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The
SPRING
Home & Garden
Unique Mailboxes
Dont get tripped up!
Pests in your yard?
Experts give tips to get rid of pesky critters
Home
Maintentance
Checklist
Inside
SPRING 2012
Get to know your electrical box
Add flair to area homes
































































































































































































2 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
ORTHER
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March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 3
A
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Auctioneers
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Bus/Fax
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Check out our website
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for upcoming auctions:
March 31: Guns, Baseball Cards
April 14: RSVP Benet
April 21: Slone Benet
April 28: Farm Machinery
May 5: Home & Household
May 12: Home on Hamilton Lake
...and more to come!
Even though it may have seemed a
little springlike all winter, its finally
official! Spring has come to northeast
Indiana.
With the temperatures heating up
and the sun shining bright, Hoosiers are
anxious to get outdoors and work on
their properties and homes.
We hope this guide will inspire you
and help make all of your home and
garden projects easier.
Inside, youll find tips on making
your lawn more beautiful, your
landscaping more polished and your
home better maintained.
This guide is also available online at
kpcnews.com.
Best wishes for a wonderful
spring from everyone at KPC
Media Group!
Spring has sprung!
BY BOB CULP
bculp@kpcnews.net
Northeast Indiana may have enjoyed a
mild winter this year, free of a lot of snow
and ice, but that doesnt mean your lawn
enjoyed it as much.
Sprucing up your lawn after this mild
winter may not be that easy. Landscaping
experts gave some tips on how to help your
yard be ready for spring.
1. A winter snow acts as a natural
insulator and hydrates flowers. Without
that heavy blanket of snow, flowers may
pop up early thinking its springtime. To
prevent this, lay down a layer of pine
brush, which can act as that layer of
insulation, and prevent bulbs from
sprouting too early.
2. Mild winters can cause an increase in
pests and grubs throughout your lawn.
Buying pest-killing lawn products can
insure a healthier lawn during the Spring.
Also, pre-emergent weed killer should
be able to take care of most weeds before
if applied by the end of March.
3. Dont do yard work too early. If the
grass is too wet, it causes tearing out the
grass, leading to bald spots. Grass roots
wont grow until temperatures reach 40 to
50 degrees on average each day. Mowing a
lawn too early can also be potentially
harmful.
4. Re-mulching after winter gives a
vibrant, lively color to your lawn and
quickly puts new life into it after a dull
winter. Bright red colors, for instance, can
set off a greening lawn.
Putting down a layer of mulch two
inches thick is a good start, but thicker
layers are suggested if a landscape has
been neglected for a thicker period of time.
5. Remove piled up debris such as
branches, stones and trash. The mild winter
wont be as bad as most, since snow often
traps debris for property owners to find
after it melts.
Lawn work delicate after mild winter
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YOU LOVE YOUR
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So you have this love hate relationship with your
screen porch. You love the outdoor sights, sounds
and smells, but you hate the mess. In the spring
and summer, your furniture and carpet get wet
and dirty. The wind blows the newspaper out of
your hands. In the fall and winter, its cold out
there where you love to be and you have to shovel
the snow out and cover the furniture or haul it to
the attic. Or you get the plastic and staple gun out
and build a temporary barrier. Maybe you have
Plexiglas that you put up. Either way, if there is
a nice day, youre stuck, because either way you
have to wait until spring to take it all down again.
Wouldnt it be great if you could make better use
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4 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
BY NICHOLE HACHA-THOMAS
nthomas@kpcnews.net
For some homeowners, style doesnt stop at the
front door it extends all the way to the mailbox.
In the early 1800s, people retrieved their mail
from a centrally located post office. The first batch
of mail was delivered to city-dwellers homes
beginning in 1863 and in 1892, Rhode Island
resident George Becket received the patent on the
first-ever house-door-letter-box. The box featured
a mail slot and was able to be permanently attached
to the front door of a house. Thus, the mailbox was
born.
