The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/879797
E-14 Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 27, 2017 The Press-Dispatch For those people who don't know a box cutter from a box saw, shopping for men and women who like to get their hands dirty around the house can be a difficult task. Home improvement projects are complex undertakings that often involve the use of complex tools, and nov- ices may be lost in the pro- verbial woods as they look for gifts for their loved ones who can't wait to swing ham- mers around the house. Though there's always an element of risk when shopping for gifts for loved ones, the following hints might help shoppers with no knowledge of home im- provement projects find gifts that will please their favorite handyman. • Take inventory of his or her existing tools. When shopping for the DIY enthusiast in your family, try to take inventory of his or her tool chest before be- ginning your search. Make note of any tools that look new, checking those off your shopping list, and any that look like they need re- placing. Use your phone to photograph any unfamiliar tools that you might want to replace so you know what to look for when visiting the hardware store. • Think of what your relative likes to do most. The family handyman may have a particular area of home improvement exper- tise or something he or she is especially passionate about. Does your loved one prefer to work in the garden? Is he into woodworking and making decorative items for the house? Think of what he or she likes to do most and then look for something that will make that hobby more enjoyable. While multipur- pose tools might make for welcome gifts, something more specific to his or her particular passion may make an even better gift. • Think outside the (tool)box. While new tools might make a handyman's day, they are not the on- ly items that make great DIY gifts. Consider enroll- ing your loved one in an ad- vanced class so he or she can learn more about a fa- vorite hobby. Or gift a mag- azine subscription so he or she can stay abreast of the latest DIY trends and top- ics. Such gifts are great op- tions for shoppers hesitant to purchase potentially cost- ly tools that may or may not be hits with their relatives. • Speak with a profes- sional. If you can't access your loved one's workshop or simply don't know what he or she might want, ask a local contractor for gift recommendations. For ex- ample, a carpenter might know just what will elicit a smile from woodworking en- thusiasts, while landscapers might be able to suggest items for gardening or lawn care enthusiasts. Advance- ments are always being made in the home improve- ment industry, and those people who make their liv- ing in that industry might be great resources as you try to find the go-to gift for your loved one. Finding a gift for the fam- ily handyman might be dif- ficult for shoppers with no DIY experience of their own. But a little forethought and perhaps some professional assistance can be just what shoppers need to find gifts their loved ones will cherish for years to come. GREAT GIFTS for the family handyman installed. Individuals should research carpenters who spe- cialize in millwork and veri- fy their license and reputation through a consumer protec- tion agency. Popular types of mill- work include crown mold- ing, corbels, wainscotting, and custom bookcases. Homeowners may not re- alize that millwork can be added to spaces of all siz- es to give them an air of so- phistication. Although millwork was traditionally formed from hardwoods, eco-friendly homeowners can now find millwork crafted from syn- thetic materials and even reclaimed woods. Millwork can add that special touch to the interi- or or exterior of a home. CLASSIC Continued from page 13 LAWN Continued from page 8 UNSTOPPABLE PERFORMANCE. UNBEATABLE DEALS. Every Trane system has been tested to run through anything. And right now, you can get an unbeatable deal on the most reliable brand of heating and cooling equipment. Choose from 0% APR for 72 months* or $1,000 trade-in allowance** . We never stop finding ways to bring you products that never stop. 0% APR for 72 months* or $1,000 trade-in allowance** on qualifying systems. MAC'S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 812-789-3065 104 E Center St, Winslow macshtgac@hotmail.com *The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank, an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 7/1/17 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/15/2017. **See your independent Trane Dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers OR trade-in allowances from $100 up to $1,000 valid on qualifying equipment only. Offers vary by equipment. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. 0% APR for 60 months * or $1,000 trade-in allowance ** on qualifying systems. Every Trane system has been tested to run through anything. And right now, you can get an unbeatable deal on the most reliable brand of heating and cooling equipment. Choose from 0% APR for 60 months* or $1,000 trade-in allowance.** We never stop finding ways to bring you products that never stop. sunlight and oxygen. The re- sult is dead grass and pos- sibly even fungal disease. Leaves may not need to be raked every day, but home- owners should periodically rake and remove leaves from their grass, even if there are plenty left to fall still hang- ing on the trees. • Repair bald spots. Summer exacts a toll on lawns in various ways, and even homeowners with green thumbs may end up with a lawn filled with bald spots come September. Au- tumn is a great time to re- pair these bald spots. Lawn repair mixes like Scotts® PatchMaster contain mulch, seed and fertilizer to repair bald spots, which can be- gin to recover in as little as seven days. Before applying such products, remove dead grass and loosen the top few inches of soil. Follow any ad- ditional manufacturer in- structions as well. • Aerate the turf. Aer- ating reduces soil compact- ing, facilitating the delivery of fertilizer and water to a lawn's roots. While many homeowners, and particu- larly those who take pride in tending to their own lawns, can successfully aerate their own turf, it's best to first have soil tested so you know which amendments to add after the ground has been aerated. Gardening centers and home improvement stores sell soil testing kits that measure the pH of soil, but homeowners who want to test for nutrients or heavy metals in their soil may need to send their samples to a lab for further testing. Fall lawn care provides a great reason to spend some time in the yard before the arrival of winter.