The hardy mums are
making an appearance and a light jacket has become necessary for the crisp
morning Both are sure
signs that fall is upon us. Although
some of us hate to see the summer come to an end, there is no avoiding the
onset of fall. The change of seasons
generates an inventory of chores that must be completed prior to the
commencement of winter. Routine fallmaintenance must be performed in order to ensure a healthy yard come springtime. In addition, your house must be protected
from the harsh elements that winter brings.
Let’s begin on the outside and work our way in. Fall is the best time of the year to give
attention to your lawns and landscaping.
Fertilization of your lawns will provide necessary nutrients for the
winter months to come. In the spring
your lawn will grow lush and green. And, don’t be mournful of the loss of color
in your landscaping. There are a variety
of plants that can be incorporated to provide brilliant color through late
November. These plants include: autumn crocus; strawflower; variations of
aster; coleus; and dianthus. Fountain
grasses, burning and blueberry bushes will also add bursts of color. All are easy to care for and will deliver
great curb appeal. Be sure to weed your
gardens well in the fall, to minimize new growth in the spring.
It is imperative in fall to trim your trees back. Any branches hanging low, too close to the
house, or near electrical wires can be weighed down by winter snow or ice
wreaking havoc once broken. Rake away
all tree debris, leaves, and other forms of rubbish from the foundation of your
house. Make sure there are no entry
points for animals seeking warmth. If
you have a crawl space, close the ventilation hatches keeping the cold air from
entering underneath your house.
Next we need to make sure that all of our outdoor tools are
in good working condition and ready for action.
Rakes, snow shovels, and snow blowers should be inspected, cleaned, and
all kept in one easy access location.
Gutter maintenance is also critical. Clean your gutters and downspouts thoroughly
and check for proper anchoring to the house.
Melting snow and freezing rain must have an easy escape route from the
roof, into the gutter, down the downspouts and away from the foundation of your
house. You do not want the formation of
ice dams to occur in your gutters. The
dams prevent water flow, and the water has nowhere to go but behind the gutter,
seeping into your walls and ceilings.
Moving from the outside in, it is paramount to have your
furnace inspected and cleaned. Having
this service performed now, will be cheaper than waiting until the winter
season hits. Furnace upkeep is also
vital for safety precautions. Placing a
carbon monoxide detector near your furnace is also a good idea.
Here are some other important chores to execute inside:
·
Locate your water main so in the event of an
emergency it can be shut off
·
Insulate any exposed pipes (perhaps in the
basement)
·
Ensure that there is adequate insulation in your
attic
·
Find your air conditioner shut-off valve and
turn it to the off position
·
Drain the air conditioning pipes to prevent
freezing
·
Install weather stripping around all windows and
doors in prevention of cold air drafts
·
Replace screen doors and windows with storm
doors and windows
Finally, we all love snuggling up in front of the fireplace
on cold winter nights. Fall is the ideal
time to guarantee the safety of our chimney.
Make sure the chimney cap on the outside is secure, and have a certified
chimney company come out and inspect for soot and creosote buildup. The chimney professional can also ascertain
that your chimney damper is opening and closing properly.
I know what all of
you readers are thinking right now. “I
don’t need to attend to these projects today.
It still feels like summer.” However, all too often, summer turns to fall,
and then very quickly to winter, and we don’t know where the time has
gone. Do not find yourself outside
braving the winter elements to enact on what can be accomplished during the
beautiful fall season. Preventative
maintenance is necessary in safeguarding your lawn, landscaping, and house from
the harsh winter conditions. It is
better to be prepared today than to pay the consequences tomorrow.
Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
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