September 18, 2018 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Fall Home Improvement & Car Care How How To Safeguard Your PotentialTo Recognize Brake Problems Vehicle From The Elements In a perfect world, all vehicle owners would be able to park their cars and trucks in garages. In such a world, automobiles would not be vulnerable to sun, storms and other natural elements that, over time, can contribute to wear and tear. But many drivers cannot or choose not to park their cars in garages. Some are content to let their vehicles brave the elements, while others look for ways to protect their cars and trucks as much as possible. Drivers who count themselves among the latter group can take these simple steps to protect their cars and trucks from whatever Mother Nature has in store for them. • Park in the shade. Parking in the shade can protect both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. Shaded areas protect upholstery and dashboards inside the car from sun-induced fading, while also limiting the damage sun can cause to exterior paint. Faded paint may hurt the resale value of a vehicle, prompt- ing prospective buyers to walk away or at least wonder if a vehicle with a faded exterior was well maintained. • Wash and wax. Washing and waxing a vehicle helps to minimize damage that’s inevitable regardless of where drivers park their cars. Dirt and debris litter roadways, and over time cars can collect a large amount of these unwanted stowaways. If dirt and debris are not removed, they can cause long-term damage to vehicle exteriors. Washing and waxing a car can ensure its exterior looks good and reduce the likelihood of rust and other corrosion from occurring. • Don’t write off bird droppings. Some drivers, especially those who do not park their cars and trucks in garages, may write off bird droppings as an annoying yet harmless side effect of vehicle ownership. However, bird droppings are acidic and, if left to their unsightly devices, can cause permanent damage to vehicle paint. Tree sap is an equally formidable foe, potentially causing scratching because it can be very difficult to remove without spreading. Specially formulated sprays can help drivers remove bird droppings and sap from their vehicles. • Employ a car cover. Drivers who have garages but use them to store things other than their vehicles can use car covers when parking their cars in their driveways. Covers protect cars from the elements and can be quickly and easily removed. Nature can be harsh on vehicles. Protecting automobiles from the elements should be a priority for drivers, especially those who do not park their cars and trucks in garages. Maintaining a vehicle is more than just a way to protect one’s financial investment. Vehicle maintenence can protect against accidents and make the road safer for drivers and their passengers as well as their fellow motorists. Fully functioning brakes are an important component of automotive safety. In its 2017 Crash Stats report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that brake-related problems accounted for 22 percent of crashes where vehicular failure was cited as the cause of the collision. Bad brakes are particularly notorious for rear-end collisions. Faulty, worn brake lines, antilock brake system malfunctions and worn brake pads and discs are some potential brake problems. It is important that motorists learn to recognize the first symptoms of brake trouble so they can address issues before they put drivers, their passengers and other motorists at risk of accident or injury. • Unusual noises: Screeching, grinding, rubbing, and high-pitched sounds are common indicators that brake ? MetroCreativeConnection pads, rotors and other parts of the braking system need attention. Worn pads can cause damage to other vehicle parts, resulting in more expensive repairs if they’re not addressed promptly. • Pulling: If the car pulls to one side when applying the brakes, this may indicate brake pad linings are wearing down unevenly. A brake adjustment may be necessary. need to be patched. Pulling also may be indicative of an object or debris Once the structure of the basement is addressed, caught in the brake fluid. then the design work can • Less responsive: If when pressing on the brake pedal begin. Many professionals the brakes just do not seem to be as effective as they advise against drop ceilings, once were, or it is necessary to press the pedal harder which can take away from for the brakes to engage, there may be a brake fluid leak ceiling height and look or an air leak. Check under the vehicle to see if any fluids cheap. Basements can be are pooling. dark, so the addition of • Pungent odors: Firestone Tire Company says a burnplenty of lighting can help ing smell may be indicative of worn out brake pads and brighten the room. Small friction on the tires. Each of these issues require immedibasement windows can be ate attention. replaced with larger ones to • Vibrations: Certain vibrations may indicate brake add more light as well. issues. Rotors can become warped from metal-on-metal Homeowners can mimic rubbing, potentially leading to a failure of the vehicle to built-ins and architectural brake properly. Vibrations also may indicate tires are details from elsewhere in misaligned. These problems can be properly assessed by the home so the basement a trained mechanic. is aesthetically cohesive Do not let potential brake problems go unchecked. and doesnÕt seem like an Keeping brakes in good working order helps drivers stop addition. Bookcases and more readily and avoid collisions. shelving can add valu? MetroCreativeConnection able storage space as well. Decorate the basement with bright, neutral colors so they make the space feel more inviting. With some effort and financial investment, basements can be as beautiful and functional as other rooms in a home. Basement Remodeling Tips A basement remodeling project can add valuable and usable space to a home. For many years, homeowners overlooked the potential of a basement remodel, perhaps thinking it would not be a smart return on investment. But thatÕs no longer the case. The latest ÒCost vs. ValueÓ report from Remodeling magazine says the average basement remodel can cost around $61,000 with a 70.3 percent recoup rate. In addition, HGTV says architects and contractors indicate the cost of redoing a basement is roughly one-third to one-half less than the price of putting an addition on a home. Before remodeling a basement, homeowners should think about how they want to use the space. Homeowners also must 1702 Broadway, Yankton, SD focus on some potential obstacles in a basement that will need to be addressed so that the area can be as functional as possible. Basements can be chilly and damp. That means moisture issues and heating and cooling needs must be addressed prior to any construction. Homeowners may have to consider the installation of a dehumidifier and run venting through the basement to allow for proper climate control. If a basement takes on water, either through the walls or a concrete slab, a professional waterproofing company can come in and fix these issues so they will not damage drywall and flooring afterwards. The presence of insects and pests also must be addressed. Exterminators can help homeowners figure out Becker p Body Sho Direct Repair Facility for all major insurance companies! Paintless Dent Repair - Glass Installation Fiberglass Work - Complete Body Repair 605.665.5925 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 which insects are in their basements and how to make the space less hospitable to these unwelcome guests so that the room will become comfortable for human occupants. Space is often at a premium in basements, which may contain HVAC units, water heaters, filtration devices, ductwork, pipes, and the other appliances. Qualified contractors can suggest solutions for cordoning off appliances and camouflaging pipes and wires so they wonÕt detract from the finished product. However, building access panels into the design will make it easier to service or repair features as necessary. Homeowners also may want to wrap pipes before drywall is installed to quiet noisy drainage pipes. Uneven basement flooring will need to be smoothed out and flattened before carpeting or tile can be laid down. A self-leveling underlayment can be applied to fill in gullies, while larger crack and holes will ? MetroCreativeConnection Christensen’s Radiator & Repair • (605) 665-1175 • Tune Ups • Brakes • Cooling Systems Trailer Hitches & Accessories Fax: (605) 665-1074 Toll Free: 1-888-665-1175 2409 E Hwy. 50 Yankton, SD 57078 General repair & diagnostics Dan & Dean Christensen 1918 Locust • Yankton 665-3549 • Transmissions • Transfer Cases • Differentials ROD’S isPIDDLEinSHOP Now the time to get for Small Piddle Repair Jobs your Snow Service & Repair • Lawn MowerBlower Service ••Snow Blower Services & Repair Snow Blower Service Repair Repair Trailer Lights ••Lawn Mower Service & Repair Some Trailer Lights ••RepairMetal Work Small Piddle Call Rod Wiese (605) 689-3817 • Some Metal WorkYankton, SD Repair Shop 4410 W. 8th St. • Call Rod Wiese (605) 689-3817 4410 W. 8th Street • Yankton, SD