Spring garden and home maintenance tips
Spring Garden tip; Did you know that Veterans and active military personnel can get a 10% discount at Lowe’s and Home Depot? All you need to do is show some form of ID that shows your status. I looked in my box of memorabilia and found my Navy ID card. Now I carry it with me every time I go to the giant store. Hey, 10% off, it’s not a bad deal.
While on the subject of spring gardening, remember that termites like dead wood. So take a check around your property for fallen twigs and other debris that termites might want to snack on. After they eat that stuff, your home might be next. The month of May in our area is the swarming time, so you have some time yet, but don’t forget.
I like to spread an environmentally safe insect killer around my property that kills over 100 different bugs. I’ll do that several times during the warm weather, starting when the forsythia bushes start to bloom. That’s also a good time to put down crab grass prevent-er and fertilize the lawn at the same time.
While you’re outside, check the caulking around the doors and windows. They tend to dry out after time. If water gets inside it causes “dry rot” and repairs can be costly.
More home maintenance tips; When was the last time you had your sewer line cleaned out? Don’t wait for it to back up; if you have trees nearby, checking the sewer line might be a good idea. My neighbor had to replace the whole line from the house to the street. I hate to think what that costs. A $150 service charge to clean the line can be a cost saver.
Most folks spend on the average 2% of the cost of their house, every year on maintenance and upkeep. So, if you paid $200,000 for your house, spending $4,000 every year on upkeep is about average. This is a national average, local prices will vary. It’s part of home ownership.
News alert; Sunday March 11th
we turn the clocks ahead one hour
at 2 A.M.
Check smoke detectors batteries now also.
Just for Staten Islanders; I had the pleasure to speak with three Home Inspectors who will do a “Limited Element” inspection of your home for a reduced rate. About half of their full inspection price. Good idea for you to know what will be needed in the future, i.e. new roof, water heater etc. Without calling in a contractor who might sell you some repair that you may not need right now. Be informed. Know the facts from someone who has no other goal other than to keep you knowledgeable. They are:
Dan Meraglia, cell 917-379-1061; E mail dan.meraglia@housemaster.com
Patrick Corbett, cell 917-589-7310, Website patcorbett@valuehomeinspectors.com
Mike Nuzzolo cell 917-561-5050, Websitewww.Homeprobe.net
Tell them you got their name from Kenneth Cole's list of Home Inspectors.
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