Before I started out with a bunch of items that might be in need of attention, I thought I would cover some basics?
1. Know where your water shut off is and how to turn it off.
2. Know where your gas shut off is and how to turn it off.
3. Know where your electrical panel is and how to shut off circuit breakers
One of the first things to do now that we have some hot days is to put on your bathing suit and go outside and run a hose down the back yard area drain. Make sure it drains now as if and when we get another rain it will be too late. Houses are not boats and if the water level rises higher than the house slab, water will enter into the home.
While you have hose in hand, it might be a good idea to rinse of the dirt from you house exterior. Take special note of any areas where paint is peeling, lifting or cracking. Also look for cracks or openings in the caulking around windows and doors. If you notice any of these items it is best to take care of them immediately. Any signs of soft wood on trim boards, patio cover post that may have been in the path of sprinklers should be repair now before it becomes too costly but required because of safety reasons. I was called on a repair of a patio cover also this year. A new beam is more expensive to replace as compared to simple annual maintenance routine, such as painting. This fact runs true especially with regards to the ends of the roof were the wood is neglected and either dries out and gets attacked by termites or it is just left for the water to enter the cracks and create dry rot. The ends of roofs are called facia. Some day they will make them out of vinyl or aluminum and they will last much longer without paint.
Check you gutters for debris and clean them out. Also replace your air conditioning filters too. And if you notice any roof tiles missing, call a roofer and have him fixed the roof a.s.a.p. Rates tend to rise when rainy season arrives.
Randal G. Winter Construction Inc. is located at 28348 Constellation Road, Suite 810 in Santa Clarita. License 395715. For more information, please call 661-799-8089 and visit www.rgwinter.com.