As cooler weather arrives here in Cincinnati, it is important to make sure your home is ready for it. Review the tips and tricks below on how to ensure your home is maintained during the season change. Fall maintenance is critical for preparing your home for the temperatures and harsh winter weather that may arrive.
Gutter Maintenance
Quarterly checking and cleaning of a home’s gutters help to prevent potential problems before they arise and prepare your property for harsher weather the winter months have to offer. Check your gutters for any damage. This includes making sure your gutters are securely attached to your home. Winter months can bring strong winds with the potential to strip gutters off homes if not properly secured.
Check for any accumulating debris in the gutters or downspouts. Falling leaves from surrounding trees will typically gather during the fall months, clogging gutters and not allowing water to properly drain off your roof. Clogged gutters can lead to more serious and costly damages if not addressed. Clogged gutters can potentially lead to:
- Improper roof water runoff
- Water pooling on top of the roof
- Rotting roofing materials
- Leaking roofs
- Decaying soffits and fascia
- Potential replacing of roof
- Breeding ground for algae
- Growing of mold in attic spaces
- Landscaping decay due to pools and puddles forming from gutter flooding
- Soil erosion
As you can see from the list above, clogged gutters can cause havoc on your home if left untreated. Gutter maintenance should be the top item on your fall checklist. To keep your gutters in good health, clean them out at least twice annually, more if your property has a good amount of surrounding trees.
Fall Roof Inspection
It is never a bad idea to get your roof inspected ahead of winter, especially if you suspect any underlying conditions. A roof inspection will check for any damage like missing, cracked or loose shingles. Inspecting your roof in the autumn months will give you time before the snow or ice arrives and prevents any roofing repairs from being made. Small problems that may be able to be identified in the fall will prevent bigger issues later on. A strong, durable roof in the winter will prevent excessive repair costs. If you need assistance in your roof’s fall maintenance, contact EMA construction’s qualified roofers for a full inspection
Window and Door Maintenance
Take the time to go through your home and check each window or outdoor door for any drafts. If you feel a hint of a draft, caulk around the window or door. You do not want to allow any energy loss during the cooler months to escape. Also replace any cracked windows or broken doors that are insufficient energy savers, you will end up saving money in the long run.
Siding Maintenance
Besides contributing to the overall look of your home, a home’s siding prevents outdoor elements from effecting the inside of your home. As siding gets older, it is more exposed to these elements and eventual damage. Siding maintenance can assist in preventing a number of different issues as well as keeping your home looking new. To ensure your siding in Cincinnati, OH can survive the winter months maintain it while there is still some warmer weather outside.
Unless you have mold-resistant siding, power washing your home’s siding with water and the right cleaning products will prevent dirt and mildew from damaging your siding.
Summer heat and rain can cause a number of issues to arise in your siding. Inspect your siding for cracks, holes, rot, or parts of siding wanting to pull away from the home. If any of these are listed, siding replacement is probably necessary. Call the experts at EMA Construction, a Cincinnati siding contractor serving Liberty Township and West Chester, Ohio, for more information on siding replacement.
Similar with checking your windows and doors, ensure that all gaps are sealed where siding meets windows or doors. If you see any gaps, caulk them.
Conclusion
The fall transition into the winter months is the perfect time to inspect your home for any maintenance needed. Whether a home’s gutters, roof, windows, or siding the experts at EMA Construction can assist you in upkeep and repairs before the cold arrives and it is too late! Save money and worry and contact us today for your fall maintenance tasks.