One of the most effective means of winterizing a home is repairing a leaky roof. For those who have had just a few mild showers, now is a good time to water test the roof for leaks, and to make the needed repairs. While water testing is not a difficult process, it can be time consuming and tedious.
A ladder, garden hose and flashlight are needed. The process requires two people, one atop the roof and one in the attic or living space below, if no attic exists. Safety notes: Be sure to wear non-skid rubber-soled shoes or boots and use a sturdy ladder, firmly planted on the ground.
Start the testing process by running a modest amount of water over the shingles in the area where a leak is suspected. Do not run the water full blast, use a spray nozzle or force the water between the shingles, as these are certain to cause a leak. Work from the lowest point of the roof ö near the eaves or gutters ö in an area about 4 to 6 feet wide, working your way up the roof. Stand on dry roofing above the water as you work to prevent a slip.
While you are on the roof working the garden hose, your helper should be in the attic with a flashlight ready to give a yell at the first sign of water. Repeat the testing process all over the roof or, at the very least, at those locations where a leak is likely, such as around plumbing vents, mechanical jacks and chimney flashings.
Once the leak locations have been identified you can make the repairs yourself, or call in a roofing professional and show him where the repairs need to be made.
Hang onto the ladder and garden hose. You'll need both to carry out the next winterizing job ö cleaning the gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts filled with debris can back up and cause roof leaks, rot at the overhang and, believe it or not, sticking doors and windows.
Gutters that have not been cleaned in ages may be filled with a mud-like substance that will need to be scooped out with a small garden trowel. This buildup results from dirt and other organic debris that deteriorates creating a compost heap. If unattended this will shorten the life of the gutters.
Once the majority of the debris has been removed, the balance can be flushed away using the garden hose with a spray nozzle on full blast. Use this combination as a snake to clear any obstructions in the downspouts. To prevent future buildup install gutter screens.
A final note about downspouts: It is usually excess water around the foundation and under the house that causes doors and window to stick, cracks over doors windows and other openings, rot and mildew problems. To prevent this kind of damage, you must get the water away from the foundation. This can be accomplished by making sure that the soil that surrounds the home falls AWAY from the foundation. Also, use a short length of rigid or flexible plastic drain pipe, without perforations, to carry water from the toe of the downspout to a location away from the foundation.
A less obvious cause of this kind of damage is over-watering. Folks with automatic sprinkler systems often forget to cut down on the watering time as the seasons change, and hence end up with a swamp under the house or in the basement. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, be sure to cut back on the watering time. Look into the new moisture detection accessories that automatically adjust watering time. These are useful when you're on vacation and no one is around to watch the water.
A chill in the air means it's time to rev up the furnace. One simple and inexpensive task that will result in a more healthful and energy-efficient heating season is changing the furnace filter. A dirty filter will allow dust and other microscopic particles to be distributed throughout the home, causing allergy attacks and flu-like symptoms. It also makes the furnace work harder, making it less efficient and shortening its life.
Filters come in a variety of sizes and styles. Remove the existing filter, take it to the hardware store or home improvement center and match it up with a new one of equal or better quality. The least expensive filters cost less than $5 and will trap only the largest particles. There is a range of filters that are constructed of various materials. As the price rises they become increasingly more dense, catching smaller particles.
Whatever filter you select, there are a couple of steps that should be performed at the same time. Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush to clean out the interior of the blower compartment and burner chamber. It should extend to the ducts and the cold air return as well. This is more of a health concern than one of efficiency. There are companies with sophisticated equipment that specialize in furnace and duct cleaning. Check with a local heating contractor for a referral.
One final area that deserves attention during the winter months is the plumbing system. Exposed water lines at the exterior, in the crawl space or basement and in the attic should be wrapped to prevent frozen pipes. In days gone by, old rags, newspaper, burlap and duct tape were materials often used for winter pipe protection.
Today, there is an assortment of neoprene pipe wrap designed to insulate water lines. The material generally comes in flexible 8-to 10-foot lengths, in various diameters for different pipe sizes. It also comes with a continuous slit along one side to allow easy installation, and can be cut to size with a pair of scissors. Some products come complete with a pre-applied peel and stick tape to secure the material once installed. Silver duct tape can be used at joints and other hard-to-secure locations.
