Cave To Castle Home Improvements

Eliminate Winter Surprises While you were having fun in the sun this summer, it was no vacation for your house. Sun, wind and rain can cause as much wear and tear as snow and ice. A fall checklist will tip you off to some problems before they become nasty mid-winter surprises. Look for Trouble Check your house from top to bottom. Start by inspecting the roof with binoculars: Are your shingles worn or failing? Check the attic for signs of leaks around the skylights or vents,... chimneys, and have your chimney cleaned once a year. Clear out your gutters and check for leaks there, too. Drain your outside hose taps if you live where pipes can freeze. Switch your screens for storm windows, and seal any drafty windows and doors. Fill in the Gaps The same goes for paint and siding: make sure you caulk or repair those gaps around windows, doors, trim and vents, and replace any siding that is failing. Winterize Low Down In the basement, check for dampness on the floor and walls, test your sump pump, flush your water heater and check for any signs of leakage. Clean your dryer vent regularly. Make sure that paints or any flammable materials are stored away from heat sources in a closed metal cabinet. And make that appointment to have your heating system serviced yearly. Always best to do a top to bottom check this fall, and you'll avoid expensive surprises this winter

Now is a Great Time to be cleaning your eavestroughs: When clogged eavestroughs overflow, they can get so heavy that they pull loose and rot your home’s trim and siding. In cold climates, they can eventually cause ice dams on the roof that force water inside the house. Even if your eavestroughs don’t overflow each season, leaving decaying debris in there is an invitation to carpenter ants and mosquitos. There are lots of ways to clean eavestroughs You can find inventions like... tongs on an extension pole, shop vacuums with gutter nozzles,etc. But most methods involve getting on a ladder, so if you’re not comfortable on one, you’re better off hiring a pro. If you’re doing it yourself, wear gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles. Scoop the debris into a garbage bag with a garden trowel, then rinse toward the downspout with a high-pressure nozzle on your hose and scrub it clean. Next, clear clogged downspouts with a hose or auger. When it rains, mark any leaks with a marker so you can make repairs when it’s dry. See more

Ready your Fireplace: Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating contractor. Heating systems will use fuel more efficiently, last longer and have fewer problems if properly serviced. Get your wood stove and fireplace in working order. Examine your wood stove or fireplace insert’s door gasket for a tight seal.