Regular maintenance on the exterior of your home is an important, if sometimes mundane, seasonal task. With just a little bit of effort this fall, you can reduce costly repairs in the future and maintain the value of your home.
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| A stitch in time... |
- Look for blistering or peeling paint on siding and trim. Scrape, sand and paint as soon as possible to prevent water damage.
- Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure drainage extends out past the foundation of your home to prevent snow and ice from getting into places where they can cause unseen damage.
- Check your foundation for cracks and caulk where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, and around window and door frames.
- Inspect your roof for cracked or curling shingles, or hire a professional to do it. Check the flashing around chimneys and skylights to keep out the snow and ice.
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| Ice dam build up |
- Check the insulation in your attic. If you have less than R-30 (11" of fiberglass or rock wool, or 8" of cellulose) you could benefit from adding more. Snow and ice melting too quickly off of your roof can cause ice dams to form at the eaves which can ruin your roof.
- Weather strip your garage door to keep out small animals and prevent drafts.
- Have your furnace cleaned and inspected. Companies sometimes offer introductory deals as low as $35.
- Have your fireplace cleaned and examine the insert door seal to reduce the risk of fire and build up of poisonous gases.
- Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Buy new units if the smoke detectors are 8-10 years old and the carbon monoxide detectors are 5-7.
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| Fall negligence - spring disaster |
- Turn off the water to exterior house bibs and blow the water out of the sprinkler system to prevent burst pipes.
- Be sure any handrails around decks or porches are sturdy as folks use these more in the snow and ice.
That's done. Now reward yourself with a beverage on your deck.
I would love to help you with your real estate journey.
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