can be added as an amendment to lawns and garden beds. Tagro is not sold as a topsoil but rather as a product to improve existing soils. Tagro is made on site in Tacoma and is available for pick up or delivery. Donald Boe is the local Tagro expert and explains that creating Tagro is a dual-digestion process that uses bene� cial organ-isms to digest the solids and also a three-temperature heat cycle to remove odor, weeds and other pathogens. Tagro is tested and graded by the EPA and has earned a Class A ranking for excep-tional quality. Visit www.Tagro.com.

Consumers should visit company’s websites to understand what they o� er. Consumers also need to know that � nding occasion-al clods or dirt lumps, small

rocks or a bit of stringy ma-terial in a load of compost or topsoil does not detract from the overall quality of the product. What you should be concerned about are visible weeds, especially horsetail, undecomposed branches, fresh manure, cigarette butts, plastic

pieces or any undecom-posed food scraps.

All the Dirt on Words to Know:

Compost – a soil amend-ment of well-rotted organic matter o� en made from collected yard waste. Com-post can be used to improve existing soils and is excel-lent for raised bed vegetable gardens.

Two-way mix – usually a mix of compost and sand. � is is the best for layering on top of a well-aerated lawn and sprinkling lawn seeds on top for lawn renovation. � e sand in the mix means it will drain well and can be used to rake over moss and low spots in the lawn.

� ree-way mix or � ve-way mix – Compost, sand and loam plus, in some cases, sawdust and bark are mixed. � is creates a soil that holds water better than a two-way mix but drains better than compost. It’s good for creating planting

berms for trees and shrubs and can also be used for growing vegetables and � owers.

Mulch – anything that goes on top of the soil to block out weeds and seal in moisture. In some areas, rocks and gravel are used as a mulch but in Western Washington bark and wood chips are the most common mulching materials.

Composted manure - Western Washington is dairy country and well-composted dairy manure is available from some local farmers for use as a soil amendment and in some cases as a weed-blocking mulch. To avoid weed seeds, the manure should be heated in a pile and aged so it is well rotted.

• • •

Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of “Easy Answers for Great Gardens” and several other books. For book requests or answers to gardening questions, write to her at: P.O. Box 872, Enumclaw, 98022. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a personal reply.For more gardening information, she can be reached at her Web site, www.binettigarden.com.

Tips for buying topsoil for landscaping and lawn projects

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etti


Spring 2015


HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEBy Doris A. BlackWindows are one of the most important structural

characteristics of a home. They bring in light and beauty but can also be a major source of heat loss in the winter if not maintained properly. To reduce heat loss, inspect and replace any damaged existing windows or use other insulating devices.

The most common reason windows leak is because they are old, cracked or missing caulking or weatherstripping. Caulking is made of silicone or latex, an airtight com-pound used for � lling holes and cracks in the window frame and joints between the frame and the wall. With age, caulking deteriorates and should be replaced when it crumbles and cracks. To remove old caulking, use a putty knife to pry it clear of the frame, taking care not to dam-age wooden frames. Clean and dry the surface areas before reapplying caulk. Manufacturers recommend applying caulk when temperatures exceed 50 degrees. Colder tem-peratures will prevent the caulk from adhering and sealing properly. Weatherstripping is used to form a tight seal between a moving and stationary part of the window, such as the sash and the frame. Narrow weatherstripping can be purchased in vinyl, foam or rubber.

Leaky windows waste energy and ultimately dollars for the homeowner. The holes or cracks in your framing or caulking can be so miniscule that they aren’t visible to the naked eye. But there is one sure� re way to locate the air leaks around your windows. After removing draperies and other � ammable objects from the window area, light a candle and slowly work your way around each window frame, holding the candle about three inches from the frame. Watch the � ame � icker as it passes through air cur-rents. This method is especially effective on a windy day when strong currents of air are forced through the tiny cracks and holes. Once the leaks are located, reducing or eliminating them can greatly improve the energy ef� ciency of your windows.

Knowing the style of windows you have may also help you determine where cracks are most likely to be found. Double-hung windows, where the upper sash and lower sash are moveable, are the least energy-ef� cient style because there are so many surface areas where a tight seal is dif� cult to achieve. Horizontal sliding windows are sim-ilar by design and therefore just as prone to being drafty. Louvered and casement windows are moderately airtight because of their compression seals. They open with a hand crank, are easy to operate and provide good ventilation. Compression seals are twice as air tight as the sliding seals of double-hung or horizontal sliding windows, a fact to keep in mind when purchasing new windows.

When installing new windows seems to be the best option, knowing the construction characteristics of dif-ferent types of windows can help you choose which ones to purchase. Manufacturers rate the energy ef� ciency of windows by R-values. The R-value represents the window’s ability to resist heat � ow. Window R-values can range from a low .09 (very drafty) to over 3.0 (very airtight). The high-er the R-value, the less heat loss will occur. For example, single-pane windows have an R-value of 1.0 (not good).

Several factors determine a window’s energy ef� ciency:• Glazing material. Although most windows are

designed with clear glass, many homeowners opt for windows with special glazes to enhance the energy ef� -ciency of their homes. For example, heat-absorbing glass uses solar energy to increase energy ef� ciency by 45% and windows with low-e (low emissivity) glass coatings re� ect 40% to 70% of the heat that is normally transmit-ted through clear glass, keeping the heat inside where it belongs.

• Number of layers of glass. Double- or triple-pane win-dows have layers of space between each pane to resist heat � ow. The more layers, the better insulation.

• Amount of space between panes of glass. Too much or too little space between panes can allow too much heat transfer. The highest-rated windows have air space between 1/2” and 5/8”. If the space is � lled with argon or krypton gas, as in high-ef� ciency models, the insulating value increases further.

• Frame construction and installation. Window frames can be constructed of one type of material or a combination of materials. The most common are: wood, vinyl, aluminum and � berglass. Wood frames have the highest R-value, but also require the most maintenance (painting, staining, etc.). They are likely to rot and swell if not maintained properly. Vinyl frames are virtually maintenance free and have mod-erate R-value, but are not as strong as wood, although

they can be reinforced with steel bars. On the low end of the price scale are aluminum frames. They have the lowest R-value and are prone to condensation, but are strong and ideal for custom sizing. Fiberglass frames have excellent R-values, can be expensive to purchase, but will not rot, warp or corrode.

When choosing multiple-paned windows, consider the spacing material used to separate the panes. Metal is most often used but it is not very ef� cient. Look for a brand that uses foam separators, nylon spacers or other insulating materials between the glass inside their windows to give the highest consistent thermal resistance.

Make your home more comfortable and affordable this winter by locating drafty windows, repairing broken seals or installing new windows with a high R-value rating. Then sit back and watch the utility bills drop.

Windows are the #1 source of heat loss


Spring 2015



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