FALL MAINTENANCE TIPS

Fall is officially here!! Now is the time to get outside and provide some important maintenance to your property.

As the weather grows colder,  and the days get shorter here in Marin and Sonoma county, it’s important to start preparing for the fall and winter months ahead by completing your outdoor home maintenance chores.  

 

I have listed some fall preventative home maintenance tips that every homeowner should follow:

• Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year to rid them of clogs from damp, heavy, fallen leaves. Gutters that are not properly cleaned are havens for insect infestations. Clogged gutters can also lead to much more costly repairs due to water damage and wood rot.     

 

• Windows and doors can cost you lots of money on your heating bills. You don't have to replace your windows and doors, but just by simply replacing seals and caulking around them can help improve on your energy costs. 

 

•   If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, you want to make sure that they have been thoroughly cleaned and inspected before use. This should also be done annually before you start burning wood. Make sure that the chimney is also free from excessive creosote, which could lead to chimney fires.

 

 

• Before the cold weather sets in for the winter, it's important to be sure to inspect all of your duct work and your heating system. Be sure to also open up the vents and vacuum out any debris. Change your filters before firing up your furnace for the first time this year. 

 

• Be sure to check your roof for any leaks or missing tiles. You will want to replace the problem tiles and/or shingles that need to be replaced, and patch any holes to help prevent further damage from the wet winter weather. 

 

• It is also important to make sure all wood decks, fences and outbuildings have been properly stained and sealed for the upcoming wet weather.

•   Install a ceiling fan or two.  Not only can it help reduce air conditioning costs in the summer months, it also helps to circulate warm air in the fall and winter months as well.  In addition to saving on utility bills, installing a ceiling fan also adds decorative appeal to any room and can also serve as additional lighting.

n addition to saving on utility costs, installing a ceiling fan also adds decorative appeal to any room.  Ceiling fans can enhance your room's current aesthetics and can also serve as additional lighting.  - See more at: http://www.mrhandyman.com/handyman-services/electrical/ceiling-fans.aspx#sthash.JR9eN3vU.dpuf

reduce air conditioning costs in the summer and circulate warm air in the winter - See more at: http://www.mrhandyman.com/handyman-services/electrical/ceiling-fans.aspx#sthash.JR9eN3vU.dpuf

reduce air conditioning costs in the summer and circulate warm air in the winter - See more at: http://www.mrhandyman.com/handyman-services/electrical/ceiling-fans.aspx#sthash.JR9eN3vU.dpuf

reduce air conditioning costs in the summer and circulate warm air in the winter - See more at: http://www.mrhandyman.com/handyman-services/electrical/ceiling-fans.aspx#sthash.JR9eN3vU.dpuf

 

 

 

• Finally, fall is also a good time of the year to do any interior painting. Give your walls a fresh new look.  If you have dull, dark rooms in your home, this is the time to brighten them up with a fresh new coat of paint. 

Performing these home maintenance tips in preparation of the coming fall and winter months  is a great way to save yourself money as well as any potential winter setbacks.  Many of these items are great for DIY'ers and for the one's your not comfortable doing yourself, be sure to hire a professional handyman.
 

SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE

With warmer weather just around the corner, home and business owners alike, are dusting off their home improvement to-do lists and finding that many of their projects fell through the cracks this past year.

Here are a few tips to consider for your spring home maintenance check-list:

Inspect the outside of your home as well as other wooden structures for dry rot.  Use a screwdriver to probe areas you believe there might be wood rot.  If the tip exposes any soft or mushy areas, this should be added to your list of home maintenance chores.  Some areas to inspect include wood siding and corner trim as well as window sills and trim. 

Inspect your window and door screens.  I love fresh air which means having my doors and windows open.  Now is the time to start cleaning and making sure that your screens are free from rips and tears as well as bent frames.  You don’t want any unwelcome critters entering your home.

If you have a crawl space or basement, make sure to inspect it for standing water and/or excessive moisture.  

If you are like me, I love having fires all winter long.  Now is the time to have your fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced, as needed.  

Another item to include on your list is to start inspecting your deck for deterioration.  Look for loose or cracked wood.  If a deck board feels too spongy, it probably needs to be replaced.  Use the screw driver method mentioned above on the deck posts.  If there is wood rot, it’s time to get this repaired as well.  If you have handrails, make sure they feel secure and not wobbly.

Once your deck seems good to go…why not get it pressure washed as well as sealed.

Oh, the dreaded Spring Cleaning – click HERE for a downloadable list to help make your spring cleaning easier, room by room! 

Why not take your Spring Cleaning one step further and replace last years wall colors with something new or maybe have some ceiling fans installed to help circulate the fresh air.

Adding more storage to your home not only decreases clutter, but increases your home value as well.

In summary, you can do a lot of the small items on your list, but for some of the bigger things like paint, dry rot repair, etc...why not contact Steve's Handyman Service. I can save you time and energy!!

Remember...I am just a phone call away!