A: A home provides a quintessential human necessity; therefore, the exterior of your home is the most important area to focus on for a healthy home during the rainy season. Listed by order of importance, here is what you should tackle before fall:
- Get your roof and gutters inspected, patched or sealed if needed and clean those gutters.
- Do all your exterior painting, touch-ups and sealing now.
- Chimneys, fireplaces and vents are advised to be inspected yearly for any deposits build-up, cracks or malfunctions and for necessary cleanings.
- Inspect the caulking around all doors and windows for proper sealing, and re-caulk any cracks or potential water intrusion areas. Check the weather strips on your doors to ensure a proper seal – this will create better insulation when it gets cold out.
- Test your wood decks, patios or fences for vulnerability by pouring water onto the wood; if the water beads up then your seal is still intact. If the water is absorbed into the wood, a fresh coat of sealant would be advised.
Ashley Henderson-Condon, Compass, 415-841-2118, [email protected].
