It’s Officially Autumn! Is Your Home Ready – or Have You Been Procrastinating?

With the “official end of summer,” there’s no doubt about it. Winter is on its way. If you’ve been procrastinating, now is the time to get those last minute maintenance items done! In our last issue we offered a few tips. Here are some additional areas that you should review as part of your fall maintenance plan.

Is your furnace happy?

It won’t be long until your heater is pressed into duty. Now is the time to clean or replace the air filter. In addition you should turn it on and have a listen. Does it screech or whine? This could be a sign of warn belts. 

If it doesn’t seem to be putting out as much heat as you remember, it could be the sign of a few different problems. Your heating ducts might be blocked, the burners might be misadjusted, or the blower motor could be on its last legs. If your heater exhibits any of these symptoms, beat the rush and call in the professionals now – before everyone else does!

Are you ready to walk the walks?

Take a few minutes and just have a walk around the driveway and the various paths on your property. Keep an eye out for cracks and uneven surfaces. Look for cracks that are bigger than an eighth of an inch wide, uneven areas and railings that wobble. Finally, make sure that any gravel you have between pavers isn’t washed out and check for disintegration of any asphalt.  

Got paper clutter?

If you’ve been stacking newspapers in the garage waiting for the perfect time to recycle them, this is it. In fact, spend a few moments in your garage loo

king for potential fire hazards. Make sure the area around your furnace (or anything else that gets hot in your garage) is clear of papers and clutter. If you have old hazardous household materials (paint, thinner, solvents) consider taking what you won’t use right away to a recycling facility that accepts these items. And be sure you’re not leaving any oily rags lying around. That’s a fire just waiting to happen. And speaking of fire… 

Do you have a fire extinguisher?

You should have AT LEAST one fire extinguisher that is rated for all types of fires. Having one per floor is also a good idea. You wouldn’t want to have to run up and down stairs to retrieve the extinguisher while a fire is burning!   In addition, check the pressure gauge to be sure that each extinguisher is fully charged. Also check for dents, corrosion and heavy scratches. If your extinguisher is over 6 years old it should be replaced.

Do you need help?

This is a busy time of year when it comes to home maintenance. Have you been putting off those home maintenance chores? Or has the “excitement” of the recent earthquake worn off (so you’ve put those earthquake safety “to do’s” on the back burner)? Now is the time to get them done! Don’t procrastinate! Let us help you!    Read on for our September Special. 

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Fall Maintenance With and Eye on Earthquake Safety

The recent earthquake in Napa reminds us all that earthquakes are a way of life in California. The earthquake may have created some new maintenance problems, or there may be some safety precautions you’ve been meaning to take. Either way, please use this article as a guide for beginning to prepare your home for the colder months coming up.  

Got Cracks?
It’s time to check your home’s exterior for cracks. Check the foundation for cracks and caulk where masonry meets the foundation. Also check where pipes or wires enter the house and caulk as needed. Another place for potential cracks or gaps is around windows and doors. Caulking and sealing these areas is one of the most cost effective home maintenance projects because it’s relatively inexpensive and will help you save money on your winter heating bills.

How is That Paint Job Doing?
While you’re out there, check to see if the paint is blistering or cracked. Once exterior paint is in this condition it is no longer able to protect the material underneath. Failing to correct this problem will lead to much more expensive repairs in the future. If you do find failing paint, you still have time to repaint before the winter rains begin.

Clean Out Those Gutters!
Now is also the time to get those gutters cleaned out and repaired. The last thing you want is to wake up one rainy morning to the sounds of an unintentional waterfall. If your gutters often get clogged with leaves, consider purchasing gutter grates to keep the leaves out, which will make your fall gutter flushing easier.

Are There Cracks in Your Driveway?
The last earthquake may have shaken up your driveway a bit. If it’s cement, inspect for cracks. Clear out any debris, fill the gaps with filler and finally, coat with a commercial sealer.

Keeping the Heat Inside
Did you know that up to 45% of your homes energy cost is heating? Air leaks from doors and windows contribute to your power bill, but this is an easy fix. Move your hand around door and window frames to detect leaks. Apply weather stripping or caulk to these areas to cut down on drafts and lower your power bill.

