So another glorious summer is over, and what do we have to look forward to now? Just imagine it: 10-degree temperatures, icy slush to drive on and cold drafty breezes inside our homes. If that excites you, youre living in the right area and youre in the right month. If the whole idea sends a chill down your spine, youre in good company.
While most of us cant do anything about the icy slush or the outside temps, we do have a good deal of control over how warm our homes can feel. Surprisingly, a few dollars spent up front not only saves money all winter, but makes us warmer as well. Its kind of like having your warmth and your wallet, too.
The roof
Have you ever wondered what was happening up on that roof-thing you have? Most of us would prefer to ignore the whole thing and just hope it keeps taking care of us. As a home inspector, I know better. Shingles can look OK from the ground but can be cracked, curled and wind damaged when you get a closer look. And when there is a problem, you cant fix it in the winter. That foot of snow that will be on your roof in January? Well, that will pretty much prevent any attempts at stopping the mold momentum that will be growing with each passing January hour.
Now is the time to get a peek at your roof. If you can safely do so and would like to do so yourself, please feel free. If not, hire a home inspector or roofer that you trust. This is one of those items that meet the $10/$10,000 rule: a few dollars spent now can save you a bundle later this winter.
Rain gutters
Many of us are quite unaware that rain gutters perform a vital purpose. Their job is to capture all that water coming from the roof and run it well away from the structure especially the window wells. If your gutters are full of leaves, pine needles, kite string, tennis balls and Barbie dolls, lets just say things get ugly from there. Water that doesnt drain stays right there and freezes leaves you with a problem: an 800 lb. ice cube tray lurking over your head. And it's just waiting for that perfect moment to fall.
But wait! Well double the offer: When your gutters dont drain, you get water that drains where it shouldnt. Now you have water into your window wells and mold in your manor. As an added bonus, wet basements are an awesome way to introduce termites into your living space. To prevent all of the above, make sure your gutters are clean, that they drain toward the down spout, and that there is a drain tube at the end of the spout to run water well away from the foundation.
Doors
Nobody loves that waft of cold air flowing through your home in the middle of winter. Where does it come from? The usual suspects are the doors and windows, but it can come through electrical plugs and other openings on the exterior as well. There are solutions for all of the above, but the easiest and cheapest fix will be the weather stripping and door sweeps at your front and back doors. Before it gets cold, take a long hard look at the weather strip. Is it a good quality material? Did your puppy scratch the bejeebers out of it? Is it even there? If you close your door, can you see daylight around the edges? If so, you have work to do. Dont wait until youre doing this project with the door open in 10-degree weather.
Hose bib
Ah, the lowly hose bib. Home inspectors will routinely see where homeowners leave a hose bib attached to something. One thing is pretty much certain: If you leave your hose on the hose bib all winter, youll have frozen pipes in the winter and broken pipes in the spring. When that valve is turned next March youll find youre the proud new owner of a swimming pool in your basement. The rot, mold and termites will be soon to follow. To avoid this, get all attachments off your hose bibs now. In addition, make sure that your hose bib is securely attached to the structure so you cant pull the hose out of the house. It only takes two screws to do this right, but the absence of those two screws can mean the $10,000 fix is heading your way.
HVAC
Its a good quote: "Some things are like barns you build them once, then ignore them till they fall down." Your heating and cooling system can be like this. To be able to safely take care of you, your furnace needs to see some love. Get a good filter, and then make sure it goes where it actually filters the incoming air to your furnace. Take a look at where air comes in and make sure your filter wont lean, fall or lift improperly when the air flow happens. Next, take a look at your furnace. If it looks like the place where all the dust on earth comes to die, you might have a problem. Get your furnace serviced regularly.
If you have a swamp cooler, you have some tasks to do. First, start saving central air is better in 1,000 ways. Until then make sure that the pan is drained, the supply line is drained, the supply valve is off and the supply line disconnected. Next, make sure the unit is protected against drafting cold air into your home, the power is off, and for good measure, take out the motor and bring it in. Or just roll the whole thing off the roof. Just make sure Fido isnt underneath when it falls. Fill in the hole or use it to create an attic fan on steroids, and plan for central air next spring. Seriously though dont do anything thats unsafe.
