The change of seasons is in the air. The days are getting shorter, high school football games are heating
up and we recently got that first dose of cooler air we’d been waiting for all summer. Fall is back! And
we’re excited for what is always one of our favorite times of year.
With the temperatures falling, now is the perfect time to take on a few home maintenance projects
that need to be done before winter arrives. By taking advantage of the final weeks of warm weather,
you’ll be able to avoid having to do these chores when the ice and snow arrive or dealing with the
consequences of an unprepared home. So, put on your working gloves and get ready to roll! You’ll be
glad you did when you and your family are enjoying the winter in a warm, protected home.
First, because roofing is so close to our hearts, we recommend having your roof inspected to make sure
there are no cracks, shingle damage or missing flashings. If left untreated, these can allow water to
seep into your home during winter weather and cause major water damage. They can also allow warm
air to escape creating higher energy bills. At Christian Brothers Roofing, we offer free 16-point roof
inspections, and we can help you make sure your roof is winter-ready. Just give us a call!
Next, while you’re thinking about the top of your house, take a look at your gutters. They’ll soon have
to bear the extra weight of leaves, ice and snow, so it’s important to make sure they’re clear and
functional. Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of ice dams, so it’s important to make sure
they are open and that they remain that way. If you need to replace your gutters, consider investing in
ones with leaf guards that can help prevent these clogs. Again, at Christian Brothers Roofing, we offer
excellent gutter installation and can take care of outfitting your home with a great guttering system
should it need it.
Beyond the roof and gutters, the next items that should be addressed are your doors and windows.
Do you have any drafts allowing air to escape in or out? Is your weatherstripping in good condition?
Are there any cracks around the edges that were caused by the summer’s drought and foundation
settling? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, take care of the repairs and replacements now
by installing new weatherstripping from a local home store and sealing all of the cracks. Properly sealed
and treated doors and windows will save you a great deal in energy bills and keep you and your family
more comfortable during the winter months.
After taking care of the windows and doors from the inside, turn your investigation outside. Look for
exterior cracks along all connecting points of your house including windows, doors, corners, vents, ducts
and frames. If you find any cracks or gaps, seal them up by using a caulking gun or other appropriate
material based on the size and location of the gap. Also look at your paint and siding and check for
peeling and blistering as this can be a sign that the existing paint film is no longer able to protect the
siding. And if that remains untreated, it can lead to further deterioration of the siding and expensive
future repairs.
After completing your outside inspection, head back in to check your home’s insulation. If it’s been a
while since you considered your insulation and how well it’s doing its job, now is the time. It might be
a case in which the only thing you need to do will be to add more to what is already there. If that’s the
case, purchase loose-fill insulation from a home store and add it to the necessary areas.
Another area that may need your attention is your basement and its foundation. Because of the
extreme drought, most homes experienced a level of settling that may have caused foundation
problems. If you see any cracks in your basement walls or on the exterior of your foundation, call a
foundation repair company and have them take care of the problem before the rain, snow and ice have
a chance to seep in.
Finally, if you have a fireplace, make sure it’s in working order now so that when you’re ready to use
it, it’s ready to be used. Check the chimney to make sure it’s clear and clean, and stock up on firewood
while the weather is still favorable.
Of course there are many more things to consider around your home before the seasons change,
but hopefully this will give you a good place to start. Consider it to be the bi-annual version of spring
cleaning by going through the house with a dust rag, bucket, mop and sponge and cleaning out the areas
that only need semi-annual attention.
At Christian Brothers Roofing, we’re just as excited as you for fall and all it brings: cider, pumpkin
patches, football, family gatherings and eventually turkey and stuffing. That’s why we encourage you to
take advantage of the remaining days of nice weather by getting your house in order. That way, when it’s
time to enjoy the excitement of the season, you—and your home—will be ready.
To schedule your free inspection, call us today!
