Fall is a good time for critical home
maintenance tasks. Set aside some time now to complete these 9 critical home
maintenance tasks this fall before the winter months arrive. You can rest easy,
save money, and prevent major problems this busy autumn season. Put these tips
to work in your own home and reap the comfortable benefits.
1.) Inspect the roof
Keeping the roof in good
shape is vital and routine roof inspections should be performed regularly
keeping an eye out for potential roof problems. Why not grab those handy
binoculars and look around on the roof for common problems such as damaged or
missing shingles, look for new dips in the roof where potential roof sheathing wood
rot could exist underneath, and keep an eye out for loose nail pops causing
loose shingles and potential leaks.
Poke around in the attic
during a good rain storm looking to see if any water is entering the home. Pay
close attention around the chimney and around valleys. The chimney is the most
common area for roof leaks inside the attic.
On the exterior roof inspect
the chimney for wood rot, damaged flashing, or missing mortar. Seal the
flashing around the chimney with the proper sealant such as masonry caulk for brick
or use quality roofing cement for exposed wood. Repair any loose flashing and exposed
rotten wood.
2.) Trim trees limbs overhanging
the roof and chimney
Falling leaves from tree
limbs decay on the roof. The leaf decay breaks down the shingles while shorting
roof life. Falling leaf build up causes potential roof leaks as it rains this
dams the water back wards and as the water travels back underneath the shingles
causing leaks. Protect your roof and trim those tree limbs away especially
those dead branches over hanging it, and don’t forget to remove the leaf
debris. Prevent fires and chimney damage trimming those dangling tree limbs
back at least 10 feet off the roof line and away from the chimney flue.
3.) Check fire extinguishers
Although fire extinguishers are
helpful around the fireplace and kitchen, it is recommended to inspect fire
extinguishers so they are always ready for use when you need them the most.
Kitchens should be prepared with an easily available ABC rated fire
extinguisher. Replacing an out of date, damaged, rusted fire extinguisher is
just as important to keep your home safe. Inspect the fire hose on the extinguisher
checking for cracks or holes. Check the pressure gauge make sure it is still in
the green operable zone, look on the tank for signs of corrosion. Corrosion is
a sign of a leak and replace immediately.
4.) Clean siding
Having clean siding on the exterior
is important before the winter months arrive. Mold and mildew breaks down the paint
on surfaces increasing chances for potential wood rot underneath the surface. Oxidation
on vinyl siding leads to degradation. Read more about the best methods to remove oxidation from plastic and restore and clean oxidation on vinyl siding.
Soft washing is the best way
to clean stucco on exterior homes. Soft washing creeps in to every pore and
crevice and lasts four and six times longer than conventional power washing. With wisdom of using less water to clean the
building and using biodegradable chemicals, soft washing is the wise choice for
clean siding and homes today.
5.) Inspect and repair
siding
Checking the compromised
siding areas matters since it is the first line of defense against the elements
and it makes sure potential problems are taken care of before major issues
arise. Look around the siding for common signs such as nails popping out or
rusting, chipping, peeling or fading paint, damage from insects or rodent
damage, caulk seams and joints
should not be showing signs of cracking or shrinkage, nor turning powdery,
boards should not show evidence of termite or wood rot damage.
Proper maintenance on your
home’s siding can lower your energy bills by keeping the inside air in. Even
siding showing minimal cosmetic damage can potentially be hiding large amounts
of destruction inside from moisture and heat causing further rot on the
interior frame. Repair siding as soon as you notice any areas of concern and
protect your house from the elements. Hire a professional siding repair to get your home fixed right.
6.) Inspect and repair
leaky faucets
Keeping faucets in good
working condition is imperative. A dripping faucet can waste over a hundred
gallons of water monthly. Typically common problems include corrosion, mineral
deposits on internal components, defective gaskets, o-rings, and washers on
leaky faucets. You can easily inspect leaky faucets for potential problems from
O-rings, corroded valve seats, worn washers, worn cartridges, and improper
installation of washers can play all kinds of havoc on a leaky faucet. An unchecked
sink can put added stresses on your plumbing and can cause drain clogs, and in
some cases leak damage can cause water staining which may require the purchase
of a new sink because it’s too difficult to clean.
Even a leaky faucet with
loose fixture nuts can cause leakage under the sink. Repair leaky faucets
before they become a plumbing disaster.
7.) Inspect weather stripping
around doors and windows
Keep your home in tip-top
shape by inspecting the weather stripping twice a year while Fall is
approaching check around door and windows seals to make sure the weather
stripping are in good shape. Inspect for wear and tear looking for loose pieces,
dirt and debris, and cracks or tears. Repair the seals if you see any problems
or feel draft issues.
8.) Clean the gutters
Debris in your gutters can result
to water damage, insect infestations, foundation and structural damage from
blocked gutters. With a simple gutter cleaning in early Fall you can prevent time
consuming gutter cleaning this autumn season by installing simple gutter
guards.
9.)
Improve the bath
Updating the bath fixtures
can prevent from spending thousands on a full bathroom remodel and can improve
the bath space. Common signs your bath fixtures need updating check to see if
they are rusty, peeling, discolored, or outdated. You will be surprised how easy
it is to create a fresh look in your bathroom at a low cost. Improve the bath
with simple hands free and luxurious high shine chrome, and oil-bronzed
finishes for today’s trendy fixtures. Top off your bathroom by enhancing
hardware and accessories. New modern age shower bars, and towel rings can
impress your guest and improving your bath space can increase value of your
home. Ask about our handy improvements for your bath space.
We can help alleviate the burden of home maintenance chores for you so
you can enjoy more time this Fall season. Contact Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service
for these neighborly upkeep home repair tasks.
