10 Things To Do Around Your Home This Fall

by cbhendricks | Sep 18, 2024 | architecture, Building Science

The beautiful Virginia leaves are changing to oranges and yellows, and fall is upon us. As we slip into cozy, chilly days, now is a good time to prep your home for the colder winter days ahead. It’s also a good time to make sure your home is healthy for the increasing amount of time we spend indoors. To get you started, here are 10 things you can do for your home this fall to help you improve its energy efficiency and safety and save you money.

The good thing is, you don’t have to do everything on this list to save yourself money and make your home safer, even just doing one or two things can help! So if doing all of these isn’t realistic for you, try doing one or two this year. Consider this a starting point for future updates.

Historic Home roof and chimney.

1. Seal Windows and Doors

Ensure your home is energy-efficient and reduce the outdoor allergens in your home by sealing gaps around windows and doors. You can add weatherstripping to stop the air leaks, and a quick caulking job can prevent drafts and reduce your heating costs in winter. Use a windy day to help identify air leaks, or give us a call and Charles can help you find leaks with a free energy-audit.

2. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters

Late fall is the perfect time to clean out debris from your gutters to prevent blockages and water damage. All the leaves and twigs that have accumulated can create blockages which can lead to stagnant water, which attracts pests and provides a place for mold to grow. Once the temperatures dip below freezing, sitting water will freeze and expand, which can cause cracks in the gutter system and damage to your home’s exterior. Cleaning out your gutters can protect the structural integrity of your home and help avoid expensive repairs in the future. For more detailed information, check out American Home Contractors blog: “How to clean gutters in Virginia?“.

3. Check and Upgrade Insulation

Check the insulation in your attic and crawl spaces to make sure your home stays warm. Consider upgrading to more energy-efficient insulation if needed. More on insulation on our blog post: “Insulation in your attic can determine your comfort in your living room“.

4. Trim Trees and Shrubs

Before the winter storms, trim any deadwood and overgrown branches that could fall and cause damage to your home or power lines during high winds, heavy ice, or snow.

5. Check and Clean Dryer Vents

Lint buildup in dryer vents is a common fire hazard. Clean your dryer vent thoroughly to reduce the risk of fire, speed up drying time for each load, and help save electricity.

6. Service Your HVAC System

Schedule a professional inspection for your heating system to ensure it’s working efficiently. Replace filters and clean ducts for better air quality. Leaves can also pile up around your outdoor heat pump which can drastically reduce the efficiency of the unit, so make sure to check outdoors too.

7. Inspect The Fireplace and Chimney

If you have a fireplace, now is the time to clean and inspect your chimney. Ensure it’s free from debris or creosote build-up for safe use during the colder months.

8. Check Your Home’s Exterior for Damage

Look for cracks, gaps, or damage to siding, brickwork, and foundation. When water seeps into small cracks or gaps in the siding, brickwork, or foundation, it can freeze during cold temperatures. As water freezes, it expands, causing the cracks to widen. Repeated freezing and thawing can lead to significant structural damage, like crumbling brickwork, larger gaps in siding, or even foundation shifts. Addressing small issues now can prevent larger problems as temperatures drop.

9. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you’re making your way through the list, why not ensure all your safety alarms are functioning properly? It’s always a good idea. Replace batteries and test the devices to ensure that they’re working when needed.

10. Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Disconnect hoses, drain outdoor faucets, and install insulated covers to prevent frozen pipes during winter. This small task can prevent major plumbing issues. Forbes Home gives a quick and easy How-To in their beginner guide: “How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets“.

Guest Blog: Assemble a Falls Prevention Team and Put Your Best Foot Forward

by cbhendricks | Aug 28, 2024 | aging in place, community

Assemble a Falls Prevention Team and Put Your Best Foot Forward

Falling is so common among older adults that many people think it is a normal part of aging and can only be avoided by staying at home. Fortunately, both are myths. With some preparation, we can stay safely on our feet as we age, living active and independent lives in the communities we love.

More than one in four older adults fall each year, but it is not an inevitable part of aging and can be prevented. For older adults beginning to feel vulnerable, that can seem like an overwhelming task. It’s important to remember that it’s not a one-person job. Falls prevention is best approached as a team sport. Doctors can monitor health to ensure safe movement. Occupational therapists can adjust assistive devices for best fit. And pharmacists can explain medication side effects that can impair movement.

Easy Home Modifications

(Above) Grab bars in the bathroom of Keezletown Farmhouse beside the toilet and in the roll-in shower.

Some of the most important aspects of falls prevention, however, can take place right in our homes with the support of friends and family. Here are five easy home modifications to consider making right now:

- Secure the bathrooms – Buy a shower seat, install grab bars, and switch to adjustable height, handheld shower heads.
- Let there be light – When bulbs burn out, replace them with bright, non-glare bulbs.
- Clear the clutter – Don’t put items on stairs. Remove clutter and throw rugs that can slip.
- Organize the go-to’s – Place frequently used items between waist and shoulder height.
- Put a bell on Buckley – Consider putting a small bell on dog or cat collars if pets are frequently underfoot. They can be a trip hazard so knowing where they are is helpful.
- Control the cords – If possible, keep cords out of the way by running them along a wall or behind furniture. If that’s not possible, tape the entire cord to the floor.
- Repair any loose brick or pavement on outdoor walkways and steps.

Upcoming Best Foot Forward Falls Prevention Open Houses

In addition to health care providers and family, community experts in aging are trained to help prevent falls. Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) is offering Best Foot Forward Falls Prevention Open Houses in September for older adults and caregivers.

