The seasons are changing which means that recently dormant home functions are coming alive. Heat will try to escape, water will try to get in and cold could wreak havoc. It’s time to do a weekend once over to prepare!
Gutters
Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water; tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts.
If you find colored grit from asphalt roof shingles in your gutters, beware. That sand-like grit helps protect shingles from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Look closely for other signs of roof damage (#5, below); it may be time for a roofing replacement.
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.
Seal
Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk ($5 for a 12-ounce tube) and make a journey around your home’s exterior, sealing up cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive — and most important — of your fall maintenance jobs. You’ll also seal air leaks that waste energy.
Pick a nice day when temps are above 50 degrees so caulk flows easily.
Roof Inspection
If you have a steep roof or a multistory house, stay safe, and use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground.
Look for warning signs: Shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing; rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately.
Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s decayed underneath. Call in a pro roofer for a $50 to $100 eval.
A plumbing vent stack usually is flashed with a rubber collar — called a boot — that may crack or loosen over time. They’ll wear out before your roof does, so make sure they’re in good shape. A pro roofer will charge $75 to $150 to replace a boot, depending on how steep your roof is.
Drainage
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.
Be sure soil doesn’t touch your siding.
Furnace
Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the coming heating season. You’ll pay $50 to $100 for a checkup.
An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and shaves 20% off the cost of a single visit.
Change your furnace filters, too. This is a job you should do every two months anyway, but if you haven’t, now’s the time. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, make sure the contractor replaces that filter.
Fireplace
To make sure your fireplace is safe, grab a flashlight and look up inside your fireplace flue to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Open the damper and look up into the flue to make sure it’s free of birds’ nests, branches, and leaves, or other obstructions. You should see daylight at the top of the chimney.
Check the firebox for cracked or missing bricks and mortar. If you spot any damage, order a professional fireplace and chimney inspection. An inspection costs $79 to $500.
Your fireplace flue should be cleaned of creosote buildup every other year. A professional chimney sweep will charge $150 to $250 for the service.
Trees and Bushes
Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees — when the
summer growth cycle is over. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3
feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding, and
to prevent damage to your house exterior during high winds.
For advice on pruning specific plants in your region, check with your state extension service.
Please feel free to call me or email me with any questions, just
to chat about the market or find out how my team and I can help you achieve
your real estate goals! https://serraoteam.com/
Find a home – https://serraoteam.com/lss
Cell 925.876.3756 email dennis.rebroker@gmail.com
Above all, I hope you are well, and please stay safe and healthy out there!
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