Finish Up That Fall To-Do List

Continuing our theme from last time, here are some more items for your fall to-do checklist:

Roof
Do you still have your handy rot-detecting hammer? Check all the exposed wood in your eaves and along the edge of your roof, especially the soffit panels and rafters where they touch the rain gutters. If the wood goes “thunk” instead of making the nice sharp “whack” of a solid wood board, you’ve got rot. If you punch a hole in the wood with the hammer, you’ve really got trouble!

Gutters
Speaking of gutters, now is the best time to install gutter strainers and guards, before the fall leaves start to hit your roof. Clean out the gutters and downspouts (check for bird and animal nests too!), then get the guards in place. If you’re finding a lot of rot in the wood where the gutters touch, spacer blocks may help prevent more damage by allowing air flow between the boards and the gutters.

Attic
Like your downspouts, attic vent openings can become blocked by nests, leaves, pine needles, or even stray plant vines. Once they’re clean and clear, make sure the vents and/or attic fans are working properly. Inside the attic, look for signs of roof or flashing leaks on rafters and insulation, and get those repairs made now before it rains.

Driveways
Another important job that should be done before it rains is resealing the driveway. In fact, it’s best to do this even before the leaves start to fall so that you can keep the area clear of leaves, acorns, pine needles, and other debris. Use crack sealer on large cracks, pothole patch on big problem areas, then top the whole thing off with a nice smooth layer of fresh sealant.

Outdoor Electrical
Check your outdoor outlets, conduit, and outlet covers for cracks before it rains — water and electrical wiring do not mix! Check the condition of your phone box too, if you have access to it. Spiders seem to like hanging out inside outlet and phone boxes, so be careful when you open them up. 

The fun part of checking your outdoor wiring is getting ready for holiday light displays. Did you have enough outlets last year, where you needed them to be located? This is the perfect time to install more so you don’t have to run a bunch of ugly and dangerous extension cords all over. Check that all of your outlets are working correctly too so you’ll be all set to create the perfect haunted Halloween yard or magical Christmas wonderland.

The Fix-It Professionals can help you with all these tasks and more. Let us help you get your fall maintenance check list finished before the rains come. Just give us a call.

Read on for our latest special.   

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Start Your Fall Maintenance To Do List

Every homeowner should have a maintenance To Do List! If you don’t already have one, now is a great time to walk around with some note paper (or your smart phone) and start one. Write down obvious problems, and things you can do now to prevent bigger problems down the road. Use these autumn check list ideas to get you started.

Windows and Doors
The summer heat and sun can really do a number on caulking and weatherstripping, making it crack and shrink. Check around your window and door frames for problems in this area. Another problem that our hot and dry summers cause is the drying out of lubricants in hinges and aluminum frame window channels, making them squeak or squeal. Sometimes in summer the kids can get a bit wild outdoors with their toys and even pellet guns, so it’s time to walk around and check for damaged window glass, too.

 Basements or Garages
Like your doors and windows, you should check for and seal cracks and leaks in the walls and floor. Make sure your HVAC filters and vents are clean. Test, clean, and lubricate your sump pump, if you have one, or check on the condition of your French drains.

 Water Heater
This should always be done, no matter what the season: Make sure that your earthquake strapping is secure, and that you have an overflow tray and other safety features working properly. Insulate the outside of the tank if you haven’t already, and if you have, check your old insulation for any pest nests.

Porch, Patio and Deck
You know that one screw that doesn’t seem to want to stay down? Now’s the time to make a note of that pesky thing before it catches someone’s shoe. It might also indicate a rotten board or deck joist that won’t hold a screw anymore, so take a hammer and test the wood of your deck above and below. You can tell if they’re good or bad by listening to them when tapped. Mark the boards that need replacing. You can do this for your exposed porch beams too.

Exterior Walls
Armed with your trusty rot-finding hammer, you’ll want to check your wooden siding in the same way as your deck. If you have other siding (like vinyl), check if any of it is missing or loose. Note if your paint needs spot touch-ups, and look for areas that may need a shot of caulk. You may even want to take advantage of the remaining warm and dry period to paint the whole thing with a fresh coat to protect your house from that crazy El Niño winter that might be coming!  

Let The Fix-It Professionals come to the rescue! If your check list just seems to get longer and longer, let us help you get your fall maintenance chores under control before the weather turns. We can replace a cracked window, or replace your whole deck! Just give us a call.

Read on for our latest special.   

 

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