It may not seem like fall with the heat we’ve had the past few weeks but any day now the leaves will start to turn and you’ll begin to feel any drafts in your windows. If you want to prepare your home before the temperature drops, here are some suggestions from your Greensboro roofing, window, and siding company, Cooley Roofing and Construction.
Windows and Doors
When you properly maintain your windows and doors they are more energy efficient. Check around all your windows to make sure your caulk hasn’t cracked and split open during the summer. If so, head to your local home improvement store and purchase window caulk and apply before the temperatures drop below freezing. Well-functioning caulk will not only help better insulate your windows but keep pests from finding a warm spot to live over the winter.
Weather stripping surrounds your entry doors. An easy test to see if you need to replace yours is to apply pressure gently to your door. If you hear the sound of the door making contact with the doorframe, you likely need new weather stripping. The easiest to apply is that which comes with an adhesive tape backing. Remove your old weather stripping, wipe down the doorframe and apply the new. Before you head off to purchase what you need, be sure to take a measurement of the door to ensure you buy the right length.
Gutters and Roofing
Your gutters are an integral part of your roofing system and if they’re not clean going into winter, you can damage your roof, end up with a roof leak, and needing an early roof replacement. Cleaning gutters isn’t a fun or easy task, but a necessary one. If you do it twice a year, you’ll find it doesn’t take as much time as waiting until all the leaves fall every year.
Before you clean your gutters, remove any debris from your roof. You can do this with a garden hose or a blower depending on your roof and what is on it. Never use a power washer. If your roof has mold or mildew, a simple mixture of half bleach and half water in a sprayer will help kill it. Be sure to water down any plants below your roof where the bleach water may hit before you start spraying and after you rinse to prevent the bleach from killing your landscaping.
Siding
Unless you’re looking for new siding, there is little you can do to prepare it for winter other than a thorough inspection. Make sure that it’s all well attached to your home and doesn’t have any cracks. When siding isn’t attached, it’s an invitation for pests, big and small, to make a home for the winter and when a little water gets in during a freeze thaw cycle, a lot of damage can occur.
If you find that you need replacement windows, new siding, roof repair or replacement, call Cooley Roofing and Construction at 366-766-6488. We’re local and can help you with all your home remodeling needs.
