FALL MAINTENANCE

Fall Maintenance

September 25, 2015    Matt Lemmon

protecting your home from the ravages of colder weather is one of the most important things any homeowner can do.
Whether you're an owner or a Realtor with properties on the market this fall, these tips are indispensable.

There's nothing more important to your home than its foundation, and there's one simple way to help keep it from being damaged during the winter: Keep water away from it. Start with downspout extenders, which can be added when you clean out your gutters.

Create a checklist.

"Your downspouts should extend at least 5 feet away from your house to prevent foundation problems. If they don't, add downspout extensions; $10 to $20 each."

And you can take it a step further:

"Take a close look at the soil around your foundation and make sure it slopes away from your house at least 6 vertical inches over 10 feet. That way, you'll keep water from soaking the soils around your foundation, which could lead to cracks and leaks."
 

The next place you should concentrate is your roof. You know the silty grime that collects in your gutters? It could be the sign that shingles are wearing out. Spending $50 to $100 on a roofing evaluation is not the worst idea, if your roof is older and you think you might have issues. Clumps of mold or moss, crinkled shingles and corroded flashings can be warning signs.

Also Clean the gutters (wait until after the leaves fall, so you don't have to do it multiple times), winterize your lawn mower and sprinkler system. They also recommend making a circuit of your home and caulking all of the gaps between siding and foundation, around doors and windows, and any place wires and pipes enter the house.

Spend some time making recommendations on your heating system - including your furnace, fireplaces and wood stoves. This typically means a small investment on a professional inspection. You'll not only save money in the long run through efficiency and lack of repair, but you'll have the peace of mind that everything is clean and working properly.

Fall is a good time for some basic family safety. Test carbon monoxide smoke detectors, go over the family plan in case of fire and safety procedures, and clean out any potential fire hazards - garage messes and fluids, old newspapers, etc. - that may have accumulated over a busy summer.