Why Fall Gutter Cleaning is a Must-Do 🍂🧼

As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, it’s time to think about more than just your cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes. Fall is also the perfect time to tackle a crucial home maintenance task: cleaning your gutters! Whether you have covered gutters or live in the South, removing debris is vital to ensuring proper drainage.

The Leafy Build-Up: Not Just a Mess

As beautiful as those fall leaves are, they have a sneaky way of clogging your gutters. When leaves, twigs, and other debris accumulate, they can block the flow of rainwater. This can lead to several issues, including:

Ice Dams: When gutters are clogged, rainwater can back up and freeze. This creates ice dams, which are essentially frozen barriers that prevent water from draining properly. When ice dams form, they can cause water to seep under your roof shingles, leading to leaks and water damage inside your home.

Erosion: Overflowing gutters don’t just affect your home—they also wreak havoc on your yard. Water that spills over can erode soil, damage landscaping, and create unsightly puddles or even flooding in your yard. This erosion can undermine the foundation of your home if not addressed. 

The Benefits of a Gutter Clean-Up

Prevent Water Damage: By cleaning out your gutters, you ensure that rainwater is directed away from your home properly. This helps prevent leaks, water damage, and potential mold growth.

Extend Gutter Life: Regular cleaning reduces the risk of rust and deterioration, extending the life of your gutters and saving you money on replacements.

Maintain Curb Appeal: Clean gutters look better and contribute to the overall neatness of your home. Plus, it’s one less thing you’ll need to worry about when winter arrives.

Cleaning your gutters might not be the most exciting fall activity, but it’s essential for protecting your home. By taking care of those gutters now, you can avoid ice dams, prevent erosion, and keep your home in tip-top shape. So grab those gloves and a ladder, and get to cleaning! 

Fall is here, and with it comes the annual task of yard cleanup. The vibrant colors of autumn are beautiful, but the fallen leaves and leftover pumpkins can turn your yard into a bit of a mess. Let’s break down how to handle those leaves—mulching vs. raking—and what to do with those Halloween pumpkins.

Mulching Leaves: A Garden’s Best Friend 🍁🌿

Mulching leaves is like giving your yard a nutritious snack! By using a lawnmower with a mulching blade, you chop leaves into tiny pieces that decompose and enrich your soil. Here are some more pros and cons:

Pros:

Soil Boost: Mulched leaves turn into compost, adding essential nutrients to your garden soil.

Less Work: No need to bag up the leaves or haul them away—just mow and go!

Moisture and Weed Control: Mulch helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Cons:

Leaf Thickness: If you have too many leaves, they might need to be raked first or spread thinly to avoid smothering your grass.

Appearance: If you choose not to bag the leaves while mowing, it can make your yard look messy.

Raking Leaves: The Classic Choice 🍂🧹

Raking is the time-honored way to handle fallen leaves. You gather them into piles, which can be bagged for disposal or composted.

Pros:

Neat Appearance: Raking gives your yard a crisp, clean look.

Flexible Disposal: You can compost the leaves or bag them for yard waste pickup.

Cons:

Labor-Intensive: Raking can be hard work, especially if you have a lot of leaves.

Waste Management: Bagging leaves means they could end up in a landfill unless you compost them.

Whether you choose to mulch or rake, it’s important to remember that if you have a pup be careful of what you pick up. Similarly, get those bags out for disposal. Storing bags of leaves with dog waste can make for a smelly garage all winter.

Pumpkin Disposal: A Treat for the Soil 🎃♻️

After Halloween, pumpkins can add to the mess. Throwing a pumpkin in the trash is easy, but bad for the environmental. When pumpkins end up in landfills, they break down anaerobically (without oxygen), releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Instead of tossing them in the trash, consider these eco-friendly options:

Composting: Pumpkins break down easily in compost piles, enriching the soil.

Wildlife Feed: Cut them up and leave them outside for birds and other wildlife to enjoy.

Farm Donations: Some cities have a drop-off program where the pumpkins are returned to farms and used for composting.

If your community does not offer a drop-off or composting option, you can become a community leader and start your own program. Many businesses and local government want to support green initiatives.

Whether you’re mulching leaves, raking them up, or disposing of pumpkins, a little fall cleanup goes a long way in keeping your yard looking its best. Embrace the season and enjoy the crisp autumn air while giving your yard some TLC! 🍂🌟

Keeping Your Driveway in Top Shape: Seal Coating, Salt, and Cracks

Your driveway might not be the most glamorous part of your home, but keeping it in good shape is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. Whether it’s the scorching summer sun or the freezing winter cold, your driveway endures a lot. Let’s learn more about seal coating, using salt in winter, and how to handle those pesky cracks.

