11 November

3 Ways to Prepare your Home for Fall and Protect your Investment

It’s Labor Day weekend, which means that fall will be here before you know it. The change of seasons means more rain for many of us, which puts your home at risk for water damage if any of its important water-protection systems isn’t quite up to snuff. Read on for three key steps you can take to make sure that you protect your home. Make sure you’re ready for whatever this autumn has to dish out. Soon you can enjoy the hot cider and football games instead of worrying about water leaks.

Step 1: Check your Roof

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so keeping it in top shape needs to be a top priority. Roofing experts recommend inspecting your roof at least twice a year, in the spring and fall, and more often after particularly bad weather or if there are conditions that add extra hazards to your roof, such as overhanging trees. Click here for instructions for inspecting your roof, or call a professional if you don’t feel safe climbing on your roof yourself.

Growths such as moss and lichen can also damage your roof and even lead to costly water leaks. Using bleach to clean your roof can damage some shingles, corrode your downspouts and kill your lawn with caustic runoff. Plus, one wrong move with a pressure washer can tear your shingles or rain gutters loose. Wet & Forget Outdoor kills moss, lichen, algae, and mold and mildew with no scrubbing, bleaching or pressure washing needed. Wet & Forget Outdoor’s gentle formula is safe to use on any type of roof, and it won’t corrode your downspouts or kill your lawn. No wonder Larry F. was so thrilled with the results he got when he cleaned his roof with Wet & Forget Outdoor! Click here for more information.

Step 2: Check your Gutters and Downspouts

Your rain gutters and downspouts have the very important job of taking all of the rainwater that comes off of your roof and channeling it away from your basement and your home’s foundation. If they have a clog, are loose, bent, or not hanging properly, you could wind up with a wet basement or even cracks in your foundation that could cost you a massive amount of money.

The Foundation Repair Association recommends checking your rain gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. This includes cleaning them as well as checking the slopes of the rain gutters to make sure they are draining properly. They also recommend installing downspouts that release rainwater a minimum of five feet away from your home’s foundation. Click here for instructions for cleaning and inspecting your rain gutters and downspouts, and check out the video above for some tips from home improvement guru Gary Sullivan.

Step 3: Check your Deck

Your deck is the perfect spot to relax, and it’s also a big part of your investment in your home. This is the perfect time to show your deck some TLC and make sure it’s prepared for fall’s wetter weather and winter’s chill. Click here for details on how to keep your deck ship-shape.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Photos courtesy of Catfisheye and Magnus Manske.