CHRONICLEKane County

Spring Home & GardenSpring Home & Garden

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Don’t Replace Sunken Concrete!

FREEFREEESTIMATEESTIMATE

630-665-1345

• RESIDENTIAL• COMMERCIAL• INDUSTRIALPatios • Garages

Sidewalks • PorchesDriveways • Stoops

Interior FloorsVoid Filling

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$$25 OFF25 OFFYOUR SCHEDULED

WORK

Save up to 1/2 of replacement costs with our proven way of raising concrete.Save up to 1/2 of replacement costs with our proven way of raising concrete.

Must mention this ad to receive discount!Not valid with any other offer.

Expires 4/30/12.

Raise-Rite Concrete Lifting has been raising concrete since 1974. Slabjacking, or, mudjacking, as it is commonly called, is a cost effective alternative to replacing sunken concrete.

Mudjacking, or, slabjacking, is performed by drilling 1 5/8” holes through the top surface of a concrete slab, and pumping, under hydraulic pressure, fl owable cement grout underneath the slab. As the mixture fl ows beneath the surface, voids and depressions are fi lled and the slab is raised to achieve the desired height.

This method of raising concrete can be used to raise sidewalks, stoops, driveways, pool decks, garage fl oors, patios, factory fl oors, offi ce fl oors, streets, and runways. Void fi lling can also be performed for stabilization and to fi ll holes caused by animals or soil erosion.

Time, water and soil erosion can take their toll on a home. Concrete raising is the alternative to costly replacement. Raise-Rite Concrete Lifting has been raising sunken concrete in the suburban Chicagoland area for over 35 years. Call our offi ce today to request your FREE estimate: 630-665-1345, or visit our website at www.raiserite.com.

Performing an uplifting feat

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SPRING HOME & GARDEN | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, M

arch 31, 20123

Our Promise: Best Price,First Time Every Time!

COMFORT PRO’SCOMFORT PRO’SHeating and Air Conditioning Company

630.456.4474630.456.4474www.comfort-pros.com

Call Now for a FREE, no-obligationquote on upgrading to a new,

high-efficiency system!

Air ConditioningAir Conditioningstarting atstarting at

$$1,6951,6950000**

*Call for details.

Keeping your home cool in the summer can become a balanc-ing act between cost and comfort. Learn how to tip the scales in your favor with these tips:

1. Turn off ceiling fans when you exit a room. Ceiling fans don’t actu-ally decrease the temperature in a room. They make you feel cooler by blowing air across your skin. Save money by fl ipping off the fan whenever you leave a room.

2. Program your thermostat. A pro-grammable thermostat can save energy and money by operating at a more cost-effi cient temperature while you’re asleep or away from home, and lower the temperature to cool your home just before you wake up or return. Ask us about the new Comfortmaker® Observer™ touchscreen communicating wall control that offers so much more than a standard thermo-stat. It is fully programmable and user-friendly.

3. Reschedule laundry and cooking. Your clothes dryer, oven and stove generate a lot of heat. Prolong the life of your air condi-tioner by scheduling laundry and cooking at night to prevent extra heat, which must be converted into cool air.

4. Close the drapes. In the summer,

close the draperies on your south-facing win-dows in the daytime and open them at night. This keeps the warming sunlight out of your home during the day.

5. Shut doors and windows. Trap in cool air by keeping doors and windows shut. Open doors allow cool air out while bringing hot air inside. Locking your windows presses the weather stripping tightly together to give you a better seal and keep cool air inside your home.

6. Step up to a higher effi ciency air conditioner. Air conditioner effi ciency is measured by a number called “Seasonal Energy Effi ciency Ratio,” or “SEER.” Purchas-ing a new and more energy-effi cient system can cost less than keeping an older and less energy- effi cient system. Ask us about the new energy-effi cient Comfortmaker 16-plus SEER air conditioners.

How to balance your costs with comfort this summer

The new high-effi ciency Comfortmaker® SoftSound® SXC 2600 Air Con-ditioners are designed to communicate through the new Observer™ communi-cating wall control for installation and service ease and homeowner reliability.

