INDUSTRY INSIGHT
REAL ESTATE
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Fall & Winter Home Maintenance Schedule
A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates , LLC .
It may be bright and sunny today , but before we know it , the temperatures will be dropping and the leaves will be falling . It ’ s important to focus on home and yard maintenance now to help prevent larger , more expensive problems in the future . Here are some tips to show you what to do both inside and outside your home during the fall months to keep it in top shape . While some of these tasks may seem obvious , others may not have crossed your mind .
INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
• Have a licensed HVAC contractor check your furnace .
• Consider having your air ducts cleaned to rid your home of potentially harmful allergens
• Vacuum internal parts of air conditioner , remove window units and cover condensers with an approved tarp or cover .
• Examine your wood stove or fireplace insert ’ s door gasket for a tight seal . Have a chimney sweep clean the chimney and inspect for cracks .
• Caulk around exterior doors and windows ; apply weather stripping where needed .
• Change the direction of ceiling fans to create an updraft to redistribute warm air from the ceiling .
• Check that the attic is insulated , ventilated and critter-free .
• Test smoke alarms , carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers . Change batteries as needed and keep extra batteries in stock .
• Clean humidifiers regularly during the heating season to avoid bacteria .
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
• Check the foundation for cracks ; caulk areas where masonry meets siding , where pipes or wires enter the house , and around the windows and door frames .
• Install storm windows and doors , and remove screens . Clean and repair screens , spray with a protective coating and store in a dry area .
• Inspect exterior walls for any peeling or blistering paint .
• Have a licensed , certified roofing professional check the condition of the roof .
• After the last leaf falls , keep your gutters and downspouts free of debris , flush them with water , and inspect joints / brackets . Make sure downspouts are pointed away from the foundation .
• Examine your pool cover for damage and replace if necessary .
• Weather-strip your garage door , creating a tight seal between your garage door and the ground .
• Repair cracks in sidewalks , driveways and steps .
YARD & GARDEN
• Clean and store summer garden tools .
• Rake the lawn , reseed patchy areas and plant spring flowering bulbs .
• Deer-proof the yard by covering plants with netting and chicken wire .
• Have tree limbs trimmed if they are interfering with power lines or might break under the weight of snow and ice .
• Drain fuel from all gas-operated lawn equipment .
• Store your snow-clearing gear : shovels , snow blowers , roof rakes , etc . so they are accessible when you need them .
• Drain garden hoses and store them inside . Shut off outdoor water valves , irrigation and sprinkler systems .
• If you have bird feeders , inspect and fill them for the winter .
• Fertilize the lawn with a high phosphorous mix to ensure healthy grass in the spring .
PORCH & DECK
• Check the supports , stairs and railings on porches and decks . Make sure the handrails can support someone slipping on snow or ice .
• Clean outside furniture and barbecues , check for needed repairs , then cover and store in a protected area .
• Empty all the soil from pots and planters .
I hope you find these tips informative and helpful . If you are in need of professional resources to assist you with any of these tasks , please feel free to contact me at 412.831.0100 x3013 ( w ), 412.874.0415 ( c ), or via email at dkruth @ tprsold . com .
FOR A FREE REAL ESTATE MARKET ANALYSIS , BUYER ’ S CONSULTATION , OR GROUP SEMINAR , PLEASE CONTACT ME TODAY AT 412.831.0100 X3013 ( OFFICE ), 412.874.0415 ( CELL ), OR VIA EMAIL AT DKRUTH @ TPRSOLD . COM .
SOUTH FAYETTE ❘ FALL 2022 11