10 Broadcaster Press September 26, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com F all Home Improvement & Car Care Home Improvement Campers’ Guide To RV Projects For Your Care And Maintenance Fall To-Do List Homeowners know that maintaining a home can be a year-round job. No home is immune to wear and tear, and homeowners who want to protect their real estate investments should try to stay two steps ahead to ensure their homes do not succumb to the elements or become outdated and unappealing to prospective buyers. Fall has become a season that’s synonymous with home improvement, but homeowners need not wait until the leaves begin changing colors to start planning their next projects. The following are a few items homeowners can add to their fall home improvement to-do lists. Roof inspection Less precipitation tends to fall during the warmer months than during the late fall and winter. As a result, homeowners may not be aware of leaky roofs until autumn has come and gone. But waiting until winter to inspect the roof can prove disastrous, as weather conditions will not be conducive to inspection and increased precipitation may result in potentially costly damage. Leaky roofs can be easily identified by looking for water stains on interior ceilings. Once you see a stain, you can climb onto the roof to identify the location of the leak and fix it before winter rains and snowfall turn the problem into something much larger. Inspect your ceilings for signs of leaking after a strong rainfall, and then address any leaks immediately. Gutter cleaning While some homeowners prefer to delay their gutter cleaning projects until late fall, those whose homes are surrounded by trees may need to schedule two such projects. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris can cause serious roof damage, and that damage can extend all the way inside a home. In addition, clogged gutters make great nesting areas for insects or critters. Always stand on a ladder when cleaning gutters, wearing gloves to remove items by hand and dropping leaves and debris into a trash can below. Standing on the roof and leaning over gutters greatly increases your risk of injury. If the gutters are clear when you first examine them in early fall, you can wait until later in the season to give them a complete and thorough cleaning. Once you have finished clearing the gutters, you can use a hose to run water through them and the downspouts to confirm everything is functioning properly. Window and doorway inspection Before temperatures start dropping once again, homeowners will want to inspect their windows and doorways for leaks. Over time, cracks can develop around windows and doorways, and while such cracks are rarely noticeable when the weather outside is warm, they can be quite obvious and very costly if they remain unsealed come the start of winter. Cold air can enter a home through cracks around windows and doorways, and many homeowners who don’t suspect leaks may respond by turning up the thermostats in their homes. That can prove quite expensive over a full winter. Choose a windy autumn day to place a hand by windows and external doorways in your home to see if you can feel drafts. If you can, seal these cracks as soon as possible. Patio cleanup Patios are popular hangouts during spring and summer, and that can result in a lot of wear and tear. Once you store patio furniture for the winter, inspect your entire patio to determine if it needs any refurbishing. While certain patio projects may be best left for spring, you can still clean any stained areas around the grill and look for cracks in the sidewalk that need to be addressed. Preparing for fall home improvement projects ahead of time can help homeowners complete projects in a timely manner and ensures they won’t be forced to brave the winter elements when refurbishing their homes. ? MetroCreative Connection Sometimes referred to as recreational vehicles, travel trailers or campers, RVs are popular. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, RV shipments through February 2017 totaled 73,287 units. This represents an increase of 8.6 percent from the same period in 2016. In fact, RV shipments have increased for seven consecutive years. This popularity might be driven by the affordability and convenience of vacationing in an RV. Essentially hotels or homes on wheels, campers provide many amenities in a compact package. RVs can be enjoyable, but mechanical failures and other problems can happen. Regular maintenance, care and examination is necessary to avoid trip interruptions. According to the recreational vehicle advice gurus at Do It Yourself RV, RVs require all of the standard maintenance of a car plus much more. •Schedule oil changes and filter replacement. To keep the hard-working engine of an RV operating at optimal capacity, oil changes and air filter replacements should be conducted at regular intervals and in adherence to the owner’s it also helps the engine run cooler in hot temperatures. Wait for the RV to cool down before checking fluids. • Periodically run the generator. RV generators shouldn’t go unused for too long. Gasoline has a short shelf life, and after time it can break down, condense and damage the generator’s internal components. Run the generator if the RV has not been used for a while. Be sure to change the oil and filter of the generator regularly as well. • Drain and clean water and waste systems. Water systems can benefit from being drained periodically and flushed with clean, fresh water. The disposal waste system needs to be drained as indicated in the owner’s manual. • Lubricate joints and slide-out rails. Avoid rust and corrosion by spraying moving parts with a lubricant spray. RVs can be a home away from home while vacationing or touring the country. With proper maintenance, they can run like new for years. manual. Such maintenance prevents engines from seizing. • Keep it covered. RV roofs are susceptible to sun and environmental damage. Store the RV under a steel RV carport or cover it using a product specifically designed for an RV. Remember to routinely inspect and clean the roof of the camper as well. • Check for leaks. Look under the RV and/or tow vehicle for any signs of leaks. Repair leaks promptly. Transmission fluid leaks can lead to vehicle fires. When checking for leaks, check fluid levels to ensure they’re at the proper level. This includes engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, and brake fluid. • Check radiator coolant. Radiator coolant is another important fluid to check. Antifreeze protects the engine ? MetroCreativeConnection in cold temperatures, but Klumper’s Construction Cement, Insulation, Tile, New Construction, Remodeling & General Home Repairs 605-214-3830 Chris Klumper, Beresford SD • view our work on facebook • AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION REPAIR • PAINT • FRAMEWORK • GLASS REPLACEMENT HOURS: M-F 9AM-6PM SAT 9AM-12PM 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com CALL TODAY! ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK - FREE ESTIMATES Whirlpool® 3.5 CU FT Top Load Washer with Deep Water Wash Option Whirlpool® 7.0 CU FT Electric Dryer with Heavy Duty Cycle Your choice $449 MSRP $599 Bobcats • Crane • Dozers • Excavators • Grader Grain Trailer • Scrapers • Side Dumps • Trenchers Irrigation Sales & Service Vermillion, SD (605)670-9567 Hartington, NE (402)254-2568 Licensed in SD, NE & IA Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed, Well Drilling Domestic & Irrigation Pump Installation WATERLINE & ELECTRIC TRENCHING Tree & Concrete Removal, Site Clearing, & Ditch Trenching 5 W Main St • Vermillion • (605)624-7491