From 1½ through 5 tons, there is a model of the new Comfortmaker SXC 2600 air conditioner in every size capable of achieving ENERGY STAR® ratings. With effi ciencies up to 16.5 SEER and 14.0 EER when paired with select indoor equipment, these new single stage air conditioners provide the following features and benefi ts for custom homes and homeowners who want the best:

• Quiet Operation – All models of the SXC 2600 air conditioner include a Copeland Scroll® compressor, industry-respected for reliability, a compres-sor sound shield, and an isolation grommet compressor mounting system to further reduce operating sounds.

• Durability – All models feature a painted, galvanized steel cabinet with a powder-coat, baked-on fi nish and a coated inlet grille with 3/8-inch wire spac-ing for extra protection, proper airfl ow, and easy coil cleaning. Corner posts add strength and style to the air conditioner.

• Text-based diagnostics with the Observer communicating wall control – When the SXC 2600 air conditioner is installed with the Observer commu-nicating wall control and a compatible indoor unit, it offers three constant-fan speed choices, better humidity control capability, and easier maintenance if the air conditioner requires service. The service technician can enter service contact information in the service screen of the Observer communicating wall control, which alerts the homeowner whenever it senses a problem or when it is time for routine maintenance.

• Maximum Strength Warranties – Comfortmaker SXC 2600 split-system air conditioners are covered by a 10-year limited warranty on parts, including compressors and coils*, and a 5-year No Hassle Replacement™ limited war-ranty. The No Hassle Replacement limited warranty provides a one-time new equivalent replacement outdoor unit should the compressor or covered coil fail during the No-Hassle period (with a labor allowance for the dealer). Restric-tions apply. Contact your local Comfortmaker distributor for details.

* Warranty period is 5 years for parts if not registered within 90 days of installation.

Jurisdictions where warranty benefi ts cannot be conditioned on registration will automati-

cally receive a 10-year parts limited warranty.

Copeland Scroll is a registered trademark of Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.

New Comfortmaker® SoftSound® SXC 2600 Air Conditioners Offer Homeowners Reliability,

Quiet Operation and Comfort

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630-621-9770

Get Gutters that NEVER Clog!

KKCA1

Call for a FREE gutter analysis andno-obligation estimate by one ofour factory trained consultants!

50%OFFLABOR

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Gift Card$200

With a purchase and installationof a LeafGuard Gutter System*With approved credit. Not valid on prior sales or with other

offers. Certain restrictions apply. Offer expires: 4/30/12

(ARA) - When it comes to home im-provement, most of us have two “to-do” lists: the things we need to do, such as paint the shutters and clean out gutters, and the list of those we want to do, such as fun and easy projects that add visual interest or practical enhancements to the outdoors. Since our budgets for both lists are usually limited, it makes sense to seek out projects that are easy, afford-able and that create the most impact in a short amount of time.

Spring outdoor projects often show up on both lists. Upgrades can provide a welcoming retreat for your family, or can improve your home’s marketability and appeal to potential buyers when it comes time to sell. Fortunately, it’s easy to fi nd simple projects that take only a weekend and a modest budget to accomplish.

“Adding elements like planter boxes and raised garden beds is a great way of creating impact without a huge commit-ment of time,” says home improvement expert Mark Clement, co-host of “My Fix it Up Life” which airs nationally, on

iTunes, Blog Talk Radio and at MyFixitU-pLife.com

Clement offers some easy tips to help guide weekend projects that anyone can build:

Raised bed gardens. Some of the most abundant vegetable, herb and cut-fl ower gardens grow exceptionally well in raised beds because there is less soil compaction and they allow for excellent drainage. While raised beds are extremely functional, they can also add style to your yard and garden. Their organized appearance lends a structural element, particularly if you construct them with quality materials like cedar.

“By carefully selecting the right ma-terials, your garden bed will last longer and look better. Western Red Cedar is a good choice because it is easy to work with, rot-resistant, and it ages beautiful-ly and maintains its shape and strength over the years, even when exposed to extreme weather,” Clement adds.

Window and planter boxes. An easy and fun green project, wood planter boxes can be built in an afternoon.

Whether arranged in a group or hung as window boxes, they instantly add a warm texture and welcoming touch to your front porch or backyard deck when fi lled with foliage. This project allows do-it-yourselfers to inject some personality that transforms the look from simple to elaborate and tie into the character and style of your home.

“Even if you’ve never built a box, you can create a classic look by adding a bit of thin trim to the top and bottom of the box,” Clement says. “You can also buy wooden brackets to support the window box for a more traditional look.”

