Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Fight the munchers
Cooler temperatures can invoke a certain amount of inertia among homeowners. Fall is no time for procrastination, however, when it comes to essential outdoor chores in preparation for the challenges that nature can present to the landscape.
Animals, like humans, like to eat throughout the winter. It is foolish to rely on hope alone that voles or deer, or heaven forbid, both, won't choose your lawn, trees or shrubs to snack on.
Taz Stuart, entomologist and director of information technology for Poulin's, a pest-control company, says Winnipeggers can expect the vole population to be huge if we get a lot of snow.
"Their cycle is based on snow cover," said Stuart. "If it is a mild winter, we will see the vole population crash because then it is easier for natural predators, such as birds, to find them."
Regardless of which long-range forecast you want to believe, the wisest course of action is to follow a few basic guidelines this fall to ensure fewer surprises next spring when the snow melts.
Do the practices you follow really make a difference? Consider the experiences of these two homeowners.
Ron Blunden, a Linden Woods resident since 1990, has taken pride in his healthy lawn. This spring, when the snow finally melted, fully 50 per cent of his backyard had been damaged by voles, leaving behind unsightly ridges and dead patches that snaked across his lawn, up to 10 cm wide and 122 to 152 cm long.
Matted pathways or yellow grass tunnels in the lawn are characteristic of voles, which spend the winter beneath the snow in their search for grass roots.
Blunden, in his words, "worked like a dog" in early spring and throughout the summer to restore his lawn. First, he raked out all of the dead grass and aerated. After spreading a four-way soil mix and seeding with a turf-building bluegrass seed product, Blunden carefully nurtured the lawn back to good health during the summer, which also benefitted from the abundance of late season rainfall.
Kendra Smith, a homeowner in a brand-new subdivision in south Winnipeg, installed sod in May 2013 only to see the majority of her new lawn severely damaged over the winter by a vole infestation.
"It was heartbreaking after all the time and money that was invested in our landscape", said Smith.
She and husband, Michael, wondered if they might have to resod but over the course of the summer, following a regimen of raking, fertilizing and adequate watering, their lawn fully recovered.
Both Smith and Blunden were vigilant over the summer, monitoring for burrow openings, using traps with peanut butter and removing nests.
It's great news that lawns, even after severe damage, can recover with a little TLC. While this is encouraging, voles don't stop at eating the roots of your grass. In Blunden's yard, voles stripped a portion of bark from two fruit trees. Blunden applied Wilson tree-pruning paste and the trees seem none the worse for wear.
In Smith's yard, though, rabbits stripped large portions of bark off the midsection of seven newly planted Dakota Pinnacle birch trees, just above the snow line, causing them to eventually die in the spring as a result of girdling (disruption of water and nutrient transport that can lead to death).
Both Blunden and Smith are taking steps this fall to ward off any further damage. Blunden is experimenting with Vamoose, a scent deterrent for deer and rabbit control, sprinkling it along his fence line and Smith is applying Skoot, a taste repellent for deer, rabbits and mice, to her trees. Neither product, however, is registered for the control of voles.
Grant Dunn, a representative for Eddi's Wholesale Garden Products, says there are currently no repellant products in Canada registered for use on voles. Interestingly, Dunn says a well-known product called Plantskydd is registered in the U.S. for deer, rabbit, and vole control but in Canada it is only registered for deer and rabbit control.
Dunn suggests that could be an economic decision by the U.S.-based company because it may have been too costly to register the product in Canada as a vole repellent.
The active ingredient in Plantskydd is bloodmeal, emulsified into a liquid. A dry powder concentrate is also available. Plantskydd repels with a scent that is also vile to humans for a short while after application. Dunn recommends applying it to trees while the temperature is still above freezing. Providing it doesn't rain shortly after application, it can provide up to three months of protection once it dries.
Bobbex is a similar product that has proven effective in deterring visiting wildlife but Dunn says it is not as residual or long lasting. A less expensive option, says Dunn, is to buy a box of bloodmeal. After mowing his lawn as short as possible in the late fall, Dunn sprinkled it on his lawn last year. His neighbour's lawn was damaged by voles but the vole damage stopped right at his property line.
