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October 10, 2017 · 2:16 am

Helpful Tips for Winterizing Your Home

The summer has folded its wings and you’ve got to buckle down and prepare for the coming winter. This isn’t much of an issue if you live on the West Coast; but even in that region, gray days are ahead, and you want to make sure your plumbing, heating system and any other necessary repairs are taken care off.

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your heating system has undergone regular maintenance. If it hasn’t, now is the time to start looking for reputable HVAC Contractors in your area; they can take a look at your air conditioning unit, furnace and more. Keep their number handy for emergency services, too, when they’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on holidays.

Check The Status Of Your Roof

Whether the rain or the snow hits (or both, for that matter), you’ll want your roof to be in tip-top shape this season. Hire a handyman if there’s no one in the house who can safely climb a ladder to inspect the shingles. This past summer has been a hectic one with hurricanes and strong winds in some parts of the country, so you want to make sure damaged or broken sections of the roof are fixed just in case inclement weather hits your region.

For flat roofs, all it might take is a rake to get rid of pine needles and fallen leaves, so the water they retain doesn’t cause mold to build up. In fact; mold can be a problem in spaces inside the home you rarely see – behind the vanity in the bathroom. If there’s water damage in your home, RestorationElite is a trusted provider of emergency services, mold remediation and water/fire damage repair; they’re located in multiple places around the nation.

Property Cleaning And Leaf Work

Clean your gutters of leaves and debris. While you’re up there (or the professional handyman you hired is) have some water downspouts placed to allow any run-off from the rain to cleanly pour down them and into the street gutters.

For your front and back yards specifically, mulch the leaves to break them up into smaller parts. This saves you a bit of cleanup when compared to raking; furthermore, the mulching motion allows the soil to reabsorb the leaves and nourish your grass this season. If you have a lawn mower, replace the blade with one appropriate for mulching.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of winterizing your lawn mower. Any fuel left inside could cause issues if it gets too cold, and possible damage the exhaust. Even if it does not cause damage, it can make the mower more difficult to get running again in the spring.

Have Your Sewer Line And Sump Pump Checked

Experts generally recommend you check your sump pump pit once every three months or so by pouring water into it. If the pump activates, then you’re okay; if not, then you need to have it looked at. Problems, when they arise, tend to occur after an extended dry season.

It’s a good idea to check your sump pump when the forecast is calling for a rainy season. If there’s any extended work to be done, you’ll probably require a registered professional engineer equipped with small trench boxes they use to safely excavate the ground. They may need to dig to find the problem and ward off an impending failure.

All-in-all, it’s best to have your house checked for all the things that require maintenance; if they fail during the winter season, they’re more costly to repair or replace.

This is a sponsored guest post that may or may not reflect the views and ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

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Tagged as Gutters, Home Maintenance, Repairs, Roof, Winter, Winterize

September 22, 2017 · 10:18 pm

Getting Final Remodeling Projects In Before Winter Comes

Autumn Is Here!

What’s that you smell in the air, is it a pumpkin-spiced latte? What’s that you feel in your soul as you drop your kids off at school—is it, could it be…pure joy? Well, not pure. You’ll miss them, of course—but what a relief! From eight to three (or 2:30 if you’re not so lucky), your kids are taken care of, they learn, and you get time to do what you need to.

One of those things could be some post-summer remodeling. Autumn and winter can be ideal times to upgrade your home, especially if you live in the south. It’s not as hot outside, making yard work especially appealing.

Additionally, it’s a traditional “off-season”, so you may find decreased rates available. With school in session, the kids won’t be tearing around the yard, getting in the way of contractors.

If you don’t live in the south, autumn still is an ideal time to remodel because winter is coming, and as they’re fond of saying in the adults-only HBO show Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming!”. It’ll get cold soon, and if you don’t take care of things like roof repairs, you could end up with much bigger structural problems.

Some Outdoor Work

You want to get your roofing done before the winter hits. Since it’s already autumn, if you have not started, you might want to check out sites like South Jersey Roofers since they offer high-quality workmanship, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and proven reliability.

If you wait too long and live in a northern state, you may not be able to find any roofers to repair your issues. If that happens, you might have to use an emergency solution to get by until the weather warms up.

Fall is a great time for last-minute structural remodeling. Additionally, you may not appreciate the features of some remodeling projects until late spring. Pergolas are one of those projects that come to mind.

If you’ve never heard of a pergola, this term refers to an adjustable awning which can be positioned with the touch of a button. It can keep out the snow, wind, and rain, or it can let in the sunshine. Whatever your preference, with the press of a button, you can change the way you enjoy your deck.

When it comes to outdoor pergola builders, you’ll be able to find top-tier solutions that will fit your needs; whether it be opening it up with the touch of a remote, angling it to provide the right amount of shade, or closing it completely.

Additional Considerations

You can actually use a pergola during winter as well. Even in the coldest climates, there will be mild days, and you may want to read a book on the back deck in the sun. Soak up that winter sun while you can, if the clouds come in and you can feel the snow, just close the pergola slats, grab a blanket and keep reading.

Fall can also be the perfect time to install a security system. Again, it’s not nearly so hot outside as during the summer, and you want to have that system in place by the winter. There seems to be an increase in crime during the winter in southern states. This may not be the case if you live in the north, it will depend on your region.

All in all, fall is the opportune time to tackle home improvement projects and make property upgrades like additions and completing essential home maintenance to prepare for the coming winter.