Critter-Proof Your House Before Winter Sets In

As nights and early mornings finally settle into a below-freezing pattern, you might find yourself sharing your home with an unwanted critter or two. The first sign of an animal intrusion is likely the noise. Late at night when all should be quiet, you might be woken up to squeaking, rustling, or even hissing somewhere above your head. As winter sets in, mice, raccoons, possums, and other small animals start looking for warmer shelter, and attics are a popular place for them to reside. What’s important is to take action quickly, before they start to get too settled and begin to nest where they shouldn’t. 

Generally, the noise that the animal makes will tell you what you’re dealing with. Squeaking or chewing sounds are likely rats, scurrying is probably a squirrel or mouse, and snarls or hissing is usually a raccoon. While some of these animals are looking for a place to call home, others may have ended up in your attic by accident and are looking for a way out. It’s a good idea to know the difference. 

Almost all animals are likely to chew through wiring and bigger ones like raccoons or possums can tear apart insulation and ruin ductwork. Even small mice can make unwanted nests and leave an awful smell from their excrement. Although dealing with animal removal is a pretty awful job, leaving an unwanted visitor alone will end up costing you a lot more than sleep. If removing pests isn’t on your resume, call in an exterminator to take care of the problem. 

If you have mice or rats, they have likely moved in because there is a water source. Simple bait traps will help get the ones that are already there, but a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so rodent proofing is essential. You’ll also want to inspect for any roof leaks as part of the job.

Squirrels are one of the animals I mentioned that might have come in accidentally. They usually prefer it outside and will be looking for a way to leave your home. Soffits and vents are likely places for squirrels to be able to get in so your best bet is to install an exclusion door that lets the rodents out so they can’t get back in. 

A one-way door will also work for raccoons, who don’t mind sticking around if they find a warm, dark, and comfy place to live. However, since raccoons are nocturnal, you can make your attic less accommodating by leaving the lights on and even playing music. They’ll soon look for somewhere else to live. 

Bats are elusive in that they are very quiet and you might not even hear them unless there is a decent size colony making their home in yours. Removal is key and should only be done by a registered DEEP specialist as bats can be diseased. 

Finally, there are possums which, similar to raccoons, won’t want to leave. These guys are pretty resilient and they go to the bathroom everywhere, leaving a huge, smelly mess behind. The best method to get rid of a possum is to have it trapped and removed by a professional. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ceiling Cracks - A Simple Problem?

This question from a reader might resonate with many of you. “Dear Bob, I noticed a ceiling crack has appeared in my bathroom ceiling near my shower. What should I do?”

I am so glad the reader asked this question because it's incredibly common and can easily happen in any home. The reason ceiling cracks appear is because the bathroom usually holds the most moisture in the house. If the bathroom doesn't have proper ventilation, water and steam from the shower can get trapped in the ceiling, softening the drywall and eventually cracking the paint. An easy cosmetic fix could be to fill in the cracks and repaint the ceiling, but my advice is to first check to ensure no leaks or drainage issues are causing the problem in the first place.

I spend a lot of time in attics and I often see bathroom fans that have been disconnected or knocked off track. So while they sound like they are working, they aren't actually extracting the moisture properly. First-floor bathrooms can be even more susceptible to cracking because of the possibility of plumbing leaks inside the ceiling that originate from an upstairs bathroom. 

So what can you do? If you fix the crack, you don't want it coming back again. Start by making sure you have no leaks or damage in your plumbing. If the area looks wet and doesn’t dry out after using the shower, it is likely an issue coming from inside the ceiling itself, in which case you’ll want to call a plumber. If the ceiling dries after each shower, it’s probably just an extraction problem.

Now have a look at your bathroom fan to ensure that it's working properly. If the fan is old, it's probably worth having it replaced. Older fans or ones that aren’t working well are leaving moisture in the air, which will crack your paint. A good fan should extract moisture in 15 minutes and should be directed outside, not in the attic. 

Once you're ready to patch and paint, make sure the surfaces are very dry and use a water-resistant compound and paint to repair the ceiling. Ensure you give the compound plenty of time to dry before painting - I recommend one day or more. Finally, make sure you're preventing any excess moisture build-up in the future by running the fan during and for 20 minutes after each shower. 

I love hearing from my readers, so please keep those questions coming!
Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Make Hot Water Heater Maintenance A Priority

No one wants to be thinking about winter quite yet, but now is actually a great time to make sure your water heater is in good working order. Major appliance maintenance such as this might seem like a big task, but if you haven’t had issues in the past, a simple check-up and clean-out can really help it run more efficiently while lengthening its life. Here are some tips. 

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Drain your water heater at least twice a year to get rid of any buildup, which will prevent corrosion and increase the machine’s energy efficiency. I like to do this in the fall and early spring, before and after its busy season.

First, turn off the unit and give it plenty of time to cool down. Then, using a garden hose and pump, drain the water into a bucket. If the bucket becomes filled with brown, sediment-tainted water, continue to refill and drain your heater until the water looks clean again. When you’re in the clear, you can disconnect your hose and turn the unit back on.

Keep your water heater at a steady 120 degrees and lower it down if you’re planning on leaving the house for three days or more. For every 10 degrees you decrease the temperature, you’ll save five percent in energy costs.

Insulate the tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the warmer months. 

If you have a valve that’s leaking, make sure that the fittings are nice and tight. If anything is loose, you might have to replace the valves or fittings. You can find the parts you’ll need at a local hardware store – just don’t forget to shut off the water before fitting them!

Remember, working with electric or gas appliances can be dangerous. If you’re not familiar with how your unit operates or if you’re not comfortable with this kind of work, contact a plumber for a routine maintenance check.  

The average lifecycle of a water heater is about eight to twelve years and they can cost anywhere from $300 for an electric tank system to well over $1,000 for a tankless energy efficient natural gas appliance. If you’re in the market for a new machine, do your research and make sure you maintain it regularly to ensure that it will go the distance. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.