More than 100 years later, some local residents
have created unique ways to spruce up Beckets
invention. From mailboxes hanging on the front
door to those on posts at the end of a driveway, it
seems a few take delight in having a memorable
mailbox. For others, though, mailboxes arent just
for accepting mail they make great lawn and
garden decorations, too.
Fun mailboxes add flair
Incorporating in a little family history, Jim and Diana Millers
mailbox extends toward the road from a bright green potato
digger, which belonged to Jims grandfather. Add to that Diana
landscaping and the mailbox north of Waterloo is both
functional and fun.
Sometimes unique mailboxes are borne
from hobbies. This is true for Curt and
Sandy Rhoads of Hudson. Curt has incorpo-
rated his love of sprint car racing into his
mailbox, which is perched upon a genuine
racing tire. Sandy says an added bonus is
the mailbox makes it easy for people to find
their house, too.
See MAILBOXES page 5
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March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 5
Ronald Clingan of Hudson is a collector
of antique and toy tractors. It only
makes sense, then, that Clingans
mailbox be a reflection of his hobby.
His mailbox is fashioned onto a piece
of an antique Case tractor, complete
with wheels and a headlight.
Two different readers submitted a
photo of this mailbox in LaGrange
County, which sits in the front yard of
an Amish family. Beth Sherman,
director of the LaGrange County
Chamber of Commerce, said shes sure
it isnt used for mail, but its contents
are even better when it is overflowing
with flowers. Barbara Barnes, of
Angola, also sent a photo of the same
mailbox. Barnes said she doesnt own a
memorable mailbox, but if she did, it
would look just like this one.
Keith Schaeffers son took the time to
build his parents a new mailbox for
their Fremont home after theirs was
vandalized several years ago. The
Schaeffers and a neighbors
mailbox are shielded from the
elements in a miniature red barn.
Much of the landscaping around
Auburn resident Gary Babers home is
rock-based including his mailbox.
Made with a cement base covered with
stones, the post of the mailbox was cut
from an Auburn tree. The mailbox itself
is covered in pea gravel to finish off the
theme.
From Page 4
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BY DENNIS NARTKER
dennisn@kpcnews.net
KENDALLVILLE Its going to be a bang-up year
for moles, said Garrett Do It Best Hardware store
manager Jason Bolinger.
Grubs, insect larvae and earth worms, Moles main food
sources, stayed close to the surface soil because of this
years mild winter. Moles will be a problem for a lot of
people, he said. Theyre very destructive to lawns.
Joel Bolinger, manager-owner of Kendallville Do It
Center, agreed with his brothers prediction. Moles are
bad for yards. They can tear up and kill the turf.
Disturbed soil trails, mounds and soft spots in the lawn
are indications of mole infestation.
Guys, how does the homeowner deal with this pest?
Joel and Jason Bolinger recommend homeowners
6 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
Many yard
pest products
available
Joel Bolinger, owner and manager of the Kendallville
Do It Center, shows some of the products his store
and the Garrett Do It Best Hardware store in Garrett
have to prevent and eradicate moles from lawns and
landscapes.
DENNIS NARTKER
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fertilize their lawns following the four-step
Scotts lawn care program available at their
stores. Fertilizer not only helps the lawn
but gets attached to grubs and earthworms
and makes them less tasty to moles, said
Jason. Fertilizer doesnt kill the earth
worms.
Another way to prevent moles is to use a
grub killer product also available at both
stores. Homeowners spread the granules
across the lawn much like fertilizer before a
rainfall or spray the grass with water after
application. Moles look for a food source
like grubs, said Joel. If there are no grubs,
they will look elsewhere.
Battery-operated sound vibrators placed
into the ground at points around the lawn can
be effective in preventing moles and other
tunneling pests like voles and shrews. The
sound irritates them and drives them away,
said Jason.
Moles live only three years, but in that
short time, they can do incredible damage to
lawns. They can dig dozens of tunnels
through a lawn fairly quickly, destroying the
grass and enabling weeds to grow. In areas
with crops, mole holes can kill or stunt the
growth of plants. They tear up the grass
roots killing the grass, said Jason. If left
alone, their tunnels will become dead brown
spots in the lawn.
There are various options for getting rid of
moles. The Bolingers suggest the following
products available in their stores:
March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 7
From Page 6
PEST
Its going to be a bang-up year for
moles. Grubs, insect larvae and earth
worms, Moles main food sources, stayed
close to the surface soil because of this
years mild winter. Moles will be a
problem for a lot of people.
Theyre very destructive to lawns.
