Fall Home Improvement Tips for Hamilton-Burlington Home Owners

Fall Home Improvement Tips for Hamilton-Burlington Home Owners

Hello Dear Neighbours!


Fall in a cold climate is the time when animals store up food for the winter and grow thick coats, and the humans take in their last harvest, change everything in their clothes closets and shore up their houses for the snow and cold winds. One season at a time is about as far ahead as the animal kingdom thinks, but us humans should be thinking two seasons ahead. That's right, in the fall we need to plan for spring as well as winter.


Don't forget that the fall is also the time to prepare the rain gutters. After the last leaves have fallen, you need to do a last good cleaning of the rain gutters, and make sure they are solidly attached to the house so that they will be able to withstand the winter snow. If you don't get the leaves out now, they will create a long lasting icy block preventing the roof drainage system from doing its job when rain or melting snow hits the rain gutters from now until spring. Remember that the downspouts need to head about five feet away from the foundation as well. The primary function of roof drainage systems is to keep water away from the foundations of the house. There are a number of entries about "rain gutters" in the Nuts&Bolts section as well.

Now that we have the Spring thaw taken care of, we can turn our attention to getting the house itself ready for winter.

•- a tune-up for the "furnace";
•- clean the "chimney" attached to a wood burning appliance;
•- make sure all "wires" — such as electrical, telephone, cable — are solidly attached to the house;
•- use binoculars to study your "roof", or hire someone to take a close look to be sure the shingles and the flashing are all in good shape for the winter;
•- inspect, and replace if necessary, the "caulking" around the windows, doors, any other penetrations. Some siding requires caulking as well;
•- inspect, and replace if necessary, all "weather-stripping";
•- and if your "windows" are in really bad shape, you may need to replace them as well;

•If you follow my weekly preventative maintenance calendar regularly, most of these things will be up to date without your having to undertake any major winterizing efforts.

Each season has its own beauty, and its own demands. That is why I love living in a region that has four distinct seasons. It is like living in four different places, without having to move.

Have a Great Day !
Your Truly,
Jimmy

"Helping Families Make the Right Move !"

Selling a House with Pets at Home ?Visit my website to showcase your home for sale :-
www.jimmysingh.ca
905-575-5478(Hamilton) 905-639-5258(Burlington)