Patios Gardening Spring Clean-up - Granite...

Guide for NH homeowners and home seekers.

APRIL 2011 / FREE

HOMESNew Hampshire

& Home Improvement

Postal Customer

33 Central Ave.Dover, NH 03820

Presorted StandardU.S. PO

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PAIDGeo J. Foster & Co, Inc.

PatiosGardeningSpring Clean-up

Your guide for New Hampshire home owners & home seekers

Leigh Bosse: Publisher

Joyce Bosse: Editor

Christi Macomber: Advertising Design

Gail Stratos: Publication Design & LayoutAdvertising Design

Deborah Belanger: Sales Representative

Also from The Granite Quill:

IN New Hampshire A guide to what’s happening in the granite state.

Senior LifestylesA guide for active New Hampshire Seniors!

The MessengerYour local weekly since 1868.

Granite Quill Publishers246 West Main StreetHillsborough, NH 03244Phone: 603-464-3388Fax: 603-464-4106

To advertise in next month’s issue please call 800-281-2859

Antrim: Antrim Market Place, T-Bird, Rick & Diane’s Bennington: Harris Convenience Store, The Country Store Bradford: Post Office, Cobble Pond Farms, Lake Sunapee Bank, LaundromatClaremont: Market Basket, Hannaford’sConcord: Shaw’s (2), Hannaford’sContoocook: Colonial Villager, DimitrisGoffstown: Shaw’s (2), Market BasketGreenfield: HarvesterHanover: Co-Op MarketplaceHillsborough: Shaw’s, Circle K, Diner, Sweet Expressions, Najib’sHenniker: Harvester Market, Pharmacy, Pop Schultz, St. George CafeHopkinton: Cracker Barrell, Fireside TavernHooksett: Shaw’s, Market BasketKeene: Price Chopper, Shaw’s, Hannaford’sLebanon: Price Chopper (2), Shaw’s (2)Manchester: Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Hannaford’sNewbury: Marzelle’s, Quick Stop, General StoreNew London: Hannaford’s, McKennas, Colonial Marketplace, The GalleryNewport: Shaw’s, Circle K, Diner, T-Bird, Country KitchenPeterborough: Shaw’s, BelletetesRindge: Market Basket, Hannford'sSunapee: Digbee’s Best Western, Exxon, One Mile WestSutton: Vernondale StoreSwanzey: Market BasketWalpole: Shaw’sWarner: Market Basket, Evan’s Expressmart, Circle K, FoothillsWashington: General StoreWeare: Lancott’s, Corburn’s, Weare Center Store, Dimitri’s

Where to find us:25,000 copies available at all American Legion, VFW Posts, New Hampshire Senior Centers and at the following locations:

HOMESNew Hampshire

& Home Improvement

| NH HOMeS & HOMe IMPROVeMeNT | aPRIl 2011 | www.gRaNITequIll.cOM

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To be included in our monthly publication please call Debbie

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HOMESNew Hampshire

& Home Improvement

Warrenstreet Architects is proud to an-nounce that the South Cove Recreation

Center project located in Grantham, New Hampshire has received LEED GOLD Certifi-cation. The U.S. Green Building Council has verified that the building was designed and built using superior sustainable strategies. These strategies are intended to improve energy savings, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality; utilizing local materials, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and foster-ing stewardship of resources and sensitivity of

the impacts they have on the environment. The recreation center is a part of the

Eastman Community Association which is a planned unit community built in 1970 sur-rounding Eastman Pond. The Center is a new 16,000 square foot building that replaced an existing aging facility. The new building pro-vides flexible community rooms and allows for large events to spill out into a open air pavilion constructed from a relocated barn structure

that once sat on a different area of the site. A 25 yard three lane pool, bathroom and shower facilities as well as a fitness exercise room and youth center compliment the design. War-renstreet completed the design and permitting in early August 2008, Milestone Engineering and Construction of Concord served as the construction manager. Ground breaking oc-curred on Labor Day 2009 and the project was completed for Memorial Day 2010.

