Here are four tasks you should tackle to get your home in peak
winter condition:
Clean Gutters -- Remove leaves, pine needles
and other debris from gutters
to ensure late fall rains and winter precipitation can run freely. Make sure
water drains properly into downspouts during your cleaning, and check that
gutter attachments are securely in place.
Inspect the Roof -- Checking
your roof doesn't require that you scale a wobbly ladder. You can get along
just fine from the ground with a set of binoculars. Look for shingles that are
lifting, cracked or showing signs that the protective granules have worn away.
If you have attic access, look for pinholes of light or signs of water damage
along the roofline.
Shut Off Outdoor Spigots -- Save yourself the
headache of a burst pipe by disconnecting, draining and storing garden hoses
for the winter. If your outdoor spigot has a shut-off valve, close the valve
and drain the faucet. You can also wrap protective insulation around the spigot
for the off-season.
Patch Windows and Doors -- Check around doors and
window sashes; replace any weather stripping that has become loose or cracked.
Wave a lit match or incense stick around window and door frames, and caulk
areas where the smoke wavers, which indicates an air
leak.
Tending to these tasks now may feel like a bother, but it will
keep you from laboring out in the cold if overlooked winter maintenance comes
back to haunt you. If you need recommendations for vendors to help with any of these tasks, please let me know!
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