Stuart says proper identification is key to implementing the proper pest-management strategy. Effective control of voles, he says, begins with cutting grass to a short height and placing snap traps along the edges of your deck or fence line.
Paul Jenkins, owner of Wildflower Farm, producers of Eco-Lawn seed, a blend of fine fescue grass seeds that produce a free-flowing carpet effect but require less fertilizing, also recommends mowing eco-grass very short in late fall for two reasons. First, the grass will green up faster in the spring and secondly, mowing it short in the fall reduces the likelihood of snow mould damage in the spring.
Deer are perhaps a greater dilemma. Manitoba Conservation receives many calls during the winter about sightings of these beautiful creatures in urban areas.
Human-wildlife conflict management biologist Janine Stewart says that while contact repellents and fresh predator urine can be effective in deterring deer from eating plants, other practical measures include the installation of chicken or mesh wire around trees, cleaning up fruit that falls onto the ground, erecting fences, or using motion- or light-activated devices.
Deer become habituated, though, says Stewart, who recommends switching up occasionally whatever you are using and moving it around. Also, deer are particularly attracted to cedar trees so creating a protective barrier using wooden stakes and burlap, ensuring that the burlap does not come in contact with the foliage, will protect cedars over the winter.
Diana Dhaliwal's garden, located close to Assiniboine Park, which is visited by large numbers of deer, regularly sees the same group of deer who have recently been joined by a spindly legged fawn. Dhaliwal's lush landscape was part of the Manitoba Master Gardener Association's garden tour this year and on the eve of the tour, she made a startling discovery while surveying the vast evidence of deer damage throughout her garden.
With the tops of every hosta and all of her lily buds thoroughly devoured, Dhaliwal took a walk through her rose garden until she came upon a sleeping newborn fawn. With respect and awe for the miracle of nature, Dhaliwal graciously resigned herself to sharing her foliage and blooms. Still, for the winter she has erected a temporary barrier with fence posts and heavyweight fishing line as a gentle deterrent.
Manitoba Conservation's Stewart reminds homeowners to please not feed visiting deer. "To do so," says Stewart "teaches them that a food source is available and encourages them to return."
Stewart also suggests hanging bird feeders well out of their reach. Choose one that prevents seed from going onto the ground below. The phone number for CWF Problem Wildlife is 204-945-5221.
What about the wildlife that you are hoping to attract? Sherrie Versluis, owner of the Preferred Perch, recommends moving your bird feeder to a more accessible location for the winter for easy viewing from your window.
A feeder with a dome is practical for two reasons. It keeps the snow off and offers shelter to the birds from hungry squirrels.
Squirrels are intelligent creatures. The red squirrel, half the size of the grey squirrel, is territorial and keeps grey squirrels away. Both are partial hibernators so the weather determines their activity. To make your feeder squirrel-proof, erect it on a pole system and add a baffle to prevent them from climbing. Site the pole at least three metres from whatever point a squirrel might jump.
Want to add a bit of luxury for visiting birds? Versluis says heated birdbaths have come a long way. Although birds won't bathe in winter, they will appreciate taking a sip from water rather than eating snow. Thermostat-controlled birdbaths keep the water just above freezing and will be a huge attraction.
colleenizacharias@gmail.com
Renovation & Design
Store fresh apples properly; they'll last longer
QUESTION: I just filled my second fridge crisper with fresh-picked apples. I always sprinkle baking soda and put a layer of paper towels under the apples. Do I set the crisper tray on high or low humidity? I also filled an old roaster pan with apples to hopefully keep them fresh for a while and put them on another shelf in the fridge. Should I place plastic wrap overtop? Should I puncture holes in it to help keep the rest of the fridge from absorbing the apples or the apples spoiling too quickly? Also, how does one keep head lettuce crispy to serve in salads (like in restaurants)? Mine seems to always be limp. V. J., Winnipeg
ANSWER: When picking apples, do so in the morning when they are still cool. As you know, apples need to be in a cool place such as the basement, garage or fridge (best choice). Humidity levels should be 90 per cent and the temperature between -1.1 C to 1.7 C. If stored correctly, apples remain fresh for up to five months, the thicker the peel, the longer the shelf life. Store apples in a plastic lined box or plastic bag with holes. Newspaper-lined boxes are another option.
