Lake Country This Month

By Christopher Bennett Special to The Freeman DELAFIELD — Those who remodel homes as their profession are a wealth of information when it comes to the proper way to maintain a home. Those individuals make a living often times fixing that which went horribly wrong for a homeowner. As a result, home remodelers, along with general contractors and others in the building trades, are a wealth of information on the topic of winteriza- tion. Rick Bartelt is the owner of Bartelt. The Remodeling Resource, and has been in business since 1984. The busi- ness is based in Delafield. Bartelt shared several tips for those who need to button up their home before another Wisconsin winter. First of all, Bartelt said Thanksgiv- ing is the rough cutoff date for win- terization. "By that time, it's almost too late to go out there and start doing these things," Bartelt said. Bartelt said cleaning your gutters should be a priority. Remove leaves and any material that might impede the flow of water. Bartelt said leaf-filled gutters offered a prime breeding ground last winter for ice dams. "Ice grew from the top of the leaves and went under the first row of shin- gles into the house," Bartelt said. Checking the caulk around all exte- rior doors and windows is another simple activity. "It dries up," Bartelt said. "It does not last forever. If it's cracked or stained or starting to peel or falling out, it is a sieve of heat loss or, worse yet, water intrusion." If gaps are found, Bartelt said Vulkem and OSI are commercial- grade caulks available at a good hard- ware store that last long and provide elasticity. When checking caulking, be sure to examine the weather stripping around doors and windows. "If you see it's wrapped or torn or pulled from the track, it's done for," Bartelt said. Windows do not properly close if the weather stripping is damaged, and the same is true for doors. Gaps allow for cold air and moisture. A simple and cost-effective weather stripping kit can be purchased at a good hardware store. Check filters Bartelt also said to change the fur- nace filter, and to also check the filter on any humidification system attached to the furnace. "I think you should always do it when the heat goes on and the AC goes on," Bartelt said. As for the filter in the humidifier, Bartelt said to change it at the begin- ning of each heating season. The humidifier helps keep occupants from nose bleeds and chapped lips and also helps maintain moisture in wood- work. Bartelt said to also inspect outside, around the base of the home, and look for chunks of shingles or nails. "If they notice that more and more on the ground, it means those shin- gles are starting to cup, which means they're bulging up and drying out and breaking off the house," Bartelt said. Examine the flashing around the chimney as well. Checking the shin- gles and flashing is done in an effort to prevent leaks of both cold air and moisture. Lower energy costs Another key consideration to preparing a home for winter is energy consumption. We Energies can help. We Energies recommends using drapes, shades and blinds to aid heat- ing and cooling. Keep them open to gain heat from the sun in winter. The thermostat is another item that can help or hurt you in winter. According to We Energies, consumers can save as much as 10 percent each year on heating and cooling by turn- ing the thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours per day. We Energies recommends setting the thermostat to 78 in the summer and 68 in winter. On the topics of thermostats, switch to a programmable thermo- stat. They can be set to adjust auto- matically, and are a proven method of controlling energy costs. More energy-saving and winteriz- ing advice is available at http://www.we-energies.com/. Learn more about home remodeling by Bartelt. The Remodeling Resource at http://barteltremodel.com/. Page 4B • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY NOVEMBER 2014 Submitted photo Designing women honored PEWAUKEE — Three Waukesha County Technical College graduates were recipients of the American Society of Interior Designers — Wisconsin Chapter "Top 5 Under 5" Awards. From left, Kelsey Holtz, Amy Wenger and Toni Robinson received the awards, honoring designers in the first five years of their career and their contributions to the chapter, their busi- ness or employers, and to the field of interior design as a whole. Wenger, a 2013 WCTC graduate who works at Aptura, is the director at large of ASID. She has served as chairperson and co- chair of several committees leading the charge for a variety of successful events. Robinson, a 2013 graduate, works at Forrer's Business Interiors and has quickly moved up the ranks from intern to full-time designer. Holtz, a 2009 graduate, who at the Green Design Center, spearheaded a regionwide recycling pro- gram, working with her employer to host the event. To learn more about WCTC's Interior Design program, visit www.wctc.edu/interior-design. Submitted photo From left to right: Carol Arenz, Kathy Averbeck, Karen Dibble, Denise Fischer, Diane Moderson, Becky Whaley, Deb Nollen and Nancy Shuff at the Piggly Wiggly brat fest. Schoolhouse Players serve brats to fund 2015 tour WAUKESHA — The Waukesha County nonprofit theater group Schoolhouse Players served brats Sept. 28 at Piggly Wiggly, 505 Cottonwood Ave. in Hartland, to raise funds for its 2015 perfor- mances. In February, SHP will travel to Waukesha County prima- ry schools to perform its children's play "Damsel in Distress." Additionally, SHP invites anyone interested in participating in plays or helping with plays, costumes or scenery to visit its web- site, www.schoolhouseplayers.org, or call Deb Nollen at 262-369-5340 for more information. Keeping Jack Frost at bay Expert tells what it takes to winterize homes Welcome To Ridgefield Bay, From The Architectural Design, The Private Nature Trail To The Pier On The Millpond Nothing Is Standard. This 4,700 Sq Ft, 12 Room, 5 Bedrooms, 5 Full And 1 Half Bath Retreat Is Filled With Light Space And Design Set On 3 +/- Acres. Step Into Gleaming Hardwood Floors, High Ceilings, Walls Of Windows, A Library/Office, Formal Dining Room, A Sunlit Chef's Kitchen Filled With Cabinetry, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel And More. The Master Suite Is Conveniently On The Main And The Windowed Greatroom Opens Up To The Deck. The Upper Level Is Filled With Beds & Baths Every Style & Design. When It's Time To Party The Lower Level Is The Place To Be. 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