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and exhausting. Here are five steps to help you narrow the field to make the best choices: 1. Evaluate the needs of the bath-

room. Consider possible users of the bath-

Bathroom remodeling includes a dizzying array of decisions. Choosing from among

so many beautiful styles, shapes, materials and innovative technologies is at once exhilarating

Bathroom remodelingroom: guests, family members and future owners. Will your new space work for all ages and abilities? 2. Find your style. It's in the pictures

you've saved as you've been planning your dream bathroom. Bathroom suites of fixtures, faucets and accessories designed together with just the right touches make it easy to feel confident about your product choices. 3. Open up some space. If you are

remodeling to accommodate an elderly or disabled family member, replace your old tub with a comfortable and accessible seated shower. 4. Take comfort. Look for vanities at

36 inches high. Most adults find this height more comfortable to use. Consider toilets that are designed to be at 17 inches. Single-handle faucets have smooth operation for tempera-ture control. Look for faucets with adjustable hot limit safety stop to reduce the risk of scald-ing by restricting how far the handle can be pushed to the hot side. (ARA)

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Summer's sizzling temperatures can seem even worse if your air conditioning sys-

tem suddenly needs repair or replacement. Finding a reliable heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor can be daunting if you need to solve the problem fast.

American Standard Heating & Air Condi-tioning offers some tips for choosing a HVAC contractor that best suits your family. Most states require that HVAC con-

tractors obtain a certification or license to practice, so be sure to ask for verification.

Some heating and cooling equipment manufacturers offer their own dealer quality assurance programs.

For example, the American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Customer Care

(TM) Dealer Program is made up of hand-picked dealers who exemplify customer service and satisfaction. They must meet rigid requirements and standards to ensure their absolute commitment to excellence in every aspect of their business.

Customer Care Dealers provide a satisfac-tion survey after most interactions so you can rate their performance. To locate an independent Customer Care Dealer near you, visit www.americanstandardair.com. You may require different indoor tem-

peratures for different times of the day and night to help save on energy bills. Providing this information to the contractor will help them recommend the most appropriate and energy-efficient systems to meet your specifications.

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After a long winter across most of the coun-try, people are looking forward to the rites

of spring. And one of those cherished activities is the great remodeling project. Here are a few DIY projects to add to your to-do list that will help improve the beauty of your home. Update flooring: If you just bought a

home or you're looking to update your current floor, you may face the task of removing old linoleum. To tackle the job, consider an oscil-lating multi-tool that includes a scraping blade accessory. Use the oscillating tool to scrape linoleum from the subfloor; use your free hand to peel back the old floor covering. Try to col-lect large strips. Add remodeling electrical boxes: The

home theater room is a great place to gather the family. For a professional look with media wiring, outline and cut holes for remodeling boxes that can be placed in cabinets or walls and finished with an appropriate trim plate. Remove trim, baseboards or mold-

ing: Removal of trim is a tough job if you want to save it for future use. The oscillating tool does a nice job removing caulk and old

adhesive, then allows the user to slide a blade accessory between the trim and the wall to cut nails and remove trim intact. Replace broken tile: Broken tiles hap-

pen - in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. Spring is a great time to finally remove these long-broken pieces to have complete, perfect align-ment again. Use a grout saw to remove grout from around the chipped tile. From there, you can use a pry bar or chisel to remove the old tile. If you can't remove it as a whole piece, put a towel over the chipped tile and use a ham-mer to break it up. Remove the old adhesive to ensure the new tile can be placed level with adjoining tiles. Use a quality adhesive to place the new tile and apply grout, being careful to match the original grout's color and texture. Repaint exterior trim: Now that the

snow and cold temperatures have receded, it's time to clean up your window and door trim. Scrape and refurbish paint and stained sur-faces, checking for any loose or missing nails, screws or splintered boards. In addition, use a power washer to remove dirt and debris from porches or concrete surfaces. (ARA)

Five weekend projects this spring

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It's that time of year when homeowners look around their property and start mentally cre-

ating a list of to-do projects. Sometimes these projects are minor, like changing out accents in the bathroom. Other times the project can end up being a complete remodel that requires the right tools and strategy.

