Fall Maintenance Tips - 2017
We’re currently experiencing abnormally high temperatures (high-80’s) on the OBX, but there is no doubt that Fall is here - however reluctant it has been with its arrival. The rainy season is upon us, the Weather Channel has been here recently, and we continue to dodge hurricanes.
While many parts of the country are starting to see the leaves change color, people are turning their attention to the Fall maintenance of their primary homes. If you have a vacation home, you may have started planning or implementing your annual preventive maintenance plans. While most folks know what to expect with Winter on the Outer Banks, here are a few suggestions:
Pressure Washing: This will help prevent mold and mildew from developing during the Winter months.
Painting: Check your exterior paint for bare spots and peeling. f it’s time to repaint the house, it wouldn’t hurt to take care of it before Spring arrives and it becomes difficult to find a reputable painting contractor who isn’t booked for months in advance. For the same reason, it’s a good idea to schedule your interior painting sooner rather than later. 
Caulking: Inspect and replace exterior and interior caulk, especially at windows and doors.
Wood Rot: Check for signs of wood rot at window trim and wherever rooflines meet (i.e. gables, porch roofs, dormers, etc...). Extensive rot repairs can take months to complete and you won’t want to have your house off the rental market next year for problems that could have been addressed this earlier.
Decks: Inspect decks and make repairs. Remember that new lumber needs time to season before it can be painted or stained. If it’s time to seal your deck, it’s better to do it before Winter.
Windows and Doors: Check window latches and door hardware to make sure they are operational.
Attic: Check the attic for mildew and rot. Pay special attention to any water stains on the interior side of your roof sheathing and check all roof penetrations (vents, stacks, chimneys).
Prevent Infestation: Secure crawl spaces, underpinnings, and soffits. Squirrels and raccoons can cause a great deal of damage. Mice and insects can also be difficult to eradicate if they’re not removed in a timely manner.
Other Items: If your home has gutters and downspouts it’s a good idea to make sure they are free of leaves and debris, especially if your home is in a heavily wooded area on the Sound side. Have your heating and cooling, plumbing, and septic systems checked by the appropriate professionals before winterizing your house. Check circuit breakers and look for corrosion around exterior outlets - a common cause for fires. Replace batteries in smoke detectors and clocks and inspect fire extinguishers.
As tourism continues to increase on the Outer Banks, maintenance requirements for rental-home owners also increase. There’s just more wear and tear on a property that rents well and rents into the Fall season. It’s a double-edged sword for contractors as the work season invariably gets shorter and there’s more work that urgently needs to be done. Please don’t put off major projects until the Spring. There is a significant shortage of high-quality skilled labor on the beach and any reputable contractor will be scheduled far in advance. You don’t want to put yourself at the mercy of an unknown and unlicensed contractor who may or may not finish the job for you.
Give us a call at 800.663.4944 to request an estimate or visit our website to learn more abou us.