To keep lettuce fresh: Line the fridge crisper with newspaper and a tea towel over top. Avoid storing lettuce near fruit, which give off ethylene gas. High humidity is ideal for lettuce and storing lettuce wrapped in a tea towel and placed inside of a plastic bag is another option. Extra Tip: Wash the entire head of lettuce in ice water, tear lettuce into pieces. Dry lettuce in a salad spinner or with a tea towel. Make a bed of newspaper and tea towels in the crisper and drop the torn lettuce into the drawer. Salads will be handy to create, and your lettuce is more likely to be used quickly. Do not cut lettuce with a metal knife -- unless you plan to use it immediately -- because metal that comes in contact with lettuce speeds up the browning process.
-- Did you know apples belong to the rose family?
-- Store an apple with; brown sugar and homemade cookies, cakes and breads to keep them fresh.
-- Keep potatoes fresh longer by storing an apple with them.
-- Eating a green apple is said to cure motion sickness.
-- If your horse won't take his medication, stick it inside of an apple. Horses love apples!
QUESTION: It is time to clean our kitchen ceiling fan and previously you mentioned putting some oil on it to prevent attracting dust. Could you please remind us what type of oil you recommend for this? Thanks. Joan, Winnipeg
ANSWER: For regular ceiling fan cleaning jobs, you can use a long-handled good quality microfibre dust cloth. If you clean your ceiling fan once every one to two weeks, then when you turn the fan on, less dust flies around the room and settles on furniture. However, when grease and dust have built up to the point of becoming sticky, more drastic measures are required. You will need a step ladder, gallon bucket of water, abrasive non-scratching cloth, 1 tbsp. dish soap and 1 tbsp. vinegar. Scrub each blade using the solution. Rinse with warm water and dry. In order to prevent blades from collecting dust, you can wipe them with furniture polish (or a fabric softener sheet) and a soft cloth.
QUESTION: I'm in the process of buying a small house that is a fixer-upper and the previous owner was a heavy smoker. Three of the rooms and a hallway have stippled ceilings and I'm wondering if it would be possible to clean them? For the walls and plain ceilings, I thought maybe a solution of T.S.P. might work, but the stippled ones have me baffled. Any advice would be most welcome. Barb, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Begin by deciding how much you like stipple. If you want to keep stipple permanently, then paint the ceiling with a primer called Kilz. This product will kill the odour and make the ceiling look new but, it will seal the stipple. Another option is to spray the stipple with water and scrape it off using a plastic putty knife. Clean the bare ceiling with dish soap and water and then either re-stipple or paint. Attempting to clean unpainted stipple will make a mess.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Check out my website Reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
Built for the great outdoors
Fall's shorter days and chilly evenings can signal an end to outdoor entertaining, but Jason Cross and fiancée Correna Bayrak aren't planning to move the party indoors any time soon.
Nor are they contemplating a laundry list of cleanup tasks that includes winter storage of their outdoor furnishings and accessories.
How is all of this possible when so many of us will be spending our time in the coming weeks cleaning up flower beds this fall and making room in our sheds for bulky tables, chairs, etc?
Let's start at the beginning.
When Cross and Bayrak went shopping a few years ago for a cottage retreat, it wasn't long before they realized it was possible to have the outdoor experience they dreamed of right at their residential East St. Paul property.
Their vision, though, was for an entertainment oasis that combined functionality and aesthetic appeal, but without the headaches of high maintenance.
Now, it has to be said the end result of their dreams and schemes is no ordinary landscape. Set against a dense backdrop of healthy, mature trees that include evergreens and specimens of butternut bordering the L-shaped property, today this exceptional landscape features all the bells and whistles of a luxurious retreat with the same sense of seclusion a lakeside cottage might offer.
But with none of the, shall we say, inconvenience of packing and unpacking, travelling to and from, opening up and closing down that a home away from home entails.
