August Home Maintenance Tips

House

• Continue with your canning activities. With local gardens producing fresh fruits and vegetables now is the time to prepare for the upcoming winter months.
• Check that your window and door locks work properly. Clean sliding tracks and lubricate hinges. To improve operation of your doors and windows use spray Teflon rather than oil based WD40. Replace any broken window glass.
• Inspect your garage door. Replace any damaged weather stripping seals and grease the door tracks. Use grease made specifically for garage doors.
• Walk around the exterior of your home and look for minor brick or mortar cracks in your foundation and chimney. Fill any cracks with concrete caulk, premixed concrete patch, or a number of powdered products. We have a selection of fillers and caulks you can use to repair any imperfection you find.
• If you have not cleaned your gutters yet this year, check them now. Replace damaged or leaking gutters. Install down spout guards and gutter screens to help keep debris out.
• With most of your summer projects complete, you may still have few projects you want to complete before the snow flies. Inventory your nails, screws, and specialty fasteners to make sure you are ready for the next round of projects. 
• 21 Country Stores have one of the largest varieties of common and specialty fasteners around. And with our supply of nuts and bolts and specialty fasteners, we can help you with any fastening situation.
• Inspect your attic and make sure all insulation is in place. Consider installing additional insulation to reduce energy costs.

Yard

• Some folks like to use August to do a little planning. It is a good time to look around and see what you like and you don't like in your yard. This way, you can improve what you did not like and increase what you did like the next year. Take notes and put them away to use in your winter planning. 
• Fire up the barbecue and take a few minutes to enjoy yourself, family, and friends. With all the local produce available it is a great time to enjoy our local flavors. 
• Stay on top of your Japanese beetle control. These pesky insects are still out there and can easily destroy your favorite rose bush.
  

Garden

• It is time to start bringing in those house plants you moved outside for the summer. You may need to repot some of your plants. 
• The vegetable garden is still in full swing. Make sure you are canning part of your harvest to enjoy this winter. 
• Many perennials are in full bloom. To maximize the beauty of your gardens dead-head and cut back any flowers that are done blooming. They need it so find time to do some summer pruning. Cut back aggressive growing shrubs and bushes. Remove any wild shoots or growth that diminishes the structural integrity or overall look of your larger plants.
• If it has been a dry summer keep watering your garden the best you can. Water either early in the morning or late at night to minimize evaporation and conserve water. If it has been a wet year check your plants for mold and treat accordingly.
   

Seasonal Supplies

• Canning jars and canning supplies
• Spray Teflon and powdered graphite
• Window glass, glazing points, & glazing compound
• Garage door weather stripping, seals, & roller grease
• Nails, screws, nuts & bolts
• Caulks and concrete fillers
• Gutter down spot and gutter screens