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Thursday, M ay 14, 2015 - H om e and G arden - w w w .theifp.ca Page 5 DEKER eLectric ltd. SALES SErVicE iNStALLAtiONSESA #7003060 905-702-0515 www.dekerelectric.ca Already own an emergency backup generator? Then STOP running extension cords! Ask us about a solution! 905-510-9739 wayne@wisecracks.com www.Ha l t onWi s eC r a c k s . c om • Crack Injection Repair Specialist •Wise Dry Interior Drain Systems • Lifetime Fully Transferrable Warranty • Sump Pump Renewel Installations Professional, Cost Effective Solutions for Wet Basements . ..since 1991 Leaky Basement? Call Us! Tired of High Electricity Bills? We can help (519) 853-2308 sales@solardirectcanada.com Cheaper, greener options are available Completely offset your electrical bill with no money down Or earn up to 14% annual income Call us or visit us on the web today to learn more Locally owned and operated in Acton SolarDirectCanada.com 1990-2015 •Tree Pruning • Removals • Storm Damage • Small Shrub & HedgeTrimming •Tree Cabling & Bracing • Stump Grinding IT'S LONELY AT THE TOP email: jay@hilltoptreecare.ca www.hilltoptreecare.ca FREE Estimates • Fully Insured Office: 905-877-5279 Cell: 416-996-9338 ADAMS EQUIPMENT Hours of operation: 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday; 8 am to 5 pm Saturday; Closed on Sunday SALES, SERVICE, RENT-ALL INC. 334 Guelph Street Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4B5 Tel: 905-877-0157 Fax: 905-877-0159 www.adamsequipment.ca We Service Lawn Equipment Rentals For EVERY need! • Tools & lawn equipment • Skidsteers, excavators & trenchers • Light construction equipment Now is the Time to service your Lawn Equipment! HOME, LAWN & GARDEN It's the time of year when Canadians throw open their doors and step onto their patio decks for an- other season of outdoor entertaining and family barbecues. It's also the time when smart homeowners ded- icate a few crucial moments to ensuring that their decks are safe because every year, deck collapses in backyards across North America continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities. The North American Deck and Railing Associa- tion (NADRA) a trade organization of deck manu- facturers, dealers and builders, estimates that 40 million or more decks in North America are more than 20 years old. Some homeowners are avoiding deck repairs and failure by turning to new 'high tech' deck sys- tems that are maintenance free, such as the Cana- dian-made SigmaDek system featuring aerospace aluminum and porcelain components that will not wear out. As part of NADRA's annual "Check Your Deck" public awareness campaign, they offer homeown- ers this checklist for patio deck safety: • Examine all areas of your deck for split or de- caying wood, particularly where the deck attaches to the house, near the railings and stairs, and all support posts beneath the deck surface where moisture accumulates; • Fasteners such as nails, screws or anchors used during installation can come loose over time. Check to ensure firm connections and repair as needed; • Railings and banisters can get loose and be- come particularly dangerous due to wear and tear over time. Test them to ensure they are firmly in place; • Examine stairs to ensure each step is solidly in place; • Wood deck coatings are durable but they can wear over time, particularly with the typical ex- tremes of cold and heat in Canada. Examine deck boards for a consistent surface and renew water- proof coating or paint as needed for ongoing pro- tection from the elements; • Check all deck lighting to ensure light covers are not in contact with anything and examine all wiring and electrical cords being used outdoors to ensure a safe connection. Cords that become loose can also present a tripping hazard so check for proper placement as well; • Even safe decks face the risk of damage or col- lapsing if nearby trees have large limbs that over- hang the deck area. Be sure there is no danger to your deck in the event that they break off unex- pectedly during a storm or due to age and decay. For more deck safety tips and information visit www.sigmadek.com. www.newscanada.com Just how safe is your patio deck?