Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

To our Customers and Employees,

We are reaching out to inform you that G&S Heating, Cooling & Electrical is taking the spread of COVID-19 very seriously. We are fully operational to serve the comfort needs of our customers, and as we continue to provide service and installations throughout the greater Puget Sound area, we want to assure you that the well-being of our community is our top priority. Following recommendations from both the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health, we have taken and are continuing to take measures of precaution to ensure the safety and wellness of our customers and employees.

Please inform us in advance of your appointment if you or anyone in your household are showing any of the symptoms of the Coronavirus or have tested positive for the Coronavirus. The World Health Organization has identified symptoms as shortness of breath, fever, and persistent cough. We will work together to find a solution for the services you need while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Should we find that any changes to our scheduling is necessary during this time, we will let you know as soon as we know. We are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety of you and our staff.

Lastly, there are a couple of things found to be very effective in keeping the air in your home clean and safe. First, ductwork collects dust, dirt and pollen and over time can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew and germs that can irritate allergies and create odors. Annual duct cleaning can prevent the spread of these pollutants in your home. Second, indoor air quality products actually prevent these contaminants from getting there in the first place. They work to continuously destroy cold and flu viruses and other pollutants both in the air and on surfaces before they have a chance to spread. If our staff can answer any questions about these ways to keep your home safe, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Chris Baisch

General Manager

G&S Heating, Cooling & Electrical

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Heating, Cooling & Electrical in Everett, WA | G&S Heating

New data has revealed extraordinary rates of global heating in the Arctic, up to seven times faster than the global average.

The heating is occurring in the North Barents Sea, a region where fast rising temperatures are suspected to trigger increases in extreme weather in North America, Europe and Asia. The researchers said the heating in this region was an early warning of what could happen across the rest of the Arctic.

The new figures show annual average temperatures in the area are rising across the year by up to 2.7C a decade, with particularly high rises in the months of autumn of up to 4C a decade. This makes the North Barents Sea and its islands the fastest warming place known on Earth.

Recent years have seen temperatures far above average recorded in the Arctic, with seasoned observers describing the situation as crazy, weird, and simply shocking. Some climate scientists have warned the unprecedented events could signal faster and more abrupt climate breakdown.

It was already known that the climate crisis was driving heating across the Arctic three times faster than the global average, but the new research shows the situation is even more extreme in places.

Sea ice is good at reflecting sunlight but is melting away. This allows the darker ocean below to absorb more energy. Losing sea ice also means it no longer restricts the ability of warmer sea waters to heat up the Arctic air. The more ice is lost, the more heat accumulates, forming a feedback loop.

We expected to see strong warming, but not on the scale we found, said Ketil Isaksen, senior researched at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and who led the work. We were all surprised. From what we know from all other observation points on the globe, these are the highest warming rates we have observed so far.

The broader message is that the feedback of melting sea ice is even higher than previously shown, he said. This is an early warning for whats happening in the rest of the Arctic if this melting continues, and what is most likely to happen in the next decades. The worlds scientists said in April that immediate and deep cuts to carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases are needed to tackle the climate emergency.

This study shows that even the best possible models have been underestimating the rate of warming in the Barents Sea, said Dr Ruth Mottram, climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute, and not part of the team. We seem to be seeing it shifting to a new regime, as it becomes less like the Arctic and more like the North Atlantic. Its really on the edge right now and it seems unlikely that sea ice will persist in this region for much longer.

The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is based on data from automatic weather stations on the islands of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land. Until now, this had not been through the standard quality control process and made public.

The result was a high-quality set of surface air temperature measurements from 1981 to 2020. The researchers concluded: The regional warming rate for the Northern Barents Sea region is exceptional and corresponds to 2 to 2.5 times the Arctic warming averages and 5 to 7 times the global warming averages.

There was a very strong correlation over time between air temperature, sea ice loss and ocean temperature. Isaksen said the rapid temperature rise would have a very big impact on ecosystems: For instance, here in Oslo, we have a temperature rise of 0.4C a decade and people really feel the disappearing snow conditions during winter. But whats happening in the far north is off the scale.

