Fall Home Maintenance Series!

Essential Heating System Maintenance

By: Oliver Marks

Published: September 24, 2009

Getting your home's heating system professionally serviced every year will keep it running smoothly and help keep heating costs under control.

Who does the job?

The simplest way to get the work done is to hire your fuel company to do it. Oil companies and gas utilities usually provide this service, or you can hire the contractor who installed the equipment. Also, some plumbers handle heating systems.

What is involved?

The technician will clean soot and corrosion out of the combustion chamber where the fuel is burned, and check it for leaks or damage. He'll inspect the flue pipe for open seams, clogs, or corrosion that could cause carbon monoxide to backdraft into the house. He'll replace the filters on oil and forced-air systems. Finally, he'll test the exhaust from your cleaned machine and use the information to adjust the burner for maximum efficiency.

How much will it cost?

You'll pay between $100 and $180 for the service, depending largely on whether you have a gas system, which is easier to maintain, or oil, which requires a fair amount of soot removal. Usually the cost is covered by an annual maintenance contract that also provides 24-hour emergency service. While the technician is there, he should also service your water heater, assuming it has a separate oil or gas burner.

When is the best time to do the work?

Ideally, have your system tuned up in the fall so it's in top shape for the start of the heating season. Of course, that's when technicians are the busiest, so if you can't do it when you want, do it when you can—as long as your system is serviced once a year. And don't expect your provider to call to remind you that it's time. Even if you subscribe to an annual service plan, you still need to call to make an appointment. Call in the spring or summer to be sure of getting on the schedule in the fall.

A former carpenter and newspaper reporter, Oliver Marks has been writing about home improvements for 16 years. He's currently restoring his second fixer-upper with a mix of big hired projects and small do-it-himself jobs.

Fall Home Maintenance Series!

Repair Sagging and Leaking Rain Gutters to Save Money

By: Pat Curry

Published: October 8, 2010

Repairing sagging and leaking gutters is a simple task and can be tackled in a day.

How to fix leaky gutters

Seal leaky gutter joints and small holes using gutter sealant applied from the inside the gutter. A tube of sealant costs about $5.

Repair larger holes using a gutter patch kit or a scrap of metal flashing glued down with sealant. You’ll find patch kits at home improvement centers for about $10.

How to straighten sagging gutters

If you suspect a sag, get up on a ladder and sight down the length of the gutter. Gutters should be straight. Long gutters should have a peak in the middle to enable water to run toward downspouts at either end.

The problem area should be easy to spot. In most cases, you can simply reposition loose hangers, using a cordless drill or a hammer.

Here’s how to set stubborn sags straight:

• From the ground, prop a long, straight 1x4 or 2x4 brace under the sag.
• Get up on a ladder and remove a hanger or two near the sag.
• Sighting along the gutter, adjust the brace until the sag disappears.
• Replace the hangers. If needed, add one or two new hangers for extra support. They cost less than $3 each.

Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.

Fall Home Maintenance Series!

The Value of Home Maintenance

By: John Riha

Published: March 9, 2010

Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property.

“It’s the little things that tend to trip up people,” says Frank Lesh, former president of the American Society of Home Inspectors and owner of Home Sweet Home Inspection Co. in Chicago. “Some cracked caulk around the windows, or maybe a furnace filter that hasn’t been changed in awhile. It may not seem like much, but behind that caulk, water could get into your sheathing, causing mold and rot. Before you know it, you’re looking at a $5,000 repair that could have been prevented by a $4 tube of caulk and a half hour of your time.”

Maintenance affects property value

Outright damage to your house is just one of the consequences of neglected maintenance. Without regular upkeep, overall property values are affected.

“If a house is in worn condition and shows a lack of preventative maintenance, the property could easily lose 10% of its appraised value,” says Mack Strickland, a professional appraiser and real estate agent in Chester, Va. “That could translate into a $15,000 or $20,000 adjustment.”

In addition, a house with chipped, fading paint, sagging gutters, and worn carpeting faces an uphill battle when it comes time to sell. Not only is it at a disadvantage in comparison with other similar homes that might be for sale in the neighborhood, but a shaggy appearance is bound to turn off prospective buyers and depress the selling price.

“It’s simple marketing principles,” says Strickland. “First impressions mean a lot to price support.”

Prolonging economic age

To a professional appraiser, diligent maintenance doesn’t translate into higher property valuations the way that improvements, upgrades, and appreciation all increase a home’s worth. But good maintenance does affect an appraiser’s estimate of a property’s economic age—the number of years that a house is expected to survive.

Economic age is a key factor in helping appraisers determine depreciation—the rate at which a house is losing value. A well-maintained house with a long, healthy economic age depreciates at a much slower rate than a poorly maintained house, helping to preserve value.

Estimating the value of maintenance

Although professional appraisers don’t assign a positive value to home maintenance, there are indications that maintenance is not just about preventing little problems from becoming larger. A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University suggests that maintenance actually increases the value of a house by about 1% each year, meaning that getting off the couch and heading outside with a caulking gun is more than simply a chore—it actually makes money.

“It’s like going to the gym,” says Dr. John P. Harding, Professor of Finance & Real Estate at UConn’s School of Business and an author of the study. “You have to put in the effort to see the results. In that respect, people and houses are somewhat similar—the older (they are), the more work is needed.”

Harding notes that the 1% gain in valuation usually is offset by the ongoing cost of maintenance. “Simply put,” he says, “maintenance costs money, so it’s probably best to say that the net effect of regular maintenance is to slow the rate of depreciation.”

How much does maintenance cost?

