Winter Home Maintenance Tips with a Des Moines Roof Repair Contractor
Some preventative home maintenance this winter can help reduce your energy costs, prevent costly disasters and recognize future repairs to consider when warmer temperatures return. ADes Moines Roofer knows there are some must-do home maintenance tasks that will help save your home from experiencing some significant emergency issues during the winter. Here are our top pro-tips to keep your home in good health:
Examine your Siding-
You’re viewing for chips, cracks dents, dings or holes that might need to be repaired or replaced, which can sometimes be hard to spot for the untrained eye. Monitor for drafts using a candle watch for flickering flames, and then seal any cracks around your windows and doors.
Examine your Attic and Roof for Damage-
Check your attic for signs of a leak(s) or structural degradation such as loose truss plates. On the exterior, examine for damaged (cracked, buckle, warped) or missing roof shingles or tiles. Des Moines Roof Repair contractors see a lot of hail damage here in Iowa and say that your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover the damages if you don’t wait too long. Always have a licensed professional perform routine inspections.
Examine your Heating Vents-
Be sure they aren’t obstructed by furniture or anything large enough to completely cover them. If you have a vent that is obstructed, you’ll spend more on energy consumption to heat up your home from poor HVAC circulation.
Examine your Furnace-
Hire a licensed HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and check for leaks, unit efficiency, and make a filter exchange. If there is an issue, it’s beneficial to find out sooner than later when it breaks down in the middle of the night when emergency charges may apply.
Clear your gutters and downspouts-
Verify that your gutter system and downspouts are free and clear of obstructions, so they can divert water away from your homes foundation, sidewalks, and driveway. A Des Moines Roofing Contractor recommends that you clean your gutters completely of all leaves, animal nests, and debris so that snow and ice can melt and drain correctly. If your gutters are already full, the added weight from a big snow, ice or hail storm could tear the gutters right off your home.
Completely Drain your Outdoor Sprinkler System and Turn Off ALL Spigots-
If your sprinkler system is still up and running during the winter, be aware that it’s possible for the lines to freeze and result in a broken or burst water pipe. Your Des Moines roofing repair contractor suggests completely shutting them down during the winter to avoid expensive repairs.
Maintain your Landscaping-
Be certain that the ground slopes away from your home to improve drainage away from the foundation. Use organic fertilizer in the fall to deter damage over the winter and spring weeds, and this is also an opportune time to plant bulbs for the following Spring. You may also want to consider spraying the foundation with a non-toxic solution to help ward off unwanted pests.
CALL ACTION ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION TO SCHEDULE TODAY AT (515) 202-2173.
If you have questions or would like more information our dedicated staff of roofing professionals is happy to assist you!