Waukesha County Home

HOMES PLUS JULY 2017 6 256372017 4820 W. Loomis Rd. 414.744.9400 Greenfield 2120 E. Moreland Blvd. 262.524.1455 Waukesha Lifetime Installation Warranty! FREE Financing w/approved credit. Not valid with any other offers or previous purchases. www.stusflooring.com Expires 8/30/17 SALE Residential Customer Appreciation Residential Customer Appreciation TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 15% OFF ALL ORDER OUT MATERIAL Free Carpet Removal & Disposal with Carpet Purchase See Store for Details (StatePoint) — Are you taking advantage of your yard and maximizing its potential as a living space? All you need is a bit of time and energy to transform your yard into the perfect place to spend time with family and friends. "There are so many projects homeowners can do themselves to increase the appeal and usability of their outdoor living space," says Doug Scott, landscape designer and blogger behind "Redeem Your Ground." A new, free six-part how-to video series from Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment, can help. "Done-in-a- Weekend" offers DIY projects that empower almost any homeowner to improve their yards and enjoy the payoff of their work for years to come. To get you started, here are a few ideas from the online series. Get cozy A portable fire pit is a cozy gathering space that's simple and cost-effective to cre- ate. First, select a location and obtain any necessary building or fire permits. It's best if the fire pit is set at least 10 feet away from your home, fence and other manmade struc- tures. The space should be about 15- to 18- feet in diameter, which allows for five to six feet for the fire pit itself and another five to six feet around the perimeter for seating and mobility. Mark the space then prepare the general area by raking away debris and leveling the ground. Use fire-resistant mate- rials such as mini slate chips, stone or brick to create the floor of the pit. Then, select seating and other accessories to give this space the same cozy feel as any room of your home. Connect the dots Walkways and paths can enhance the beauty and functionality of your yard, tying together outdoor spaces. Gravel and mulch are cost-effective materials that are easy to install. To kick it up a notch, use paving stones, which are more durable and less likely to cause drainage problems. Before starting, call 811 to have all utilities located and marked. Then, measure and mark the locations of your walkways. Use a sod cutter to remove existing sod and make room for the walkway to be installed. Next, level and prepare the area. After laying the pavers, fill the joints with sand and install a soldier course along the border to tie the walkway together. Finally, compact the entire walkway so it's level with adjoining surfaces, eliminating trip hazards. Layer up Select and install plants that vary in form, size, color and leaf structure to help you create the dream outdoor space. Seek plant varieties well-suited for your growing conditions. Note, this will change as you move around the yard, as sun exposure varies. Also, when planning, keep in mind that plants will be larger once they mature. To complete these projects and all stan- dard yard care maintenance, be sure to use high-quality equipment designed to help you work faster, not harder. For more proj- ect ideas and videos, visit WeAreExmark.com/diy. With the right tools and inspiration, you can make more of your outdoor spaces, sim- ply and cost-effectively. It's always a good idea to prepare your home and family for a big summer storm before it happens. Better to be safe than sorry. Build an emergency kit ■ Include a few days' worth of clothing for the entire family, nonperishable foods, drinking water, first aid kit, bathroom/hygiene and baby/pet supplies, cash, blankets, flashlight, matches or can- dles. ■ Work gloves, duct tape and small tools are also good to keep around. ■ Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family. ■ Pick a safe place to gather away from windows, skylights and glass doors. ■ Keep a portable TV or radio on hand to monitor weather updates. ■ Don't forget extra batteries. ■ Make sure cell phones are charged. ■ Have an alternate cooking method in case of power outages such as a charcoal or propane grill. Prepare your home ■ Reinforce windows with storm shut- ters. ■ Keep sheets of plywood or tarps to cover broken windows or damage. ■ Clean gutters to prevent clogging as this can cause water to pour down the side of the house or under the roof. ■ Waterproof your home by checking for cracks and inspecting tiles and shingles and seal your vents to prevent wind or rain damage. ■ Make sure vents are sealed to prevent wind and rain from entering. ■ A battery operated backup sump pump is also a good idea. ■ Keep expensive or valuable items off the ground in case of flooding. Prepare your yard ■ Trim your trees as falling branches and debris can potentially cause a lot of damage. ■ Ensure that your yard slopes away from your home as this can prevent water pooling and causing damage to the founda- tion. ■ Secure outdoor items such as patio fur- niture in case of strong winds. DIY projects to improve outdoor living It pays to be ahead of the storm StatePoint A portable fireplace is a great way to make the outdoors a little bit more cozy. It also invites you to go outside. Easy steps to make your home, yard safer

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