Fall / Winter Checklist for Homeowners

10/25/2022 (Permalink)

The air is starting to get cooler, and the leaves are changing colors and beginning to fall from the trees.  Fall is here, and winter will be creeping up on us before we know it!  With the change from warmer to colder weather comes a list of home maintenance tasks that homeowners should consider to keep their homes in the best possible conditions for the cold weather season.

Clean or replace your gutters.  Leaves and other debris can clog your gutters and downspouts and cause them to not drain properly, which may lead to ice dams on your roof or leaks in your home’s foundation.

Inspect your roof for loose or damaged shingles.  You don’t want snow and ice coming through your roof and creating interior damage as well!  Better to get repairs done now than in the dead of winter.

Check your windows and doors for drafts and air leaks.  Adding caulk or weather stripping can help minimize cold air leakage into your home, which will not only increase your comfort, but can also help you save on heating costs.

Change your furnace filter and schedule furnace maintenance when needed.  Changing your filter regularly will help keep your air quality high and your energy bills lower.  Having your furnace cleaned and inspected by a qualified HVAC company can often help extend the life of your furnace unit.

Remove exterior hoses and cover up outside water spigots.  Any outside hoses should be emptied of water and moved indoors.  Spigot covers can help keep exterior pipes from freezing and can be purchased at any hardware store.

Test and clean your fireplace and sweep your chimney.  Removing soot and creosote buildup not only reduces the risk of chimney fires, but can also improve the efficiency of your fireplace.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Although this should be done all year, the end of daylight savings time when we change our clocks back can also be a convenient reminder to test our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change the batteries if needed.

Clean and organize your garage, and find your rakes and snow shovels.  Get rid of any trash, put away bicycles, lawn maintenance tools, and any other items you don’t plan to use often in the cold weather months.  Make sure your rakes, shovels, and snowblower are easily accessible for fall and winter.

Store away outdoor furniture.  Since we live in Michigan, we probably won’t be using our patio furniture again until late spring.  Moving it inside into a garage or shed for the winter will help extend its life by keeping it out of the elements where it can become damaged from snow and ice.  Another option is to cover it up. 

Inspect your driveway and fill in any cracks.  The freezing and thawing conditions of winter can sometimes cause cracks to develop in the cement.  Fall is a great time to fill any cracks from the previous winter to prevent any further damage.

Check your attic and/or crawlspace for pests.  The best pest control is prevention.  Repair any cracks or holes to prevent insects and rodents from coming in to seek refuge from the cold.  Be sure to get any current infestations under control to keep them from worsening.  Call a pest control company if needed.

Supporting our community

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

Paula's House Annual Golf Outing 2019

SERVPRO of Carleton/Maybee is proud to be a supporter of Paula's House in Monroe County.  This non-profit organization is a long-term transition home for women in recovery and their children.  The primary goal of Paula's House is for women to live in a safe environment and face their addictions while living a sober lifestyle. Our very own marketing rep, Stephanie Callahan, is a member of the board of directors for Paula's House.  Here is a photo from a recent Golf Outing Fundraiser to benefit the homes.  SERVPRO of Carleton/Maybee strives to support the communities in which we work and live and this is just one example of our commitment to do so.  We're in Your community and we're Here to help you!

Pedal Level Pebble

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

And we're off!

SERVPRO of Carleton/Maybee is proud to support our Flat Rock Area Rotary in the annual Pedal Level Pebble!  Here is our very own marketing manager, Stephanie along with some of her family in the 1st Annual Flat Rock Rotary Pedal Level Pebble.  This annual fundraiser goes to help fund the local "shopping with heroes" event each year where less fortunate children are brought in to do Christmas shopping with local police officers and fire fighters.  Rotary is founded on the belief of service above self and works within the community to better the lives of it's residents and those in need worldwide.  SERVPRO of Carleton/Maybee is looking forward to the next annual Pedal Level Pebble.

Brownstown Residents: Know the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

This is an example of one of the more inexpensive carbon monoxide detectors on the market.

Carbon monoxide has long been known as the “silent killer.”  Colorless, tasteless, and odorless, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most difficult gasses to detect.

What are the causes of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide can be created by space heaters, open flames, gas appliances, generators, grilling, a blocked chimney, or even a running car in an enclosed space. That is why it is imperative to install and operate appliances as the manufacturer recommends to decrease the chances of carbon monoxide levels rising.

How do I know if I've been affected?

Carbon monoxide prevents the blood from being able to carry oxygen.  Symptoms are similar to those of the flu, without the fever. Other symptoms include dizziness, severe headache, confusion, fast heart rate, convulsions, and even unconsciousness.  Left in a situation with heightened levels of carbon monoxide, brain damage could occur or even death.

If you think you may have higher than normal carbon monoxide levels in your home, do not ignore it! If you are not experiencing symptoms, immediately open doors and windows to air out the area, turn off the source and call the Fire Department.  If you are experiencing any of the above, get to fresh air immediately and call 911 from a neighbor’s home.

So how do you protect yourself?

Luckily, there are carbon monoxide detectors that measure levels over a period of time, and give you adequate time to either ventilate the area or evacuate. They are reasonably priced, starting from around $12 and going to over $100 depending on how high tech you are looking for, and can be self monitored, or system connected and monitored like your home security system.

It is recommended that there is one on each floor, and especially outside of sleeping areas.  Sensors should be at least 15 feet away from fuel burning appliances, and tested once a week.  Sensors last typically 2-5 years, but routine maintenance is encouraged. Every month the unit should be unplugged and either vacuumed or wiped with a dry cloth to remove any dust.

Don’t put you and your family in danger!  Know the hazards of carbon monoxide and how to keep your home and loved ones safe!