End of summer maintenance for your home!

End of Summer Maintenance


Although we are still seeing 100 degree days, starting in October, the weather cools off signaling the end of Summer. Now is a great time to examine your home and take steps to get ready for cooler weather.

Outside

Check the exterior of your home for problems that should be repaired before winter. Make sure the outside walls of your home are free of debris. Lumber, ladders, or toys stacked against the house can attract spiders, mice, and insects. As colder weather arrives, these pests have incentive to enter the warmth of your house.

Inside

Check your hot water heater and the surrounding areas for leaks, rust, or corrosion. Check lines and connections. If you see water or signs of moisture, it’s time to replace the tank.

Cover your water heater with a fiberglass insulation blanket to retain heat, particularly if you have an older water heater that has less-efficient built-in insulation. Do not cover heater controls. You may want to wrap the hot water line from the hot water heater to the wall to keep heat from dissipating.

Check sinks for slow drains. Each household sink is equipped with a p-trap—the pipe section underneath the sink with a J-shaped bend. This trap seals the drain with water to keep sewer gas from entering your home. The p-trap is a common place for clogs. To clean the drain, mix equal parts salt, baking soda, and vinegar. Add the mix to the drain, and then add two quarts of boiling water. You can also physically disconnect the p-trap and clean it with a garden hose or coat hanger. There will be water and other material in the trap, so wear protective gloves and be ready to catch the spill.

Post by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

The Management Group
Property and HOA Management in Vancouver WA and Portland OR
http://www.TMGnorthwest.com

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