home maintenance

As we wind into the last stretch of Summer, my mind is racing ahead to all of the items that still need to be checked off on my end-of-Summer home maintenance to-do list. One task that I definitely need to get to in the next month is cleaning out my rain gutters. It's something I neglected to do at the beginning of the Summer, and even though the Bay Area monsoons won't start for another couple months, I know that it's better if I do it sooner than later.

Another chore that I've been neglecting is cleaning up under our fruit trees. The figs are just starting to ripen, but pesky squirrels have been getting a jump on the harvest by eating half of a fruit and then throwing the rest of it on the ground beneath. Since rotting fruit can actually contribute to disease in fruit trees, this task is an absolute must!

In colder climates, end-of-Summer tasks are even more important. Switching out window screens for storm windows is a common chore for many homeowners, as is putting away Summer outdoor plants. What's on your to-do list for must-do Summer maintenance tips?

Planning a road trip or jaunt to the coast this weekend? Packing your sunglasses and bikini aren't your only considerations. You should also prepare with a few smart steps to keep your home safe while you're away. The last thing anyone wants to return home to after a vacation is a home that's been vandalized! Here are some easy ways to keep your house secure while you're having a fabulous time away.

• Set timers on lights when you’re away, so it looks as if your home is occupied.
• Close curtains so potential vandals can't get a peek inside at your goods.
• Keep lights on outside. Even better, install motion lights in places such as entryways, paths, and front gates, which can deter intruders.
• If you're away for longer than a few days, have a friend or neighbor pick up your mail, so it appears as if your home is occupied.
• Don't leave keys in "secret" places. Instead, leave a spare set of keys with a trusted neighbor, family member, or friend.
• Consider having a friend housesit. If your home has perks, it's often easy to get a friend to hang at your home and keep it safe while you're away. (I always lure potential housesitters with great stored cable shows on my DVR.)

Standard advice for deck maintenance is that it should be pressure washed and restained at least every other year. Let's just say that we haven't been that dutiful in our deck maintenance and leave it at that. It was definitely past due time to deal with our decks — as this photo demonstrates.  As you can see, the redwood was gray and green — not the warm wood color with which it started life. Plus, there was lichen growth on the wood, and I was concerned about the wood's quality deteriorating. The last thing my husband and I wanted to do was replace the deck, since it's earthquake retrofitted and bolted halfway into our house's footprint.

We considered doing the pressure washing and staining ourselves, but since we have two levels of decking (see part of the bottom level below) that measure in at around 1200 square feet, this was no small undertaking. We'd have to devote two separate weekends for pressure washing and staining, and hire a babysitter to care for our toddler while we were working. So, we decided to hire Cal Preserving to come in and do the work for us.Want to see how the decks turned out? Keep reading to find out!

When we replaced our windows earlier this Winter, our contractor took a close look at our deck and advised us to clean it as soon as the rains stopped. So it was a timely reminder to read about some essential deck maintenance tips in Holmes: The Magazine to Make It Right.

If you suspect that your deck needs basic maintenance, Mike Holmes advises looking out for the following:

• Green or Black Spots: "Look above and below boards. The spots indicate mildew and mold. If you find spots, clean and treat the surface ASAP, but do not use a pressure cleaner; it can damage the deck."
• Gray Boards: "If the boards are losing color, it’s a sign of sun damage. To avoid cracking and splitting, put on a new coat of protective sealant."
• No Water Beading: "If rain soaks directly into the boards instead of beading up, it’s time to apply a water-and mildew-repellent stain."

Worried that your deck may need replacing? Read on to find out the telltale signs!

Has your neighborhood been inundated with a major snowstorm lately? If you're still digging out from a storm, or if one's on the horizon, try these tips from Mike Holmes of Holmes magazine to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the Winter.

• "The most important thing to remember when preparing to weather proof your home is that you don’t want water from melting snow to get behind any exterior sheathing — the stucco, siding or bricks. If it does, the wood framing and structure will get wet."
• "You want your exterior structure to be able to repel water, but if any does get in, you want the water vapor to be able to escape. It’ll dry out eventually, but repeated wetting and drying will lead to rot. You also don’t want the water to get further inside; if it soaks the insulation, that’s bad, because it’s very difficult for moisture to escape once it’s trapped within the building envelope."
• "Start by clearing snow away from doors and windows. Snow melting could come in windows, doors and other openings in the house which could lead to mold issues."
• "Keep the walkways and steps clear by scattering salt to keep ice from building up on concrete."
• "Make sure to keep snow away from all air vents that bring air in for furnaces and hot water tanks."
• "Should your area receive a large amount of snow, make every effort to hire a pro and remove large snow deposits from roofs and away from intakes, doors and windows, as large quantities of melting snow, especially on roofs, can cause a great deal of damage to not just siding and insulation, but gutters as well."

