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HOME NOVEMBER 2017 6 K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! WE OFFER: NORCRAFT CABINETRY MID CONTINENT CABINETRY OMEGA CABINETRY DYNASTY CABINETRY WOODLAND CABINETRY 257940003 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment Make an appointment today and learn about the new trends and cabinet specials. (StatePoint) — Before winter hits, you can complete a pesky home maintenance proj- ect left on your to do list. If you've been put- ting off these chores, you're not alone, but it could cost you. In fact, a national survey from Erie Insurance shows many Ameri- cans are putting themselves and their homes at financial risk by delaying impor- tant home maintenance tasks. Make sure you're protected by focusing on these five areas: ■ The roof. Twenty-three percent of homeowners admit they never inspect their roof or have it inspected unless there is a problem, according to the Erie Insurance survey. Unfortunately, replacing a roof is also one of the biggest expenses a home- owner may have if not maintained properly. Nationally, the average homeowner spends about $6,600 to install a new roof, but prices can soar upwards of $20,000. Don't be stuck with a hefty roof repair bill. Have it inspected to see if any shingles are damaged and need to be replaced. The fall season is the optimal time to do so, since roofing is best installed when temper- atures are cooler. Plus, you'll catch any problems before winter weather kicks in. ■ The gutters. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear of debris. Clogged gutters can lead to major issues like uneven floors, cracks in walls and interior water damage. This type of claim, also known as seepage, is a main- tenance issue and often not covered under your home insurance policy. To prevent any major issues, clean gutters at least twice a year in fall and spring. ■ The dryer exhaust duct. Does it take you two to three cycles to dry a load of laun- dry? If so, you may need to clean your dryer vent. One in five (21 percent) admit they never clean their clothes dryer ducts, unless they have a problem. But lint build- up can catch fire easily. More than15,000 dryer fires occurred nationwide from 2010- 2014, with the majority being ignited by dust, fiber and lint, according to the Nation- al Fire Protection Association. Avoid this disaster with a thorough cleaning at least once a year. ■ The fireplace chimney. Erie Insur- ance found nearly half (46 percent) of peo- ple who own a home with a fireplace never have their chimneys cleaned. However, uncleaned chimneys are a leading cause of structure fires, reports the National Fire Protection Association. So, get the chimney cleaned before the cold weather hits and you find yourself tossing logs in the hearth to keep the house toasty, and then have it cleaned annually. ■ The sump pump and pit. Sump pumps remove excess water from homes that would otherwise cause property dam- age. It's important to clean a sump pump and its pit annually to keep basements dry and help prevent mold growth and water damage. Do this maintenance project in fall to help protect against heavy rainfalls and accumulated melting snow and ice of win- ter. Does water leak into your basement dur- ing a bad rain storm? Are your block walls insufficiently sealed? Do you need gutters? Is the slope of your yard allowing the rain to run right down your base- ment? There are many things that can factor into water getting into your basement. Here are a couple of things that you can do to prevent this from happening. 1. Waterproofing paint to cover the block basement walls and help repel water from seeping in. 2. Watertite caulk to fill any gaps in the wall. ■ Make sure your walls are dry and clean before sealing with paint and caulk. ■ Add soil to the ground next to the house to create a slope that would push water away from the foundation of the house. Install gutters ■ Add rain gutter extensions to drain water farther away from your foundation. ■ The type of gutter used (aluminum, vinyl, etc.) will depend on your local cli- mate. ■ Use a leaf catch cover over the gutter to avoid your gutters clogging, which could damage your gutters or cause water to overfill and fall onto your foundation. The extra mile ■ Install a sump pump to automatically drain water from your basement if it returns. ■ If you have window wells, consider putting a cover over them to keep water from pooling near your window. ■ If not already present, consider adding floor drains to help drain any water flowage from your basement. Plastic flooring risers can be added to allow room for water to move freely and drain underneath wood, vinyl, or other traditional flooring. If you currently have water in your basement ■ Use a combination of mops, squeegees, and buckets to collect and dis- pose of standing water in your basement. ■ Use a dehumidifier to remove remain- ing water residue. Ensure the dehumidifi- er is rated to the size of your basement. Try tackling one of these late fall projects Tips for dealing with a leaky basement StatePoint With this year's late fall colors, you might still need to clear the gutters of leaves. Don't forget the downspouts.

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