5 From 5: Fall Granite Cleaning and Home Improvement Tips

Five top tips from five valuable sources to help you with your fall clean-up and home improvement projects. Click on the title of each for more tips and advice. DIY Network’s Autumn Maintenance Tips

1. Inspect your roof, or hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear.
2. To prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing, turn off the valves to the exterior hose bibs. Run the water until the pipes are empty. Make sure all the water is drained from the pipes, if not; the water can freeze up and damage the pipes.
3. Clean and replace filters in your furnace or heating system.
4. If you use a hot water system for heating, drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, and bleed your radiators.
5. Trim dead branches out the trees to prevent them from coming down and causing damage in a winter storm.

Ask the Experts at Granite Gold

1. Before using our granite cleaner, check the integrity of the protective seal on your stone counters and floors. Here’s how: Pour water (about 3 inches in diameter) on the surface in several locations and let it sit for 30 minutes. If you see a dark mark or ring, the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal.
2. Immediately remove fallen debris such as leaves, flowers and other plants from outdoor stone surfaces like patios and walkways. They’ll deteriorate and can stain the surfaces.
3. If you stored your door mats for summer, bring them back out and keep the clean to minimize the dirt and micro particles from wearing into your stone floors.
4. Grout cleaners won’t remove stains; for stained grout, it’s better to re-grout the tile, followed by sealing it to protect against spills and stains.
5. Remove mold and mildew. Here’s how:
   • Mix one part laundry bleach with one part water and spray it onto the surface (the mixed solution won’t harm stone)
   • Scrub with a safe-on-stone scrubbing pad or nylon brush (similar to the one we include with Granite Gold Grout Cleaner®)
   • Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse with water
   • Seal the stone for maximum surface protection
   • Polish to prevent build-up from sticking to the surface

Weed Man’s Fall Clean-Up Tips

1. Feed your lawn. Think of fall fertilization as refueling and replenishing your lawn after a long, hot summer.
2. Air out the soil. Thatch build-up and foot traffic can compact soil, which cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply to the roots.
3. Divide plants. If your perennials are overcrowded, fall is an ideal time to divide the root ball and replant. Cutting back the plants prior to transplanting can help reduce shock.
4. Pick up leaves. Dark, moist environments are breeding grounds for disease.
5. Clean up. Wash down the patio furniture and store it for the season. Make sure to pick up toys so they don’t get buried or lost.

Style at Home’s Home Maintenance Tips

1. Vacuum the condenser coils at the back of your fridge annually.
2. Clean the air conditioner grill and register.
3. Dust and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (twice a year).
4. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (annually).
5. Clean your coffeemaker.

XL Home Improvement Blog’s Fall Home Improvement Tips

1. Work on putting nice, soft carpets with warm autumn tones and patters to keep your feet warm.
2. Address are the drapes around your home. You can create a combination of different types of fabrics, such as velvet, silk and whatever else strikes your fancy.
3. Create some nice fall centerpieces for excellent results. You can create one using pumpkins and gourds, branches from the outside, berries and leaves.
4. Make sure you also decorate the bookshelves and tables by lining up some bowls and baskets of decorative moss, fall leaves, branches and small pumpkins.
5. Bed linens and bedding could also be changed according to the season, such as adding more rich and earthy colors.

Encounter a challenge with your granite countertop maintenance or other natural stone surface during your fall clean-up? Ask the Experts!