Soggy Spring and Scorching Summer Add to Fall Home Maintenance Needs

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-three of the forty-eight continental states experienced above-average rainfall last spring (not to mention more rainfall in the past few weeks for much of the South and North.) An extremely warm summer followed "hot on the heels" of all that rain. The result? Many outdoor spring cleaning projects did not get marked off the homeowner's to-do list. Fall offers one more chance to get outdoor spaces and gear clean and protected before winter's arrival puts the deep freeze on outdoor projects.

• Start at the top. For a small space, clogged gutters can cause big damage, because water doesn't drain properly. Instead, it can damage everything from the foundation, wood and landscaping to the roof – and it can even find its way indoors to cause damage there. Check out tools that allow you to bypass the ladder and clean the gutters from the ground.
• Wet paint. Jeff Wilson, host of multiple programs on the diy network and HGTV, says, "I worked for a painter who said a paint job would last twice as long if you cleaned the siding every two years.  Removing dirt and killing the mold, mildew, and algae on a surface helps to eliminate some of the paint's enemies." Take the opportunity to check for bare patches of wood where the paint has blistered and peeled. Since exterior coatings like paint and stains shouldn't be applied when temperatures are over 90 degrees, fall is a good time for touchups.
• Don't Pay The Price For Snow and Ice. Wood decks and fences, as well as concrete walkways and patios, can all be damaged over the winter by water absorption and repeated freeze/thaw cycles (or wet/dry cycles), which cause cracking. (De-icing salts can also damage concrete surfaces.) Clean them, then apply a waterproofing coating to stop water absorption over the winter. (These types of products do recommend minimum temperature guidelines for application, so check the label on the product you are using.)

To help speed cleaning, use a cleaner that works on a variety of surfaces. Thompson's® Water Seal® Oxy Foaming Action Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner removes stains from dirt, mildew, algae and fungus. And it works on everything from wood and composite decks to concrete, masonry, brick, stucco, outdoor furniture, roofs, siding and some fabrics such as awnings and vinyl plastics. The 32-ounce concentrate makes up to five gallons of cleaning solution, and the formula is biodegradable. The Thompson's Water Seal web site and Facebook pages have multiple videos and extensive information on cleaning and protecting outdoor surfaces.

• Bring It On Inside: It's also a good idea to clean any outdoor furniture, cushions or hammocks that you're going to store and bring in fragile garden decor or pots. (If you want to enjoy your deck or patio over the winter, there are many great outdoor heaters that look stylish while keeping you warm.) Put your lawnmower to sleep for the winter by sharpening the blade, changing the oil, and adding a bit of fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Do the same for trimmers, tillers, etc. All other gardening tools should be cleaned, sharpened if necessary, and lightly oiled before putting them away, too (after you plant your bulbs!).

Next, drain hoses. Any water left in them may freeze, expand, and burst the hose, so this is a critical step. While many newer homes will have frost-free spigots outside, older homes won't, so shut them off from the inside if possible or cover them with an insulated cover if it regularly falls below freezing (about $2 each).

• Clean-Up On Good Deals: Reward yourself and get ready to greet spring, 2012 in style. Late summer is the time retailers offer great clearance discounts on all types of outdoor furniture, cushions and accessories. Check online as well as traditional "brick and mortar" stores.

No matter how wet, windy or wicked the weather is, you can transform your outdoor living space if you're the winner of $10,000 from the Thompson's® Water Seal® Deck of Your Dreams Sweepstakes. Enter at www.thompsonswaterseal.com through October 1 for a chance to win the cash prize and an in-person visit from diy network/HGTV star Jeff Wilson to help you create a one-of-a-kind "deck-scape."  

SOURCE Thompson's Water Seal