In Harrisonburg, Best Foot Forward will be held on Wednesday Sept. 25 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Simms Center Auditorium. Bring along a friend or family member for personalized falls risk assessments, Tai Chi and assistive technology demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments and more.

In Waynesboro, join the Best Foot Forward Fair on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Waynesboro Senior Services. There will be personalized fall risks assessments, gait testing, refreshments, demos, and door prizes. The Augusta Health Mobile Clinic will be on site from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

For more information about falls prevention open houses, visit vpas.info/education, or call 1-800-868-VPAS.

Contributed by: Leigh-Anne Lees, VPAS Community Relations Director

First Friday Artist Charlotte Shristi

by cbhendricks | Aug 22, 2024 | artwork, First Friday

On September 6th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Charlotte Shristi (she/her)! Join us to welcome Charlotte and view her gallery entitled “The Elephant in the Room”, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know Charlotte more in her biography below!

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Bio:

Charlotte grew up in rural Iowa and studied at Goshen College, IN, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art and a B.A. in Psychology in 2000. In addition to her studio work as a visual artist, she has taught as an elementary and private art instructor and served as director of a nonprofit arts organization. She explored using art-making as a healing process in different settings, including with unhoused people in D.C. and with survivors of war and other trauma in Colombia and Nepal where she worked in the peacebuilding field for a number of years. Currently, Charlotte lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and two children, working out of her home art studio. Since 2018 she has also worked as a practitioner and teacher of a traditional Native American hot stone massage method called Stone Medicine. Her private practice is called Wild Poppy Healing Arts.

Artist Statement:

Charlotte grew up in rural Iowa and studied at Goshen College, IN, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art and a B.A. in Psychology in 2000. In addition to her studio work as a visual artist, she has taught as an elementary and private art instructor and served as director of a nonprofit arts organization. She explored using art-making as a healing process in different settings, including with unhoused people in D.C. and with survivors of war and other trauma in Colombia and Nepal where she worked in the peacebuilding field for a number of years. Currently, Charlotte lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband and two children, working out of her home art studio. Since 2018 she has also worked as a practitioner and teacher of a traditional Native American hot stone massage method called Stone Medicine. Her private practice is called Wild Poppy Healing Arts.

Brief Description of Work:

My art-making involves various forms of layering. I layer acrylic paint, collage materials and mark-making, using graphite, charcoal, marker, etc. I sometimes sketch onto a painted surface or let marks bleed through the paint from below. The spontaneous marks of children inspire me, and I sometimes incorporate the marks of my own children in my work. I also love to layer abstract brushstrokes with realistic or representational imagery. Inspiration from the natural world includes birds, animals, trees, stones and bones, as well as the human form and face. For me, artistic creation has always been a way to process the world. It’s healing, play, prayer and storytelling. Sometimes I know the story I want to tell, but often the story chooses me, revealing itself in the making or after the work is complete. Much of my work has come out of my struggle to understand our place as humans on this blue planet.

“The Elephant in the Room” Sneak Peek

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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

Luray Modern Cottage Addition Before and Afters

by cbhendricks | Aug 13, 2024 | architecture

Our clients approached us to find the most efficient way to add space to their modern vacation cottage in Luray. The cottage had two modest bedrooms and one bath, with a kitchen that allowed for one person at a time to prepare food. There was not space for sitting down with a larger group to share a meal together. The building site had challenges with only a small space for expansion. The list of challenges to achieve the goals was long but achievable.

We worked through a few design options to set the priorities vs the budget. The biggest challenge with any renovation project is balancing what has to be done to achieve the goals with what could be done in addition to the goals. Changing out some of the windows and part of the siding allowed for the functional parts of the house to be finished. A phase 2 will upgrade the remaining parts of the modern cottage in the future.

The end results are clear – it is a beautiful and restful destination. The kitchen now feels very large with the vaulted ceiling, has space for gathering, and multiple people can work at the same time. The exposed beams bring the warmth of wood into the space while the white cabinets reflect the light, making it a bright space to be in. The large primary suite added a new luxury bathroom and sitting area. This space connects to a closet and laundry room. The exterior blends into the landscape and the rear deck will be used as an expansion of living space during the warm months.

Planning an addition and renovation has many questions that we have learned to ask to help prioritize the goals. We know how to balance budget, design goals, and functional requirements. This project is a great example of how to amplify a small footprint project to make it beautiful and functional for the life our clients want to live in this place.

Dementia Friendly Design Guide

by cbhendricks | Aug 5, 2024 | community, resources

Over the years, we have been grateful to learn more about dementia and dementia-friendly design through our clients, personal experiences, and dementia-friendly business trainings with Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) – we would highly recommend their Dementia Friends Training! Through this training, we are proud to have received the certification of “Dementia Friendly Business.” We are motivated to create a business that is dementia-friendly, continue learning, and integrate these important design considerations into our projects.

If you or your loved ones are interested in learning more about dementia-friendly design, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we would love to talk with you.

Below, check out the Dementia Friendly Design Guide that we have developed (resource design by Annie Frazier). Download this guide for free at the button below.

Dementia Friendly Design Guide Download

Further explanation from VPAS’s Dementia Education Page:

“There is a national movement underway to ensure that people living with dementia have the resources and support they need to live independently and well for as long as possible.

VPAS offers many educational opportunities regarding dementia, and those who participate, help their localities achieve the official designation of a Dementia Friendly Community.

We also offer activities for persons with dementia and those that care for them.”