Simple structures. For those looking to tackle a bigger project, invite friends over and make it a do-it-yourself project party. From small decks to barbeque platforms, or front door arbors to backyard gazebos, gather friends to help assemble projects that create new spaces and places to entertain or dress up your outdoors. “I love to make things that give my yard and home a fi nished touch,” Clement says. “And making something as a project makes it truly

yours and a part of your home - some-thing you can be proud of and really enjoy.”

Power washing your deck, play equipment and even your furniture is also an easy, low-commitment, low-cost way to spruce up your outdoor environ-ment. You can buy or rent a power-washer and accomplish the job in a day. Clement does advise to carefully follow the manufacturers’ instructions when using a power-washer, as too much pressure can cause damage. “If used properly, it will brighten up the space like you wouldn’t believe,” he adds. “If you’re really ambitious, add a clear fi nish or dark-colored stain to your wood deck and the neighbors will think it’s brand new.”

Finally, Clement’s top tip this spring is simple: Have fun. Share your experi-ence and project photo with friends and family via Real Cedar’s Facebook page.

For detailed steps on how to con-struct these projects, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/WRCLA/featured.

Easy, affordable weekend spruce-up projects you can tackle this spring

SPRING HOME & GARDEN | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, M

arch 31, 20125

A-1 Concrete Leveling & Foundation RepairAmerica’s Largest Concrete Leveler™

630.557.0049www.A1servicesinc.com

DON’T REPLACESUNKEN CONCRETE!

FOUNDATION ISSUES?

$30 OFFANY SERVICE • Expires 10/31/11

Mention this ad to receive discount.

Do you have a problem with...• Water running into your basement?• Sidewalks uneven, afraid of tripping?• Driveways, patios uneven or settled towardsthe house?

• Garage doors don’t close properly?• Water proofing & foundation crack repair.• Bowed block walls repaired.• New & replacement concrete work available.

SAVE up to 1/2 OFFSAVE up to 1/2 OFFcost of replacement with ourstate-of-the-art technology

of concrete leveling.

Serving the areafor over 10 years!FREE ESTIMATES!

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We are Local!Geneva/Batavia area

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

Concrete Leveling is the process of hydraulically lifting an existing slab of concrete back into its original position.

A high-content limestone/cement based concrete leveling mixture is pumped, designed to handle a greater load capacity than the average clay/sand concrete leveling mixture used by mudjacking companies.

How does Concrete Leveling work?A-1 Concrete Leveling is the Nation’s Largest Concrete Leveling

Company. Using our patented piece of concrete leveling equipment and expert concrete leveling personnel, we assess the condition of the existing concrete structure, drill a series of 1” diameter holes into the slab, and with the use of the powerful injector, fi ll the void underneath the slab, lifting the entire slab back into the original position leveling the concrete slab.

Concrete Leveling is a process which hydraulically lifts your existing concrete walk, drive, steps, etc. to its original position. Through a small

hole about the size of a quarter, our environmentally safe mixture is pumped, and fl oats your hazardous, unsightly area into place.

1. Small holes are drilled in the sunken concrete. 2. A-1 concrete leveling compound is pumped from our truck into

each hole. The compound works hydraulically underneath the concrete, raising is back to its original position.

3. Once the desired concrete leveling result is obtained, the holes

are sealed off using a durable cement mixture.

You can even use the repaired concrete the same day!

Please contact A-1 Concrete Leveling & Foundation Repair with questions at 630-557-0049, or visit our website at www.a1services.com.

What is Concrete Leveling?

BEFORE AFTER

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41W130 Norris Road | Sugar Grove630.466.4278www.springbluffnursery.comVisit our website for information& details of coming events.

Garden Center Open Daily:Mon.-Thurs. 9-6, Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4

SPRING OPEN HOUSEApril 21-29 – Nine Days of Daily SpecialsA different special every day. Check our website

to see what is on sale each day. Take advantage

of our Arbor Day and Earth Day specials.

Now is a good time to schedule a yard clean up and

get fresh mulch installed. Make sure your yard is

ready for grad parties, weddings and BBQ season!

Beautiful, historic 1800’s farm locatedBeautiful, historic 1800’s farm located15 minutes from the Fox River15 minutes from the Fox River

Wow! What a spring so far! BuyLocal! Come and check out our freshdug trees and shrubs and see all ourperennials, annuals, & veggies.

