Q: We are hosting family for the holidays. What should we check around the house?
A: Start with safety. Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector and change the batteries. Make sure outdoor steps and walkways are well lit. Guests do not know your house the way you do.
Then look at the guest bath. Fix the toilet that runs, the slow drain, and the shower that takes forever to get hot. These are small jobs, but they get noticed.
Go easy on the kitchen sink. Grease, potato peels, rice, and celery are hard on a disposal and your drain lines. The days after Thanksgiving are some of the busiest of the year for plumbers.
If your home is on a septic or aerobic system, plan for the extra load. Spread out laundry and dishwasher runs before and after the crowd arrives. Keep wipes and grease out of the toilet. Do not let guests park on the drain field or spray area. The weight of a car can crush the lines. And if your aerobic system alarm goes off, call your service company. Do not just silence it.
Q: We want a new patio or patio cover. Is fall a good time to build?
A: Fall is one of the best times. The weather is mild, crews are not fighting the heat, and concrete cures better than it does in the August sun. Here are a few things to sort out before you start.
Drainage comes first. A patio should slope away from the house so water does not sit against your foundation. Think about where the roof water will go too. A new cover adds a lot of roof area, and that water has to land somewhere.
Find out if you need a permit. Depending on where you live, a patio cover may need a city permit, county review, or nothing at all. If you have an HOA, plan on getting their approval first. If you are on septic, know where your system is before you dig. There are setback rules for building near it.
Decide between covered and open. Open patios cost less and feel bright. Covered patios add shade and let you use the space in July. In the Hill Country, west-facing patios get hit hard by afternoon sun, so a cover can make a big difference. If the cover attaches to the house, make sure it ties into the roof the right way. A bad tie-in is a common source of leaks.
Whether you are hosting or building, a little planning now makes the season a lot more enjoyable.
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