INDUSTRY INSIGHT
REAL ESTATE
SPONSORED CONTENT
Fall & Winter Home Maintenance Schedule
I
t 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 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 and ducts.
• Vacuum internal parts of air conditioner, remove window units and
cover condensers with an approved tarp or cover.
• Examine your wood stove or fi replace 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 fi re extinguishers.
Change batteries as needed and keep extra batteries in stock.
• Clean humidifi ers regularly during the heating season to avoid
bacteria.
• 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 fi ll 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 fi nd 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 [email protected].
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, certifi ed roofi ng professional check the condition of
the roof.
• After the last leaf falls, keep your gutters and downspouts free of
debris, fl ush 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 fl owering bulbs.
• Deer-proof the yard by covering plants with netting and chicken wire.
This Industry Insight was written by Darlene B. Kruth,
a Sales Executive with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The
Preferred Realty.
Darlene is a licensed real estate agent in the state of
Pennsylvania and has designations as an Accredited Staging
Professional (“ASP”) and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist
(“SRES”). For more information regarding Darlene’s services
and qualifi cations, please contact her at 412.831.0100 x3013
(offi ce), 412.874.0415 (cell), email her at [email protected],
or fi nd Darlene’s facebook business page at Darlene Kruth,
REALTOR®.
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 [email protected].
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
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FALL 2019
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