Do it soon
Most home-related issues follow the $10/$10,000 rule. Do the right thing at the right time and youre good. If you dont know what to do and/or you dont do it, you could be hammered with another tuition fee from the school of hard knocks. Taking care of your home now is always the best bet.
While most of us cant do anything about the icy slush or the outside temps, we do have a good deal of control over how warm our homes can feel. Surprisingly, a few dollars spent up front not only saves money all winter, but makes us warmer as well. Its kind of like having your warmth and your wallet, too.
The roof
Have you ever wondered what was happening up on that roof-thing you have? Most of us would prefer to ignore the whole thing and just hope it keeps taking care of us. As a home inspector, I know better. Shingles can look OK from the ground but can be cracked, curled and wind damaged when you get a closer look. And when there is a problem, you cant fix it in the winter. That foot of snow that will be on your roof in January? Well, that will pretty much prevent any attempts at stopping the mold momentum that will be growing with each passing January hour.
Now is the time to get a peek at your roof. If you can safely do so and would like to do so yourself, please feel free. If not, hire a home inspector or roofer that you trust. This is one of those items that meet the $10/$10,000 rule: a few dollars spent now can save you a bundle later this winter.
Rain gutters
Many of us are quite unaware that rain gutters perform a vital purpose. Their job is to capture all that water coming from the roof and run it well away from the structure especially the window wells. If your gutters are full of leaves, pine needles, kite string, tennis balls and Barbie dolls, lets just say things get ugly from there. Water that doesnt drain stays right there and freezes leaves you with a problem: an 800 lb. ice cube tray lurking over your head. And it's just waiting for that perfect moment to fall.
But wait! Well double the offer: When your gutters dont drain, you get water that drains where it shouldnt. Now you have water into your window wells and mold in your manor. As an added bonus, wet basements are an awesome way to introduce termites into your living space. To prevent all of the above, make sure your gutters are clean, that they drain toward the down spout, and that there is a drain tube at the end of the spout to run water well away from the foundation.
Doors
Nobody loves that waft of cold air flowing through your home in the middle of winter. Where does it come from? The usual suspects are the doors and windows, but it can come through electrical plugs and other openings on the exterior as well. There are solutions for all of the above, but the easiest and cheapest fix will be the weather stripping and door sweeps at your front and back doors. Before it gets cold, take a long hard look at the weather strip. Is it a good quality material? Did your puppy scratch the bejeebers out of it? Is it even there? If you close your door, can you see daylight around the edges? If so, you have work to do. Dont wait until youre doing this project with the door open in 10-degree weather.
Hose bib
Ah, the lowly hose bib. Home inspectors will routinely see where homeowners leave a hose bib attached to something. One thing is pretty much certain: If you leave your hose on the hose bib all winter, youll have frozen pipes in the winter and broken pipes in the spring. When that valve is turned next March youll find youre the proud new owner of a swimming pool in your basement. The rot, mold and termites will be soon to follow. To avoid this, get all attachments off your hose bibs now. In addition, make sure that your hose bib is securely attached to the structure so you cant pull the hose out of the house. It only takes two screws to do this right, but the absence of those two screws can mean the $10,000 fix is heading your way.
HVAC
Its a good quote: "Some things are like barns you build them once, then ignore them till they fall down." Your heating and cooling system can be like this. To be able to safely take care of you, your furnace needs to see some love. Get a good filter, and then make sure it goes where it actually filters the incoming air to your furnace. Take a look at where air comes in and make sure your filter wont lean, fall or lift improperly when the air flow happens. Next, take a look at your furnace. If it looks like the place where all the dust on earth comes to die, you might have a problem. Get your furnace serviced regularly.
If you have a swamp cooler, you have some tasks to do. First, start saving central air is better in 1,000 ways. Until then make sure that the pan is drained, the supply line is drained, the supply valve is off and the supply line disconnected. Next, make sure the unit is protected against drafting cold air into your home, the power is off, and for good measure, take out the motor and bring it in. Or just roll the whole thing off the roof. Just make sure Fido isnt underneath when it falls. Fill in the hole or use it to create an attic fan on steroids, and plan for central air next spring. Seriously though dont do anything thats unsafe.
Do it soon
Most home-related issues follow the $10/$10,000 rule. Do the right thing at the right time and youre good. If you dont know what to do and/or you dont do it, you could be hammered with another tuition fee from the school of hard knocks. Taking care of your home now is always the best bet.
