Page 10 December 21, 2017 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Follow Us on Twitter @heraldpub The Savvy Homeowner’s Five-Point Outdoor Winterization Checklist (BPT) - As temperatures drop, you’re reminded that Old Man Winter will soon rear his ugly head. Before the first flurries fly, it’s important to take some winterization steps to ensure your home is ready for whatever the season brings. This five-point checklist will help safeguard your home against winter’s woes for another year. For additional winterization ideas and detailed project plans, visit Real Cedar.com. Inspect each window from the outside to see if any gaps or cracks are present. These small openings let in cold air and are also inviting to small critters looking for protection from the cold. If you find some gaps, it’s important to seal them quickly. Apply caulk to the openings to prevent cold air from seeping in, helping to cut down on heating bills. Plus, you won’t have to worry about bugs making your home their hibernation haven. Note: never caulk above or below the window and door openings, as this may block moisture drainage. The amount of work you have to put into winterizing your deck depends on your decking material. For example, a durable, long-lasting material such as Western Red Cedar requires the least amount of maintenance. That said, all decks require some upkeep. Next, inspect the deck for mold. If present, wash the deck with a mild oxygen bleach solution and leave on the surface for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Finally, remove anything that might leave marks on the deck’s surface such as furniture, planters and mats. Start by removing all soil and cleaning the boxes as you did the deck. Then, if possible, store emptied planters in a garage, shed or under the porch. If you don’t have the space to store them this way, then cover them with a water-repellent tarp to protect from moisture buildup, but don’t seal the tarp. As with decks, it’s very important that you allow for proper ventilation. Look for weak trees or those with dead branches, particularly those near your home. As snow accumulates, the weight may bring down a tree or branches, potentially damaging your house. Eliminate this risk by removing any dead trees or dangerous branches now before the first snow. Be safe by using the proper equipment for tree trimming and removal, or, consider hiring a pro to do so. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and handling this issue now could prevent costly damage to your home down the road. Your roof is a large portion of your home, and it also holds a lot of snow over the winter. To prevent ice dams and other roof See Real Estate, page 11 ESTABLISHED 1980 310-322-0066 kirkbrown@gmail.com We Work Hard Everyday to Exceed Your Expectations! Kirk Brown • BRE# 00556073 Kirk Brown Jr • BRE# 01359453 OPEN FRIDAY 12:30-2:30PM OPEN SATURDAY 1:00-4:00PM 1509 E. OAK AVE. NEW LISTING! * - One of the Best Locations and Blocks in the City! 3 Bedroom, 2 bath home + detached room. Oversized lot and amazing back yard. An incredibly charming home with hardwood fooring, fireplace in large family room, living room and pergola covered outdoor dining room. Tremendous amount of upgrades: Renovated kitchen and bath, new AC and heat, LED recessed lighting. Fully renovated yard, controlled access courtyard, automatic driveway gate, new driveway and sewer line. Too many upgrades to list! Call us SOON before it’s sold! * 825 CENTER ST. - 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. Large family room. 2-car garage includes 3/4 bathroom. Large lot in excellent location in the center of town! Please call for more information. EL SEGUNDO FAMILY SINCE 1924
Torrance_122117_FNL_lorez
To see the actual publication please follow the link above