(ARA) - Now, while the winter is still around, is the best time for homeown-ers to get a jump start on planning and prepping for their spring and summer home and garden projects; so when the weather really does warm up, it takes little effort to get the projects underway. In addition to fi ne-tuning home improve-ment and gardening plans, it is also a good idea to make certain the required tools are in tip-top shape, so the projects are not delayed.

Here are some ways to prepare for the spring and summer seasons with just a few simple steps:

Plans Sketch out those garden plans, and

pick the plants that can be purchased or grown from seed. Plans don’t need to be drawn to scale, but they’ll provide great background information for a shopping list. Research how early seedlings should be started, so they’ll be ready for trans-plant when the time arrives.

Also create plans for any home proj-ects that need to be accomplished. The depth of those plans depends on how complicated the project is. Make certain all permits are in order, if required by the community; and if a contractor is needed, a formal agreement and timeline is in place prior to work commencing.

Lawn tools Check pruning shears

for sharp blades - and either sharpen or replace them if they don’t easily cut through a small stem of plant material. Also, review lawn mower blades. Check the oil, gasoline and starters on all gardening machinery to ensure they’ll run correctly when needed.

House tools A review of all home

tools helps to determine if any new purchases - or replacements are needed. This is the perfect time to head to the store and purchase missing tools, add new blades to saws or replenish the sandpaper stash - eliminating wasted time running back and forth to the store.

Hand tools A little care can go a long way in

keeping your hands and feet - the most valuable tools found in every house-hold - in good shape after the long, dry winter months. These tools are vital to accomplishing everything on those garden and home project lists, and they are often forgotten. O’Keeffe’s Work-ing Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy

Feet are both guaranteed to effectively relieve dry, cracked skin in even the most extreme cases. And just a little bit of the highly concentrated, hypoallergenic and odorless creams is needed. Start every project off with healthy hands, and keep them that way throughout the entire season of projects. It’s the best cream for dry hands - especially after the long and dry winter months.

Materials As the project season gets closer,

start purchasing the materials needed ahead of time. This helps to spread the cost out, and can give an idea of how much time and effort the project will take to be completed. Get started now

in matching colors, fi nding the perfect accessories and even price-comparing between different suppliers to help save money.

For homeowners who haven’t expe-rienced the warm-weather-project itch quite yet, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about those items on to-do lists to help with being prepared and ready to go when the season arrives. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to have a success-ful spring and summer project season. Don’t forget O’Keeffe’s Working Hands and O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet to keep hands and feet in healthy shape to tackle any job.

Five simple steps to help homeowners ease into spring projects

SPRING HOME & GARDEN | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Saturday, M

arch 31, 20127

Spring Special

Expires 6/30/2012

$19900

1 Chimney Cleaning+ 1 Dryer Vent Cleaning =

POZZICHIMNEY SWEEPCALL US TODAY!

www.pozzichimneysweep.com815-286-9922

(ARA) - If you’ve ever had new carpeting installed in your house and found yourself suffering from a nag-ging cough for days afterward, you’ve experienced the effect some home improvement materials can have on your health.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be a signifi cant health concern, according to the Environmen-tal Protection Agency. Concentrations of VOCs can be up to 10 times higher indoors than out, and building materi-als are among the sources of these noxious chemicals, the EPA says.

While VOCs and other home toxins can cause respiratory irritation in healthy people, they can be par-ticularly troublesome to anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies. Many homeowners, striving to minimize the impact of their home improvement or new building projects on the environ-ment and their health, are opting to use less toxic building materials.

One time-tested product at the

heart of the healthy building trend is ceramic tile. In fact, the Healthy Build-ing Network recommends ceramic tile as an alternative to widely used vinyl, one of the biggest generators of VOCs in home environments.

“Healthy design fi nds a natu-ral partner in ceramic tile,” says Patti Fasan, Tile of Spain ceramic tile consultant. “It’s a hygienic, multi-use product that is eco-friendly, fi re-resistant, slip-resistant and one of the strongest fi nish materials available.”

The experts at Tile of Spain point to the healthful benefi ts of ceramic tile:

Cleaner surfaces - Whether you use it on the bathroom fl oor or the wall of a master bedroom, ceramic tile is cleaner than other traditional surfaces. Because it’s an inert mate-rial, ceramic tile won’t harbor bacteria or other micro-organisms like mold or mildew. You can clean it with hot water; no chemicals or detergents are needed.