Three years ago, their bare-bones L-shaped backyard consisted strictly of trees and grass. The first decision was to install a sunken flagstone patio in the treed corner of their property with easy direct access to an adjacent deck and sunroom at the rear of their house.
The ambient patio area now includes a pond and quality outdoor furnishings that consist of two two-seater wicker-style sofas and matching club chairs arranged around a conversation-height (91 cm) rectangular fire table with an aluminum frame that conceals the propane tank, topped with porcelain tiles and outdoor grout that moisture can't penetrate.
This intimate outdoor living room is shaded by an expansive 12-foot cantilever (side post) patio umbrella in black weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric.
Let's stop for a minute and ask the obvious question. How does one store a substantial-sized outdoor living room for the winter?
Bayrak purchased the furnishings for the patio area from Wicker World. With the help of Phil Squarie, president and owner, she selected all-season furnishings with rust-free frames and water-repellent fabric. Everything stays outside year-round. Covers are available for winter but Bayrak hasn't always remembered to use them.
One would never be able to tell. Nor is there a trace of the wine spillage that occurred or the accidental smear of melted chocolate.
Just as gardeners trial plants to see if they will survive the elements, Squarie trials the products he sells.
"Stainless steel and high-density polypropylene materials weather very well," said Squarie who always jumps on his furniture to see how it bears up. His own set of furnishings has spent the past six years outdoors -- uncovered.
"Inexpensive materials are not built for our climate extremes," cautions Squarie who recommends investing wisely by choosing products for durability far beyond one season as well as aesthetic appeal.
With the patio area complete, the next addition was the installation, directly opposite the side of the house, of a rectangular-shaped inground swimming pool from Aqua-Tech. Its striking indigo blue mosaic-like pool liner shimmers in the full sun.
While the couple's vision was to provide many degrees of comfort for their guests and blended family of four children, both were drawn to juxtaposing that comfort with hardscaping elements of cool, contemporary steel and concrete.
Bayrak saw the floor of her outdoor space not as a carpet of grass, but rather smooth expanses of concrete walkway and seating areas. The backdrop of tall trees surrounding the landscape are the walls of greenery, providing all the colour Bayrak needs or wants as a complement to her preference for earthy blacks, charcoals and browns.
John Garcea, owner of S and J Construction, did all of the concrete work and, once completed, Bayrak conceived another idea.
With only a rough sketch on a piece of paper, Bayrak approached Jason Woznesensky, landscape designer and owner of Bedrock Custom Landscaping, to create an L-shaped berm around the pool area.
Bayrak estimate the drop from the top of the finished berm to the bottom of the property line is about 2.5 metres.
Creating it was no small task. Since the property line is far below grade level, Woznesensky brought in several truckloads of fill. The completed berm, covered in crushed granite, adds a distinct dimensional look to the landscape, distancing the backdrop of trees. This effect was heightened by the installation last summer of a row of newly planted evergreens appearing as an inner row.
A second linear-shaped fire table, this one in stainless steel, is sunk into the berm, and has the appearance almost of a buried treasure chest. The propane tank is located behind the berm.
The burner cover lifts to reveal layers of tempered glass rocks that glisten in the rain. Yes, it can even be used in the rain. Simply light with a barbeque lighter. No fumes or embers, only radiant warmth from the glowing fire to warm family and guests in cool weather.
Finishing touches in the area of the berm include bowls of succulents from Salad Bowl Greenhouses, outdoor lighting, and massive pool-side containers dressed in black and potted up with dramatic tropical arrangements wholly proportionate to the large, open space.
While none of the furnishings are stored indoors, the tropical arrangements spend the winter at Gauthier Cadillac Buick GMC where Jason Cross is vice-president.
Bayrak also created a living picture of assorted succulents, purchased at Sumka Brothers Greenhouses. Mounted on an outside stucco wall opposite the pool, Bayrak purchased a wall garden planter kit from Lee Valley Tools. The kit comes with an irrigation reservoir, water collector and mounting wall bracket, which Bayrak concealed with a wide wooden frame. The living wall also spends the winter at the dealership.
With the sunken patio and poolside areas complete, Bayrak and Cross decided upon the ultimate choice for outdoor entertaining -- an outdoor kitchen.
