Suggestions for Fall Maintenance

Your Home – Fall Maintenance

Now that we’re preparing for fall and winter, it’s a great time to make sure that you are performing the routine maintenance on your home before the winter weather sets in. By regularly performing these simple maintenance tips on your home, you can avoid costly repairs down the road. If you own a second home or vacation home, don’t forget that it can be even more important to perform this maintenance to avoid any water or heating damage from happening when you’re not there.

Be sure to clean your windows and check your window seals to ensure they are free of dirt and debris. Dirty seals can cause drafts in your home and lead to higher energy bills.

Make sure you inspect your furnace before the colder weather sets in. Make sure the filters are clean and replace them if necessary. If you have not had your heating unit inspected this year, you may want to hire a professional to come inspect your unit before you use it.

If you are concerned with frost and colder weather, be sure to insulate your pipes.

Inspect your rain gutters to ensure that they are free of debris (you should clean your gutters every spring and fall to avoid costly water damage).

Check your smoke detector batteries while you’re at it to ensure they are working properly.

By performing these regular maintenance activities you can avoid costly water damage to your home and make the holiday season free of unanticipated stress.

Bob

Veteran's Day in San Diego

Another beautiful day. A day to honor those who have served our country, including my Father who served in the Air Force during the Korean War; and my Father-in-Law who served in the Navy during WWII.

My dad served stateside in California. He was in the Air Force and served as an accountant. And oh-boy did he have stories!

My father, Bill, served at Camp Stoneman in Northern California. They were responsible for processing service men and women overseas, and returning from, the conflict. They felt as if they were in the vortex of everything happening.

When he passed away, we found out he was entitled to a niche at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Pt. Loma (San Diego). We were proud that his country remembered and honored him with this benefit. His view is looking out to the Pacific Ocean, very near the picture shown.

My wife's father, Armand, served in the Navy during WWII. He was a hard hat diver and served in the South Pacific. He was stationed on a small island after the war, name Eniwetok, which became famous as an atomic test site. They would line up some worn out ships off shore to test the bombs on, and then line up the sailors on shore to watch the bombs go off!! Wow, what a sight. Few have seen so many bombs go off, so close.

Then the next day the Navy would have Armand dive on the bomb site and go down to asses the damage to the ships that had been sunk. Once he brought up a giant clam shell from the sea bed and shipped it home. My wife has 1/2 in our backyard, and her sister has the other 1/2 in her backyard. We swear it glows in the dark.

Needless to say Armand had a little glow going himself, and cancer eventually caught up with him. There is some bitterness that he was put in that position, but they really didn't know what they were doing. No, I am not a "believer" that government wouldn't try something funny, but in this case a little research showed that they were dragging U.S. Senators, Congressmen and other high ranking officials out to the islands, so they too could enjoy "the bomb!" They lined them up on shore, on ships, and in planes to watch the might and power of the US. So in this case I don't believe they knew what they were doing.

Armand too was remembered by his country and the Navy with honors. He too has a marker at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

So on Veteran's Day, we say "Thanks!" Thanks to you, and the rest of the Greatest Generation! You built a wonderful country to live in, raise a family in, and enjoy the highest standard of living in history. We owe it all to you. So, again, Thank You!!!

Bob