Isaksen said the new information on heating rates in the area would help research by other scientists on how changes in the Arctic affect extreme weather in populous areas at lower latitudes. There is evidence that the rapid heating changes the jet stream winds that encircle the pole and influence extreme weather.

Sea ice loss and warming in the Barents Sea in particular have been isolated in previous work as being especially relevant to changes in winter-time atmospheric circulation that are tied to extreme winter weather events, said Prof Michael Mann, from Pennsylvania State University, US. If this mechanism is valid, and theres some debate over that, then this is yet another way climate change could be increasing certain types of extreme weather events [and which] isnt well captured by current models.

See original here:

New data reveals extraordinary global heating in the Arctic - The Guardian

Whether you're without power, enduring extreme heat or trying to save money, there are ways to feel comfortable without artificial cooling.Heat can foster fun summer activities, but the body shouldn't be too hot for too long, as too much heat can harm your brain and other organs, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Sweating is the body's natural cooling system, but when that's not enough, there's an increased risk for developing the heat-related illness hyperthermia signs of which include heat cramps, heat edema and heat stroke.Staying cool can be done by using some basic supplies and knowing how to manipulate your home to control its temperatures. Here are 14 methods for doing so.Stay hydratedWhen you're hot and flushed, hydrating yourself is the first and foremost step to cooling down, said Wendell Porter, a senior lecturer emeritus in agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Florida.The temperature of the water doesn't matter since your body will heat it, he added. If your body is suffering from the heat and needs to cool itself, it can't do that without enough moisture, since the body cools itself by sweating.Take a cold shower or bathTaking a cold shower or bath helps cool your body by lowering your core temperature, Porter said.For an extra cool blast, try peppermint soap. The menthol in peppermint oil activates brain receptors that tell your body something you're eating or feeling is cold.Use cold washrags on your neck or wristsPlace a cold washrag or ice bags (packs) on your wrists or drape it around your neck to cool your body. These pulse points are areas where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you'll cool down more quickly.Use box fansPlace box fans facing out of the windows of rooms you're spending time in to blow out hot air and replace it with cold air inside.If the weather in your area tends to fall between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the mornings and evenings, opening the windows on both sides of the house during those times can facilitate a cross-flow ventilation system. If you do this, you can opt to use or not use the fans, but the fans would help cool the house faster, Porter said. The outdoors can pull the hot air from your home, leaving a cooler temperature or bringing in the breeze. Just be sure to close windows as the sun comes out, then open them when the weather is cool again.You might not typically leave windows open for safety reasons, but if you're at home more anyway due to the pandemic, this method could be feasible, Porter said.Just resting near a fan would reduce your body temperature as well.Close your curtains or blindsIf you have windows that face the sun's direction in the morning through afternoon, close the curtains or blinds over them to "keep the sun from coming directly into the house and heating up (the) inside," Porter said.You could also install blackout curtains to insulate the room and reduce temperature increases that would happen during the day.If you do turn the air conditioning on, don't set it below 70 degrees Fahrenheit in an effort to cool the house faster, said Samantha Hall, managing director of Spaces Alive, an Australia-based design research company helping to create healthy, sustainable buildings."It just runs for longer to reach that temp and will keep going until you start to feel a bit chilly and is then hard to balance," she added. Instead, keep the unit temperature as high as possible while still comfortable.Sleep in breathable linensCotton is one of the most breathable materials, so cotton sheets or blankets could help keep you cool through the night.The lower the thread count of the cotton, the more breathable it is, Porter said. That's because higher thread counts have more weaving per square inch.Sleep in the basementIf you can't sleep through the night because you're too hot, try sleeping somewhere besides your bedroom, if that's an option. Heat rises, so if you have a lower or basement level in your home, set up a temporary sleeping area there to experience cooler temperatures at night.Don't refrigerate or freeze blankets or clothingCommon advice for staying cool without air conditioning includes refrigerating or freezing wet socks, blankets or clothing then ringing them out to wear while you sleep. But this isn't a good idea, Porter said.Because of "the amount of energy they can absorb from your body that night, they will be warm in just a matter of minutes," he said. "And then you'd have damp stuff that would mold your mattress. So you definitely don't want to do that."Close the doors of unused roomsIf no one's using a room that doesn't have vents or registers, close the door to that area to keep the cool air confined to only occupied areas of the house.Use the exhaust fan in your kitchen and/or bathroomFlip the switch for the exhaust fan in your kitchen to pull hot air that rises after you cook or in your bathroom to draw out steam after you shower.Install energy-efficient light bulbsIncandescent light bulbs generate a higher temperature than LED light bulbs do. To make the switch, watch for sales on energy-efficient bulbs, then slowly replace the bulbs in your house, Porter said.Switching light bulbs can save money but won't reduce a lot of heat in the home, Hall said. However, if you focus on switching the bulbs in areas you're sitting near, that would make a more noticeable difference, Porter said.Cook in the morning, with a slow cooker or outsideOven heat can spread throughout your house. Keep the heat centralized in one area, such as a slow cooker. Or, cook outdoors on a grill to keep the heat outside.Enjoy frozen treatsEating an ice pop or ice cream to cool down may help for a moment. But don't go overboard on the sugar if you're overheated or at risk of being overheated, Porter said."Sugar would run your metabolism up and you'd start feeling internally hot," he said. "So the cool treat might be good, but the extra sugar might not."Research what your state offersIf you've tried everything and still can't beat the heat at home, you could look online for any local programs that are offering ductless air conditioners.Depending on your state, some cooling centers air-conditioned public facilities where people might go for relief during extremely hot weather may be open and taking precautions to ensure they're as safe as possible. You could start by checking with your local utility offices, as they would know who is offering certain programs, Porter recommended.

