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Outdoor Maintenance - Decks
One way to maintain your deck's look after winter is to
clean it. Don't be alarmed. It's easy to
restore your deck to its natural beauty. Just follow these
simple steps:
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Clean away dirt & gray
weathered wood with an acid-free, biodegradable deck
cleaner. According to
Wolman Wood Care Products, you could use Wolman Deck
Brite which is, "tough on ground-in dirt, mildew and algae
stains, yet it's gentle to handle and safe to use near
grass, plants or shrubs."
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Protect your deck
against mildew, water damage & graying with a powerful
finish & preservative. According to
Wolman Wood Care Products, you could use Wolman's
Premium Wood Finish.
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With the work done, it
is now time to pull out your patio furniture and start
enjoying the weather.
Outdoor Maintenance - Lawns
Lawn Care
Mow frequently - Leave Clippings on Lawn-Cut no
more than 1" off each time-Leave grass 2.5-3.5" long. By
doing this, you add food & moisture to soil & weeds are less
likely to appear.
Watering - water early in
the morning to avoid evaporation. Evening or night watering
causes lawns to stay moist & promotes disease development.
Fertilize - According to
Robbinsdale Lawn & Garden
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May 1: 21-0-10 with crabgrass control
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June 1: 25-0-12 phosphorus free
broadleaf weed control-don't apply when seeding
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August 15: 25-0-15 phosphorus free
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September 15: 15-10-20 new starter /
winterizer (great for trees, shrubs & gardens)
Outdoor Maintenance - Roofs
Did your roof survive the winter?
(ARA) states that, "Winter months can be cruel
to your roof, your home's first line of defense against high
winds, heavy rains, sleet or snow . . . . Now that spring is
here, it's wise to give your roof a quick check-up."
Leaking roof systems
can result from several sources
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Cracks in flashing around chimney-vents
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Worn out/missing shingles
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Condensation from inadequate attic
ventilation
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Warning Signs |
Possible Cause(s) |
| Dark,
dirty-looking areas on roof |
Environmental
pollutants
Vegetation, fungus or algae
Loss of granules due to shingle age |
| Missing,
cracked or curling shingles |
Shingles
at end of life cycle |
| Leakage
in attic after driving rain |
Leaky or
inadequate shingle underlayment or deteriorated
flashing |
| Roof
shingle, sheathing and siding decay |
Poor
attic ventilation |
|
Blistering / peeling of outside paint |
Excessive
temperature or high humidity due to poor attic
ventilation |
| Stains on
interior ceilings/walls or mold and mildew growth |
Inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing
leakage or inadequate ventilation |
| Excessive
energy costs |
Insufficient attic ventilation allowing
heating/cooling system to run excessively |
A well-installed,
well-maintained roof is one of the most important things you
can do as a home owner. Note: "Beware!
- Roofing is one of the top reasons for complaint calls to
the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Look for an
established contractor, one with a track record they can
prove."
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