1. Trim and Prune Trees.

If you have trees in your backyard that are tall enough to reach your roof, you will need to make sure they are pruned and trimmed. A bad storm is all that it takes to send a limb crashing on to your roof, and this can cause quite a bit of damage. If you have mature trees and you’ve never done this before, you may want to hire a tree service to take care of it for you. This is a step that will do more than just protect your roof, it could save lives.

2. Look for aging caulk and replace it.

If your roof has been caulked, tarred or sealed in any way, it is important to note that this material will age and become less effective over time. Fall is a great time to get up on your roof to inspect for any of these issues. If the caulk looks crinkly or the tar is fading, you’ll want to replace it to make sure that you’re not dealing with leaks all winter long.

3. Tighten loose flashing.

Check around your chimney and other areas of your roof where you have flashing up. This frequently comes loose and in addition to make a lot of noise when the wind blows, it can also lead to leaks which in turn can cause a lot of water damage. Take some roofing screws up with you and if you find any areas that are loose, just screw them down while you are there.

4. Clean the chimney.

If you have a fireplace, it needs to be cleaned at least twice a year and the chimney should be thoroughly swept. This removes any debris that could be a fire hazard, and can also reduce the risk of having dangerous carbon monoxide gases building up in your home. Hire a professional chimney sweep if you have never done this before since it can be a bit dangerous and you don’t want to end up stuck.

5. Look for moisture in the attic or crawlspace.

Before you finish, you’ll also need to check for any trouble spots on the inside. Get in to your attic or crawlspace and inspect for mold, moisture or any sign that leaking may occur. If your insulation is old, this is a great time to replace it while you’re in there.

These simple steps will help you get your home ready for winter, and ensure that you and your family stay warm and dry even in the worst weather.

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Originally posted 2008-11-18 05:29:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1 - When baseboard heating is not doing enough to keep you warm inside your home.

When baseboard heating is being significantly less efficient than it has been in the past, one of the most likely culprits is debris on the heating fins that are responsible for warming the air flowing over them. This happens when excessive dirt or dust is accumulated. The best preventative maintenance for this problem is to give your baseboard units a regular one over using a duster or a vacuum cleaner in order to make sure that they are heating your home as efficiently as they can.

2 - If your chimney is backing up and sitting in front of the fire is now simply filling your eyes with smoke.

If your fireplace used to work fine but is giving you trouble now, then you probably have a problem with a blockage, caused by a broken piece of flu, a brick, or perhaps an animal or animal nest. Hire a chimney sweep to check your chimney out, removing any obstruction that may be in place. If the obstruction is more than you can handle on your own, hiring a professional is definitely the best way to go.

3 - If your central air conditioning used to work just fine, but suddenly it does not appear to be working as well, or if it is cycling on and off without change.

The outdoor compressor is designed to stop running during abnormal situations. One of these situations is caused by high internal pressure when an obstruction restricts airflow across the outer coil. Clean the fan grill on the top of the unit as well as the coil on the unit sides to see if the problem resolves itself. Otherwise, turn the air conditioner off and call a licensed HVAC contractor to address the situation professionally.

4 - If the temperature in your home has jumped from breezy to blazing, something may be wrong with your AC.

Get a jump on the season and significantly reduce the burden that an air conditioning unit is dealing with by testing your system out early and getting the professional help that you need before the air conditioning industry is inundated with calls for help.

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Originally posted 2009-02-09 05:13:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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