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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If you live in a humid area, or your area gets a lot of rain, you may notice a mildew smell in the house that you can’t get rid of. Chances are, your crawlspaces have become damp and the mildew is forming up there. It is important to get rid of this problem as quickly as possible, since mold could also be forming inside that crawlspace. Take this opportunity to check your crawlspace and see what is going on up there.

Once you’ve determined that your crawlspace is indeed a bit damp, there are a few things that you will need to do. First, it is important to ventilate the area. Most crawlspaces are closed up all year round and little air can circulate through there. This creates the ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew spores. If your home does not have a vent, you will need to install one.

You can find appropriate vents at your local hardware store, and the process of installing them is quite easy. Locate a spot on an exterior wall and cut a hole through to the outside. Place the vent in, and properly secure it. You now have a way to get rid of that moisture buildup!

This will help, but you may also need to see what is causing dampness in your crawlspace. If the mildew is not severe, it may just be the side effect of living in a moist climate. If it is severe, chances are you may have a leak. You will need to inspect all the walls inside that crawlspace and look for any leaks that may be occurring. If you do find a leak, repair it immediately. Overtime, this can lead to serious water damage on your ceilings and walls.

Lastly, it is a very good idea to completely clean out your crawlspace. If you are storing excess insulation or even household items up there, remove them and find a new storage space. Insulation is a particularly nasty culprit when it comes to mildew and can be the source of a lot of mildew odor problems. If your crawlspace is permanently smelly, get fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier. Install this throughout the crawlspace, with the vapor barrier facing the top of the crawlspace. This will help keep the odors inside the space instead of in your home. This is a great solution if the damage has already been done and you need to get rid of the smell of mildew in your home.

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Originally posted 2008-12-04 20:30:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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When the proper safety precautions are taken, and when you have the right tools, you can fix your own roof. However, some leaks may require professional assistance, and it may be cheaper in the long run to have someone do it for you. Before you step one foot on your roof, carefully consider all of your options and put your safety first.

The first step to take when fixing your roof is to determine where the leak is and where the water is coming from. In some cases, the leak may not even be from the roof at all, such as when air conditioning lines leak. The first place to look are skylights and the flashing around your roof. Commonly, flashing around the chimney is the first place that leaks start since this can be blown off in bad weather.

If you are noticing water stains on your ceilings, the leaks may be harder to trace. The first step is to access either the attic or the crawlspace. You should be able to have a better idea of the origination of the leak from there. If you have several leaks, it may take a lot more time to track down each spot that is causing the problem.

Once you have determined the location of the leak, it’s time to head up to the roof to start fixing it. One leak will usually not require replacing the entire roof, and it is best to try to spot fix first before going to the extra trouble and expense of replacing a roof. Before you go up, you’ll need to have the right tools at your disposal. Purchase extra flashing to match what you already have, and have extra pieces of your roofing material ready to go.

You will also need a hammer, screwdrivers and a staple gun, depending on the type of roofing material you have. Access your roof safely and inspect the material and flashing. You should also take a look at the flashing by your gutters, since this is another trouble area. Once you have found the exact spot of the leak on the roof, you can better evaluate what needs to be done. Take your time and make sure that you do the job right to avoid having to go back up to re-fix what you might have missed.

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Originally posted 2008-08-28 05:20:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Seal all small entry holes under sinks, by baseboards, and outside.

Your house, no matter how well it was built, is bound to have a few holes somewhere along the way. These holes are put to good use by pests and before long, you may be overrun. In order to prevent this, get some hardware mesh and attach it over the holes. This mesh will usually keep out larger bugs and mice, and is very economical to install.

For warped boards under sinks and smaller gaps, consider purchasing insulation in a spray can. This can be sprayed directly onto the hole and will effectively seal it up to keep pests out. You may need to keep checking it, especially if mice decide to give it a nibble.

2. Place traps around your home.

Mouse traps, bug traps and other small critter traps can be very effective at keeping the pest population in your home under control. These traps are usually economical and there are many options now available. For example, you can now find easy close mouse traps that prevent you from have to actually touch the dead mouse, and they are much more effective than the old wooden ones with fake cheese. You may need to bait these traps however, in order to get the most functionality out of them. Peanut butter works very well for mice since they can’t grab it and run.

If the thought of killing the critters doesn’t work for you, you can also purchase live traps, or more human traps that kill with a quick electric shock. Although you may not like the fact that you are killing a small creature, the fact of the matter is they can cause thousands in damage to your home and they are indeed health hazards.

3. Stop the damage before it is done.

If you see one mouse, or one bug, chances are there are plenty more than you haven’t spotted yet. Be on the lookout for droppings, and dead bugs around your home. Try to find their entry point and seal it up. This is an easy way to take care of business before it gets out of hand.

With careful attention and prevention, you can keep your home pest free all year long. If you live in the country, you may need to up your efforts, or consider installing ultrasound devices that will plug into the wall and prevent pests from moving in with sound waves, since these can be very effective.

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Originally posted 2008-11-04 05:21:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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