Search For A Home in the East Bay Featured Listings Buying in the East Bay? Selling in the East Bay? East Bay Communities Mortgage Calculator Do You Know? All About Real Estate About Francine What My Clients Say Return Home Francine Di Palma Senior Sales Associate Email Francine 510-541-2427 510-982-4421 1625 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709

Francine Di Palma, CRS Email: Francine@FrancineDiPalma.com Direct Line: 510-982-4421 Cell: 510-541-2427 Fall Into Winter As Fall and Winter approach, it is advisable to take steps to maintain your home. While this is not a complete list, it is a good beginning. Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced. Replace the filter in your forced air furnace if this has not been done in the past year. Vacuum the duct openings. Make sure all pilot lights are operating correctly. Have the chimney swept and make any necessary repairs. Does the chimney have a cap device to prevent water entry into the chimney interior? Clean gutters and downspouts. Test with water from a garden hose to make sure vertical drain pipes are working. Repair gutters and spouts as needed. Use binoculars to inspect the roof for loose shingles, and bubbles and cracks if you have a tar and gravel roof. Attach downspout extenders to keep water from seeping into the foundation. Check weather stripping on exterior doors and windows. Adjust or replace as necessary to ensure an air tight seal. Install blanket insulation on your water heater. This can save money on your water heating bill. Trim tree branches and shrubs that rub against roof surfaces or that provide a pathway for squirrels and raccoons. Branches over a roof can also add to fire damage. Rake leaves and add them to the compost heap or use cut grass from the lawn for mulch. Check emergency supplies like flashlights, earthquake kit, water, etc. Stock up on batteries and candles. Make sure sump pumps are working properly. Maintain steps, handrails and painted driveways as they can become lethal when wet from excess rain. Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly. Stored items that are below grade should be stored on pads or platforms to keep them off the surface of concrete slabs. The FALL is a great time to plant bulbs, shrubs, and trees. They are beginning to go into their dormant state. With soil temperatures still warm compared to the air, this is an ideal environment for root development. It is also a great time to relocate any trees or shrubs. If you have any questions about the above article please contact me at: Francine@FrancineDiPalma.com or 510-982-4421 Francine Di Palma Direct Line: 510-982-4421 Email: Francine@FrancineDiPalma.com Featured Listings | Search For A Home in the East Bay Buying in the East Bay? | Selling in the East Bay? Mortgage Calculator | East Bay Communities Real Estate Articles | About Francine | What My Clients Say Return Home