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by Dave Logan

Let’s face it: winter isn’t the ideal time to take on home improvement projects. Sure, there are some indoor projects you can do, but it’s best to get the bulk of your projects done before the cold, winter months arrive. Here are five projects to get knocked out this fall:

1. Replace your windows. Old or poor quality windows could easily be the leading cause of your heating bill skyrocketing upwards this winter. Consider replacing your windows now to keep your energy costs down. You’ll realize that return on investment sooner than you think!

2. Repair or replace your roof. Get a professional roofer out to your house before the end of October. Being proactive about roof repairs will save you a lot of money (and headache) before winter gets here. A professional can teach you how to locate leaks on your own from the inside as well as provide several seasonal tips for you to be aware of down the road. And if you need an entire roof replacement, well now’s the time to get that done, too!

3. Replace your gutters. If your gutters are leaking or damaged, it can cause a lot of unwanted structural damage. Excess moisture on the interior is also a hotbed for mold and mildew. Trust me, these repairs are potentially far more costly than replacing your gutters, so get them looked at by a professional roofing contractor this fall.

4. Insulate your attic. This one’s a no-brainer. Proper insulation keeps your energy costs down and the heat inside your home.

5. Remodel your kitchen and bath. With school back in full swing, now is a quiet time to take on a kitchen or bath remodel. You will thank yourself for taking on a project like this once the holidays get here!

There are many home improvement projects you should consider before old man winter arrives. Put your trust in your own home improvement professional and get these projects knocked out this fall.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

Soon it will be time to head up to the Rockies to witness the stunning Aspens changing color. Yes, it’s just about fall, and few places are as beautiful as Colorado in the fall (or any season for that matter!). So what are your plans for your own fall landscaping? Now is the time to start incorporating fall colors into your garden, and what better way to accomplish this than by planting fall flowers!

Here are five of our favorites for Colorado:

1. Larkspurs come in a variety of shades of blues, purples, lilac, white, rose and pink. They typically grow up three feet high but can definitely grow taller than that. You can start them off in the fall, just make sure you get them going before the first frost arrives.

2. Snapdragons have brightly colored flowers (in nearly every shade but blue) that are especially profound in cooler weather, making a perfect addition to your fall garden. The name “snapdragon” is derived from the opening-mouth appearance of the flowers themselves.

3. Calendulas (pot marigolds) have the appearance of the perfect fall flower: rich golden and rust colors. Calendulas are very resilient and can even resist a light frost if they are well-established. The name “pot marigold” refers to its gold flowers that bloomed during the festivals celebrating the Virgin Mary (marigold); and of course its use in cooking (pots).

4. Petunias come in an abundance of choices and bloom best in cool, fall weather. They have wide trumpet-shaped flowers and do well in almost every condition (except extremely hot weather). Available in almost every color but black and blue, we recommend making petunias a staple in your fall garden.

5. Nasturtium flowers revitalize themselves in cool air and bloom well into fall. These flowers exhibit rich “jewel-toned” colors and make an exhilarating addition to any fall garden. They grow easily, work anywhere, and flourish with little maintenance. Bonus: the nasturtium leaves and flowers are edible! Steeped with a peppery zest, you will find the seed pods are sometimes used as a substitute for capers.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by Dave Logan

1. Ventilate. Painting your garage floor requires paints, epoxy, and cleaners that most certainly produce toxic fumes. Make sure your garage work area is very well ventilated and you won’t have any problems. Wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and covering exposed skin is always a smart idea for projects like this.

2. Clean the concrete floor. It’s important to sweep and take a shop vac to your garage floor before you being priming and painting. You need to make sure all debris is gone in order to achieve a smooth, effective result. Before you begin painting, sweep and clean the floor thoroughly. Use a concrete cleaner to rid the flooring of old stains. After you spray on the cleaner, wait a few minutes and scrub the spots with a hard brush. When you’re done, rinse the entire floor from back to front using a hose (or better yet, a pressure washer).

3. Repair the cracks. Now that your floor is clean, use a concrete-repair compound to patch cracks in the floor’s surface. Your garage floor will need to be totally dry before applying any sort of compound.