Again, they called upon the expertise of Squarie, who sells modular islands by Napoleon and says they are part of a growing trend. With built-in grill, single side burner, under-grill cabinet, three-drawer cabinet, waste drawer cabinet, fridge door cabinet and barbeque, Bayrak and Cross can prepare any dish they want.
They have also added a pizza oven, choosing to go with a Twin Eagles stainless steel model that heats up quickly rather than a stone wood-burning pizza oven that takes hours to heat up.
The countertop for the modular island is not included and materials must be chosen wisely. Granite or corian weathers well. If you choose tile, be sure to think in terms of cold-weather grouting, which is more resistant to water penetration and freeze/thaw damage.
"You can cook a steak outdoors in February so long as you are able to shovel a path to the outdoor kitchen," said Squarie. Everything is stainless steel and only the barbeque needs to be covered for the winter. Everything else can be hosed off in the springtime after the snow melts.
The outdoor kitchen, complemented by an outdoor dining room table that seats eight, has been situated on a large patio area adjacent to the garage with a large pillared overhang. A Rolltec retractable awning made with all-season water-repellent fabric on a rust-free frame extends out far enough to shade family and guests from the sun's heat and UV rays.
An infrared heater, mounted into the overhang, really throws heat on bone-chilling days. Squarie says these start at $299.
The urge to convert the adjoining garage into a man-cave was impossible to resist. Cross found an image on the Internet depicting a three-dimensional wine cellar, which Xtreme Sign & Grafix printed, laminated and installed.
With year-round furnishings and accessories that will spend the winter outdoors, Cross and Bayrak will wait until the snow flies before closing out the season, likely relaxing outside in a chair with a glass of wine before heading indoors.
For myself, I will be trying to squeeze one more non-winter-hardy item into my shed.
Squarie, though, has a wise word of advice.
"Longevity of use of a quality material has less of an environmental impact than disposing of poor-quality purchases every few years."
When investing in outdoor furnishings, always ask about the serviceable lifespan of the products you are purchasing.
colleenizacharias@gmail.com
Renovation & Design
Get rid of that flock of seagulls
QUESTION -- Do you have any suggestions for deterring seagulls, etc. from constantly landing on docks and making a mess, which is very difficult to clean up? Thanks. Doris (Kenora, ON)
ANSWER -- The easiest defence to guard against seagulls is to purchase seagull spikes. Don't worry the spikes won't hurt the birds, but these easy to install spikes will deter your feathered friends. Seagulls like to rest on sturdy areas and the little spikes give them the illusion of instability. The spikes are small and won't alter the appearance of your dock. If spikes are not an option, there are commercial seagull deterrent sprays available in stores and online. It is important not to hurt seagulls, they are considered endangered in some areas which could land you in a heap of trouble. Lastly, make sure there is no garbage or food around to attract them (pretty basic but I had to say it).
QUESTION -- I absolutely love reading your columns. They are always so informative and helpful. I was wondering what your views are on the safety of using microwave ovens? There is so much conflicting information out there and I was wondering if you could clear up some of it? I've read that microwaves change the food they're cooking at the cellular level, causing the food to become harmful. Can you elaborate on this? I put my microwave away almost a year ago because much of the information is quite scary. I was hoping that you could have a way of researching these concerns and letting us know, one way or the other, if there are real dangers or are the reports just myths? It would be wonderful to know the truth, whether or not it hurts microwave oven sales. They are in almost every household and it would be a disaster if using them on a regular basis was damaging our bodies and those of our developing children, don't you agree? I hope you can shed some light on this and I would have some idea as to whether I should dig my microwave out again to use or turf it. Please keep up the great work. Shirley, Winnipeg
ANSWER -- I share your concern and although it does come in handy, I could easily live without a microwave oven. The decision of whether or not to use a microwave oven must be left up to each individual consumer. However, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (Cdn. Government) recommends the following: Owners should keep their microwaves in good working order. Health Canada states, "Microwaves should not be confused with X-rays or other intense forms of energy. The microwaves generated by a microwave oven do not cause food or the oven itself to become radioactive. Some microwave energy may leak from your oven while you are using it, but this would pose no known health risks, as long as the oven is properly maintained. Old or faulty door seals are the most common causes of microwave radiation leakage. Mechanical abuse, a build-up of dirt, or wear and tear from continued use can cause door seals to be less effective." Health Canada states that the amount of Radio Frequency energy is regulated; however there are ongoing studies to research the impact of RF energy on humans (www.ccohs.ca).