Jason Bolinger
Garrett Do It Best Hardware
store manager

MOLE TRAPS CAN BE EFFECTIVE The spring loaded traps

placed over a flattened mole tunnel automatically drive sharp
spikes into the soil when the mole digs through the collapsed
tunnel. You probably should use more than one trap, said Joel.
DUMMY POISONOUS EARTHWORMS Create a small hole in an
active tunnel, and push worm down hole then cover with soil.
This product is very good. The stick for digging the hole is
included, said Joel.
CHEMICAL SPRAYS THAT WILL ELIMINATE SOME OF THE FOODS
THAT MOLES EAT These can be ineffective against
earthworms, a favorite food for moles, said Jason.
CASTOR OIL DILUTED WITH WATER Considered a repellent but,
again, its not a very good eradicator. It irritates the moles and
may serve to drive them away for a while, said Jason. The
moment this homemade remedy is weakened in any way, moles
may reappear quickly.
SMOKE BOMBS A product called the Great Destroyer emits
smoke into mole dwellings and tunnels.
CARBON MONOXIDE A device that attaches to the exhaust pipe
of an automobile with a tube that is placed in an active moles
exposed hole.
MOLE BAIT PELLETS Not very effective because moles dont eat
pellets, said Jason.
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8 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
BY JENNIFER DECKER
jdecker@kpcnews.net
With sunshine brings warmer weather
and people are turning their attention to the
outdoors and fixing up their yards.
Included in that, could be creating a patio
thats both beautiful and practical.
Mary Beem, accountant for Propane
People and Patio Powers, Waterloo,
recently put in a retaining wall using
Manchester stones because the sides are
curved. I bought it for its weight to make
a 3-foot tall (retaining wall). I like the
look, she said and explained its sold in
three weights 26-pound Manchester, 45-
pound Bradford and 58-pound Cambridge.
Each offers a different look, she said.
Sometimes, Beem said she gets
customers who come in and want patio
blocks to create a dog kennel.
She noted the following with patio
rocks, all that can be installed in do-it-
yourself fashion, as an instructional
pamphlet is available at Propane People
and Patio Powers with pointers:
Square patio blocks all come with a
variety of names that depends on individual
taste.
Edgers are decorative and can finish a
project.
In terms of bagged stone to landscape
around a patio, for example, Beem said
theres 10 different types depending on
choice desired.
Stones help create practical patios
Titan Edger
Interlocking
Edger
Cobblestone
Cresent Edger
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3/4 pound hickory bacon
1 large red onion, nely sliced
1/4 cup Olive Twist Mango Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped at leaf parsley
1 cup crumbled Maytag Blue Cheese
Preheat grill. Toss potatoes with olive oil and
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BY AMY OBERLIN
amyo@kpcnews.net
ANGOLA There are hundreds of
ornamental grasses available to those who
want to add a little texture to their gardens
and lawns.
Decorative grasses range from 6 inches to
12 feet tall and come in a variety of colors,
patterns, blade widths and thicknesses.
Northeastern Indiana is in Zone 5, said
Lisa Baker of Bakers Acres in Angola, so
grasses that grow in Zone 5 and lower will
thrive year after year. They are trimmed in
March or April and left standing during the
winter months. Perennial grasses are easy to
divide and require little care after the first
year, when they should be watered
frequently to help them get established.
Grasses from other zones can be planted
as annuals, Baker said. A popular annual is
red rubrum.
Common ornamental
grasses include:
MISCANTHUS This hardy family of
grasses has a fine blade and readily sways in
the breeze. Morning light is my favorite for
that, said Baker. There are more than 20
varieties of miscanthus available. It is often
used as an accent in potted combinations.
Among the most showy are gold bar and
zebra grass.
PANICUM (SWITCH GRASS) This is
called a four-season grass, as it is attractive
year-round. Shenandoah is a popular variety
that has a red hue in the fall. The grass turns
brown in the winter. It looks dead but its
beautiful in the morning when frost is on it,
said Baker.
PENNISETUM This family of grasses
has a lot of variety and color. The plumes
differ by plant as does striping. They are a
shorter grasss, reaching 4 to 6 feet tall.
Pennisetum can grow in shadier lawns while
most grasses require full sun to partial shade.
Popular varieties are hameln and little bunny.
March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 9
Ornamental grasses add texture
Gold bar miscanthus has a bold
striping pattern and adds color and
variety to a garden.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Hameln is an ornamental grass in the
pennisetum family.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Little bunny is a small, rounded plant
with cottony tufts.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Shenandoah is a popular variety of
panicum, or switch grass. It is a year-
round plant that has red accents in the
fall.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Zebra grass has bold stripes.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
kpcnews.com
453 N. Grandstaff Dr. Auburn 925-9999
j|me||eoor|ng.com
March 28
th
- May 2
nd
N
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HUGE Savings on Carpet,
Tile, Laminate and Hardwood
10 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
BY BOB BRALEY
bobb@kpcnews.net
These days, the air inside your home
can be more hazardous than that outside.
