What’s the best way to keep your home in tip-top condition?
Preventing problems before they
happen!
Don’t wait until problems arise to take action. Different
seasons call for different maintenance tasks. Here are a few things you should
do this fall to make sure your home is ready for the colder weather to come.
Check the Fireplace
What better way to warm up during the chilly winters? Before
you think about lighting up the fireplace, check to make sure that it’s safe by: making sure the damper opens and closes, looking inside the
chimney to make sure it’s free of debris, and checking the roof to make sure
there’s no damage to the flashing around the chimney. If there is, you may want
to think about hiring a
roofer to fix the problem before the snow falls.
Remove Hoses and Shut off Outdoor Faucets
Before the first big freeze hits, take care of all outdoor
plumbing. Remove and drain hoses that you may have left on during the summer
months and store them inside to prevent freezing. If you can, turn outdoor
faucets off. If you can’t turn them off during the winter, you might want to
try foam faucet insulators to protect the pipes.
Look for Drafts in Windows and Doors
Drafts near your home’s windows and doors can be terrible
during the winter months, so it’s best to start the search now and fix the
problem before it gets too cold. Take
a look at Aspen’s handy guide
to finding and fixing drafts!
Look at the Roof
Your roof is never more important than in the winter months
when the snow falls. Make sure it’s going to protect you and your family. No
need to climb up onto the roof for this, simply examining your roof form the
ground (using binoculars if your roof is high) can be enough.
What are you looking for? Cracked, buckled, or missing
shingles and rut spots on the flashing. If you have damaged or missing shingles
they should be replaced as soon as possible! This is something that our team of
specialists can help you with.
Some problems may be cosmetic and don’t require immediate
attention, such as algae stains. Others, like moss or lichen, may be
a sign of decay or underlying damage and require the attention before the
problem worsens. A professional Pennsylvania
or Maryland roofer can take a look at the problem and determine the best
course of action.
Learn more about the signs that it’s time to replace your
home’s roof here.
Now that you have an idea of how to prepare your home for
the colder weather, go forth and prep! If your home’s exterior is in need of
some maintenance before its snow-covered, contact Aspen Home Improvements
in our PA or MD office to set up a FREE estimate!
