Hit The Deck

If you didn't get around to cleaning and treating the deck last spring, now is the time. You could easily put off the job until next spring but fall is a great time to do it. Winter weather can be just as harsh to a deck as the baking sun of summer. When boards are wet and then freeze and thaw, it hurts the wood. And remember, decks that spend the summer in shade are exposed to the sun all winter. Clean and treat your deck, following product instructions closely, and you can add years to the life of your deck.

Plumbing Futures

The easiest and cheapest time to put in pipes is during initial construction. Remodeling costs significantly more because walls have to be opened up and things moved or rerouted. If you're building new or remodeling, think about the possible future uses and needs of the living space. Roughing in pipes is easy and inexpensive when the framing is open. Run the pipes now for that basement bathroom or finished attic of the future.

- Stephen Corwin Wood Storage

In many places, the seasons are about to change from warm to cool -- in some places it already has! If you're already thinking about cozy times around the fireplace, you've probably thought about the woodpile too. If you're lying in wood for the winter, store it away from the house (or any structure). Termites love woodpiles and it's a short hop from the pile to the house if they're next to each other. In addition, anything stored next to the house will make your regular insect inspections harder to do.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001