Indoor pollution sources that release
gases or particles into the air are the
primary cause of indoor air quality
problems in homes, said Dwight Myers
of J.O. Mory Inc.
Inadequate ventilation can increase
indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in
enough outdoor air to dilute emissions
from indoor sources and by not carrying
indoor air pollutants out of the home,
Myers said. High temperature and
humidity levels can also increase concen-
trations of some pollutants.
Todays tight construction for insulation
adds to the problem, said Dana Haenner of
Gibsons Heating & Plumbing. The
houses today dont breathe, he said.
Building materials involving compos-
ites add to the problem with off-gassing
putting out toxic gasses like formaldehyde
and CO2, Haenner said. The only effective
way to clean the air in such closed
systems is through the central heating/air
unit.
So what can you do to address common
problems? Here are some tips from area
heating, ventilation and air conditioning
companies.
DUST, BACTERIA AND MOLD GROWTH:
install a media air filter in your ventilation
system. In addition to filtering those
Some home improvement
projects can save,
improve life
See IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS page 11
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AUBURN
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March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 11
things, it helps a furnace last longer. A
High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
(HEPA) filter will also be effective against
these problems Michael Graves, Graves
Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning.
BACTERIA AND MOLD: install ultraviolet
(UV) lights to kill bacteria and mold
growth in the air. The best locations are in
the return air duct to kill bacteria and trap
the dead bacteria in the filter and in front
of the coil to kill mold Michael Graves,
Graves Plumbing Heating & Air
Conditioning.
AIR FLOW AND INDOOR POLLUTANTS: A
Preferred Energy Heating Ventilator helps
during the heating season by adding fresh,
prefiltered outdoor air to a home. Furnace
energy efficiency remains unchanged, and
pollutants and humidity are better
controlled Dwight Myers, J.O. Mory
Inc.
BACTERIA, VIRUSES AND MOLD: a
Perfect Air Purifier works to capture and
kill dangerous bacteria, viruses and mold,
safeguarding the air quality of the entire
home. Indoor air is re-purified, not just
filtered, as often as eight times each hour
Dwight Myers, J.O. Mory Inc.
DIRT, POLLEN AND DUST: particle filtra-
tion in the air system, such as a HEPA
filter. The more media that are used, the
more particles are taken out of the air
Dana Hoenner, Gibsons Heating &
Plumbing.
GERMS, BACTERIA AND VIRUSES: a UV
bulb inserted into duct work creates a kill
zone to dispose of germs, just as moss
wont grow on the sunny side of a tree,
where UV radiation hits it Dana
Hoenner, Gibsons Heating & Plumbing.
TOXIC GASES AND ODORS: another UV
bulb on a different frequency can kill
these chemicals, too Dana Hoenner,
Gibsons Heating & Plumbing.
High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
(HEPA) filters and media filters,
installed between the dirty air intake
and the furnace, can help clean dust,
bacteria and mold from the air, making
your house safer.
GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED
From Page 10
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
)HUWLOL]HVSDULQJO\DQGFDULQJO\
5HPHPEHU\RXUHQRWMXVW
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Storm drains found in our streets and yards empty into our ditches, streams
and lakes. So, when we fertilize our lawn we could also be fertilizing our
area waterways.
While fertilizer is good for our lawn, it's bad for our water. Fertilizer in our
streams and lakes causes algae to grow, which can form large algae
blooms and use up oxygen that fsh need to survive. With 101 lakes and
hundreds of miles of streams in Steuben County, all of us need to be aware
of the far-reaching effects of our lawn care practices.
What can you do? Simple! Use a NO or LOW phosphorous fertilizer and
select a slow release fertilizer where at least half of the nitrogen is water
insoluble (check the ingredients on the label), keep fertilizer away from our
lakes, streams, and storm drains, and sweep excess fertilizer back onto
your lawn.
Be a water quality partner. Not only will our streams and lakes thank you,
but so will your pocketbook!
Keep a lookout for the FertiIize sparingIy & caringIy! billboard to
help promote the City of Angola and the Steuben County Lakes Council's
efforts to minimize the impacts of pollutants on our area lakes and streams.
