Projects from Page 9
Window and doorway
inspection
Before temperatures start
dropping once again, homeowners will want to inspect
their windows and doorways
for leaks. Over time, cracks
can develop around windows
and doorways, and while such
cracks are rarely noticeable
when the weather outside
is warm, they can be quite
obvious and very costly if they
remain unsealed come the
start of winter. Cold air can
enter a home through cracks
around windows and doorways, and many homeowners
who don’t suspect leaks may
respond by turning up the
thermostats in their homes.
That can prove quite expensive over a full winter. Choose
a windy autumn day to place a
hand by windows and external
to other parts of the house that
adjoin the roof, like skylights
or a chimneys. Poorly installed
problems with the roofing, but
flashing can cause leaks. Stains
it’s better to be safe than sorry.
that appear below chimneys
∞ Look for protective granules wearing off. If gutters are or near attic windows may
indicate new flashing, and not
filled with the sandy granular
new shingles, is needed.
material that coats roofing
∞ Gutters and downspouts
shingles, that may be a sign of
should
be in good condition.
an aging or damaged roof.
A roof is the sum of its parts,
∞ Inspect flashing. Profesand that includes downspouts
sional roofers can recognize
properly installed flashing, the and gutters. If the gutters are
material that connects the roof clogged or damaged, they
cannot direct water away
Roofing from Page 7
CLASSIC REINVENTED
doorways in your home to see
if you can feel drafts. If you
can, seal these cracks as soon
as possible.
Patios are popular hangouts
during spring and summer,
and that can result in a lot of
wear and tear. Once you store
patio furniture for the winter, inspect your entire patio
to determine if it needs any
refurbishing. While certain
patio projects may be best left
for spring, you can still clean
any stained areas around the
grill and look for cracks in
the sidewalk that need to be
addressed.
Preparing for fall home
improvement projects ahead
of time can help homeowners
complete projects in a timely
manner and ensures they
won’t be forced to brave the
winter elements when refurbishing their homes.
from the house properly.
Snow, leaves and other debris
needs to be cleared from
gutters to help them function
at optimal capacity.
∞ Animals and insects can
cause damage, too. It’s not
just poor weather that homeowners need to consider with
regard to roof damage. Boring
insects and animals may cause
problems with roofs as well. A
roof inspection may shed light
on potential pest problems.
Holes or nesting materials
may indicate that an animal or
animals are using the attic as a
shelter from the elements.
Get to the root of issues
with your home’s roof before
they become bigger problems
once winter arrives. A thorough inspection can reveal
problems that may prove
costly if ignored.
Inspect a roof each fall to
get an idea of the potential
damage and any necessary
repairs that may be needed
before nasty weather sets in.
Patio cleanup
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71 River Street, Rutland, VT
802-786-9075
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Fall Vermont Home Garden & Car • 11