If you've taken that brave step to commit-ting yourself to a home improvement project, congratulations - you've won half the battle. The next hurdle to overcome is successfully preparing yourself for the task at hand. Minor adjustments can save you time and money down the road so it's important that you do your homework in advance. Before getting started, consider the tips below. These handy hints can help you maximize project results and avoid unnecessary stress. Prioritize - Put simply, don't bite off

more than you can chew. When taking on home projects, remember to consider quality over quantity. There is no sense in rushing through one project just to cross it off the list. Decide what upgrades are most important and pay them their due diligence. Identify what requires your immediate attention, and what

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can wait. More importantly, recognize when you're in over your head and don't be afraid to enlist professional help. Update your tool box - We create more

work for ourselves by not investing in quality tools that address multiple project needs. The right tool can give you professional looking results while dramatically reducing frustration. The new RotoZip ZipSaw is outfitted to handle applications in a variety of materials, including tile, wood and metal. From installing new floor-ing to removing old bathroom grout, this pow-erful cutting tool combines the best features of

angle grinders and jamb saws to tackle straight, curved, notched and flush cuts with ease. Plan a budget - Identify how much

you're able to spend and stick to it. No sense in taking on debt or refinancing your home just to keep up with the Joneses. If you can't afford the kitchen remodel this year, consider investing in smaller updates that won't go unnoticed. You'd be surprised how updated appliances or a simple paint job can add new life to your home. There is always the risk of unforeseen costs; research common project pitfalls and try to eliminate those possibilities. Don't forget to incorporate the cost of tools if you're not hiring help. Set regular goals - The home improve-

ment process can be overwhelming, so it's important to set goals for each portion of the project. These ongoing check points are rewarding and can help motivate you to keep going. Remember to use these intervals to take a break and clear your head. The time off allows you to come at the next step fresh, ultimately minimizing fatigue and frustration. Regular breaks also enable you to monitor your project supplies and stock up as needed. (ARA)

Spring is a time of renewal with flowers and trees blooming, grass greening and

warmer temperatures bringing us back to the outdoors. But before you can begin to truly enjoy the fresh air - there are many updates needed to help your patio areas recover from the harsh effects of old man winter.

Luckily, with a few spring spruce-up proj-ects, you can achieve a patio revival in only a weekend that's simple, yet looks sensational. Wash away winter

When we think spring - we think cleaning. No matter what type of patio you may have, pressure washing is a simple way to make it shine. It offers instant gratification as layers of dirt, dust and grime are quickly blasted away. Don't have a pressure washer? No need to run out and buy one; most rental companies or home improvement centers offer reasonably priced daily rentals. Or it's an opportunity to visit the neighbors you haven't seen during the cold months to borrow theirs. Bring new life to old furniture

Once your patio area is clean, it's time to bring out the seating. But have your table and

Attaining the perfect patio in 48 hours

chairs seen better days? The outdoor elements can wreak havoc on patio furniture. Fortunate-ly, you can easily turn something ready for the trash into a new treasure by updating it with a coat of spray paint.

To start, lightly sand and clean the entire surface. Next, spray the entire piece of fur-niture with a new, updated paint color. For metal, wood or wicker surfaces, try Krylon's

Outdoor Spaces spray, or for plastic surfaces, try Krylon's Fusion for Plastic spray paint. Both products are available in a wide selection of popular colors and finishes and offer superior protection to keep your patio furniture look-ing beautiful for years to come. Petals and pots with pizzazz

Finally, it's time to liven up your patio area with beautiful and aromatic flowers. But just as important as choosing the pretty petals, is planting them in the perfect pot. Terra cotta pots are ideal since they come in a variety of sizes and are inexpensive. For added pizzazz, you can update these planters with a splash of color. You can choose one color for all of your pots or mix it up. This is a great project that allows you to experiment with all of the colors that you love but were hesitant to commit to inside your home.

To start, turn each pot upside down on newspaper and spray the pot with your favorite shade spray paint. Once dry, you may choose to spray your vibrant pot with a clear, pearlescent or glitter spray to achieve the daz-zling finish you desire. (ARA)


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Spring not only ushers in a welcome relief from the cold temperatures, but a slew

of winter clean-up projects - begging the question, "Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues that are just around the corner?" The best way to prepare for house-hold repairs is to assemble a first-aid repair kit for your house. Gorilla Glue - This product is 100

percent waterproof and perfect for fixing anything from a broken chair leg to a broken flower pot. If you've never used polyurethane glue before, be careful because it expands as it cures.

Welcome spring, hello winter clean up

Gorilla Tape - The toughest duct tape you will ever meet, Gorilla Tape has a strong fabric backing and three times the adhesive of other duct tapes. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information. Simple tools - Why is it that you can

never find a hammer when you need one? Keep duplicates of tools in your kit, and you

won't have to run around looking for them. Cordless drill and variety of high

quality screws - Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc. before they become a safety hazard.