City of Angola/Trine University MS4 Stormwater Advisory Group
Ehenion@angolain.org or 260.624.2663
Steuben County Lakes
CounciI, Inc.
12 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
BY KATHRYN BASSETT
kathrynb@kpcnews.net
Spring is the ideal time to work on
home repair and maintenance projects,
according to Lou Salge, project manager
at Four Seasons design and Remodeling in
Angola.
Salge said for homeowners who are
concerned with energy conservation,
sealing and insulation are priorities.
Roof maintenance also is important,
Salge said.
Look for wear and tear on shingles,
discoloration and dog ears on shingles,
Salge said. They are signs that it probably
time to replace them. Improper seals
around chimneys and vents are one of the
biggest causes of roof leaks, Salge added.
Checking the sills on windows also is
an important home maintenance project,
said Tyler Knox, owner of Northern
Exteriors in Auburn.
If theyre exposed, they have a
tendency to have water damage and there
can be soft spots, Knox said. This can
lead to other problems, such as mold, he
added. Exposed wood siding also can lead
to rotting, Knox said.
Making sure weather stripping is
installed correctly around windows can
help with energy conservation. In the
winter, the stripping will help keep the
cold out, while in summer, it will help
keep the cool air in if you are running an
air conditioner, Knox said.
This checklist of areas that need to be
inspected will help your home stay in tip-
top condition.
Check these home
maintenance issues
off your list
A crew from Northern Exteriors worked on maintenance on this home on
Highland Park Drive in Albion March 7. On the team were, from left, George
DeWald, Tyler Knox and Todd Longsworth.
BOB BRALEY
See CHECKLIST page 13
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Offer ends April 30,2012. Subject to approved credit on John Deere Financial Installment Plan. Fixed Rate for 0% for 60 Months. $1000 OFF implement bonus is in addition to
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March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 13
Check for broken,
missing, or worn shingles.
Replace deteriorated
and crumbling chimney
mortar and make sure a
good sealant is applied
around the chimney.
For leaky rooftop vents,
replace the flashing,
making sure it is
overlapped correctly.
Make sure gutters and
downspouts are cleaned
out and draining properly.
Gutters and downspouts
should direct water away
from the house.
Replace and repaint
rotted siding or trim.
Remove, clean, and
store storm windows.
Check and patch all door
and window screens.
Inspect brickwork. Seal
the brick if water has
penetrated it.
Seal and inspect
asphalt or concrete
driveways.
Power-wash patios and
inspect decks for rotting
wood and secure railings.
Exterior
Change filters and
clean the air purifier.
Have ducts cleaned.
Install new batteries in
smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors.
Clean the fireplace.
Check the basement
walls and floor for
dampness.
Check for water and
moisture damage in the
attic.
Make sure the caulking
around tubs and sinks is
in good repair.
Clean humidifiers.
Remove lint build-up in
the dryer vent.
Check faucets for
leaks.
Interior
Let us help you visualize the landscape of your
dreams. Call today to get free design & estimate.
(260) 238-5062
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HOLT and SONS MECHANICAL SERVICES
Electrical Heating Air Conditioning
Phone 260-925-5112 Mobile 260-402-7010 Fax 260-925-0182
24 Hour Service A Firm Quote on Every Job kennymholt@hotmail.com
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HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
14 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012
PHOTO CONTRI BUTED
Most newer homes
have circuit breaker
boxes instead of
fuses. The main
breaker at the top
controls the entire
system. Different
rooms or areas of
the house, such as
the kitchen or
garage, have their
own circuits. When
circuit breakers flip,
they will be out of
alignment with the
other buttons,
showing you which
one(s) need to be
put back into the
on position.
BY BOB BUTTGEN
bbuttgen@kpcnews.net
A fairly common problem in American homes
these days is too many electrical appliances. The
more we get, the more power they draw and the
more likely they will break a circuit or blow a fuse.
Once theyve done this, though, how do you fix it?
According to Noble REMC, homeowners
should be aware of some basic electrical facts
about their homes, such as:
GROUND FAULT CI RCUIT I NTERRUPTERS
( GFCI S) Make sure GFCI outlets are installed in
your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, workshop,
basement and garage as well as on outdoor outlets.
Test them monthly to ensure theyre working
properly.
CI RCUIT BREAKERS/ FUSES Fuses should be
properly sized for the circuit they are protecting. If
you dont know the correct rating, have an electri-
cian identify and label the correct size to be used.
Always replace a fuse with the same size you are
removing. Check that circuit breakers are working
properly.
Homes have either circuit breakers or fuses.