Earlier today, I offered you recommendations for five quick fixes that you should try to get to this Autumn. While home maintenance is certainly the farthest thing from glamorous living, it is a necessary part of home ownership. It's also rewarding: A well-maintained home will be healthier, cozier, and longer lasting than its poorly repaired counterpart.

This list of repairs will often require a professional, so assess your skill level carefully before proceeding.

Bigger Repairs

1. Clean your chimney. Hire a chimney sweep to remove debris and creosote from your chimney that could start a fire or contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Inspect your roof. If you're not afraid of heights and aren't accident prone, carefully walk around your entire roof looking for missing or damaged shingles and flashing (the silver metallic bits around the chimney). If you need repairs, it's usually best to hire a professional unless you know what you're doing.
3. Add insulation. If you need to add insulation, the attic space provides the most bang for your buck. Not sure if you need it? Check out this graphic from the Energy Star website to find out.
4. Replace doors and windows that cannot be repaired. Obvious candidates include those with large cracks or rotted sills.
5. Consider having your ducts cleaned. However, the EPA recommends that you only have your ducts clean if there's been a vermin infestation, obvious mold growth, or large amounts of detritus and dust blowing up through the vents. Read through this checklist to see if you're a candidate for duct cleaning.

Have you had any of these repairs made in the past year? What was your experience with it? Have you noticed any marked improvement in your home's comfort level? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Before you get too wrapped up in Autumn decorating or Halloween preparations, try doing something much more practical for your house. While it may not be flashy, basic seasonal maintenance tasks can vastly improve the comfort level and safety of your home. And while I love a pretty house as much as the next person, I also equally value a warm, cozy, and healthy home as well. I've separated the home maintenance tasks into two categories: Quick Fixes and Bigger Repairs. The quick fixes require as little as a run to the hardware store and a half hour or less of your time, while the bigger repairs often require a professional. Regardless, take a look at both lists to make sure your home's on track. I'll start out today's tasks with the Quick Fixes list, and check back later for the Bigger Repairs list. Quick Fixes

1. Caulk cracks. Buy caulk and a caulk gun and use it to fill any holes or cracks in your walls, windows, and doors. This will help prevent moisture buildup inside your walls, which could cause structural damage.
2. Weather strip around doors and windows to help lower your heating bills. This is something you can do yourself and often costs $25 or less. See what Lou Manfredini had to say about using weather stripping in your home.
3. Clean your gutters. Carefully stand on a ladder and use a broom to wipe leaves and detritus out of the gutters. If you have to get any gutters fixed, assess whether you can do it yourself or hire a handyman (or better yet, ask a handy friend) to help.
4. Replace the filter in your furnace. Many filters can be changed by simply sliding the old filter out and the new one in. Make sure to read the directions to ensure you've installed the filter correctly, and opt for a middle- or top-of-the-line filter. They're not that expensive, and they'll definitely improve the indoor air quality.
5. Install carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas, is produced when fuel such as natural gas, wood, or coal is incompletely burned. To prevent a tragedy in your family, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door, and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Learn more about carbon monoxide detectors here.

Check back later today for my Bigger Repairs list.

Sadly, Labor Day weekend is almost at an end. It's time to bid the Summer goodbye, and with it, perhaps a Summer getaway. If you're ready to close up your Summer cottage or cabin for the season, make sure to follow these tips to ensure that everything will be in shipshape the coming season.

1. Seal your Summer cottage for the season. Cover windows with plywood to protect it from inclement weather, as well as to make it more difficult for intruders to break in.
2. Get rid of all food that might spoil and give your fridge a thorough cleaning before unplugging it. Make sure to get all the crevices thoroughly scrubbed to prevent mold buildup. Make sure that any food left in the cupboards is mouseproof.
3. If you're leaving the heat on, keep the thermostat set at a temperature recommended by the manufacturer. One advantage of leaving the heat on low is that it will help keep dampness and mildew down. And if you do decide to turn the heat off, make sure a plumber drains the water lines!
4. Cover furniture with sheets and clean out living areas and bedrooms. Make sure linens are stored in sealed plastic tubs or in another manner that will prevent little furry creatures from using them as a Winter home.

Keep reading for more tips!