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Summertime Repairs for the Home
Have you taken time to walk around your home recently?
Take a good look at the outside of your house. Summer is the time to be cleaning woodwork
and vinyl siding to get all of the mold and mildew off and to check wood for rotten
places.
Rotten places need to be repaired without delay because they allow water to seep in and
damage other areas. The longer repair is put off, the worse the damage and the more
extensive (read: expensive) the repair work. Another good reason for getting repairs done
this summer is that with all the light winters we have had, a bad one could be right
around the corner. Trapped water in woodwork can freeze and cause even more damage.
So, start by taking a slow walk around your home with a note pad. Write down all the
problems you see that need fixing. Replace rotten boards first and prime them. Seal all
cracks that will be exposed to the weather. Examine windows and write down what they need.
Check the outside paint and see how it looks.
Summer is a popular time for painting outside. If your house needs painting, it will cost
you a lot more money in the long run to put it off. If you are hiring someone to do it for
you, check out the person or company that will be doing the work by asking for references.
For example, ask for the names of clients for the last five jobs. Then call and ask the
following questions of those clients: Were you pleased with the work? Were the painters
easy to get along with? Would you let them work for you again? Did they clean up after
themselves? How long did it take them to complete the work? Was it what you agreed on?
Once you have decided on painters and checked the references provided, there are certain
safeguards you should follow in order to ensure that you end up with quality work. For
instance, ask the painters what brand of paint will be used. Do not agree to provide
up-front money; if they demand it don't use them. If you have a big job that will last
over a period of time, set up draws. Make sure you are always ahead of the draws, so if
they don't come back you can still pay to have it finished. Business is business.
While most people think of summer as the time to paint outside, it is also the best time
of year to paint inside. Painting inside in the summer provides the opportunity to open
the windows and doors. That way you can let out the fumes and let in the outside air. The
air circulation will aid the drying of the paint.
Remember, tackle problem areas early and aggressively. Take advantage of the longer,
warmer days of summer. It is an excellent time to undertake repair projects.
If you have questions you would like to have answered regarding home repair, please email
them to editor@cullman.com.
Donny Wilson
The House Doctor
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Last updated: Thursday, July 19, 2001 12:20:54 AM
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