Find your electrical box and see what you have.
Be careful. If an appliance repeatedly blows a
fuse, trips a circuit breaker or has given you an
electrical shock, immediately unplug it and have it
repaired or replaced. Look for cracks or damage in
wiring and connectors. Use surge protectors to
protect expensive electronics.
If you are looking at a box of on-off switches,
your house uses circuit breakers. Rather than blow,
like a fuse, a circuit breaker is merely tripped. This
is the electrical equivalent to the emergency brake
in your automobile. It is usually easy to tell which
circuit breaker was tripped.
When a circuit breaker trips, it doesnt have to
be replaced. The circuit breaker is still in good
condition in most cases and just needs to be
flipped back to the On position. Once you have
done this, power should be restored to the area. If
your appliances are still on or plugged in, the
circuit breaker will turn itself back off, as you are
still drawing too much power. If the power being
drawn is manageable, the circuit breaker will stay
on.
Now that you have found your box and know
how to restore electricity, there is one more thing
that you should do while youre there. If your
Get to know your homes electrical box
March 23, 2012 KPC Media Group Inc. kpcnews.com Spring Home & Garden 15
fuse box or circuit breakers are not already
labeled, you should consider doing so now.
For older homes with fuses, here are
instructions for replacing fuses:
1. Open the door to your service panel
and examine it with a flashlight to identify
the blown fuse. Typically lights are on 15-A
circuits. Receptacles may be either 15-A (for
14-gauge wiring) or 20-A (for 12-gauge
wiring). A large fixed appliance, such as an
electric range or a water heater, should be on
its own circuit, protected by fuses as
specified by the appliance manufacturer (see
the appliances rating plate for amp require-
ments). In addition, one or more main fuses
protect service lines coming from your
power utility.
2. For light and receptacle circuits, look
for a break or blackened area visible through
the glass of a screw-in plug fuse. If all the
fuses look good, identify the fuse according
to the circuit label (map) printed on the door
or next to each fuse.
If the circuits are not mapped, locate the
fuse by trial and error: Remove the fuses
one at a time and either insert a new fuse to
test the circuit, or touch the pointed probe of
a continuity tester to the fuses tip and the
clip to its threaded shaft. If the tester does
not glow, the fuse is bad.
3. For fuse blocks, which protect an
electric stove and the main circuit, pull
straight out on the handle, then remove the
individual cartridge fuses from the block
using a cartridge-fuse puller. Test the fuses
with a continuity tester by probing the two
ends.
4. Install a new fuse: Screw in a new plug
fuse, or install a new cartridge fuse in the
fuse block and press the block back in. The
replacement should always have the same
rating as the original.
If all of the circuits have stopped
working, remove and test the cartridge fuses
in the main fuse block, usually located at the
top left (occasionally its reversed with the
stove circuit on the top right). Replace any
faulty ones.
5. Replace a fuse holder: More often than
not the problem with cartridge fuses is
related to loose clips or rivets in the fuse
block or fuse box, not the fuse itself.
Replace a faulty cartridge or have an electri-
cian make other necessary repairs.
From Page 14
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Poison ivy, oak and sumac are plants
that contain an oil that may cause a rash on
many peoples skin. Urushiol, the irritant
oil in these plants, need only be present in
a billionth of a gram to cause a rash. It is
the most common allergy affecting half
of the population, according to the Poison
Ivy, Oak & Sumac Information Center.
Here are some other things to know about
these poisonous plants.
Rashes from poison ivy and the other
plants is not contagious. The only way it
spreads is if the urushiol oil is still on the
site.
Poison ivy may have three leaves per
cluster, but poison sumac can have 7 to 13
leaves on a branch.
The oil that causes the effects of poison
ivy can remain on any surface for up to
five years, including dead plants.
The more frequently one is exposed to
urushiol oil, the shorter the time an allergic
reaction will occur.
Poison ivy and poison oak account for
an estimated 10 percent of lost work time
among U.S. Forest Service workers.
Poison ivy can grow along the ground
but is often found as a vine creeping up
trees. Poison sumac and oak grow more
often as bushes.
Some topical and prescription medica-
tions exist to help relieve the uncomfort-
able symptoms that result after exposure to
a poisonous plant.
Poison ivy can put damper
on springtime work
kpcnews.com
16 Spring Home & Garden kpcnews.com KPC Media Group Inc. March 23, 2012

751 L. Noilh Slieel - KendaIIviIIe, IN 46755-1225

26O.347.459O fax - 26O.347.2265 ofhce
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