By Michael McCutcheon, Sandra Paim, Katy Hollbacher, Darlene Jurow and George Heaton
It's a new year, and whether your hopes for 2009 include plans to remodel a room, make some home repairs or simply to clean up the clutter, our experts have some suggestions for making your house even more of a home.
Basic home checks
Michael McCutcheon on some basic home checks you might forget to make:
Inspect your gutters and downspouts. Every fall, take a good look at your roof and gutter system. You want to make sure no shingles are missing, all the gutters and downspouts are connected, and that neither the roof nor the gutters and downspouts are clogged with debris.
Be sure your roof is in good shape. Pay special attention to the peaks and valleys, looking for any missing or loose roofing. Also, look at the valleys and other metal flashings to make sure they are not rusting. If you see anything suspicious, get a qualified and licensed roofing contractor to come take a look.
Have your furnace serviced by a licensed and qualified heating (HVAC) contractor. The contractor will make sure the filter is replaced if necessary, that all safety systems are working, and that the flame is properly adjusted. High efficiency furnaces have condensate systems that need to be checked to make sure they are working properly. Finally, the contractor should check for a cracked heat exchanger, which could let poisonous combustion gas get into your home.
Keep your indoor air safe: To be sure the air in your home is safe, install carbon monoxide detectors, especially in your bedrooms, to warn you of problems.
Determine your home's earthquake resistance. Make sure your house is bolted to the foundation and that the cripple walls (the lower walls under the first floor) are well braced against lateral movement. In addition, check to see if your water heater is well braced. Install a seismic gas valve that will shut off your gas in the event of a serious quake.
Michael McCutcheon is the founder and owner of McCutcheon Construction, a design and construction company that specializes in residential remodeling and light commercial projects.
Architectural tips
Architect Sandra Paim on finding a fresh perspective:
Request a feasibility study or design session with a licensed architect. Spending two or three hours with an architect can give you a valuable head start on understanding different design alternatives and whether they are feasible in terms of construction, costs and the permit process.
Breathe new life into tired spaces. Employ color with paint. This is an inexpensive and fun way to add a bit of quirkiness, sophistication, personality, drama or calm. Why not try something new this year?
Challenge your conceptions about how you use space. Just because you've always used the largest room in the house for watching television doesn't mean it always has to be that way. Would a small TV den make more sense? Claim the larger space as part of the kitchen and eating area. Take out a wall, raise the ceiling and add skylights for an entertainment and family gathering place. You get the idea.
Be flexible. With some creative space planning and furniture layout, a room can have different functions at the same time or separately.
Make a wish list along with goals and objectives. This is a great way to begin communicating what you want to a licensed architect. (Referrals are available through the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Telephone (408) 298-0611, www.aiascv.org
Architect Sandra Paim has a private practice in Los Gatos, working in the Bay Area and beyond.
Going green
Designer Katy Hollbacher on becoming greener:
If you are planning to remodel your home, check out the Home Remodeling Green Building Guidelines and complete the associated checklist to help organize your priorities: builditgreen.org/guidelines.
Educate yourself even more by reading "Green from the Ground Up" by experts David Johnston and Scott Gibson.
See if you can take advantage of federal tax credits for your energy-efficiency improvements. Get details at energytaxincentives.org/consumers.
Schedule a free Water-Wise House Call by calling (800) 548-1882 or visiting valleywater.org. if you are in the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Make sure the contractors you hire are certified or experienced in green building. More information is available about Certified Green Building Professionals at builditgreen.org/cgbp.
Katy Hollbacher writes grant proposals for Build It Green, an environmental nonprofit organization based in Berkeley. Contact the group's Ask an Expert hot line for free customized responses to your questions: www.builditgreen.org.
Darlene Jurow of Jurow Design Associates in Lafayette is past president of the American Society of Interior Designers, Northern California.
