Waukesha County Home

If you have ever thought about installing a fence for your home or business, there are more benefits in doing so than just privacy. Privacy If you want a high level of privacy, then a vinyl or wood fence might be the perfect choice. If you want a lower level of privacy and would like to see outside your property, consider installing a chain link or alu- minum fence. Protection Another popular reason to install a fence is protection. You may have property or pos- sessions outside your home or business that you'd like to keep safe and secure. If you have children or pets, installing a fence around your home provides a safe haven and an extra layer of security. Installing a fence can also help prevent thieves from attempting to break into your home or business. Establish boundaries Sometimes the need to establish your property boundaries is essential. A fence may help make landscaping and gardening easier as you won't have to worry about your neighbor's bushes or garden growing into your space. There are fences that can be installed that look equally appealing on both sides so talk with your neighbor about the benefits of a fence, and maybe they will pitch in on the cost of installation. Noise reduction If you live next to a freeway or highway, a fence can help reduce the noise level. A fence made of solid materials such as wood, vinyl or concrete would make the best choice. It never hurts to ask your local city planning department if they can help cover the cost of a fence if new construc- tion or a development suddenly impacts your property. Insect and animal problems If you notice an abundance of biting insects, a wood fence can actually help keep insects off your property. Cedar wood con- tains natural oils that help repel insects and might make a great choice. Installing a fence can keep animals out of your yard, especially stray cats, dogs and wildlife. When you determine it's time to install a fence, consider the various types of materi- als that would fit your budget and then get to work on it or hire someone to do the work for you. JULY 2017 HOMES PLUS 7 REMODEL • REPLACE • RETHINK REMODEL. REPLACE. RETHINK your windows. Bliffert Lumber offers quality products from Marvin ® . Call or visit us today to learn more. Marvin Windows and Doors, Warroad, MN 56763 ©2011 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. ® Registered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors 253767005 548 W. Sunset Dr. Waukesha, WI 53189 (262) 542-6666 www.bliffertlumber.com Consider the many benefits of installing a fence (StatePoint) — If the idea of doing-it- yourself where plumbing is concerned sounds intimidating, fear not. There are many simple fixes to common plumbing problems that just about anyone can take care of without professional assis- tance. More importantly, performing these simple maintenance tasks as they are need- ed can prevent larger problems from occur- ring. Not sure where to start? Try these quick plumbing tips from Jeff Devlin, a licensed contractor who's appeared on several TV home improvement shows. ■ Hair clogs: If you are accustomed to calling the plumber or snaking the drain when your tub is clogged, consider a sim- pler solution. Hair clog removers, available at your local hardware store or supercenter, are formulated with specific ingredients that work to dissolve hair and clear a drain on contact. For example, Roto-Rooter Hair Clog Remover works up to five times faster than other brands because it has 25 percent more hair dissolving ingredients. You can also help slow down the forming of new clogs by ensuring all of your drains have strainers to catch hairs and other debris. ■ Kitchen clogs: Grease, soap and food can get trapped in kitchen sinks — it hap- pens in every home sooner or later. The eas- iest way to clear these tough clogs is to use a solution designed specifically to cut through grease and food and open up a drain. Use 16 ounces of a solution like Roto- Rooter's Gel Clog Remover and wait about 10 minutes before flushing with water. While a great clog remover can do won- ders, you should try to dispose of larger amounts of grease in the garbage. Keep this in mind next time you are deep frying din- ner! ■ Septic backups: If you have a septic system, know that anything poured down any drain in your home will end up in the tank. So it's very important to keep that sys- tem healthy. A septic system is not unlike the human digestive system — it contains bacteria and enzymes which help to elimi- nate waste. However, sometimes the good bacteria and enzymes get destroyed by the things that get dumped into drains. Just as you can add a probiotic to your personal digestive system to keep things in balance, in a septic system you can main- tain balance by adding a septic treatment to your toilet. To avoid costly and messy back- ups, do this quick task once a month. "Performing simple routine maintenance can save you time, money and a headache down the line," Devlin said. From clogs to backups: three simple DIY plumbing fixes Fotolia.com Don't let clogged plumbing ruin your day. Simple DIY maintenance can keep drains clear.

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