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Regional Thursday |
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Thursday, June 24, 2004 |
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At Home |
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Maintain these items in warm weather |
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June is the perfect time of year to begin
taking care of your spring and summer home repair and maintenance items. Keith A. Paul, president of HandyPro Handyman Service Inc.,
Southeast Michigan's largest handyman service company, recommends maintaining
these nine items this spring and summer: · Gutters and downspouts Ð Winter ice
formations in gutters can cause the gutter to pull away from the house as
well as break seals in gutter joints and downspout connections. Loose or clogged gutters can allow rain to ultimately run into
your house or collect near your foundation, causing your basement to leak. These problems require gutter cleaning, inspections and repairs
or replacements. · Paint Ð Scrape, sand
and repaint areas that have cracking or peeling paint or are in need of
caulking, so that you don't end up with rotted wood or the need to repaint
the entire house. · Window and door screens
Ð Check the perimeter of the opening to verify any loose or missing caulk. In
an effort to decrease your utility bills, recaulk any necessary openings. · Pipes and outside hose
spicket Ð Before turning on your outside hose spicket, inspect pipes between
the hose spicket and shut-off valve for signs of frost damage, splits or
separated joints. If everything is in good working order, make sure your outside
hose spicket is turned off, and turn on the shut-off valve inside your home.
Your outside hose spicket is now ready for use. · Clean fireplaces and
wood stoves Ð Remove ashes and close your chimney flue. · Attic Ð Make sure all
your gable, soffit and ridge vents are open to allow proper ventilation. Make sure insulation covers the entire attic floor; look into
hiring a professional to add more to meet recently updated building codes and
reduce future heating and cooling costs. Check to make sure your attic and/or whole house fans are
working properly; consider installing attic or whole house fans. · Caulking and grout Ð
Inspect caulking and grout around tubs, showers and sinks; have it replaced
if it is deteriorating. · Air conditioning system
inspection and filter change Ð Have your air conditioning system checked by a
licensed HVAC mechanic. Replace your filter monthly. · Deck Ð Inspect your
deck for loose nails and boards, and for rotted boards that need to be fixed
or replaced. HandyPro services Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
To contact HandyPro, call (800) 942-6394 or visit www.handypro.com. |
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