How much money is required for annual maintenance varies. Some years, routine tasks, such as cleaning gutters and changing furnace filters, are all that’s needed, and your total expenditures may be a few hundred dollars. Other years may include major replacements, such as a new roof, at a cost of $10,000 or more.

Over time, annual maintenance costs average more than $3,300, according to data from the U.S. Census. Various lending institutions, such as Directors Credit Union and LendingTree.com, agree, placing maintenance costs at 1% to 3% of initial house price. That means owners of a $200,000 house should plan to budget $2,000 to $6,000 per year for ongoing upkeep and replacements.

Proactive maintenance strategies

Knowing these average costs can help homeowners be prepared, says Melanie McLane, a professional appraiser and real estate agent in Williamsport, Pa. “It’s called reserve for replacements,” says McLane. “Commercial real estate investors use it to make sure they have enough cash on hand for replacing systems and materials.”

McLane suggests a similar strategy for homeowners, setting aside a cash reserve that’s used strictly for home repair and maintenance. That way, routine upkeep is a snap and any significant replacements won’t blindside the family budget. McLane’s other strategies include:

Play offense, not defense. Proactive maintenance is key to preventing small problems from becoming big issues. Take the initiative with regular inspections. Create and faithfully follow a maintenance schedule. If you’re unsure of what needs to be done, a $200 to $300 visit from a professional inspector can be invaluable in pointing out quick fixes and potential problems.

Plan a room-per-year redo. “Pick a different room every year and go through it, fixing and improving as you go,” says McLane. “That helps keep maintenance fun and interesting.”

Keep track. “Having a notebook of all your maintenance and upgrades, along with receipts, is a powerful tool when it comes to sell your home,” advises McLane. “It gets rid of any doubts for the buyer, and it says you are a meticulous, caring homeowner.” A maintenance record also proves repairs and replacements for systems, such as wiring and plumbing, which might not be readily apparent.

John Riha has written six books on home improvement and hundreds of articles on home-related topics. He’s been a residential builder, the editorial director of the Black & Decker Home Improvement Library, and the executive editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. His standard 1968 suburban house has been an ongoing source of maintenance experience.

BSU wins in Chick Fill A Georgia Opener!

Congratulations go out once again to the Boise State Broncos with their season opening win over SEC power Georgia Bulldogs.  The final score 35 – 21, making the Broncos one of the few strong BCS contenders to survive the first game of the 2011 season.

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Saturday September 3, 2011
Governor's Cup Competition

6:30am - Pilot Briefing at Ann Morrison Pilot Briefing Tent

7:03am - Military A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) “Fly By”
Two A-10 Warthogs from Gowen Field will over fly the Park on cue at a specific moment during a musical salute to America. The jets and pilots are from the 190th Fighter Squadron based at Gowen Field here in Boise.

7:15am - Competition Day Launch
This is “Competition Day” at the Spirit of Boise-Balloon Classic. Pilots will be assigned a navigational task to challenge their flying skills and the winning pilot will be awarded the “Governor’s Cup for Aviation Excellence”. The community is encouraged to come to Ann Morrison Park to cheer on the balloon pilots as they compete.

Pilots will also have the opportunity to go “Balloon Bowling” again this year as they attempt to knock over six (6) strategically placed “porta potties” in the park. Porta Potty “Balloon Bowling” or “Outhouse Balloon Bowling” as it is sometimes called is unique to Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic (in the ballooning world) and one of the Balloon Classic’s most popular aspects.

See a sample of “Outhouse Balloon Bowling” at : http://www.lighterthanairamerica.com/coke/outhousebowling.html

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Friday September 2, 2011
V.I.P. Day & Night Glow

7:03am - Military A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog) Fly ByTwo A-10 Warthogs from Gowen Field will over fly the Park on cue at a specific moment during a musical salute to America. The jets and pilots are from the 190th Fighter Squadron based at Gowen Field here in Boise.

7:05am - Tribute Launch to local businessman, Ernie CarrErnie Carr, founder of RE/MAX of Boise was the very first person to agree to sponsor the Ann Morrison Park based Boise River Festival balloon rally. He was a friend of ballooning and was responsible for giving Scott Spencer his start in Corporate Ballooning.

This special launch has become a traditional “salute” and “good-bye” to lost friends of the Boise and Northwest ballooning community.

7:15am - Inflation and lift off from Ann Morrison Park
Friday's Call to Inflate by Lt. Governor Brad Little
V.I.P. Day is the day that we honor those who make the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic possible with their financial support by taking them aloft with us for a flight. Expect to see all 40 balloons at this launch.

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Thursday September 1, 2011
Jr. High School Day and Media Day

7:00am - Inflation and lift off from Ann Morrison Park
7:15am - Call to Inflate by Mayor David Beiter
In addition to this morning’s first competitive task of the 2011 Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, the initial inflation process will cater to will cater to Jr. High School field trips to the Ann Morrison Park launch site.

A special, more detailed program designed to educate Boise’s Jr. High aged children on topics ranging from weather, decision making and ballooning to coordinating crew and chase teams will be presented. We expect about 20 balloons.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Micron Foundation, students, from math and science departments outside the Boise area, who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to attend the Balloon Classic, will be bussed in from outlying communities. Students will have an opportunity to learn (with Scott Spencer, Event Producer and Disney balloon pilot) about the history of ballooning and the equipment that makes up a modern hot air balloon. Students will also be taught (by Larry Gebert, Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic Official Meteorologist) what makes a “good weather day” for balloon pilots.

Thursday's messages to the students will be geared toward children grades 7 – 9.

Thursday's launch will carry members of the local print & electronic media in what has become a tradition at Balloon Classic.