September 13, 2016 • Page 14 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com fall home improvement & car care The Benefits of Waxing Vehicles Your Guide to Proper Tree Pruning Trees may require pruning for a variety reasons. Storms may have damaged branches, necessitating a pruning. In other instances, trees may have outgrown their yards, overpowering the landscape. Autumn and winter, when trees largely go dormant and fallen leaves make it easier to see the branches beneath, may be prime times to prune. Pruning during the dormant period also minimizes sap loss and stress to the tree, and can help cut down on the growth of fungi. In addition, insects are less likely to be problematic during the colder months of the year. Trimming and pruning can be handled by do-it-yourselfers if the branches are smaller and more manageable. Practice on thinner branches before moving on to thicker ones, which may require extra help. Branches may be After a thorough washing and interior detailing, many vehicle owners put the finishing touch on their cars and trucks by applying a coat of wax. Is this a practice of automotive vanity, or does waxing actually pay legitimate dividends? A coat of wax provides a pristine shine and can help protect paint from the elements. Waxing may not be as essential as in years past, when vehicle paints were run-of-the-mill lacquers that didn’t offer much in the way of protection. But waxing can still provide a variety of benefits that go beyond making a vehicle look good when cruising down the highway. • Protects paint’s clear coating: According to the research team at consumer resource site Angie’s List, failing to occasionally apply wax or another protectant to the vehicle’s exterior can cause a breakdown of the clear coat that protects the paint. If the clear coating deteriorates, the paint can be exposed to road salt and may be vulnerable to damage from oxidation. • Covers up blemishes: Properly applied wax can cover small scratches or light blemishes in the paint job. This may delay having to get a new paint job. • Shields against bugs and bird debris: A freshly washed car can seem like a magnet for bird droppings and bug splatter. A coat of wax is another protectant against these issues, and may make it easier to clean off residue so it doesn’t stick to and damage the vehicle’s paint. • Reduces leasing expenses: Lessees may want to know that applying wax can keep a vehicle in better condition, which can pay dividends when it is time to turn in a vehicle. The dealership will perform a thorough inspection and could charge for discoloration, scratches or other paint issues. Waxing regularly may help reduce those expenses. • May help prevent careless driving: A person who diligently takes care of his or her vehicle may translate that care into caution behind the wheel. If one is excited to keep a clean and well-maintained car, it makes sense that the same person will want to protect the vehicle in other ways, such as through safe driving habits. • Provides exercise and fresh air: A day spent washing and waxing a vehicle can be enjoyable to those who can use some time outdoors. • Improves resale value: A well-maintained car or truck is more attractive to potential buyers. That can translate into a higher resale value, whether the vehicle is sold privately or as a trade-in. Waxing a vehicle is beneficial in various ways. New formulations are easier than ever to apply and can provide that shiny, well-maintained look drivers covet. We Offer •REPAIR PARTS •PLUMBING SUPPLIES •SINKS •TOILETS •HOT WATER HEATERS heavy, and it takes a guided hand to ensure the branches fall in a safe manner so they do not cause damage or injury. Branches also need to be trimmed properly to facilitate good healing. Trees will form a callus bark covering over cuts to keep out disease and decay, much as a scab forms over a person’s wound. Damaging the bark on a tree while pruning may interfere with that process, so do-ityourselfers need to take the time to prune correctly. According to Danny Lipford, home improvement expert and host of the radio program Today’s Homeowner, larger limbs may require three cuts instead of one. The first cut is a small notch in the bottom of the limb, around two to three feet from the trunk and about one-quarter of the way through. This helps Indicators It’s Time to Change Air Filters Vehicle maintenance can protect drivers’ investments and help their automobiles run efficiently. One area drivers should pay particular attention to is their vehicles’ air filters. When operating at optimal capacity, an air filter improves fuel efficiency while ensuring vehicles accelerate smoothly without taxing the engine. But when air filters are