By Patrick McCarran
Real Estate Broker
The rain may have started and Winter is on its way, so now is the time to do some deferred maintenance to make sure your home is in tip-top shape. Make a list and add these chores to help preserve your home’s value and help avoid major repairs later on.
Check for any past damage. Check the paint on your house trim, this helps stop dry rot. Look for holes or gaps in the siding or stucco to stop water from getting in. Now is the right time to clean out the gutters and look for loose and leaking gutters. Is your roof missing any shingles, or any tiles slipped out of place? A common nuisance is foliage, such as grass and weeds or an overhanging tree growing on the roof. Check the valleys where the slope of the roof meets, for debris which has formed or birds have made a home and will cause leaks.
Walk around your yard as if you were a first-time visitor. Be sure to clear away fallen branches and leaves. Prune shrubs and trees to keep them manageable.
Is it time to condition your deck? Be sure to hammer in any loose nails, or replace them with galvanized deck screws. Replace any broken boards or rails. Consider power washing to clean the wood, and then apply an all-weather sealer or stain. Cover and protect that patio furniture from the weather.
Check your fences and repair any broken fence boards to protect from future storms. If you have good neighbor fences you may add a small board at the base to make sure the board don’t fall out during the next wind storm. It is a good idea to stain your fences once a year to extend the life of your fence. If you are just moving in what a great time to get started. Clean the pool if it has been covered all winter. Wash windows, screens and windowsills; repair any past damage.
Don’t forget the inside, you can really extend the life kitchen cabinets with a little maintenance such as Old English or furniture cream.
Now is an ideal time to call an HVAC company for a heater checkup, as they often stop working during peak times, like Sunday or Thanksgiving.. Make sure all exhaust fans and vents are clean and clear. Don’t forget to remove the lint buildup from the clothes dryer vent.
If you have a wood burning fireplace now is the time to clean out the ashes so you are ready for new fires.. If you used it frequently then you may want to call a professional chimney sweep to have it cleaned and lower risk of fire. Clean and lightly oil fireplace tools.
And lastly, possibly the most important of all, don’t forget to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors even if they are not dead put some fresh ones in
(and remember to recycle the old ones). You may have missed it this year but in the future plan to change them when you change your clock for daylight savings.
Although performing these chores may be dreaded task, they go a long way in maintaining and even enhancing the attractiveness and quality your home.
For more information go to www.ibhs.org or www.fema.gov.
Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contacted by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www.CallPatrick.com. An independently owned and operated office. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160. Equal Housing Opportunity.