4. Prime the surface. Priming is the critical element before painting. It’s the only way to be sure your paint job will last for years to come. Grab a long-handlesd paint roller and slap on a heavy coat of primer. You will need to wait 8-10 hours for the primer to dry before you apply the first coat of paint.

5. Paint the surface. There are many types of quality paints on the market today that will more than suffice for your garage floor. Follow the application instructions available with whatever paint you choose. The first coat should be applied thinly and evenly. Wait at least 24 hours and apply a second coat. Two coats is all you need. Wait about 3-5 days before driving or parking on the newly painted surface. Finally, you will want to keep an eye on the surface and perform annual touch-ups to keep your garage floor protected and looking good!

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!

by John Ward

Homes are meant to keep our families safe, but unfortunately many things in our homes can malfunction make us sick or cause more serious harm. The water you use to bathe, drink and clean with can become contaminated by backflow in your water lines and make you and your family sick.  Water contamination caused by backflow was responsible for more than 4,400 serious illnesses in 2005 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Backflow is the reversal in water or sewage direction due to reversed water pressure. The reverse pressure can force sewage or other contaminates into your water lines, or it can suck contaminated water back into them.

According to the CDC , 51 percent of waterborne outbreaks caused by distribution system deficiencies between 1971 and 2000 were caused by backsiphonage. Backsiphonage occurs when pressure drops and contaminated water is drawn into the potable system. This can spread diseases like e-coli and Giardia, which cause stomach problems and fever.

The most common ways your home drinking water can become contaminated include:

• Hoses - Whether you leave the nozzle submerged in a bucket or laying on the ground, backsiphonage can suck contaminated water into your drinking water.
• Lawn Sprinkler systems - Sprinklers are also susceptible to backsiphonage, and the water drawn back into the system from there will contain fertilizers, pesticides and other organic matter.
• Break in the city water line -  A break  can allow polluted water and other contaminants to mix with the city water supply.
• Well water - Well water can come into contact with untreated water from run-off. Malfunctioning well  pumps can also cause backsiphonage.

All new outside hose faucets and lawn sprinkler  systems are required to have built-in backflow prevention devices, but if you haven’t updated your outside faucets or sprinkler system in the past 10 years you may be at risk. The simplest way to prevent contamination is to install new backflow prevention devices on these systems.

If you are concerned about the safety of your water, call Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric. We can test for contamination and determine the source, or we can install a sprinkler/irrigation system that has built-in back flow prevention.

John Ward has owned and operated Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric for more than 36 years.  He is a master plumber and recognized as an industry leader for his knowledge and ethical business practices.  Applewood is the 2009 Large Company Better Business Bureau Marketplace of Trust winner and Contractor Magazine’s 2009 Contractor of the Year.

by Dave Logan

1. Locate. Set The Posts. Once you’ve found the perfect location for your new pergola, you will need to locate and place four posts. You can pick up a post-hole digger at a reasonable price at your local hardware store, or you can make the job easier with an auger. You will want to dig your holes 12” wide and about 2’ deep. Add some loose rock or gravel to the bottom of each hole for proper drainage. Place your 4x4 posts into each hole, making sure they are completely level all around. Pick up several bags of Quikrete®, mix with water, and set the posts according to the instructions.

2. Attach Joist Beams. Use 2x10 lumber for your joist beams and cut them to Cut joist beams from 2x10 boards and bridge them across the set posts. You can get creative with the ends of the joist beams by using a jigsaw to cut a decorative pattern in the beam ends. Use your imagination. Clamp the beams in place while you drill out the holes in the joist beams and posts. Finally, attach the beams to the posts with 3” lag bolts.

3. Cut And Attach The Stringers. Use 2x6 boards to span the posts and overhang the joist beams. Again, you can get creative here by using a jigsaw for a deorative cut and look. Stringers should be evenly spaced with 3” deck screws (galvanized).

A pergola provides an attractive sanctuary to your home’s landscape. Building a pergola is a nice, weekend DIY project for many homeowners, but be sure to call a professional contractor if the job’s a bit too much for your skillset.

For more helpful information on these and other home improvement projects, check in often with the TDL Blog. And don’t forget to visit TeamDaveLogan.com to find a trusted home improvement professional in Denver and Boulder that will help you with your next project!