VOC-free - Ceramic tile does not release any VOCs, the most prevalent type of indoor irritant.

Allergy-friendly - Carpet can harbor dust, pet dander and other allergens. Ceramic tile does not, mak-ing it a more healthful alternative for people who suffer from allergies.

Less places for dirt to hide - New, larger format tiles like Keraben’s Transit Collection that are 33 inches by 97 inches, cover more surface area and require less mortar or grout, meaning there are fewer places for dirt and microbes to hide. You can also fi nd grout with antimicrobial properties to help keep this area clean as well.

Eco-friendly - If your health con-cerns extend to the environment as well, ceramic tile is an environmentally responsible building material. Clay, water and fi re are the basic natural re-sources needed to create ceramic tile. And tile’s durability ensures a longer life cycle, meaning less construction debris in landfi lls.

Very versatile - It’s now pos-sible to achieve virtually any look with ceramic tile - even the appear-ance of natural wood. For example, the Contempora Collection by Saloni offers a range of wood-plan looks that create effects ranging from rustic chic to sleek contemporary. This versatil-ity means you can use ceramic tile throughout the home, not just on the bathroom fl oor or kitchen backsplash.

With demand continuing to grow for more healthful building material al-ternatives, homeowners are rediscov-ering ceramic tile, and incorporating it into their home improvement and building projects in new ways. To learn more about ceramic tile, visit www.tileofspainusa.com.

Above Photo: Grespania, a Tile of Spain branded manufacturer, offers large format tile which covers more surface area and require less mortar or grout, meaning there are fewer places for dirt and microbes to hide.

Demand for healthier building options drives the rediscovery of ceramic tile

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Quality Plants & Expert Service...Since 192541W781 Route 64 • St. Charles

630.584.4424www.wasconursery.com

The following are some tough, beautifultrees that would make excellentreplacements for the once beautiful Ash:

Kentucky Coffee Tree – large, picturesque native treewith fans of compound green leaves, filtered shade, goldfall colorBur Oak – impressive native tree with a thick trunk, stoutbranches, and nice fall color (several other types of Oakswork well also)American Hornbeam – smaller tree (good for underutility lines) with outstanding fall color, also know asMusclewood or Ironwood‘Autumn Blaze’ Maple – hybrid between Red & SilverMaples that grows fast and is drought tolerant, gorgeousred fall colorTulip Tree – a large, fast growing unique tree that blossomsin the spring, beautiful and unusualKatsura Tree – heart-shaped foliage, tolerates moist soils,gorgeous fall color, unusualGingko – been around for millions of years so this toughguy is in for the long haul, beautiful fan shaped leaves turnbrilliant gold in fall, tolerant of pollution and poor soilsHackberry – native tree that has attractive bark and thick,fuzzy leaves, very tough, gold fall colorHybrid Elms – resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, gracefulshape, fast growing, dark reds and browns in fallPlanetree – unusual peeling bark, tall and stately, HUGEleavesSwampWhite Oak – attractive bark, dark green leaveswith fuzzy undersides, great fall color, tough and tolerant ofmoist soilsAmerican Sentry Linden – luxurious thickgreen leaves, tall and tough, gold fall color, very tolerant ofpoor soils, good for parkways

We can arrange for removal of your old trees and replacement with new healthy trees – we have the largestinventory of locally grown trees in the area. Smaller Ash trees will be removed and stumps ground out by ourexperienced crews. Trees will be destroyed / disposed of according to Illinois Department of Agriculture / USDAregulations. The removal of larger Ash trees may be subcontracted to one of the professional arborculture firmsthat we regularly work with. If your Ash tree has not been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer and you would liketo prevent EAB from attacking your tree there are several options.We sell three do-it-yourself products that arelabeled for EAB – Acecap, Bonide Tree & Shrub Insect Control, and Optrol

As the trees leaf out, you may be noticing that your Ash treesare not looking good and may have become victims of theEmerald Ash Borer (EAB). The EAB has been in this area now forabout six years and its destruction of Ash is evident by the largenumber of dead and dying trees littering the local landscape.There are thousands of Ash trees just in Kane County so thisdevastation is heartbreaking. Fortunately, if there is any sort ofsilver lining in this, there are many beautiful trees available toreplace the Ash.

Do You Need toDo You Need toReplace YourReplace YourAsh Trees?Ash Trees?