DON'T FORGET TO FALL BACK TONIGHT
A reminder from Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty to set your clocks back one hour tonight before going to bed. Won't it be great to gain back the hour of sleep we all lost back in the spring? I, for one, am looking forward to that extra hour of sleep! I've missed it for months!
“An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later.”
... Winston Churchill
DON'T FORGET THESE IMPORTANT FALL MAINTENANCE TIPS TO HELP PROTECT YOUR HOME
Before the weather gets colder, don't forget about fall preventative home maintenance to prevent costly damage to your home in the upcoming, cold winter months.
Gutters & Downspouts
- Clean out your gutters and downspouts throughout the fall season to prevent build-up of leaves, which can cause wood rot, pest infestation, and ruined gutters.
- Ensure that all support brackets for your gutters are secure and that no water is running down from behind them.
- Make sure that water drains properly without pooling, with can cause damage to your home's foundation, driveway, and walkway.
Windows & Doors
- Install weather stripping or freshen up caulking around your doors and windows to prevent drafts, which increase your heating bill.
- Inspect door and window frames and repair any that are loose.
- Remove your summer screens from doors and windows; install storm doors and windows, if you use them.
Roof
- Inspect your roof for cracks, shingle damage. Hire a professional, if necessary, to repair.
Heating Systems
- Replace your furnace filter.
- Have a professional service your HVAC system and/or clean your duct work.
- Replace your return filters (a good idea to do this monthly).
Plumbing Systems
- Make sure pipes are well insulated to minimize chances of freezing and bursting.
- Make sure you know how to turn off the water shut-off valve in your home if pipes do freeze.
- Remove hoses from spigots and drain them.
- Service your in-ground irrigation system and makes sure any residual water is blown out before freezing weather arrives.
Yardwork
- Fertilize and reseed your lawn before the cold weather sets in.
- Rake up all the fallen leaves.
- Prune your trees and shrubs after leaves turn or fall.
- Trim tree limbs that are too close to power lines or your roof, as heavy snow and ice can cause major damage.
- Winterize your lawn mower. Test your snow blower.
- If you live in a climate where you can't leave outdoor furniture outside in the winter, now is the time to clean and store this furniture and any cushions, as well.
Chimneys & Fireplaces
- Professionally inspect and clean your chimney, if you use your fireplace regularly to avoid fires.
- Make sure your fireplace flue has a tight seal.
- Even if you have a gas-log fireplace, have it serviced.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- If your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are more than five years old, you should give serious consideration to replacing the entire units.
Medicine
- While not directly related to a home's physical well-being, this is a good time to clean out your medicine cabinets and to dispose of all drugs and pills that have gone past their expiration date.
Hopefully that extra hour of sleep tonight will have you raring to go on this fall home maintenance list.
DON'T FORGET: FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PREPARE YOUR HOME TO SELL
If you've been thinking about selling your home in the coming months, fall is a great time to prepare your home to sell. If you need advice on the best way to prepare and stage your home to sell it at top dollar, call or text Nina Hollander at 704-779-0813 or email her at nina@ninahollander.com.
This reminder to turn your clocks back and list of fall home maintenance tips is provided by Nina Hollander and Carolinas Realty Partners, Colwell Banker Realty, your Charlotte region residential real estate experts.
If you're considering selling or purchasing a home in the Charlotte region, whether it's standard time or daylight savings time, I'd love an opportunity to earn your business, exceed your expectations, to show you why experience matters and how:
"The Right Broker Makes All The Difference."
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