Fall Maintenance

It’s time to give your house a fall check-up! I thought I would share a few tips (courtesy of our friends over at DCU) for you to add to your maintenance checklist. Not sure where to start? Have us perform a Maintenance Inspection to help you get an idea of what needs to be done and when to do it! Premier Home Inspection Services will walk through your house with you, giving it a check-up. Just like when you go to the doctor. We’ll help you prioritize what needs to be done and will be more than happy to put you in touch with qualified professionals to make sure the tasks are done correctly if you don’t want to tackle all the maintenance yourself. As Always, as your Brookline NH Home Inspector.

1. Plumbing: Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets and turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may let water enter the faucet. Faucet and/or shut-off valve leaking? Check out our list of trusted local pro’s on our local resources page.

2. Caulking: Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk and make a journey around your home’s exterior, sealing up cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive — and most important — of your fall maintenance jobs. You’ll also seal air leaks that waste energy. Pick a nice day when temps are above 50 degrees so caulk flows easily.

3. Gutters: Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure gutters are not sagging and trapping water. Your downspouts should extend at least 6 feet away from your house to prevent foundation problems. If they don’t, add downspout extensions.

4. Roof: Use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground. Look for warning signs: Shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing; rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately. Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s decayed underneath. Roof penetrations, such as plumbing vent stacks, are usually flashed with a rubber boot that may crack or loosen over time.

We are a licensed NH Home Inspector and serve the following areas:  Amherst NH Home Inspector, Milford NH Home Inspector, Hollis NH Home Inspector, Wilton NH Home Inspector, Bedford NH Home Inspector, Merrimack NH Home Inspector, Nashua NH Home Inspector, Manchester NH Home Inspector, Moultonborough NH Home Inspector, Ossipee NH Home Inspector.