Keep Animals Out of Your Home This Winter

As nights and early mornings finally settle into a 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 definitely be looking for a way to leave the attic. 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 come back. 

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.

Home Maintenance To Tackle Before Winter

With the forecast settling into the 40s, it’s time to talk about getting our homes ready for the cold before the thermometer drops below freezing. After all, there is nothing worse than not being ready when the first proper 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 usually recommend that people 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.

Stake 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 plow truck driver know where to go, which should assist in keeping your curbs and grass intact.

Check your heat and air sources.

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 definitely 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 leaks.

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 them 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.

If your gutters are full of autumn leaves and 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 settle in. 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. Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

Reputation Counts When Searching for a Contractor

It can be tough to find a good remodeler these days. With so many options and a lot of unknowns, getting a good contractor that you can trust to do the job right can be more daunting than the project you’re hiring them for. So where do you start? Here are my top tips for finding the best professional for your renovation plans.

Ask for referrals.

When it comes to hiring an expert for remodeling or home repair work, you should look at it the same way you would for a doctor or an accountant. Start by asking friends, family, or co-workers for a referral, or you can also try your local building inspector or the owner of the lumberyard in your area. Additionally, every tradesperson has a network of other home professionals they deal with regularly; so if you have a plumber but need an electrician, don’t be afraid to reach out. Local Facebook groups are also a fantastic way to search for recommendations. 

Trust your gut.

When meeting with professionals, your gut feeling is as important as anything else. Home improvement is a personal process so go at it in the same way you would a first date. Do you like the solutions and options the expert provides? Does he communicate with you in a way that’s clear and concise?  Do you feel comfortable that she will do the job the way you want it done? Don’t get caught up in special deals or flashy talk, trust your instincts and go with a professional that feels more like a partner than a salesperson. A true expert will show his or her knowledge and educate you along the way.  

Don’t ask for a rough estimate. 

There is no use in asking for a “ballpark figure”, ever. Chances are that the prices quoted in the estimate will change once the contractor has a chance to understand what is specifically required. Certain things such as the condition of the property, the materials used for the job, and the personalization that you require will make up the price. Save yourself some time and confusion by making a list of what you really want before the contractors show up for the first appointment. Most professionals will give you an estimate for free so make the most of that opportunity by getting specific. Getting a good deal is important, but not if it means scrimping on quality workmanship. 

Do ask for a plan.

Understanding your costs is key, but it’s also a good idea to ask for a plan of action to ensure you are fully aware of both the process and the timeline for the job. A simple step-by-step explanation will give you the clarity you need to ensure that you and your contractor are on the same page and it will also help you plan around activities you might have going on. As a professional, I like to make sure the steps involved in a job are clearly articulated for two reasons; it gives my customers confidence in the project and it helps them understand all of the work being undertaken, especially the parts that might not be as obvious.  In my opinion, an educated customer is the best kind of customer.

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.