With your first-aid repair kit assembled, you are ready to tackle all of your winter repair projects. (ARA)

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The coming of spring is revealing a list of post-winter home repairs that need to be

made. Getting outside now to assess home damage and tackle initial projects will help you get a jump-start on the season.

This is also a good time of year to make sure your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is functioning properly and at its most efficient rate. Ameri-can Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers a few simple tips. Check the furnace filter. Cleaning or

changing your furnace filter each month will help extend the life of your furnace and may help save on heating and cooling energy costs.

Clean air ducts. Remove air ducts and return-air grille plates, and thoroughly clean with a rag, scrubbing brush or vacuum to prevent any irritants or dust from making their way into your home's air. Inspect the outdoor air condition-

ing unit. Remove leaves, grass, dirt and other debris that may have built up around your outdoor air conditioning unit or heat pump to ensure nothing is obstructing the air flow.

Easy troubleshooting tips for a variety of system problems are also available in American Standard Heating & Air Condition-ing's Symptom Checker guide, found online at www.americanstandardair.com. (ARA)

How to tackle your home comfort repairs for warmer months

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garden can seem overwhelming - even for experienced gardeners.

Rather than randomly buying plants that are attractive in the displays and hoping they'll live once you get them home, there's a smarter way to shop.

Check out these tips from the experts to make plant selection easy, fail-proof and fun: Get inspired.Use the newest garden website, BloomIQ.

com, which inspires and takes the guesswork out of planning and plant selection. Its garden design suggestions and planting combina-tions will match your color preferences, personal style and growing conditions.

Fail-proof gardening tips from the pros

Sketch a garden plan.Look at your home's architectural features

and landscaping. Sketch what you want to plant - and where. Create a shopping listEducate yourself on exactly what works

best in your garden before you go shopping.

Learn the plant's water, sun and care require-ments. Is it deer-proof, drought tolerant, or low maintenance? Answering these questions can be a garden saver.

With a personalized plant list in hand, any-one can shop like a pro. For more information visit www.BloomIQ.com. (ARA)


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Every homeowner dreams of that perfect lawn, but the fact is maintaining a green

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can damage your grass, hampering healthy and even growth. Mower blades should typi-cally be sharpened once at the beginning of spring and once in the summer. Examining your grass after you mow can help determine whether your blade is producing a clean and

Tips to keep your lawn looking good

even cut. Spread clippings evenly throughout

your yard. Grass clippings are your best form of fertilizer - and they're free. Throughout the year, your clippings will provide the equivalent of one or two applications of fertilizer, accord-ing to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. If your mower discharges clippings to the side, mow the outer edge so clippings are thrown toward the middle of your yard, and as

you move toward the center, change your di-rection so they are thrown outward. Sweeping any clippings that ended up on your driveway or sidewalks back onto the lawn promotes the health of your lawn and prevents them from entering local waterways. Don't mow in the same direction

every time. Mowing in different directions will prevent your grass from becoming matted down and instead keep it growing upward, where it can receive the most sunlight. Cut your grass between 2 and 3

inches. Keeping it longer than 2 inches can help prevent weeds from receiving the neces-sary sunlight to take hold. It also can prevent scorching during warm and dry weather. For optimal growth and regeneration, never remove more than one third of your lawn's length during one mowing session. Mow only when your grass is dry.

Mowing when your yard is wet can cause your mower to leave tracks. It can also cause your discarded clippings to clump together, provid-ing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can cause disease in your grass. (ARA)


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Building your own outdoor paradise can be a daunting, yet rewarding project. Before

you invest your time and money, it's a good idea to consider the components of a success-ful landscape or patio project.

A great place to start is to look for profes-sional landscaping design ideas on the Web. Websites like www.landscapingnetwork.com offer design tips from professionals to help you get your project off the ground. Common mistake: Choosing the wrong size for your patio

How to avoid it: Of all patio sizing tips, making sure your patio's dimensions work with your concept for patio furniture ar-rangements may be the most important. For example, your patio should be at least 10-by-10 feet to accommodate chairs around a table with a 5-foot diameter. If you're crunched for space, consider different furniture options, or creatively adjust your surfaces to add space behind the areas where chairs will be placed. Common mistake: Creating a discon-nect between indoors and outdoors

How to avoid it: Consistent use of colors, materials and even plants between your patio

Five common landscaping and patio mistakes

and adjacent indoor space can make your patio seem like an extension of your home. Design consistency makes each place seem bigger and more useful when your patio doors are open. Common mistake: Inconsistent outdoor design

