Easy Home Maintenance Tips to help maintain your home in good condition

Fall into Autumn—Easy Home Maintenance Tips

Will Your Roof Survive the Winter?

Good Neighbor Day is September 28th

Quick and Easy Brownies for Sharing with Your Neighbors

Fall into Autumn—
Easy Home Maintenance Tips

No matter where you live, seasonal changes in temperature and moisture levels require maintenance. Check out these fall maintenance tasks to help maintain your house in good condition.

• Change the batteries in your smoke detector. Fire experts suggest changing the batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember—change your batteries at the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time.

• Drain a gallon or two of water from your water heater to extend its life expectancy.

• Clear your roof gutters of leaves and other debris.

• Trim shrubs and trees so that they clear the foundation, exterior walls, and roof of the house. Shrubbery that’s too close to the house can promote the growth of mildew, mold, and algae, particularly during warmer weather. Root growth can damage foundations. Limbs can scrape paint on siding and trim.

• Inspect the exterior walls and foundation for evidence of damage, cracking or movement. Watch for bird nests or other vermin or insect activity.

• Clean windows and test their operation. Improve caulking and weather-stripping as necessary. Watch for evidence of rot in wood window frames. Paint and repair windowsills and frames as necessary.

• Test the overhead garage door opener to ensure that the auto-reverse mechanism is responding properly. Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on overhead doors.

• Replace or clean exhaust hood filters.

Will Your Roof Survive the Winter?

Winter months can be cruel to your roof. If your roof fails, it can cause great expense, significant damage and wasted time and money. With winter around the corner, give your roof a quick check-up to ensure that your home is protected.

Here are some warning signs that your roof may be costing you money and leaving you vulnerable.

• "Dirty-looking" areas on roof—possible cause: environmental pollutants; vegetation, fungus or algae; loss of granules due to shingle age.

• Missing, cracked or curling shingles—possible cause: shingles at the end of their useful life.

• Leakage in attic after driving rain—possible cause: leaky or inadequate shingle underlayment or deteriorated flashing.

• Blistering/peeling of outside paint—possible cause: excessive temperature or high humidity due to poor attic ventilation.

• Stains on interior ceilings/walls or mold and mildew growth—possible cause: inadequate or faulty shingle under-layment allowing leakage or inadequate ventilation.

• Excessive energy costs—possible cause: insufficient attic ventilation allowing heating/cooling system to run excessively.

If you notice any of these warning signs, consider using a professional roofing contractor. Many people neglect their roof or think roofing installation is simple. A well-installed, well-maintained roof is one of the most important things you can do for your home.

Good Neighbor Day is September 28th

How to Be a Good Neighbor 

1. Welcome new neighbors with an introductory note or a friendly chat.

2. Maintain the area around your home so that it’s neat and attractive.

3. Be conscientious about noises that might disturb your neighbors, such as vacuum cleaners, music, loud talk and barking dogs.

4. End parties at a reasonable hour. While you’re at it, invite your neighbors to come, too.

5. Return anything that you borrow from your neighbor, such as tools or appliances, as soon as possible. Express your gratitude when you do so.

6. Replace anything that belongs to your neighbor that you, your children, or your pets break or soil.

7. Respect your neighbor’s privacy.

8. Learn from neighbors with cultural backgrounds different from your own.

Repair, Replace, Relax with Fidelity National Home Warranty (FNHW) . A home warranty from FNHW provides both the home buyer and seller with “peace of mind” when it comes to repairs and/or replacement of a home’s major systems and appliances.