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Home & Garden Articles
Winterize Well Before Winter
Tue 23 Sep 2008 - 10:12
Winterize Well Before Winter
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_Hostetler]Mark Hostetler
As much as it's wonderful to lay around on the weekends enjoying the summer heat, cool drinks and all foods barbequed, the reality that fall is approaching has hit like a chilly evening. It's time to make sure your home is ready for winter.
Depending on where you live, winter is a time when water either falls from the sky as liquid or a fluffy solid. Either kind can work its way inside if your roof is compromised. You want to locate leaks before they become a problem, because once water gets in, rot and mold can start, and they are a homeowners worst enemy. So, the next time it rains, have a look around for leaks. Maybe you have to crawl up into the attic with a flashlight. So be it. Better that than deal with the damage from an established leak. If any leaks are spotted, go up to the roof with some spare shingles and roofing nails. It is recommended that you replace not just the shingles that are leaking, but those surrounding the leak as well. A good roofing tar or cement will patch the roof, and new shingles will cover the area. Be sure you put them back on in a pattern that gives your roof complete coverage. Ideally you'll be following the example of the pattern of the other shingles up there, but if there is any doubt in your mind about your abilities here, it may be best to hire someone with more experience. Unless your leaks are extensive, the job shouldn't take a long time, so therefore shouldn't be too expensive.
Another roof-top job is cleaning out the gutters. Of course, not a lot of trees have had a chance to lose their leaves yet, but fruit and flower debris may have accumulated up there. Unless you have a gutter with a little roof or screen over it to prevent things from getting in, you are guaranteed to have some kind of organic matter in there at just about any time of year. This may even be a job you do once now, and again later in the fall. A hose with a high-pressure head can be used to rinse debris away. You can also pull stuff out with your hands, or use a garden hoe or similar devise to remove whatever you find there. Remember, whenever you are doing any job up on the roof, or up high in general, be careful! Never climb up a ladder if you are even slightly intoxicated, and it is a good idea to do it when someone else is home, too, just in case you need help for any reason.
If you live in a climate that's prone to dropping below freezing temperatures, even for a short time, it's a good idea to insulate your water pipes. Frozen water in the pipes can cause cracking, which can then cause leaking, and suddenly you find yourself with those mold and rot characters coming to visit-and you really don't want them anywhere near your property. Any exposed pipes running under or outside of your home should be insulated. This is usually done with foam tubing that is split down one side. Simply measure the lengths and cut them with an exacto-knife or similar device. You may want some duct tape on hand to ensure the insulating foam will stay on the pipe. There's no need to tape every seam, but a few strategic pieces of tape will do the job.
Finally, if you've got any exposed wood, be it on your house or deck, now's the time for a paint or stain treatment. Be sure to scrape away any old and flaking paint, or pressure wash faded wood. Once the surface is completely dry, apply the water-proof stain or paint of your choice.
This list isn't a complete guide to winterizing, just a reminder of what your home may need. Consider your home's unique needs, and budget your time carefully. Even though it still seems like summer out there (most days), it's important that winterizing your home be done well before the cold winds begin to blow.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Hostetler http://EzineArticles.com/?Winterize-Well-Before-Winter&id=1512473
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