clogged, fuel efficiency is reduced and emissions are increased, a 1-2 punch that costs motorists money and hurts the planet at the same time. Drivers can check their owners’ manuals to determine the recommended intervals to replace air filters, but the following are a handful of indicators that suggest it’s time to change them. • Gas mileage: Unless you just purchased your vehicle, you likely know how many miles you can drive on a full tank of gas. If that gas mileage is suddenly slipping and you find yourself visiting the filling station more frequently, then it might be time to replace your air filter. • Engine light: Drivers may be alerted to engine issues when the “Check engine” lights up on the vehicle’s dashboard. This light may come on to indicate a problem with the air filter, as clogged air filters reduce air flow to the engine, resulting in an imbalanced air-fuel mixture that adversely affects the engine. • Starting and idling problems: Vehicles sometimes don’t start up as smoothly as they once did, and drivers may also notice vehicles are not idling smoothly. These symptoms may indicate misfiring spark plugs that are being polluted (and made less effective) by a Quality Work At A Fair Price Larry s Plumbing 703 Burleigh, Yankton • 665-4322 Ferdig’s Transmissions & Exhaust Locally Owned & Operated Your One-Stop Shop For Complete Automotive Repair! •Foreign • Standard • Clutches •Domestic • Automatic •Batteries Winter’s around the corner! Get your vehicle tuned up! 605.665.9012 220 East 3rd St., Yankton cent of the crown. According to experts at TreeHelp.com, living branches should comprise at least two-thirds the height of the tree. In some instances, the rules may need to be bent if trees are interfering with utility lines or to meet community laws. However, always prune minimally to avoid damaging the tree. The right tools also make the job safer and easier. Use a pole pruner and lopper, rope saws, folding pruner, and a bucksaw. A chainsaw can be used in some instances, especially when pruning larger limbs. Always disinfect pruning tools after you’re done to prevent the spread of disease to other trees. Consider hiring a professional tree service if pruning proves beyond your capabilities. Doing so is safe and often well worth the investment. Pruning is a job that may be tackled by do-it-yourselfers, but sometimes larger tasks are best left to a professional tree trimming service. Need A Plumber NOW? •Sewer & Drain Cleaning •Septic Tank Pumping •Repair & Remodel prevent the bark from splitting. A relief cut is then made a few inches away from the notch cut, and goes all the way through. This removes the weight of the branch so that the final cut can be made without the branch splitting and falling. The final cut is made right where the limb extrudes from the branch collar, or the swollen bump that then forms into the tree limb. Follow the slant of the branch collar when making the cut. Smaller or thinner branches may not require the same three steps, but every effort should be made to reduce injury to the tree. When deciding how much to prune, less is usually more. All pruning can put some level of stress on the tree and increase its vulnerability to disease and insect infestation. A good rule of thumb is to never prune more than 25 per- KEVIN’S PLUMBING SERVICE, LLC New Construction In Business Since Home and Cabin Remodel and Repairs Box 1062 Yankton SD 57078 605•668•0177 1994 89476 557th Ave. Fordyce NE 68735 402•357•3302 Kevin Zavadil Cell #605•661•2894 dirty air filter that is reducing the flow of air to the engine. • Acceleration difficulties: Automobiles that are operating at peak capacity accelerate quickly. But dirty, worn out air filters adversely affect acceleration. Drivers who notice that their cars are struggling to accelerate when stoplights turn green or on highways may need to replace their vehicles’ air filters. • Dirty air filter: Perhaps the biggest indicator that an air filter needs to be replaced is the filter itself. If you cannot find the air filter on your own, consult your vehicle owner’s manual to determine where it is. Once you find the air filter, examine it in broad daylight. Clean air filters are white, so if the filter has darkened, it may need to be replaced. Christensen’s Radiator & Repair Tune Ups • Brakes • Cooling Systems Trailer Hitches & Accessories General repair & diagnostics Dan & Dean Christensen 1918 Locust • Yankton 665-3549 ?Ž???3'??????3?3/?????3t??? 3 D 3 ?d?3?3Z?? ^ 3 ????3/???????? ^ 3 ??????3???3z????Ž?34???3^????3???? ???????3????????3/???????? 3 Ž???????3d???3t?3Z????????? 3 , 3 Ž??3?34??Ž3?3???????3?3>???3?3Ž??? 204 W. 4th St., Yankton, SD 605-665-3611 Toll Free: 1-888-665-3611 Fax: 605-665-2560