Whether you're without power, enduring extreme heat or trying to save money, there are ways to feel comfortable without artificial cooling.

Heat can foster fun summer activities, but the body shouldn't be too hot for too long, as too much heat can harm your brain and other organs, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Sweating is the body's natural cooling system, but when that's not enough, there's an increased risk for developing the heat-related illness hyperthermia signs of which include heat cramps, heat edema and heat stroke.

Staying cool can be done by using some basic supplies and knowing how to manipulate your home to control its temperatures. Here are 14 methods for doing so.

When you're hot and flushed, hydrating yourself is the first and foremost step to cooling down, said Wendell Porter, a senior lecturer emeritus in agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Florida.

The temperature of the water doesn't matter since your body will heat it, he added. If your body is suffering from the heat and needs to cool itself, it can't do that without enough moisture, since the body cools itself by sweating.

Taking a cold shower or bath helps cool your body by lowering your core temperature, Porter said.

For an extra cool blast, try peppermint soap. The menthol in peppermint oil activates brain receptors that tell your body something you're eating or feeling is cold.

Place a cold washrag or ice bags (packs) on your wrists or drape it around your neck to cool your body. These pulse points are areas where blood vessels are close to the skin, so you'll cool down more quickly.

Place box fans facing out of the windows of rooms you're spending time in to blow out hot air and replace it with cold air inside.

If the weather in your area tends to fall between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the mornings and evenings, opening the windows on both sides of the house during those times can facilitate a cross-flow ventilation system. If you do this, you can opt to use or not use the fans, but the fans would help cool the house faster, Porter said. The outdoors can pull the hot air from your home, leaving a cooler temperature or bringing in the breeze. Just be sure to close windows as the sun comes out, then open them when the weather is cool again.

You might not typically leave windows open for safety reasons, but if you're at home more anyway due to the pandemic, this method could be feasible, Porter said.

Just resting near a fan would reduce your body temperature as well.

If you have windows that face the sun's direction in the morning through afternoon, close the curtains or blinds over them to "keep the sun from coming directly into the house and heating up (the) inside," Porter said.

You could also install blackout curtains to insulate the room and reduce temperature increases that would happen during the day.

