YOUR HOME’S FALL CHECKLIST

A few things you can do around the house this fall in order to keep your property in tip top shape

Tina M. Reeves, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

It is that time of year, the time of year we fly collegian football flags and our Saturday schedules are filled with football games (Go Dawgs!) and great food. We will be able to wear our sweatshirts and have chili cook offs before too long. However, the flip flops and beach days are eternal on the island whether it is July or December. We are fortunate to be on this magical slice of paradise!

With Fall knocking on our doors, it is the perfect time of year to tackle a few things around the house in order to keep your property in tip top shape. Checking these things off your honey do list early will free up your Saturdays to cheer on your favorite team or perfect that 5-alarm chili recipe.

Gutters - Your Roof’s drainage system annually diverts thousands of gallons of water from your home’s exterior. That is why it is so important to keep them flowing smoothly. Clogged gutters can lead to expensive damage to your home. Before the leaves start to fall, have your gutters cleaned and consider having them covered with a guard to protect them from debris.

Roof – Few homeowner problems can be as vexing as a leaky roof. Once the dripping starts, finding the source can be time consuming and the damage that can occur can be costly. Head this off at the pass. Start by inspecting your roof, checking ridges for cracks and winds damage. Look for damage to metal flashing in valleys, around vents and chimneys. Scan the entire roof for damage, missing or curled shingles. Better yet, for go the ladder gymnastics and hire one of the many professionals that come to Fripp Island to work to inspect your roof for any potential issues.

Chimney - There is nothing like a beautiful fire in the fireplace once the chill settles in the air. Even if you use your fire place occasionally you should check it annually for hazards and damage. Inspect your flue for Creosote. This is a flammable by-product of burning wood. If it accumulates in the flue or the chimney it can cause a devastating fire. Look for flue blockages and exercise the damper as well. The chimney should be inspected for damage. For most people, the best option is to have the entire chimney system inspected by a chimney sweep.

Review your Safety Features – Check the Smoke and CO detectors, replace batteries and vacuum them with a soft brush tip. Every home should have at a minimum one fire extinguisher. Check the indicator on the pressure gauge to insure it is charged. Make certain the lock pin is intact and firmly in place and check the discharge nozzle to insure that is not clogged. Clean the extinguisher and check it for dents, scratches or corrosion. Fire extinguishers that are more than 6 years old should be replaced. It is a good idea to mark the extinguisher with the date of purchase.

Power Wash – Late Summer, early Fall is a great time to power wash your home and have the exterior windows cleaned. It is amazing what a difference this can make on the appearance of your home.

Paint – A fresh coat of paint breathes new life in to your home. Want a change? Paint your door a fresh new color, or go all the way with a brand-new paint scheme for the entire house. If you love the color of your home, freshening the trim paint can make the house color pop again. If this sounds like something you would like to do, don’t forget to secure your ARB permit before you start. Meghan Johnson, ARB Administrator can help you with securing the permit. P

Screens – Fall brings more time on our porches but it all brings the pesky little no see’ums and mosquitos. Inspect screens to insure they are not torn or damaged. Placing plants such as Citronella Grass, Rosemary and Lavender placed on the screened porch can help repel those pesky insects.

Mailboxes – Did you know the FIPOA keeps a couple of gallons of loaner paint for property owners to check out? We have Silverado Grey and Charleston Green for our Ocean Creek neighbors. We want to make it simple for you to be able to maintain your mailbox. We provide the paint but you will have to provide the paint brush and the labor. Give us a call to check out a can of loaner paint. 843-838-4155.

These are just a few things you can do to keep your home safe from damage and looking its best this fall. If you prefer to spend your time on the beach, playing golf or just out and about enjoying our beautiful island and would rather hire someone to perform these honey dos, the FIPOA keeps a list of contractors that have purchased decals to work on the island. The list can be found on our website, click here to access it.

The FIPOA neither endorses, recommends nor disapproves of the service providers on the list. The of service providers is for information purposes only.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Fripp Island looking its best.