Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / July 27, 2006, edition 1 / Page 24
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
http://www.thecharlottepost.com tE^e Cliarlotte $o£t THURSDAY, JULY 27. 2006 6D REAL ESTATE Tear the roof off repairs If you have a roof leak, tiie problem may not be as bad as you-fear. Don’t replace the roof if it is not necessary You may be able to squeeze a few more years out of it through simple repairs and delay this extensive maintenance expense. Minor damage to shingles can sometimes be repaired easily and inespensively Shingles that have lifted from the roof surface can simply be nailed down. High winds can tear off your roofs shingles, paiticularly if your roof has become brittle with age. Extreme weather conditions can also have damaging effect on your roofs life e3q)ectancy It is important to address damped shingles before this minca- problem develops into a larger more expensive one. When cleaning gutters, take the opportunity to check your roof for cracks, curling and split shingles. It’s advisable to periodically go up in the attic and check for signs of wat^ penetration, either with signs of dampness, stains or discolorations. Damaged sections should be checked tiioroughly from the exterior since they are indicaticais that water has penetrated the roofs cover. Once water penetrates, it flows along the sheathing and the roof rafting until it drips into the house and/or behind the sheetrock. If these leaks are not corrected in a timely fashion, water can cause sufficient concealed Trapped moisture is conducive to development of mold. While most spores he dormant for years, excessive moisture causes spores to germinate and mold to grow. Mold is everywhere hidden or visible, depending on the presence of moisture. These fungi can be seen on trees outside your home or in your refrigerator on old food. Molds are usually not a problem, imless spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Indoor molds produce allergens that can cause allergic reactions, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. In addition to the damage intrusive water can cause to a home’s structure, moisture creates a conductive condition for attracting termite infestation. Maintenance of one’s roof can sometimes be simply hammering down a few nail pops. Once secured, the nails need to be sealed with roofrr^ cement. Cracked, warped, missing or broken shingles are not something to repair; instead, they should be replaced. First you must evaluate whetha- you should re-roof youtself or hire a professional. The latter may be a prudent decision, especially if you have a steeply pitched roof If you decide to hire a contractor, it’s advisable to shop aroxmd. If possible, obtain three or more personal referrals and ask all contractors for estimates. It’s prudent to only interview contractors who are licensed and insured. There are other roofir^ materials that can be used to cov^ a home. No matter which type of cover you select, it’s a good idea to watch out for httle leaks. Small leaks,.can turn into bigger eq)enditures if not caught and corrected in a timely manner. ROLAND K. HAWKINS is a real estate agent with Caldwell Banker United Realtors in Charlotte. He can be reached at (704) 840-5762 or via the Internet: http//: mvwTolandhawkinsc-om Brighter ideas for today’s kitchen PHOTO/ARA CONTENT Natural lighting helps illuminate state of the art kitchens. ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION Lighter and brighter is a winning combination in many rooms, but in the kitchen it’s a must since that’s one of the most used rooms in most homes. Experts say to lighten cabinets, countertops, walls and floors and you’re half way there. Add one or more skylights to fill the room with healthful, balanced natural light, plus more ventilation, and you’ve economically upgraded one of the most used areas of your home. And skylights don’t take up wall space like vertical windows so you can have more space for shelves or cabinets or for decoratii^. According to Joe Patrick, senior product manager with VELUX America, light firrm above makes all rooms more fimctional and hvable. “But kitchens are especially enjoyable for family and guests when they are bright, cheatul, and fi^ of cooking odors, heat and humidity,” he says. Venting skydi^ts in the kitchen release hot air, moisture, and odors while admitting additional fight for more pleasant cooking, dining and entertaining. And skylights, along with accesscaies including blinds and shades, can be controlled manually or by remote control with the touch of a button. Electrochromic glass- is also available in skylights. This new technology allows homeowners to lighten and darken the ^ass with the touch, of a remote and the view of the sky is never lost. The trend toward additional daydi^tii^ in kitchens is driven not only by homeowner desires for bright, open, energy-efficient spaces, but also health considerations. . Addir^ more natural fight to the kitchen, where families tend to gather much of the time for studying and socializing, in addition to dining, has many health benefits. Studies show that Seasonal Affective Disorder, evidenced by emotional depression, a drop in physical energy increased appetite, and need for more sleep, is directly finked to a lack of sufficient dayfi^t. Also, we need vitamin D for calcium to be absorbed by the body to strengthen teeth, bones and tissue to maintain a healthy skeleton throughout fife. Two sources of vitamin D are diet and sunlight and in healthy human bodies, 80 percent of vitamin D is produced in the skin whCTL it is exposed