Seal Coating: The Secret to Longevity

Seal coating is like giving your driveway a protective shield. This liquid coating helps to seal small cracks, protect against oil stains, and shield the asphalt from the harsh effects of weather. But how often should you apply it?

Recommended Frequency: Most experts suggest seal coating your asphalt driveway every 2 to 3 years. This frequency depends on your driveway’s condition and your local climate. In regions with extreme weather changes, you might need to do it more often to protect against the elements.

Benefits of Seal Coating:

Protection from the Elements: Seal coating acts as a barrier against UV rays, rain, and snow, which can deteriorate the asphalt over time.

Improved Appearance: It gives your driveway a fresh, black look that enhances your home’s curb appeal.

Cost-Effective: Regular seal coating can extend the life of your driveway and save you money on more expensive repairs in the long run.

Salt in Winter: Friend or Foe?

When winter arrives, salt is often used to melt ice and keep driveways safe. But how friendly is salt to your asphalt?

Pros of Using Salt:

Prevents Ice Formation: Salt helps to keep ice from forming, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Cost-Effective: It’s relatively inexpensive and readily available, making it a popular choice for many homeowners.

Cons of Using Salt:

Damage to Asphalt: Salt can accelerate the deterioration of asphalt by causing it to break down and lose its elasticity. Over time, this can lead to cracks and potholes.

Environmental Concerns: Salt can harm plants and grass, leading to environmental damage.

Handling Cracks in Cement and Asphalt

Cracks are a common issue in both cement and asphalt driveways. They can result from weather, heavy traffic, or simply age. Here’s what to check for and how to address them:

Size and Depth:

Small Cracks (Less than 1/4 inch): These are usually cosmetic but can be sealed with a simple crack filler to prevent water infiltration.

Large Cracks (Over 1/4 inch): Larger cracks may indicate more significant issues. They should be cleaned, filled with a quality crack filler, and possibly patched with asphalt or concrete mix.

Location:

Surface Cracks: These are usually caused by weathering or slight settling. They can often be repaired with a sealant or filler.

Structural Cracks: If cracks are wide or seem to be spreading, this might indicate a structural problem. Consult a professional to assess and repair these issues.

Regular Inspections:

Conduct a visual inspection of your driveway at least twice a year. Look for any signs of wear and tear, and address small issues before they become major problems.

Taking care of your driveway might seem like a small task, but it’s essential for maintaining both its appearance and functionality. Regular seal coating, cautious use of salt in winter, and prompt attention to cracks will keep your driveway in excellent shape for years to come. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your sealant, and give your driveway the care it deserves!

Fall is near! Pumpkin patches, apple picking, football and of course Fall Clean Up. Don’t wait too long to trim your shrubs and bushes as it can expose them to disease and winter freezing. The best time to trim shrubs and trees depends on the type of plant and your location. Check out this website, https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ to see your plant hardiness zone. This is a great resource for determining what plants work best in your climate zone. When it come it comes to maintaining your shrubs and trees, here are general guidelines:

1. Late Winter to Early Spring (Dormant Season)

This is often the best time to prune most trees and shrubs, just before new growth starts. Pruning during this time promotes healthy growth, prevents disease, and improves the shape of the plant.

• Deciduous trees: Prune in late winter (February to early March) when they are still dormant.
• Fruit trees: Late winter or early spring promotes good fruit production.
• Flowering shrubs: If they bloom on new wood (like butterfly bushes or roses), prune in late winter to early spring.

2. Late Spring to Early Summer (After Bloom)

Prune plants that bloom in early spring right after their flowers fade.

• Spring-flowering shrubs (like lilacs, forsythia, and azaleas): Prune immediately after they bloom to prevent cutting off next year’s buds.

3. Fall Pruning

Pruning in fall is generally discouraged for most plants, as it can stimulate new growth that might not harden off before winter, leaving the plant susceptible to cold damage.

4. Exceptions

• Evergreens: Light pruning can be done throughout the year, but late winter or early spring is ideal.
• Hedges: Trim in late spring and midsummer to maintain shape.

5. Considerations

Keeping your trees trimmed and your yard looking sharp is a must, no matter where you call home! 🌳🏡 Sure, keeping plants away from your siding helps prevent that pesky mold and rot (your house will thank you), but don’t forget about wildfires and storms! 🔥⛈️

Pro tip: Swap out that bark mulch for rock edging—it’s not just stylish, it’s also a great fire safety barrier. And when those storms roll in with their high winds, you’ll be glad you kept your trees in check to avoid damage and downed powerlines. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your next landscaping masterpiece! 🌿

In summary, late winter to early spring is the most recommended time for general pruning, but it varies based on the plant species and local climate.

Hope this was helpful. Download the Yarlow app for more fun seasonal tips and to keep track of your home maintenance.