So you are starting to feel that chill, letting you know that winter is not that far off. This is a great weekend to ensure that warmer season items are ready to go for next year. Now is also a great time to make sure that all gutters and downspouts are in good operating order before the snow build up can put water where it does not belong.
Gather all of your warm weather outdoor furnishings and give them a good cleaning, using the proper cleaners as recommended by the manufacturer. Get any dirt and debris build up off before it has time to damage the furniture while being stored up all winter. Once they are clean and dry, stack them up and store them for the winter. If you are short on space, they can be stacked and covered in a weather proof tarp in an area of your property that is out of the way for the winter. It is easy to locate covers made specifically for all types of outdoor furnishing that are going to fit well and protect your investments for many season to come.
Get a head start on preventing leaves from blocking up your gutters by cleaning out your entire gutter system. This home improvement project will prevent the leaves from wreaking havoc on your basement. Be sure to keep a buddy around to help keep your balance on the ladder, and if possible, even take turns with this fun task. While you are examining the gutter system, take the time to relocate any downspouts that are depositing water directly against the house’s foundation. This could cause water to find its way into below grade rooms. Ideally, you want the downspouts to extend about 3′- 6′ away from the foundation walls, but further if you can. If the whole idea of gutter maintenance isn’t your idea of fun, look into local companies that offer seasonal gutter cleanup. The cost could outweigh that fear of climbing up ladders. Better yet, install a type of gutter guard after you clean and you will never deal with this chore again.
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