Fall is here! Whether you’re getting ready to sell your
property or just eager to give your home a tune up, this is the perfect time to
tend to house repairs before California’s winter rains arrive.
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| Is your home in good repair for winter weather? |
Make sure your roof
is in good repair. The condition of the roof is an important factor in the
sale of a home. It’s especially important in the middle of a rainstorm! A
neglected roof usually waits for bad weather to deliver the soggy news that
something is wrong. By then, it’s too late to avoid additional damage to the
ceiling, walls, floors, furniture, or anything else in the path of the
leak. Examine your roof now while the
weather is good -- look for signs of wear, damage, or any missing tiles or
shingles. Some repairs are simple enough for the average homeowner to fix, but
if in doubt, consult with a licensed roofing contractor.
Clear rain gutters.
Throughout the year rain gutters collect more than just water: Leaves, dirt, bird nests and other debris can jam
the channel and block the flow of water. The ensuing backflow during a downpour
can create a muddy mess in the very areas the gutter was meant to protect. To
clear gutters, carefully climb on a ladder and use gloves to remove any large pieces
of litter. Then use the garden hose to gently flush finer particles out and
down the downspout. If you find that a large amount of debris collects in your
rain gutters every year, specialized gutter screens from your local hardware
store can be installed to keep the channels clear while allowing water to flow
through.
Spruce up with paint! Painting your home’s exterior can impress
potential buyers, and it can also help protect against the damaging effects of
weather. Before starting an exterior painting project, there are several
preparatory steps you need to take:
- Repair any exterior cracks. Check your stucco, masonry or siding material for large cracks and fill these with the appropriate repair materials to keep out water and pests.
- Check windows and doors. Replace or repair any gaps in caulking around windows. Check the weather stripping on exterior doors and windows for water or air leaks and replace as necessary.
- Check for pests. Look along your foundation for signs of subterranean termites, and examine any exterior wood trim for termite damage. Small infestations may be treatable with products available from your local hardware store. But for larger or hard-to-reach locations, consult a professional pest control company.
Examine your furnace.
The unit’s air filter should be replaced (or cleaned if reusable). If the
pilot light is turned off during the summer, you can schedule a free visit from
the Southern
California Gas Company to have it relit and the furnace inspected.
Check the garden.
It’s no longer nesting season for birds, so it’s safe to trim hedges and prune
or thin trees. Prospective buyers will appreciate a neat and tidy landscape;
but even if it’s for your own benefit, it’s especially important to maintain
any trees that might sustain or even cause property damage due to broken limbs
during high winds or rainstorms. Call a professional arborist if you are unsure
about tackling this task.
Pay attention to home maintenance elements if you plan to
sell, and your property will stand out with greater appeal to buyers. Be diligent in keeping up with repairs, and
your home will always be a place of comfort and respite from the outside world!
Nanette Shapiro
(714) 924-0781
nanette.shapiro4@gmail.com
