This month, I wanted to share a few blogs with you that I have enjoyed reading. Let’s start with something spooky… it’s almost Halloween, after all.
A Little Fun. A Little Fright. Southern Living’s Picks for Halloween Flicks to Watch With the Whole Family
The Haunted Mansion, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Hocus Pocus are just a few of the spooktacular movies that made their list. Grab the popcorn and snuggle up with friends and family to enjoy these frightfully fun flicks.
When I shared the list with my teammate Ryan Boone, we started talking about our favorite Halloween movies. Mine is Practical Magic and Ryan’s is Friday the 13th. Our movie picks are better suited for an older audience so put the kids to bed and enjoy a glass of wine while you watch. 🍷
Preparing Your Home for Fall: Don’t Forget These Fall Maintenance Tips This Season!
HomeTeam of Triangle sent out a great newsletter earlier this month that featured home maintenance tips to get your house ready for the season and into the winter. Make sure you sign up to receive their emails and check out the list below.
Inside:
- Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. Seal any drafts by weatherstripping. Use materials like vinyl, silicone or metal instead of felt or foam, which aren’t as durable.
- Caulk anywhere you can’t use weatherstrips (where materials meet—foundation and wall, openings where ducting, plumbing, and electrical cables pass through, etc.).
- Have your furnace serviced before winter and be sure to change out the filter for improved efficiency.
- Bleed your hot water radiator. Doing so will release trapped air and pump out hot water used to heat the house. Find the valve and use a screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise until water drips out. Use a bowl to collect the water.
- Check your fireplace. Make sure the damper opens and closes, ensure no wildlife or debris have made it into the flue, and check the firebox for missing bricks or cracked mortar.
- Clean your carpets. Fall is a great time for this because you can open windows and allow the carpets to air dry without it being too hot or cold.
Outside:
- Clean out those gutters! You can even install gutter guards to prevent leaves from clogging them up.
- Touch up exterior paint before it gets too cold. Paint can’t dry properly if it’s below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aerate your lawn. This is a process of poking holes in the grass to let it “breathe,” allowing water and nutrients to enter. Do this in the fall while the ground is still warm to prevent patches and reduce puddles by the time spring rolls around.
- Winterize your sprinkler system to prevent pipes from bursting. Close shut off valves and open the faucet to drain water from the line.
- Evaluate the roof using binoculars. Check shingles for cracks, curls, and other damage. Look for signs of flashing. If the roof is inaccessible, you can always hire a professional. Get any issues fixed before the first snowfall.
- Pack up patio furniture and store away the lawnmower. It’s a good idea to add a fuel stabilizer to any leftover gas in your mower to prevent it from degrading.
HomeTeam of Triangle provides fast, trusted, and accurate home inspections.
Better Homes & Gardens: 18 of the Most Colorful Japanese Maple Trees for Your Yard
If you are looking for a fun and elegant way to add some color to your yard, a Japanese Maple would be the perfect addition. Better Homes & Gardens did the research for you so you can find out the size, growing conditions, where to purchase Japanese Maple Trees, and more.
Are there any fun blogs or newsletters that you love? Please share them with me at Annie@HudsonResidential.com. I am always looking for something new to read.