4. Repair roofs
Remove branches and other debris that collect on roofs, Graham recommends. Repair or replace loose shingles and deteriorating flashing seals around vents and chimneys to keep out water. If you have a flat roof, patch cracked or blistered seams. DIYers should be cautious about getting up on the roof and take safety precautions. You may want to hire a handyman to repair a few shingles or a roofer for larger sections.
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The term “dispute” is intended to be as broad as legally permissible and includes, but is not limited to, all disputes between you and any other person on whose behalf you have interacted with Ancestry, on the one hand, and Ancestry, including any of its parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, or affiliates, on the other, that arise out of or relate in any way to the Terms, this arbitration agreement, or your interactions or relationship with Ancestry, with the following three exceptions:u003c/pu003eu003colu003eu003cliu003eYou and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve any dispute, if it qualifies, in the small claims court with jurisdiction over your place of residence. To the extent any dispute involves claims for both (1) monetary damages or relief and (2) equitable or injunctive relief, to the extent the small claims court with jurisdiction will not resolve claims for equitable or injunctive relief, you and Ancestry shall each have the option to resolve the claims for monetary relief or damages in small claims court, and any claim for equitable or injunctive relief shall be resolved in arbitration pursuant to this agreement. u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eBoth you and Ancestry may bring a suit in court in the state of Utah only for a claim of infringement or other misuse of intellectual property rights. In this case, we both waive any right to a jury trial.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eIf it qualifies, you may bring a claim to the attention of a relevant federal, state, or local agency that may seek relief against us on your behalf.u003c/liu003eu003c/olu003eu003cpu003eu003cbu003eArbitration Rules:u003c/bu003e This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.). Arbitration will be conducted by AAA in accordance with the then-applicable AAA rules, excluding any rules or procedures governing or permitting class actions. Where no disclosed claims or counterclaims exceed $25,000, the dispute shall be resolved by the submission of documents only/desk arbitration pursuant to AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule 29 (or the then-applicable AAA Consumer Arbitration Rule governing documents-only arbitration procedures). Either party may file dispositive motions in arbitration, including without limitation a motion to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment, and the arbitrator will apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have exclusive authority to resolve all disputes arising out of or relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this arbitration agreement, the Terms, or the u003ca hrefu003d”https://www.ancestry.com/cs/legal/privacystatement”u003eAncestry Privacy Statementu003c/au003e, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this arbitration agreement, the Terms or Privacy Statement is void or voidable, whether a claim is subject to arbitration, or the question of waiver by litigation conduct. The arbitrator shall be empowered to grant whatever relief would be available in a court under law or in equity. The arbitrator’s award shall be written and shall be binding on the parties and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.u003cbr /u003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eTo initiate an arbitration proceeding through AAA, you must send a certified letter describing your claim and requesting arbitration to Ancestry Legal Department, Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 1300 W Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT 84043. You must also send a copy of this demand to the AAA at the same time the demand is sent to Ancestry and follow all required procedures under the then-applicable AAA rule governing starting an arbitration under an arbitration agreement in a contract. The arbitration will be conducted by AAA under its u003ca hrefu003d”https://www.adr.org/Rules”u003erulesu003c/au003e, as modified by the Terms (collectively, u0026quot;AAA Rulesu0026quot;). 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If no common name remains on the lists of all parties, AAA will furnish an additional list of nine (9) arbitrators from which the parties will strike alternately by telephone conference administered by AAA, with the claimant to strike first, until only one name remains. That person will be designated as the arbitrator. If the individual selected cannot serve, AAA will issue another list of nine (9) arbitrators and repeat the alternate striking selection process.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eArbitration may take place in the county where you reside at the time of filing. You and Ancestry further agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any federal or state court in San Francisco County, California in order to compel arbitration, to stay proceedings pending arbitration, or to confirm, modify, vacate, or enter judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbu003eFees: u003c/bu003eYou will be required to pay $200—or the amount otherwise required under the then-applicable AAA rules—to initiate an arbitration against us. If the arbitrator finds the arbitration to be non-frivolous, Ancestry will pay all other fees invoiced by AAA, including filing fees and arbitrator and hearing expenses. You are responsible for your own attorneys’ fees unless the arbitration rules and/or applicable law provide otherwise.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbu003eClass, Representative and Consolidated Action Waiver. u003c/bu003e There will be no right or authority for any dispute to be brought, heard or arbitrated as a class, representative and/or consolidated action (the “u003ciu003eClass Action Waiveru003c/iu003e”). Nor shall any arbitrator have the authority to hear or arbitrate any such dispute, regardless of any other language in this arbitration agreement, or any provision of any of the rules or procedures of the AAA that might otherwise apply including, without limitation, the AAA Supplemental Rules for Class Action Arbitration. This Class Action Waiver shall be severable from this arbitration agreement if there is a final judicial determination that the Class Action Waiver is invalid, unenforceable, unconscionable, void or voidable. 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Don’t overlook skylights. Have a professional check for deteriorating seals on the roof and inside your home that may need patching, Graham advises.
5. Do a sweep of fireplaces and stoves
Clean chimneys before winter to ensure the flue isn’t blocked, soot hasn’t accumulated and the brick-and-mortar joints aren’t leaking water or fumes, Wessling says. Check that a gas stove burns properly and is free of carbon buildup, he adds. DIYers should make sure to use a non-combustible sealant. A professional chimney sweep may cost $130 to $380. Look for one through the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
6. Tackle yardwork
David Burton/Getty Images
Clearing tree limbs and other vegetation from steps, walkways and yards may help prevent falls and wildfires. Studies by Michigan State University and Purdue University recommend mowing leaves without the bag, instead of raking, because the smaller leaf pieces decompose more quickly. Remove tree limbs close to your home or a power line. Prune trees overhanging the roof or if you live where winter storms can topple trees onto your home.
This is the season when your lawnmower needs a bit of TLC too. Any fuel inside the engine will decompose during winter, which may make it difficult to start next spring. Mower maker John Deere recommends cleaning the machine, lubricating it and following the manual for tire pressure in colder temperatures. If you use a fuel stabilizer, fill the tank; otherwise, run the engine to empty it. Store the mower in a dry place or outside covered by waterproof material.
7. Drain exterior water
Water left in pipes and garden hoses can freeze, causing them to burst. Disconnect, drain and store hoses. Wessling also recommends turning off outside water at the surface valve and draining any water remaining in the faucets. If you have a lawn irrigation system, have your sprinkler service drain it for $50 to $200 to avoid leaks or damage from freezing.
8. Put swimming pools to bed
Not properly preparing a pool for winter can cause major damage. First, remove all pool accessories. If you have an inflatable pool, disconnect the water source and pump, empty it, deflate it and let it dry completely before storing it in a dry place. For a hard-sided, above-ground pool, follow the instructions of the winterization kit you’ll need to buy.
For an in-ground pool, clean it, adjust the water chemistry, lower the water level to 6 to 12 inches below the skimmer (a filter on the side of pools). Drain the filters, pump and heater (you may not need to drain if you live in a warmer climate) and store them indoors. Cover the pool securely.