QUESTION -- How can I remove bugs from the front of my car? Thank-you. Elizabeth, Winnipeg
ANSWER -- Soak a large tea towel in warm water and dish soap. Lay the dishtowel on the front of the car for 20-30 mins. Remove the towel and dip a nylon sponge in cola. Gently wipe the bugs away. Rinse with warm water, dry with a soft towel.
Fabulous Tips of the Week:
A great way to repel cupboard/drugstore beetles in your home is to scatter bay leaves loosely in your cupboard. Works like a charm! Robbin
I always save the waxy paper inside cereal boxes. This paper is my favorite when making yeast breads. It seldom sticks (the way regular wax paper does) and it doesn't cost anything. When needed, I just carefully rip along the seams and open and use the food side against my dough. It is already dusted with cereal powder. As my sister does not bake, she even saves hers for me. I save them all in the side of a deep drawer for handy use. Velma
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a Corporate Presenter on the topic: Harness the Power of Words? Check out my website Reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
Looking for source of leak a tricky situation
QUESTION -- Our cottage is an A-Frame, with a front window wall: 75 per cent of the front is windows and the siding is pine D-logs. Since it was built, rain leaks in, but only if it is a really bad storm. We thought it was the windows, but Jeld-Wen came and inspected, and determined that there was no problem with the windows. We had our contractor take off the D-Logs, replace the Blue Skin around the windows, but that did not fix the problem, either. Any ideas?
Pat Chorney
ANSWER -- Moisture intrusion through or around windows is one of the most common complaints of newly built homes. The cause can be difficult to pinpoint because the source of the problem is often hidden. We will discuss a few possibilities, but opening up the walls further may be the only solution to finding the reason for the leakage.
In reality, there are only three possibilities. The first two are leakage through or around the window itself. Since your contractor has removed the siding and reapplied new waterproofing membrane around the windows, that is not the likely area of leakage, but we still may not be able to rule it out if that hasn't been sealed properly. I would check above the windows to ensure there are proper metal drip flashings installed. These must be installed underneath the building paper or housewrap, but that will not be visible. Even if that was done incorrectly, the new Blueskin membrane should prevent water from seeping in behind the flashing. If you don't see metal flashings above all the window frames or brick mould, that is the first place to look for repairs.
If flashings seem to be in place, the next possibility is that water may be leaking through the windows. Since it can't go through the glass or the frames, the seals around the glass units or the moveable sashes are the only options for leakage.
In most newer windows, the glass sealed units are held in place by stops and synthetic seals or weatherstrips. If these are loose, improperly secured, or ill-fitting, high pressure water can penetrate the window. If the hardware that pulls the windows tight to the seals is loose or damaged, seepage is also possible.
If there is a small amount of leakage, drains near the bottom of the window extrusions will often take care of this by allowing it to clear the windows before it can penetrate through to the inside.
If either of these window issues are the culprit, spraying water on and around the windows with moderate pressure from a garden hose may show results.
This was likely done by the window reps who inspected your property, but they may not have been that diligent. I would recommend trying it yourself for a prolonged period, with someone inside checking for leakage with a strong flashlight. If that test proves negative, the final possibility must be explored.
Many times water that appears to penetrate a building through the windows does not actually enter where it is visibly leaking. If moisture is entering the wall cavity near the top, it will normally run down the sheathing or framing before it hits a horizontal surface. The majority of horizontal surfaces in many exterior walls are the framing above or below windows. Water entering high up on the peaked wall at the front of your cottage may travel a fair distance before it settles on the framing above the windows, or on the window frames. With a strong wind, the high air pressure can force this moisture toward the inside of the gap between the frame and the wall studs. If there is enough water, it will eventually find its way in behind the window casing to the inside walls. Taking off the casing on the most problematic windows and trying the hose test on the entire exterior wall may confirm the problem is elsewhere.