If you do turn the air conditioning on, don't set it below 70 degrees Fahrenheit in an effort to cool the house faster, said Samantha Hall, managing director of Spaces Alive, an Australia-based design research company helping to create healthy, sustainable buildings.

"It just runs for longer to reach that temp and will keep going until you start to feel a bit chilly and is then hard to balance," she added. Instead, keep the unit temperature as high as possible while still comfortable.

Cotton is one of the most breathable materials, so cotton sheets or blankets could help keep you cool through the night.

The lower the thread count of the cotton, the more breathable it is, Porter said. That's because higher thread counts have more weaving per square inch.

If you can't sleep through the night because you're too hot, try sleeping somewhere besides your bedroom, if that's an option. Heat rises, so if you have a lower or basement level in your home, set up a temporary sleeping area there to experience cooler temperatures at night.

Common advice for staying cool without air conditioning includes refrigerating or freezing wet socks, blankets or clothing then ringing them out to wear while you sleep. But this isn't a good idea, Porter said.

Because of "the amount of energy they can absorb from your body that night, they will be warm in just a matter of minutes," he said. "And then you'd have damp stuff that would mold your mattress. So you definitely don't want to do that."

If no one's using a room that doesn't have vents or registers, close the door to that area to keep the cool air confined to only occupied areas of the house.

Flip the switch for the exhaust fan in your kitchen to pull hot air that rises after you cook or in your bathroom to draw out steam after you shower.

Incandescent light bulbs generate a higher temperature than LED light bulbs do. To make the switch, watch for sales on energy-efficient bulbs, then slowly replace the bulbs in your house, Porter said.

Switching light bulbs can save money but won't reduce a lot of heat in the home, Hall said. However, if you focus on switching the bulbs in areas you're sitting near, that would make a more noticeable difference, Porter said.

Oven heat can spread throughout your house. Keep the heat centralized in one area, such as a slow cooker. Or, cook outdoors on a grill to keep the heat outside.

Eating an ice pop or ice cream to cool down may help for a moment. But don't go overboard on the sugar if you're overheated or at risk of being overheated, Porter said.

"Sugar would run your metabolism up and you'd start feeling internally hot," he said. "So the cool treat might be good, but the extra sugar might not."

If you've tried everything and still can't beat the heat at home, you could look online for any local programs that are offering ductless air conditioners.

Depending on your state, some cooling centers air-conditioned public facilities where people might go for relief during extremely hot weather may be open and taking precautions to ensure they're as safe as possible. You could start by checking with your local utility offices, as they would know who is offering certain programs, Porter recommended.

Read the original here:

Summer is heating up. Here's how to stay cool without air conditioning - WYFF4 Greenville

Stock photo by Zohair Mirza for Unsplash

Right in time for Fathers Day, Hatley Brothers II Roofing & Construction announced that it will give a free new roof to a local dad.

The contest known as Weathering the Weathered is in its 17th year, but this will be the first time a father will receive the prize.

Focused primarily on residents of the Oak Cliff, southern Dallas and DeSoto areas, the contest historically has awarded elderly woman and mothers, but, this year, owner KeElronn Hatley says in an announcement that he searched for an eligible father who is in need of a new roof for his home but cannot afford to pay for full-scale roof replacement services on his own due to lack of insurance coverage.

This years recipient is Oak Cliff area resident Robert Mitchell, and hell receive roofing valued in the $15,000 to $20,000 range.

The kick-off for the new roof installation happened this morning at the home on Cicero Street. The replacement of Mitchells old leaky roof with a quality, new 20-30 year shingled roof and complete redeckwill happen this weekend, the company says.

In some ways the replacement will benefit the neighborhood for example the old wood, made of now-outlawed wood shingles, was a fire hazard, according to the roofers, so this is a preventative measure for the safety of both occupants and neighbors.

Giving back to the community has always been a top priority at Hatley Brothers II Roofing & Construction, Hatley says.In Texas, homeowners are often faced with the financial burden of replacing roofs more frequently than some other geographic locations due to hail and wind damage, extreme heat and general age deterioration. In this current economic climate, with the average cost of residential roof replacement services running anywhere from $18,000 to $20,000, we knew we had to do something to make a difference in the community. So we decided to help someone in need by providing them with a new roof at no charge, and we are looking forward to installing Mr. Mitchells special Fathers Day gift.

