The Millstone Times September 2019

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Don’t Fall Behind on Fall Chores

Preventative maintenance now can save costly headaches come winter. Once the winter freeze-thaw cycle kicks in, outdoor chores are harder to accomplish. Get them out of the way now instead of later. Leaf Relief - Use your law mower’s Mulching Mode, making a few passes to grind fall leaves small enough where they can decay. Down leaves can kill grass over time, especially when they’re matted down by snow. Leaf piles can attract rodents and end up back on your front lawn with the breeze. Leaf bags means work, cost, and waste. Roof Leaks can damage the wood sheathing and rafters below your shingles, eventually leading to your sheet rock and home interior…thus thousands of dollars in repairs. You can use binoculars to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles safely from the ground and hire a roofing pro to check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys for leaks, and the rubber boots near vents for cracks that can let moisture seep in. Gutter Clogs should be cleared of leaves, pine needles, and other debris so water spills over the side, pool around your home’s foundation, and seep inside. Water that freezes in gutters can force snow and ice into roof shingles, called ice damming, causing damage and leaks. They sell gutter- guard systems to keep debris out and water in. Make sure that gutter drains extend 5 feet from the house and that soil slopes away from the foundation 1 inch per foot for 6 feet or more or you will end up with water in your basement. Close YourHoses for the winter, shut off inside valves that control water flow to hose spigots. Open the spigots to drain any leftover water in pipes and hoses as well as drain water from supply lines for water sprinklers and pools, and shut off inside valves that control them. Make sure your pipes are insulated in unheated areas.

24 The Millstone Times

September 2019