Small Fall Fix-Ups Avert Big Winter Woes
by Thomas Kraeutler
Homeowners should make sure their houses are in good shape for the winter. Most people automatically winterize their car, yet they don't know the value of the same type of maintenance for their home. Setting time aside now for a few easy fix-ups can help avoid big -- and expensive -- headaches down the line. In the thousands of home inspections I've performed, there were many where simple prevention in these key areas could have saved much time and money for the homeowners.
Gutters
When leaves and twigs clog your gutters, big problems can result, like wet basements and leaky roofs. Keep gutters and spouts clean and free-flowing. Wherever possible, extend the downspouts four to six feet from the house.
Roofs
The summer season is rough on roofs. So, fall is a good time to examine it for any cracked, broken or missing shingles. Also, be sure to look at the flashing points where pipes, vents and chimneys come through your roof. This is where most leaks occur. Use roofing cement to secure any loose flashing. Also, patch any gaps around pipes with roofing cement.
Exterior Walls
Before winter's frigid drafts sneak in, check all your windows and doors for loose caulk or deteriorated weather stripping. Repair or replace it.
Ventilation
Most people don't think about the need for attic ventilation in the winter, but it is very important. During the cold season, moisture from baths, showers and cooking is trapped indoors. Your heated air carries it up to the attic, where it saturates insulation and can cut the insulating effect dramatically. So, make sure there is plenty of ventilation, all year round. A well-ventilated house should have at least a square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of floor space in the attic. Many people use an attic fan. A good alternative is a "continuous ridge and soffit vent system" wherever possible. This system uses the ridge line of the roof for inside air to be vented out, and uses the overhang (soffit) for outside air to be drawn in. During the winter, these two vents work together to carry moisture out of the house. In the summer, they provide terrific cooling power. Best of all, once properly installed, they don't cost a dime to run (unlike attic fans) and need virtually no on-going maintenance.
Heating System
Don't wait for a problem before having your heating system serviced. Now is the time to get it cleaned, adjusted and checked for safe operation by a competent professional. After that, make sure to change filters regularly throughout the winter. Also, consider purchasing a "set-back" thermostat and use it! This can save big heating bucks by automatically turning down the heat when no one is home or everyone is sleeping.
Fireplaces
Nothing beats a warm fire on a chilly night. But first make sure the fireplace is safe. Have the chimney checked and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Repeat this process once for every cord of wood burned or at least every other year.
Electric Water Heater
Make sure it is wrapped by an insulating blanket (not recommended for gas water heaters). Also, save quite a bit on heating bills by having a timer installed that heats water only when you need it. A timer can turn off the water heater in the middle of the night and bring it on again in plenty of time to heat the water for morning showers.
Attic Insulation
The fall is always a good time to examine insulation, especially since up to 80% of your home's heat loss is through the ceiling and insulation is the key to cutting this energy loss. Try to shoot for an insulating value of R-19 to R-30 in the attic. (Every inch of insulation gives you a value of about 3 "R". Six inches of fiberglass insulation is R-19.)
Since some of the above tips involve dealing with service contractors, Kraeutler, a former building contractor himself, cautioned homeowners to be careful when selecting building and maintenance professionals.
Beware of any service contractor who recommends an expensive repair, he said. "Some less reputable contractors use service calls to sell you a product you don't need. Or, even if you do need it, the cost is inflated," he warned.
Don't hesitate to get a second opinion or call an independent professional for an evaluation, he said. Finally, make sure the contractor is insured; otherwise homeowners could be liable if a worker gets hurt on their property.
Tom Kraeutler is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart! Tom appears regularly on CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and the DIY Network. He's a columnist for House Beautiful and do! Magazine and his work has been featured in Smart Money, Reader's Digest and in hundreds of daily newspapers across the nation. 
