Here are some ideas for fixing and maintaining your home.

Termites:  We do have termites in this area.  Termite damage is easily
recognized by what looks like lines of mud running up the side of your house or
wooden fence.

Termites can get into your house through crack in your foundation slab.  Many of the
houses in our subdivision have cracks at the corners of the house.  I fixed mine by
digging a hole around the are to expose the slab.  Then I used "Liquid Nail" to caulk
the cracks.

If you suspect that you have termites in your house, call a termite company.

I called Barrett Pest Control listed below.  Since it appeared that I only
had termites in my fence, I just had them treat that area only.

I then bought professional termite bait stations (on e-bay) and installed them

around the house.  AdvanceTermiteBaitStations.pdf

Air Conditioner Drip Lines:  The air conditioner unit in your attic has two condensate
drip lines.  The primary line is tied into a sink drain.  The other is an overflow line and is routed to the side of the house.  If you see water dripping from it constantly when your air conditioner is on, that means your primary line is clogged.  Mine dripped so much, I routed it into by downspout.  Letting it drip constantly on the ground is a bad thing because it invites termites!

Please note, the rerouting of the drip line is not recommended by A/C repairmen
because they say the dripping is suppose to signal you that the primary line is
clogged.  In my case, I see the water dripping out of the downspout when I'm

in the yard.

You decide what's best for you.  It was pointed out that putting a little bleach

in the primary drip line once a year will help keep it from getting clogged.

Attached is a photo of where the drip line is tied into the wife's sink in the master bath.  You will need to pull the J-trap apart and drain to get to it and clean it out.

Attic Fans:  In the summer time, my attic can get to be 120 deg F. or more.  I have 6 mushroom roof vents  and 16 soffit vents around the perimeter of the house.  Installing an attic fan can increase the airflow through your attic and reduce your cooling bill.

You can either install wired fans or solar fans.  The drawback to solar fans is that they are not as powerful and don't work when there is no sun.  The advantage to a solar fan is that they are easy to install.  I chose to install a wired fan because I want the fan to run at night to cool down the attic.  I also chose a fan with a thermostat and an automatic cut-off incase of fire.  I purchased it at the Lowe's in Lewisville for $129 and am having the Roof Doctor (listed below) install it for $150.

Soil:  The soil in this part of Texas has a very high clay content and is highly expansive.  When it gets wet, it expands; when it gets dry it contracts.  Why is that important to you?  For a couple of reasons.  When that happens, the soil moves and can do things like break sprinkler lines or cause cracks in your foundation slab.

Future Topics

How to fix a broken sprinkler line.

Names of contractors that have done work in the neighborhood:

Roof Shingle Repair - Roof Doctors - Hugh O'Hara - 469-853-8973

Roofing: Webb Roofing - Jeremy  Boucher:    boucher12@gmail.com

Welding:  Iron Worker  972-948-5153

Brick Repair:  Thom Moore:  972-446-9511

Stone Walls:  Rock Contractors, Brent Nicolay:  214-878-0249 
(did stone planters at entrances)

Electrician:  Bob Owens Electric, www.bobowenselectric.com  Bob Owens:  972-243-0008

(did lights at entrance islands and lighpoles)

Painting: Right Choice Painting - 972-745-1888  www.rightchoicepainting.net

Termite Treatment:  Barrett Pest Control - 214-242-4800

Fencing:

Lawn Service:

Know a good contractor?  Let us know at: board@coppellgreens.com