Home Maintenance Tip - Chimneys, Rain Gutters, Grading
Chimneys should be inspected for loose or deteriorated bricks or mortar. If covered with stucco or other siding, look for cracks, loose materials and peeling paint. Chimney caps should be inspected for loose or broken sections as should the protruding clay chimney liners. Chimney flashings should be inspected for leakage. Efflorescence (a white salt build-up on the chimney) indicates moisture within the chimney and further investigation is required. Metal chimneys should be checked for rust, missing rain caps and loose braces. All chimneys should have a spark-arrestor and screen installed. Inspection and cleaning of your fireplace and chimney by a professional chimney sweep annually is highly recommended and very affordable.
Gutters and downspouts should be checked for blockage, leakage (from rust holes or leaking joints) and areas requiring re-securing or re-sloping. Paint deterioration should also be repaired. Downspout seams should be checked for splitting (the seam is usually against the wall). A split downspout is often plugged with debris. Water accumulates in the downspout, freezes and splits it open. Damaged rain gutters and downspouts can cause serious damage to your homes exterior.
The grading immediately adjacent to the house should be checked to ensure a slope of one inch per foot for the first six feet away from the house (where practical). Catch basins should be cleaned and tested. Low soil conditions should be corrected with additional fill material to prevent water ponding near the foundation. Generally, only 4-6 inches of the foundation perimeter beam should be visible. "Accurate Investment Protection You Can Trust"
For more safety and home maintenance tips, I encourage you to take advantage of our free Home Maintenance Guide.
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