Is Your Fireplace Ready to Get Fired up?
This is the perfect time to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. A dirty chimney is a fire hazard because caked on creosote can ignite. If your home is anywhere near the epicenter of the earthquake, it’s critical that you have it inspected to be certain it hasn’t sustained damage. By having your fireplace and chimney inspected now, well before you’re tempted to light it, you won’t have to worry about being on a long wait list for the local chimney sweep or repair person.

Where are you going to put all that patio furniture?
While it’s almost too early to put your outdoor furnishings away for the winter, now is the time to figure out where you’re going to put it all. Make a quick inspection of your garage or storage areas to be sure that clutter hasn’t been able to sneak inside. If it has, it’s time to get started clearing things out.

If all of this sounds like too much work, or you just don’t want to do it yourself, we’re here to help! Read on for our September Special. 

 

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Are You Ready to Shake Rattle and Roll?

Most people are aware that we live in earthquake country. Every so often we get a stark reminder that this awareness isn’t just an idea, it’s reality. The recent quake in Napa, despite being a “moderate” quake, caused havoc for the residents of the area. In one local news report, it was mentioned that out of all the people who they interviewed, only ONE PERSON had an earthquake kit.  Perhaps recent events will motivate more of us to be prepared. Here are some tips to get you started. And please be sure to get your copy of our preparedness report by clicking here. 

Is Your Home in Ship Shape?

When inspecting and preparing your home for the next quake it might be helpful to think of what would happen if your home was actually a ship on the water. What would slip, slide or fall if you were bobbing along gently in the waves? What if there was a storm at sea?  

Room by room, check for items which are delicate or that may fall off or out of shelves. Earthquake putty, Velcro and strap anything

Is Everybody Ready to Sail?

As captain of your ship, you want to make sure that the crew knows what to do in an emergency and that you have all the supplies you need for a brief stay at sea. You can create a do it yourself earthquake kit out of a 30 gallon plastic trash can by layering bedding and blankets, then food supplies, then add flashlights and a first aid kit on top.

Your crew will also need to know what to do during and after a quake. An earthquake drill is not just a good idea for the kids at school- it’s good for everyone. Make a plan to be safe using the most current safety suggestions and practice it.

Most of us were taught that the door jamb is the safest place in an earthquake, but that’s no longer true. In brief, if you’re in bed stay there, it’s the safest place (providing you’ve strapped any bookcases and secured any heavy objects on the wall); If you’re inside, get under a sturdy object like a table and cover your head, or if there is none, crouch near a load bearing wall; Do NOT run outside as most injuries occur from people being hit by glass or objects falling from buildings. Additional information and specific safety instructions are included in our report. 

Modern Morse Code  

Once the quake is over, local phone lines will be jammed.  In the moments after the quake, only use the phone for emergencies. Designate an out of the area relative as the point of contact for the family. In some cases you may be able to email or text before you can place a voice call.  

Use courtesy and good judgment while keeping relatives informed.

Beware of Ambulance Chasers

In every emergency, sadly, there are unscrupulous people who try to take advantage of homeowners who are trying to put their lives back together. There is a seven day waiting period during which it is illegal for contractors (even those who are licensed) to solicit business. YOU are allowed to hire contractors, but it is illegal for them to approach you until after the waiting period has expired.

Be sure that the people you hire to help you are either people who you already know, or who you have carefully researched to determine whether or not they have the proper license for the job you would like them to do.

Considering Earthquake Insurance

It’s important to note that “normal” homeowners insurance does not cover earthquakes. If your home is damaged and you don’t have quake insurance, you will only be able to get federal assistance if a State of Emergency is declared. Rather than rely on the Governor or FEMA, earthquake insurance is an affordable “peace of mind” necessity in earthquake country.

If you’ve realized that you need to “batten down the hatches” in your home, and you’d prefer not to do it yourself, we’re here to help! Just give us a call and mention our Earthquake Special – pay for 3 hours of Handyman work and get the fourth one free! Read on for the details. 

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