66 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • NOVEMBER 8, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
at home
A guide to getting your home and yard winter-ready
As the winter months approach, there’s
much to anticipate: hot drinks, football
games and getting cozy on those long,
chilly nights. While homeowners can
enjoy the comfort of the indoors, it’s still
important to ensure their property is well
prepared - inside and out - for chillier
temperatures, ice or snow during the fall
and winter seasons.
Use this checklist to ensure your house
is ready for cold weather.
Fix the cracks
Before temperatures really dip, check
for and seal off cracks and gaps in the
home to help keep heating bills down.
Walk the perimeter of the house, using
caulk to fi x any cracks in the foundation,
steps and windows. Th is is also a good
time to repair cracks in the driveway and
walkway to keep ice from widening them
in the winter months.
Feed the lawn now for thicker
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grass in the spring
When it comes to lawn care, the mix
of warm soil and cooler air creates ideal
conditions for thickening a thin lawn.
If you live in a cooler climate and your
lawn has grasses like Kentucky bluegrass,
fi ne fescue, perennial ryegrass, or tall fescue,
make the most of the opportunity
and apply Scotts(R) Turf Builder(R)
Th ick’R(TM) Lawn. Th is 3-in-1 solution
seeds to fi ll in gaps, feeds for thicker,
greener turf, and improves soil for
enhanced root development.
Watch for rodents
Th e last thing people want while relaxing
indoors is to fi nd unwanted guests
like mice nesting in the basement or
garage. Th ese rodents are unsanitary and
can damage wiring, insulation and wood.
To deter mice, store food - especially pet
food and wild bird seed - in hard containers
with fi tted lids. If there are signs
of mouse activity, set a trap and check
and empty it regularly. If you don’t want
to dispose of dead rodents, Tomcat(R)
Mouse Killer Child & Dog Resistant,
Refi llable Station makes it easier by killing
up to 12 mice per 1-ounce bait block,
based on no-choice laboratory testing.
Because this bait station is weather resistant,
it’s great for indoor and outdoor
use.
Tune up the furnace
A furnace needs a check-up in the fall
to ensure it is free of mechanical issues
that could cascade into a full breakdown.
For a relatively low fee, an HVAC technician
can perform a top-to-bottom inspection
and tune-up to make sure it’s ready
to keep everyone warm all season long.
Aft er inspection, maximize effi ciency by
changing the fi lters regularly and vacuuming
the registers.
Clear debris from gutters
and drain spouts
In the fall, homeowners should clear
leaves and other debris from gutters and
drain sprouts. Otherwise, blockages can
form, leading to water backups that damage
the roof and cause dangerous icicles
to form. A ladder, work gloves, trowel
and container to catch debris are all
the tools needed to get the job done in
an aft ernoon. It’s messy work, but it’s a
sure way to prevent many colder weather
headaches.
Getting your home in shape now will
not only keep it running smoothly during
the cold weather but will give you peace of
mind while enjoying fall activities.
Courtesy BPT
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