The Hatley company thanked special community partners, particularly Williams Chicken, for helping making this happen.

Hatley is known for being the youngest recipient of the prestigious Quest for Success Award, presented by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and WFAA-TV.

Read more from the original source:
Business owner will replace dad's dangerous leaking roof as Father's Day gift - Oak Cliff Advocate

3 Kings Roofing LLC is a trusted roofing company in Georgetown, TX. In a recent update, the roofer explained why roof inspection and maintenance are essential.

Georgetown, TX In a website post, 3 Kings Roofing LLC explained the benefits of roof inspection and maintenance.

The Georgetown roofing company started by mentioning that roof inspection can help homeowners identify minor and hidden roof damages. Once these damages are identified, they are fixed immediately before they worsen. Also, when a homeowner has a routine roof maintenance schedule, they will likely identify potential roof problems and plan how to counter them before they escalate.

Additionally, the Georgetown roofing contractor said that roof inspection and maintenance could help homeowners save money. If one doesnt inspect or maintain their roof, the roof will wear and tear and eventually start leaking or having other roof issues. In some cases, neglected roofs require premature roof replacement. Regular repairs or premature roof replacement can be pretty expensive. But when one does routine inspection and maintenance, their roofs will last longer.

The Georgetown roof installation company added that roof inspection and maintenance give property owners peace of mind. If one hires a professional roofing contractor for roof inspection and maintenance, they can rest easy knowing that their roof will withstand natural elements and serve them better for a long time. They cant worry when roof leaks and other damages are expected during the rainy season.

About 3 Kings Roofing LLC

3 Kings Roofing LLC is a reliable roofing contractor serving Georgetown and nearby areas. The roofer specializes in residential and commercial roof installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance. In addition, they offer hail damage roof restoration. The company is licensed and fully insured and is certified with Gaf, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. They offer lifetime workmanship warranties and can handle small and large roofing projects.

Media ContactCompany Name: 3 Kings Roofing LLCContact Person: Dustin CatesEmail: Send EmailPhone: +15128561833City: GeorgetownState: TXCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.3kingsroofing.com/texas-locations

See more here:
3 Kings Roofing LLC Explained Why Roof Inspection and Maintenance are Essential - Digital Journal

Q: Our house is only five years old. When we bought it, the home inspector found no major defects. I pointed out a water stain on the garage ceiling, but the home inspector found no roof defects, the listing agent said he knew of no roof leaks, and nothing was mentioned in the seller's disclosure statement. Since moving in, we've had major leakage every time it rains. A roofing contractor says the roof should be replaced, not repaired. Do we have any recourse, or do we have to pay for roof replacement ourselves?

A: One would expect a seller to be aware of a leaky roof, especially with stains on the garage ceiling.

The listing agent may have been unaware of any roof problems, but when asked about a ceiling stain, the agent should have questioned the seller, rather than declaring ignorance of any problem.

The home inspector was responsible for disclosing defects that were visible and accessible at the time of inspection. Ceilings stains call for careful examination of specific roof areas, in addition to an overall inspection of the roof. If the home inspector disclosed nothing about potential roof leakage, a meeting between the home inspector and your roofing contractor should be arranged.

As a final thought: Replacement of a five-year-old roof is highly unusual. Before investing in that recommendation, a second opinion from another licensed roofing contractor would be a good idea.

Q: I just bought a newly constructed home. The furnace is installed on a raised platform in the garage. The builder fastened cement bumpers to the garage floor to keep my car from hitting the furnace, but they also prevent my car from pulling in enough to allow closure of the garage door. I told the builder about this, but he refuses to move the blocks. Isn't he responsible to make the garage usable as a parking area?

A: The builder needs to apply practical consideration and common sense. Here are the facts. The building code requires a furnace that is installed within a garage to be protected from vehicle impact. The builder could have met this requirement without creating new or unintended problems: without compromising the primary purpose of the garage, which is to shelter your vehicles.