How to avoid it: Piecemeal design can occur when you take on one project without thinking about its long-term impact on your outdoor space as a whole. For this reason, it can be helpful to sit down and develop a flex-ible master plan for your outdoor space, which will allow you to complete your ultimate

design goals in phases without compromising the look and feel of your yard. Consulting with a professional landscape designer may be helpful when developing this plan. Common mistake: Plants that don't fit your space

How to avoid it: Choosing plants that will fit in a designated space when they reach maturity can help ensure your yard and patio don't become overgrown. Plants that need to be sheered to fit their spaces often don't look as beautiful as a plant that's allowed to flower and flourish. Choosing plants that survive well in your climate will also save you time and ef-fort when it comes to lawn maintenance. Common mistake: Misunderstanding the importance of good design

It's exciting to tackle an outdoor project, but when you forget to think about the big picture, the project can sometimes turn out less than what you had hoped for. If you don't have the time to learn the basics of landscape design yourself, it might be a good idea to hire a professional. If you need help finding a landscape designer in your area, check out the directory at www.landscapingnetwork. (ARA)


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#1722 Salisbury: Not many of these left — a camp on one acre with a fire-place, front porch and a brook on two sides. Nature abounds in the privatesetting with hunting, fishing or swimming just outside your door. $57,000

#1719 Hillsboro. Adorable energy-efficient 2br/1ba home in convenient in-town location.Close to school and other town services. Large private backyard. $135,900

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Shaping up for selling?First impressions are important and the same holds true when you

are showcasing your home for a potential sale. While larger home improvement projects are often necessary to catch the eye of someone in the market for a new home, they require a great deal of time and money. Sometimes simple cleaning and organization is all that is needed for your home to become more appealing to potential buyers. SimplifyBegin by de-cluttering your home. By removing personal items that

might distract prospective buyers, you'll help them focus on how they think the home might look when they move in. You don't want buyers to focus on possessions that you'll be taking with you when you move. NeutralizeWhen showing your home to others, it's best to set your personal

tastes aside by decorating in a way that will appeal to a broad range of people. Think about replacing strong patterns with solid colors on items like bedding, carpets and drapes. It might also be a good call to store that dramatic piece of art somewhere out of sight. A photogenic homeMany potential buyers will make decisions on which homes they

would like to look at by looking at photos posted online. Do whatever you can to make your home sparkle in the images you and your real es-tate agent select for your listing. Focus on glass and metal surfaces that will add shine to your photos. Thoroughly cleaning these surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens can make your home look fresher and newer. Areas that must sparkleWhile it's important to keep the entire home spotless, there are two

rooms in particular that require special attention: the kitchen and the bathroom. In a recent survey, consumers were asked which room they would clean first if moving into a new home. Of the more than 1,000 participants, an impressive 41 percent responded the kitchen and 38 percent said the bathroom. When selling your home, it is always impor-tant to make the extra effort in these two rooms. ScentWhether they know it or not, people entering your home will

notice more than just appearances. Attractive scents can create good feelings. Candles, diffusers, potpourri and cookies all offer inviting and familiar aromas. Use a cleaner with a pleasant scent to keep your home smelling fresh. Details matterEliminate any small imperfections that might cause uneasiness

with potential buyers by replacing broken light bulbs, fixing loose doorknobs or getting your closet door moving smoothly on it tracks. Even something as minor as a little mess in the microwave could turn off a prospective renter or buyer, so make sure every place you can think of is squeaky clean. (ARA)


246 W. Main St., Hillsboro 464-3880Toll Free: 1-877-536-5213 • Email: [email protected]

Red Coat Homes

Proudly announcing

The New Standard in Manufactured Homes

Pine Grove Manufactured Homes

Plan #1896 - 3 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - 1640 square feet:

7/12 pitched roof with full attic

$98,174 Complete on your pad. Land, sitework, septic, water & pad extra.YOUR CHOICE • YOUR LOT • ANYWHERE IN NH

Venetian spa master bath

Step-down, sunken family room & kitchen

Gourmet hearth wall kitchen


20 Hall AvenueP.O. Box 496

Henniker, NH 03242

located at20 Hall Avenue, Henniker

Route 114, Bradford

Our family has been servingthe heating needs of

Henniker and surroundingtowns for over 65 years.

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