If that test results in a positive outcome, or even if it does not, leaving some of the window casing off until the next rainstorm may provide more insight into the source of the issue.
If none of these tests shows a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, more invasive measures may be required.
Inspection of the wall assembly with a thermal-imaging camera may be somewhat helpful, but may only show gaps in the insulation, or where water has made framing or insulation wet. It is unlikely it will be able to pinpoint an exact area of contention.
When checking the wall assembly for defects, the exterior is the likely point to start. You have stated the imitation log siding was removed, but you did not elaborate on the status of the exterior wall. Is there black building paper or housewrap on the outside of the wall sheathing? Is this installed properly with lower areas overlapped by the upper sections and is it complete or missing in critical areas?
It may also be necessary to remove this thin membrane to inspect the condition of the wall sheathing behind it. Looking for any areas with large stains, mould, or other signs of water penetration may yield further answers. If not, complete replacement with new housewrap with minimal seams may prevent future problems.
Investigating and diagnosing a point of moisture intrusion in or around windows can be one of the most difficult tasks for new homes. If leakage through the windows is ruled out, removing casings or exterior siding and other components may be required to identify the true culprit.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors, Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
Steps to prep outdoor plants for a long prairie winter
Each fall I get a number of inquiries from readers and clients about how to prepare their trees and shrubs for winter. There are now signs of leaves turning yellow. Did you know that trees and shrubs go through a winter preparation procedure of their own as they approach a state of dormancy?
Prior to the advent of winter, trees and shrubs go into a state of dormancy, or a resting period. During this period all the growth processes and functions of woody plants slow down and ultimately stop. Only the respiration process continues, as all living entities on earth need to breathe oxygen in order to live. In the dead of winter, trees breathe very slowly and very infrequently. The process of dormancy preparation is key to the survival of the trees and shrubs that go through long prairie winters. They are conserving their energy until spring. If you would like more information about how trees are prepared for winter dormancy, please contact me and I will send you further details about this magnificent process.
In our clay and clay loam soils many newer varieties (since 1970) of trees and shrubs are not equipped to absorb what little nutrition there is in our alkaline soils, especially in south central Manitoba. Available soil nitrates, phosphoric acid salts and iron oxide are limited by strong alkaline compounds in the soils such as carbonates and silicates of calcium, sodium and magnesium especially. Proper fertilization is essential. Although fertilization, especially for large trees, can be done by homeowners, I recommend that you get it done by a trained professional that specializes in this field if you have not done it before.
Fall fertilization is valuable for coniferous evergreens such as spruce, fir and pine as well as deciduous trees such as silver maple, red maple-silver maple hybrids, crab apple, mountain ash and all of the regular ashes (especially Manchurian) as it is a key annual procedure in the control of difficult fungal and bacterial diseases.
Although we have had an abundance of rain during this late summer season, it's still wise to thoroughly water all trees and shrubs before freeze up. Nearly all property owners, including gardeners, do not properly water their trees.
Imagine your tree is located in the centre of a large imaginary circle. In clay soils the roots typically grow a distance equivalent to at least half that tree's height from the trunk in all directions where possible.
Mugo pines and cedars especially, as well as other coniferous evergreens, were hard hit by late winter burn (extreme dehydration caused by a combination of the heat of the sun last winter and frozen soils). Install a sturdy burlap screen at least as high as the evergreen when the ground has not yet been frozen. The screen should be on the south and south-west sides of the tree but not touching.
Protect the lower stems of newly planted trees from feeding by voles, rabbits and other small mammals especially evergreens with tree guards. Deep, soft snow encourages voracious feeding by these animals. You may want to tramp down soft snow so that there is no air layer above the ground under the snow.
Michael Allen is a consulting urban forester and certified I.S.A. arborist and owner of Viburnum Tree Experts. He makes house and garden visits to assess tree and shrub problems. He can be contacted by calling 831-6503 or by e-mail at viburnumtrees@shaw.ca His web site is www.treeexperts.mb.ca