The builder should address this issue in a manner that is consistent with reason and functional purpose. A common solution in such cases is to install a steel post in front of the furnace. If this does not allow sufficient room for parking, then the furnace should be relocated to another part of the garage, or possibly to the attic.

If the builder refuses to be sensible, send him a certified letter informing him that he has 30 days to correct the problem, after which you will have corrective work done by another contractor and will pursue recovery of repair costs in small claims court. An alternative to this would be to file a complaint with the state agency that licenses building contractors.

Write Barry Stone at http://www.housedetective.com.

2022, Action Coast Publishing

Read this article:
Leaking roof should have been disclosed - Daily Herald

CROSS JUNCTION Veteran Gabriel Sheridans Frederick County home got a new roof on Friday from roofing contractor Modern Renovations as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.

Through a partnership with Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity Inc., Sheridan, 35, was selected to receive the roof replacement at no cost.

Sheridan, who served in the Marines and is a 100% disabled veteran, said it felt amazing to have a new roof on his house.

I was super surprised and incredibly thrilled to be selected and be eligible for this, he said. It was a massive, massive help.

Modern Renovations owner Larry Demarco said his Martinsburg, W.a.-based company was contacted by Habitat officials about helping with the project.

Owens Corning a roofing materials manufacturer donated the materials needed for the new roof while Modern Renovations donated the labor. The new roof is made of asphalt shingles.

DeMarco said Sheridans roof was in bad shape.

It was leaking. It was failing, he said. It was just compromised and it wasnt holding up.

Demarco sees the project as paying back Sheridan for his service to the country.

Its kind of a small gesture in the grand scheme of things, Demarco said. Its one roof but to him, its a lifetime of peace of mind.

Demarco estimates about $10,000 in labor and materials were donated for the project. He called Owens Corning the cream of the crop when it comes to roofing materials and said the roof should last for 50 years.

So its not like hes getting subpar material because were doing him a favor, Demarco said. Hes quite literally getting the best material on the market with the strongest warranty on the market.

The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude to veterans and the families who support them. Since the programs inception in 2016, more than 325 military members have received new roofs.

What theyre doing is quite awesome, Sheridan said.

See the original post:
'What they're doing is quite awesome': Veteran's home gets new roof - The Winchester Star

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While summer in Minnesota can mean sunny, warm days, it can also deliver storms with wind, hail, and rain. When stormy weather does hit, it can damage your home, tearing up shingles, beating up gutters, and destroying siding.

As an expert roofing company specializing in storm restoration, Hoffman Weber Construction is pleased to provide you with guidance on how to repair the damage and restore your home to its original (or even better) condition.

Wind and hail can damage shingles meant to protect your roof from the sun and create a watertight seal. Once the damage occurs, bald spots, cracked or curled shingles can result, making your home vulnerable to water damage. Even worse, hail damage can void your shingle manufacturers warranty.

If you fail to have the damage to your roof repaired and additional damage occurs, it can significantly reduce your homes value.

If a storm has compromised your roofs integrity, youll want to make sure its repaired or replaced immediately. Signs of structural damage include:

Begin the roof restoration process by having a reliable, licensed roofing company assess the damage. Its wise to have several contractors submit bids on potential repair or replacement costs.

Once youve gathered bids and chosen a contractor, its time to begin working with your insurance company to determine coverage, deductibles, materials and more. A reputable roofing company will work with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure the necessary repairs are completed in a professional, timely, and cost-effective manner.

Ask any Minnesota homeowner, and theyll tell you, once the storm subsides the storm chasers appear. Storm chasers are contractors who show up at your door uninvited offering to give you a free damage assessment. While theyre not always bad news, a superior restoration pro works to build their reputation for honesty, integrity, and quality work so that customers come looking for them.

If you need a dependable roofer in your area, ask friends and family for referrals. Additionally, an online search can offer reviews from previous customers that reveal which companies deliver on their promises, and which companies to avoid.

