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Submitted by Garen Daly on Mon, 2008-10-27 13:40.
Every fall New Englanders make a 'to-do' list and get their houses ready for winter. It is a simple idea. If we prepare our houses for the coming bad weather, we won't be caught with a big surprise that'll costs us big bucks. The following are some ideas and tips to help you. You can also listen as Garen and Louise discuss this very idea in a podcast. You can download or just listen. Interestingly enough it is called Fall Inspection: An Ounce of Prevention. or ee Louise talking with NE Cable News' Mike Nikitas about it in their MONDAY MONDAY segment. Lets start from the top - your roof and chimney.
Now short of climbing up and inspecting everything up close and personal, take the lazy man's inspection - with a pair of binoculars. Be sure to focus in all sides of your chimney. Look at the space between the brick or blocks. This is where problems will occur and if it looks loose or there are gaps, repointing the bricks is in the cards. Then slowly scan your. Look at the shingles. Are they any missing? Do they look frayed at the edges? If you find shingles on the ground after a windy day you probably have 'blow-off' and that could mean problems come the snow and rains of winter. TIP: If you live in a snowy area, consider getting a roof rake now, not when you need it. And when it does snow, be sure to clear at least three feet of snow from your eaves. Don't wait until the cie dams begin forming. If they do be sure to check out old fashioned way of stopping the water from getting in.
It's a drag, but gutters do need to be inspected up close and personal. The gutters require water to flow out and away from the roof and the house. If there is no flow and thengs back up, when the cold weather hits you could end up with ice build up. Ice is never a good thing except in a nice single malt scotch. Don't use a hose to force debris down the down spout. Scrape/scoop first, then when it is clean, run water to confirm arinage. TIP: Take an old unused screen, snip it and place it over the down spout hale to prevent clogs. TIP: Make a HAND MADE SCOOP > cut a 1/2 gal. plastic milk container to act as scoop It even has a handle!)
Tough job, but it is well worth it. Branches have a nasty habit of breaking during bad weather. Branches too close to a house will retain water and begin a process of rotting. Not a good idea. Oh yeah one last thing about over hanging branches hanging, critters like them.
Be sure storms are solid. Fix if not Confirm weep holes are clear. Use rope caulk or other weather stripping to prevent draft. Clean them. You need as much sunlight as you can get in the winter. SADD. VISUAL: Rope caulk, windex or squeegee.
Also make note of where the main water shut off. Tag it so anybody can find, just in case.
Get a tune up
Battery - be sure it has enough charge. Your mechanic can test ti for you Brakes - you should be checking these every season, but have your mechanic give them a close look. Heater/Defroster - do you get a nice blast of hot air? hen was the last time your flushed the radiator? Wiper Blade - change these in the fall. You'll be glad you did. Sand or traction in the trunk - if not sand, try this. Find some unused roofing shingles. If you get stuck stick them under the tires. They also add weight over your rear tires if you put them in the trunk. Tires - be sure your ties are the right ones for good traction in bad weather.
Have all your tools ready - shovels, snow rake, salt, sand. Make stakes with orange or red tips for bug snow falls and place on walks, driveways, etc. |
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