Get Ahead of Winter with These Home Prep Tasks

With this week’s frigid dip in temperatures, it’s time to talk about what we should be doing to get our homes ready for the cold before it sets in permanently. After all, there is nothing worse than not being ready when the first snowfall comes our way. So without further ado, here are my top five tips for pre-winter preparation at home:

Take a picture of your roof.

We’ll start with an easy one. Go outside and snap a photo of your roof from each direction. Wondering why? When we get a massive snowfall, I always recommend for people to get their roofs shoveled. Removing the snow helps to reduce the risk of leaks and other damage to your home. But when the snow is very deep, it’s impossible to see the pipes, skylights and other parts and pieces that stick up out of the roof. Keeping a picture of the clean surface is a great way to minimize the probability of an accident when you’re trying to prevent damage in the first place.

Mark the driveway.

Speaking of damage prevention, stop by the local hardware store and get some property markers. They are generally made of wood or metal and are sometimes painted in a fluorescent color. Use the markers to create an outline around your driveway. Just like your roof, when a blanket of snow hits, it’s impossible for a removalist to see where the driveway ends and where your lawn begins. Creating that parameter will help the snow plow truck operator know where to go, which should assist in keeping your curbs and grass intact.

Give the furnace a checkup.

Don’t wait until you really need heat to make sure that everything is in working order. Clean or replace your HVAC filters and check the temperature gauge to make sure you can power up and down with no problems. If you haven’t already, now is the time to remove those window A/C units and check and clean those filters too. While you’re at it, make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working and change the batteries if necessary.

Seal up the air holes.

I get calls all winter long from people who are wondering why their house is so drafty. If you have an attic hatch, install an insulated box to prevent the cold air from coming down into your living space. Check all your windows and doors for gaps and use weatherstripping, foam, or insulation to seal it tight. If you have a fireplace that you don’t use, get that covered too. Any passageways from the inside to the outside can act as wind tunnels when the frigid winter air comes calling.

Clean those gutters.

Now that most of the leaves have fallen it’s time to clean your gutters. If you leave them full of debris, it will prevent winter water from flowing off the roof and down away from the foundation. If water has nowhere to go, it will refreeze in your gutters and at the base of your roof, resulting in dangerous ice dams and potential leaks. If you don’t want to do this dirty job yourself, schedule a pro to handle it for you. It will be worth it.

If you do just these five things, you’ll be in much better shape when the wicked weather decides to come our way. Plus it’s much more pleasant to get these jobs out of the way before it’s too cold and snowy to bother. Good luck and as always, don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help or advice.

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.

Warmth Seeking Pests Are a Common Nuisance As the Cold Sets In

The first sign of an animal intruding in your home 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 the nights start to get cold, mice, rats, 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 in 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 with 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. 

Happy animal proofing!

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.

Bob’s Favorite Fall Must-Haves for Easy Autumn Maintenance

The temperature is officially turning which means now is a great time to start getting ready for the rapid changing of seasons. There is nothing worse than being unprepared, so today I have compiled my list of the must-have products and services that you should invest in to keep your home clean, warm, and well maintained from now right through the winter. Let’s get to it. 

Gutter Guards. Most homeowners don’t love the idea of getting up on a roof, but leaving your gutters to clog up with leaves can cause major problems as winter sets in. Gutter guards work as a shield over your gutters, allowing the water to pass through while repelling leaves, whirlybirds, twigs, and other potential blockages. I install gutter guards several times a week and it’s definitely not a one-size fits every house situation. Be sure to get a professional to come out and give you a recommendation before you buy.

Weatherstripping. If you have an older home, you likely feel a lot of air passing through your doors and windows. If you’re not quite ready for a full replacement, weatherstripping can help you to retain some of the heat in your home. Hardware stores generally carry felt, foam, and my personal favorite, vinyl tubing, which lasts the longest.  Most can be installed by a handy homeowner in just a few hours.

A Really Good Rake. Cleaning up the yard is backbreaking work, especially if you don’t have the right equipment. One of my favorite rakes is the Fiskars Leaf Rake with Cushioned Grip which has a wide head that can move a ton of leaves with one grab. Best of all, it’s under $20. If you have a lot of smaller areas, the Gardenite Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake is another great option to tackle tight spots. 

A Cordless Blower. With a good rake should come a good blower, but many don’t have the power to blast wet leaves and move around the yard efficiently. I am loving the Powersmith 40V Max Battery-Powered Leaf Jet Blower which blows at 120 miles per hour and is cordless so I can get right to the very edges of my property. What’s really great is the cruise control so I don’t have to hold down the trigger to keep the machine at the right level of power. 

A Furnace Inspection. It’s a good idea to make sure your furnace or boiler is in tip-top shape before the cold weather comes. Book an inspection now and be sure to change your filters to make sure everything is running smoothly. In addition to the peace of mind, a quick tune-up will help you save on your energy bills too. 

A Great Snow Shovel. Connecticut winters are unpredictable so it’s a good idea to be ready. According to reviews, the True Temper 18-Inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover takes the cake with its 18-inch plastic scoop, curved shaft, and nylon leading edge which protects sensitive surfaces like a deck or patio. It’s not cheap at between $25 and $30, but a good shovel can last for years, so it’s well worth the investment.

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.