When choosing a roofing contractor, its important to find a company that meets the following criteria:

Hoffman Weber Construction meets and often exceeds these standards. If you need roof repair or restoration, wed be happy to help. Book your Free Storm Damage Inspection from Hoffman Weber Construction today.

(Be sure to ask how you can earn between $250-$500 with our Hoffman Weber Construction Referral Program!)

Continued here:
The Ultimate Guide to Storm Restoration - Bring Me The News

The roof of a historic Lincoln shopping centre is going to be replaced after having entered into a "state of disrepair" with water coming in. A plan has been approved for work to take place at the St Marks Shopping Centre, which contains outlets including Sports Direct and The Entertainer toy shop.

The new roof will span the Grade II listed building that was once a railway station and the more modern retail units in the area. Describing the current state of the roof, planning documents state: "The existing glazing was added in the 1980s and has reached the end of its use life. It is now in disrepair, required regular maintenance and is allows water ingress into the units."

One of the largest railways of the early 20th century once occupied the St Marks area, with the Lincoln Midland Station being opened in 1846. The railway eventually closed in 1985 when all trains entering Lincoln were diverted to what is now the only station in the city.

Read more: Siblings can't believe their eyes as they find amazing pink grasshopper in garden

The St Marks area fell into disrepair in the late 1980s as a result, but it was then restored and extended into the current shopping centre. The railway station building used to be occupied by Lakeland but now sits empty.

Describing the work that will take place, the planning documents say: "The current condition of the roofing has further resulted in the units associated with the roofing to be classed as lower quality and subsequently has impacted on the letability of the units. The proposal therefore seeks to remove the existing area of roofing and replace the area in full with a like-for-like replacement."

The City of Lincoln Council has now approved the roof replacement work, saying that it now needs to start within three years. Lakeland announced that it was leaving the St Marks area in 2018 and it is now based in Lincoln's Cornhill Quarter.

See the original post:
Lincoln shopping centre roof to be repaired amid water damage issues - Lincolnshire Live

When trying to produce bulb onions in Texas, many gardeners get more flowers than large onions. If onion seed are planted too early or transplants and sets are used in the fall so that they grow too large before winter, the plants form flowers or bolt when temperatures rise in the spring.

Bolting is more prevalent after a mild winter. Acting like a biological computer, the larger-than-pencil-sized onion plant adds up all of the hours of exposure to temperatures of 40 to 45. When this sum equals that total needed for flower initiation, bolting begins. This process is called vernalization.

Fall-seeded and transplanted onions are more susceptible to bolting the following spring if warm fall temperatures promote excessive growth. Use bulbs with flower stalks early because they will not make bulbs as large as plants which have not formed seed stems.

Also formation of the flower stem, whether removed or not, has occurred in the center of the onion bulb. When an onion which has initiated one of these flower stems is stored, the stem tissue decomposes, causing the entire onion to rot. Onions tolerate temperatures well below freezing. They may be planted from seed, from small bulbs called sets or from transplants. If sets or transplants are used, plant them 3/4 inch deep and 3 inches apart. Do not transplant onions more than 1 inch deep. When seeding onions, plant them 1/4 inch deep.

Because onions are a cool-season vegetable, they grow best during mild temperatures. High temperatures slow vegetative (leaf) growth. The objective is to promote maximum growth in the spring when temperatures rise above 40 to 50 range but before the weather gets hot. In South and Central Texas, plant seed of short-day onions such as 1015Y (Texas A&M Supersweet), Yellow Granex (known as Vidalia), Grano 502 (yellow), White Granex or Crystal Wax (white) and Burgundy (red) directly into the garden during October or November or wait until February and set out plants.

Newer varieties have come out as well. Seeds sown directly into the garden and covered with 1/4 inch of soil should sprout within 7 to 10 days. If planted thickly, pull the plants and use as green onions or scallions for salads or fresh eating in 8 to 10 weeks. For larger bulbs, thin the plants until they are at least 3 inches apart to allow for bulb expansion. Fertilizing onion plants is also vital to success.

