This month brings the official arrival of winter. While we don’t see the snow and ice that other parts of the country experience, we do get some pretty chilly nights with temperatures reaching the freezing mark. It’s important to make sure that your home is ready for the change in seasons.
Let’s start with the roof. As the main protection for your home, you want to be certain it can do its job this winter. After that, you’ll want to move inside and perform a few simple tasks to ensure that you stay warm this season. Here are some tips to get you started:
Gutters
You want to be sure that your gutters are not clogged with leaves or debris as any standing water in the gutter has the potential to freeze and can lead to damage to your roof or home. Remember that safety comes first! Avoid leaning your ladder against the gutter as you could risk damaging them and always follow the OSHA recommended safety guidelines.
Missing or damaged shingles
Scan the roof the see if you notice missing, cracked or damaged shingles. These can lead to leaks and interior damage to your property and should be repaired as soon as possible. Consider signing up for our Roof Maintenance Program and we’ll take care of the inspections for you.
Tree limbs
Now is the time to notice if any tree limbs have grown toward the roof surface. Wind and falling twigs, branches can cause damage to your roof’s shingles. Trim all branches back or consider hiring a landscaping company to handle this for you.
Caulk and weather stripping
Take a close look at your doors and windows. If you see gaps or detect light shining through, you’ll need to caulk those cracks and/or install weather stripping. If light is getting through, so will the rain and the cold, winter air.
Furnace
Simply replacing your furnace’s filter can keep it operating more efficiently and help keep heating costs at bay. This is easy to do, and filters only cost a few dollars. Some electric providers even offer discounted filters – call yours to ask.
Taking the few minutes now to inspect and seal your home means warmer, more comfortable nights for your home and your family.