|
If you have wooden gutters on your home nothing will cause them to rot faster than forgetting to clean them regularly. All gutters require regular cleaning at least twice a year to keep them in good working order. But forgetting to clean wooden gutters can become very costly. Gutters should be cleaned in the late spring or early summer to remove buds and twigs from trees as well as sediment from the roof and again in the late fall after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. For wooden gutters the spring cleaning is the ideal time to treat your gutters with linseed oil or to paint them (on the inside only) with a good quality exterior primer. This will help extend their life and reduce costly repairs in the long run. Metal gutters which require less care should be cleared of all debris and the joints sealed with a good quality silicone sealer to prevent leaky spots.
Every so often some one asks us just how many smoke detectors are required in their home. The answer depends on the age of the home and weather or not it has had additional bedrooms added. Here is a quick look at the current requirements.
Smoke Detector Requirements in 1 & 2 family detached dwellings.
Smoke detectors are required in the following locations for NEW construction.
1. In all bedrooms
2. In the immediate vicinity of all sleeping areas
3. For every 2000 S.F. of floor area or part thereof on every floor,
excluding crawl spaces and un- inhabitable attics.
Additional requirements: Any detector located within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom with a tub & shower, is required to be a photoelectric detector which must be compatible with all other devices. When one or more bedrooms are added to an existing 1 and 2 family dwelling, the entire dwelling is required to meet the above standards.
Here is an example to illustrate these requirements:
A 2 story dwelling with 2000 SF on each floor including the basement, and 3 bedrooms on the second floor, would require the following: Basement:
2 detectors
1st. Floor 2 detectors
2nd Floor 4 detectors (1 in each bedroom + 1 in immediate vicinity)
Total 8 detectors required.
Remember, smoke detectors save lives. Be sure they are in good working order by testing them at least twice each year. Replacing batteries frequently and conducting fire drills will insure both the detectors and your family are ready.
If your home has roof or attic vents now is the time to open them up. These vents are designed to let excess heat under the roof escape and help keep the home cooler. Make sure they are open completely and inspect the screens for tears or holes. Replace screens that are in poor condition to help keep tiny pests out.
Many New England homes still have aluminum storm windows that become hard to open or close with age. You can help extend their useful life by applying a light coat of lubricant such as WD-40 to the tracks and lock mechanisms. Doing this now while the weather is mild makes far more sense than waiting until the cold weather arrives. Don’t use heavy lubricants like grease, Vaseline or waxes as they become very stiff in cold temperatures.
Ever wonder why your nice white roof is turning green, or why there are black splotches on your nice white trimmed porch? There are a number of causes of rot, mildew and mold but in all cases the main ingredient is moisture. Once it takes hold it is very difficult and costly to get rid of so preventing it makes a lot of sense. Keeping shade trees and shrubs pruned to allow for good ventilation is a good start. Never allow shrubs to grow against the house or to become so thick that air cannot circulate. The sun acts as a natural fungicide so make sure damp areas get a lot of it. There are chemical treatments to help rid you of the black or green molds as well as additives for paint that can help minimize the problem. However there is only one solution for Rot. The effected material must be replaced.
The time has come to install that window air conditioner. Get the most out of your unit by following these simple guidelines. Place the AC in a window that is shaded from the sun most of the afternoon. This helps the unit to stay cool and dissipate heat faster. When placed in the window the AC should be tipped back slightly to allow the condensation to travel to the back of the unit where it either drips out a drain hole or is picked up by the units slinger fan and used to cool the condenser coils. If your unit does not appear to have a drain hole don’t make one. Some units use nearly all the moisture they collect from the house to help cool the machine. Finally, don’t expect that little AC to cool you entire home. Block off rooms not in use.
Every year we all hear about children falling out of an open window or off a deck or porch. As the temperature rises we all open windows to cool off. Make sure all windows have screens and that decks and porches have sturdy railings to help prevent children and even adults from accidentally falling. Small children move very fast and it only takes a few seconds for a disaster to happen.
|