Research indicates that onion growth and yield are greatly enhanced by banding phosphorus about 2 to 3 inches below the seed at planting time. The phosphorus acts as a starter solution which invigorates the growth of young seedlings. Banding phosphorus such as super phosphate (0-20-0) 2 to 3 inches below the seed involves making a trench 3 inches deep, pouring cup of super phosphate per 10 row feet, covering with about 2 inches of soil, sowing seed and covering lightly with 1/4 to inch of soil. Once established, give onion plants additional fertilizer 19-5-9 as a side application every 4 weeks. Sidedress with ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) if soil is already high in phosphorus and potassium.

This fertilizer encourages larger plants. Each leaf forms a ring in the onion bulb. More leaves mean more rings and larger onion bulbs. Use about cup of the fertilizer for each 10 feet of onion row. Scatter the fertilizer evenly between the rows and water. Weeds are easy to remove when they are 3 to 4 inches tall. When hoeing weeds and grass, do not work the soil too deeply for it may damage shallow roots.

When possible always hand pull weeds to avoid root damage. Onions may be picked as green onions from the time they are pencil size until they begin to form bulbs. For dry bulb onions, let plants grow larger. Onions are mature when the top of the plant falls over. Physically breaking over the top of onion plants does not increase bulb size. When harvesting bulb onions, loosen the plants in the soil by pulling gently. Let them stay in the garden for 1 or 2 days to dry. Then remove the tops and roots and let them continue drying in baskets or boxes. Green onions can be harvested and used immediately. Green onions may be eaten fresh or can be chopped and added to salads. Bulb onions may be sliced or diced and used in many recipes or they may be dipped in batter and fried as onion rings.

Fertilizing the lawn

Fertilizing is not so one size fits all as we would sometimes like for it to be. Every environment is different with its own expectations, use, history, and needs. Remember that the health of your turfgrass is heavily dependent on the soil it is being grown on. Look for a custom approach that is specifically catered to your turfgrass area. Start by testing your soil. For information on soil testing, visit the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory website: http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/ or contact the Brown County Extension Office for more information.

Soil tests will give you a feel for some of the characteristics of your soil that are important for growing healthy plants including soil pH, soil salinity, and the relative abundance of the major nutrients your turfgrass needs to survive. While there are approximately 18 plant essential nutrients, primarily, we focus on a select few: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium (N-P-K) are the three primary macronutrients that are available in most fertilizer products.

The analysis or grade on the fertilizer bag is indicative of the ratio of (N, P, and K). So, a product with a grade of 15-5-10 has a 3-1-2 ratio of these nutrients. A 3-1-1 or 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer is usually recommended for home lawns in our area.

Other elements commonly looked at by urban soil tests include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and sodium. Sodium testing is conducted to shed light on soil quality as opposed to plant nutritional needs. Every element, or nutrient, has a key part to play and balance is important. Too much or too little of any one essential nutrient can have a negative effect on your turfgrass and its overall wellbeing.

It is possible to apply fertilizers at inappropriate times. Nitrogen, in particular, should be applied only during months of active growth. As a guide, use the first and last frost dates for your part of the state. Your first fertilizer application of the year should come approximately 4 6 weeks after the last frost date, or once the grass has been mowed at least twice. Your last fertilizer application should go out approximately 4 6 weeks before your first frost date. This will minimize winter injury and Disease risk. In our area we use March 20th as the last normal frost date.

This year however, we had a frost in early April. November 15th is our date for average first frost in the fall. Use caution when purchasing or applying combination products such as those which combine preemergent herbicides and nitrogen fertilizers, as it is often not appropriate or beneficial to apply these types of products simultaneously in a home lawn setting. Especially where yard trees are present.

Most people over fertilize their lawn. The recommended fertilizer application rate is 1lb of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq feet of lawn. So, if you had a 50lb bag of 15-5-10 fertilizer it contains 7.5lbs of actual nitrogen. This one bag would cover 7500 sq feet of lawn.

Link:
Time to harvest onions in the garden - Brownwood Bulletin