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Sunday, September 9, 2018

9 critical home maintenance tasks this Fall

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 Replacing an out of date, damaged, rusted fire extinguisher is just as important to keep your home safe.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.

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