to natural fight. Lighting designers and other housing professionals can help homeowna:s sdect a combination of natural and artificial lighting methods that will make kitchens even more pleasant and fimctional. Balanced lighting is the key And now is a particularly good time to consider upgrading existing skylights or adding new units to qualify for a tax credit of up to $200 under the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. Details are available at www.energygov/taxbreaks.htm. For information on natural light and skyhght selection call (800) 283-2831 or visit www.veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit www.energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit www.nfirc.org or www.efficientwindows.org. Keep house cool during dog days ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION It’s not easy keeping a house cool during the long, hot, dog-days of summer, but according to interior des^n experts at The Art Institutes, there are steps you can take to not only make your house cooler, but also more environmentally-friendly energy-efficient and enjoyable to be in. Start with windows. Even in the summer, homeowners want to experience the long days of dajdi^t the warmer months bring, but old or inexpensive windows can make a house hot by allowing heat to transfer into rooms. Mishelie Lewis of the interior design faculty at The Art Institute of Atlanta explains, “If you want your home to be cooler in the summer, and warm^ in the winter, good quality vinyl or wood windows can make a significant impact on your home’s energy efficiency” Look for windows that use low e-glazing on the glass, she says, which cuts down on UVs and heat transferring from the outside. Consid^ horizontal blinds or shutters on both interior and exterior windows, says Christopher Priest, academic director of interior design at The Art Institute International Nfinnesota. “When using bfinds or shutters, position them so the sunlight is directed upwards towards the ceding. This imitates the effect of a skjdight by providing indirect, natural fi^t indoors with little impact on cooling cost,” he says. Wood bfinds and shutters make the best choice because metal bfinds can actually conduct heat into a room. Fans are another popxflar way to cool a home when air conditioning is not an option. According to William B. Lanigan, chair of the interior design department at The Art Institute of Houston, “Fans are a cost effective and efficient way to cool the house. Heat rises so fans help disperse the heat and circulate air. It’s all about air circulation when you are trying to beat the heat in the summer.” Don’t forget fighting. Lewis recommends minimi7ing overhead l^hting. “If you are reading or doing a task, use a lamp instead of turning on an overhead fi^t,” she says. Every time you turn on an overhead fi^t, ‘You not only bum energy through the light source but the incandescent fight bulbs produce heat that your AC must now work harder to cool.” Lewis also likes compact fluorescent lighting which has “come a long way” Dajiight bulbs are bright and white, but there are also soft tones which are closer to the standard incandescent fight bulb. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy and produce less heat. As for fabric and colors, Jerry Van Slambrouck, an instructor in the Interior Design department at The Art Institute of California - San Francisco, subscribes to the British tradition of using light colored fabric slip covers over furniture in the summer. “This is true for floor coverings as well,” sa5/s Van Slambrouck. ‘Wool, oriental carpets are rolled up in the summer and fight colored sisal area rugs replace them.” REAL ESTATE / CLASSIFIEDS / REAL ESTATE/ CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT Nia Point Apartments Brand New Large Affordable Apartments! Pitts Drive Directions: Turn onto Tate Street from Beatties Ford Road 1/4 mile north of Brookshire Blvd. We accept Section 8 Vouchers! 2BR Rents - $615 - $625 3BR Rents - $670 - $690 f 704-334-1940 Crosiand Mon. - Fri. 8:30 ■ 6:00 Hi LITTLE ROCK APARTMENTS Newly Renovated 2, 3, & 4 Bedroom Apartments Now Available Includes Central Air, Heat Dishwasher Garbage Disposal, Range & Refrigerator Rents are based on your Income Call 704-394-9394 Ext 13 Ask for Ms Perry h Place Your Property Listings in The Charlotte Post -Classifieds for only $18.00 per column inch'or just $1.05 per word. JlljL Call 704-374-0494 ext 104 NOW is a good time to move to KINGSPARK. We are stiil the ‘Westside’s Best Kept Secret.” Ask About The Summer Special Judy Wiliiams, Manager 704-333-2966 FOR SALE DISTRESS SALE Bank Foreclosures Free List of Bank- Owned Properties. Receive a Free computerized printout. Visit www.ncforedosuredea Is.com ID#1042 Realty Place Village Of Buena Vista $199 Move In Special * Conditions Apply Now Leasing 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom Apts & Townhomes CALL TODAY before they are gone! 4929 Thckaseegee Road 704-392-9944 SS Newly Renovated & Available Now! 3 BR/ 2BA home at Idlewild South. New Berber Carpet& Paint. Refrigerator included. Owner will pay closing costs. Call 704-604-8780 $93,000. ROCMMATEWUITES Female Roommate Wanted Over 50 preferred. Very Nice Home. $575/ month, all utilities Included. Call for Details 704-536-5510 FOR SALE No UUALIFYING ! •Assumable Loans • I Seller Finance • Lease Purchase* Work 4 Down Payment! New and Existing Homes Available! 704-926-7100 704-541-7100 www.McGaryRealty.com
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 27, 2006, edition 1
24
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75