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Local News

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Home improvement: Do it yourself?
Legacy Kitchen & Bath
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Spring, combined with the bad economy this year, means many are thinking about outdoor do-it-yourself repairs and improvements in order to save a buck or two.

But it's not a good sign when your plans are met with knowing laughter from others who have been there and done that.

Unexpected nightmares can be avoided, and money saved, by playing it safe, thoroughly doing your homework and having contingencies in place.

Do-it-yourself success “depends on your ambitions, your budget, your time commitment and the skills you already have,” said Paul Shane.

Shane and Brian Peppel created The Handy Guys Web site at www.handyguyspodcast.com, which offers information and videos on home improvement projects for non-professionals.

The men, who are not contractors but seasoned do-it-yourselfers, operate the site in their spare time.

“Some of us will tackle almost anything,” said Shane, but when there is too much “guesswork,” hiring a professional is usually best. Work that involves electricity, plumbing and gas, for instance, can require a licensed professional, both legally and logistically.

Cost must also be a factor when it comes to wanting to save money on home improvement projects.

“If you have to buy a van-load of tools and buy a truck to complete a job, it's probably not going to pay for itself,” Shane said.

“A lot of people are not realistic in their budget,” said Peppel, who said even the most meticulous planners can get caught off guard financially by, say, what kind of hardware is needed.

Time commitment should also be taken into account, with people allotting time for additional work or problems that might crop up, along with the toll it takes on family and friends.

“Time is certainly a big element, the disruption,” said Peppel. “If you have a family to take care of, a day job, sometimes that affects things, especially on a larger project that's not just a weekend job. Some things take a lot of patience and persistence.”

Shane joked that he uses the number of trips he makes to the home improvement store to determine how long it'll probably take him to finish a job.

At the very least, homeowners should maintain what they have. Peppel and Shane said one of their site visitors wanted advice on how to tune up a lawn mower because he had not mowed in over a decade.

Spring, with its warmer, longer days, offers the first opportunity of the year to see what needs to be done.

For instance, now is a good time to determine if gutters need repaired or replaced, Shane said.

“Usually if you're going with replacement, it's best to hire that out because there are actually machines that make these in continuous lengths so they don't have seams and they're less prone to breakage,” Peppel said of gutters. “It's not a do-it-yourself job ... unless you have a very small house,” he said.

Wind, ice and snow can also wreak havoc on roofs. Shane and Peppel said replacing a few damaged or missing shingles is easy enough, but anything more extensive often needs a pro.

“(Roof) pitch is often a problem,” Shane said. “My roof is pretty steep, so unless I get the rock climbing gear out, I'm not attempting it. Even though I'm handy, I also have kids to raise...”

Peppel suggested when people completely replace their roofs, that they buy extra shingles for future repairs.

“Decks are a job that a lot of homeowners do themselves” before summer is in full swing, said Peppel, but “there are a few pieces to that project that are critical to being done right.

Peppel suggests that before first-time deck builders start on one at their own home, that they “help someone else build their deck first” to gain experience and “understand the scope of the project.”

Finally, consideration should be given to whether one can physically handle a particular project. People with a bad back, for instance, may find themselves in the doctor's office rather than the back yard if they overextend themselves handling parts or equipment that are too heavy for them.

While Peppel and Shane certainly aren't averse to continuing education when it comes to projects, as their Web site illustrates, their advice runs toward the practical side.

“Know your limitations,” Peppel said.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.