Helpful Homeowner Hints

INSIDE YOUR HOME

• For your personal safety, check your smoke detectors every month. The alarm should sound when you push the button. It is important that this device be kept clean and in proper working condition. The smoke detector is permanently wired to your electrical system and might include a nine-volt battery backup. In the event the electricity is shut off, the backup battery will keep your system functioning. The smoke detector will sound off to inform you that battery replacement is necessary.
• Check the condition of putty, caulking, and exterior paint. Replace or paint as needed. (Check for evidence of termites).
• Check cords and plugs of all electrical appliances for wear. If necessary have them repaired or replaced.
• Check gutters and downspouts to be sure they are not clogged.
• Test Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit breaker.
• Replace the backup battery and test smoke detectors.
• Clean lint from your clothes dryer exhaust pipe.
• Check driveway pavers and apply joint sand as necessary.
• Check door hardware and tighten if necessary.
• Locate the sheet with storm panel layout and keep in safe place where you can find it easily.
• Have your carpets professionally cleaned.
• Check the batteries in your garage door remote control units.  Check the terminals in the units for signs of corrosion at the same time
• Do you have a fire extinguisher in your home?

OUTSIDE THE HOME

• Have stains on your driveway?  A cleaner called "purple stuff" will remove most stubborn stains off.  Check out any hardware store for this product.
• Remember to kill all weeds growing between cracks; spraying with roundup or any other weed killer can do this.
• Are you strangling your trees? (in particular the trees along the swale area, near to your postbox). Most trees are top heavy in the wind and require staking at the time of planting. Stakes are generally needed the first 2 years in the landscape until the root system and trunk are well established. The objective is to support the trunk gently, allowing some movement in ordinary breezes. Allowing some movement insures the tree trunk develops necessary strength. The stakes are not meant to tightly restrict movement, but should be standing by for the occasional windstorm that could otherwise break or knock over a tree. Staking a tree must never be more than a temporary solution. The sooner you are able to remove the stakes or guy wires, the less risk there is of damaging the tree and the sooner the tree will develop a strong trunk and well-established root system. Stakes can usually be removed from small trees after the first year. You may need to leave stakes or guy wires on larger trees for up to 2 years. Remove all tags, wires, or ropes from the stems or trunk. These can strangle and kill the plant as it grows. Remove the stakes and lines after one growing season, or they will inhibit trunk development. If in doubt, visually check around the tied area of the tree and see if there is any damage, also grasp the trunk and shake it to see if the root ball is loose. If it does not move, remove the stakes. It might be difficult trying to pull the stakes out directly. Try kicking the stakes a few times in order to loosen or breaking them off and then used a sharp knife to cut the straps off. Be careful not to cut yourself or the bark of your trees. Also check the trees in the back of your property.