HOULTON, Maine — Autumn is the perfect time to finish up that long list of home projects before the first snow of winter arrives.
Many put off their house projects to enjoy the relatively short summer in northern Maine. And while that makes for a leisurely summer, it can create a hectic fall schedule for local contractors and do-it-yourselfers.
Regularly cleaning gutters and downspouts is a key element of getting homes ready for winter, according to Brad Butler of Horton Building Supply in Houlton.
“Gutter maintenance is something that not many people think about, but it is very critical,” Butler said. “If the gutters are not clear and graded, water will build up and then once it freezes it can create all sorts of problems.”
Installing gutter guards once they have been properly cleared out can help prevent debris from clogging the newly cleaned gutters.
Fall is the perfect time to make improvements to home decks, according to Scott Dionne of S.W. Collins in Houlton.
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- Scott Tidd of S.W. Collins Company shows off some of the double-hung windows available at the Houlton location. Replacing old, out-dated windows with new vinyl windows is one way to reduce heating costs. (Joseph Cyr)
“I encourage people at this time of year, because there is low humidity, to refinish their decks,” he said. “The only problem is the amount of prep work it takes. It has to be cleaned up before you can refinish it.”
Those using a pressure washing system to clean their decks may actually be exacerbating the problem, Dionne said.
“If you took a pressure washer to your deck, it would probably be best to refinish it next year,” he said. “All that water gets forced into the wood and that needs to dry out before you can refinish it.”
If there is any question about whether the wood may be too wet, Dionne suggests taping a piece of plastic wrap onto the wood. If condensation appears on the inside of the wrap, the wood is too wet to refinish.
Instead, Dionne recommends sanding a deck, sweeping it, and then staining or refinishing it before snow flies.
Another key fall project involves inspecting the roof, Butler said. Those who are uncomfortable scaling a ladder can hire a licensed professional to examine the roof for wear and tear. If only a few shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, replacing those few can help add years to a roof. However, if there are lots of shingles damaged, it might be best to replace the entire roof.
“Checking your roof is a key concern,” Butler said. “Any time you have water infiltration (leaks) in your roof, it is best to address it before we get the first snow.”
Inspecting the drainage around the base of a house is another element of getting homes ready for winter, and also helps avoid potential problems in the spring.
“When all that snow starts to melt, the water has to go somewhere, so it is good to make sure you have the proper drainage in place,” Butler said. “Whether that involves filter fabric, drainage tiles, or landscaping next to the foundation.”
To prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing, homeowners need to turn off valves to exterior faucets. Butler suggests running the water until the pipe is completely empty, otherwise the water inside can freeze, causing pipes to burst.
Replacing windows is another energy-saving measure people can do to get their homes ready for winter, according to Dionne.
“Air sealing is one of the top things people need to check,” he said. “If you have leaks, getting caulking or spray foam into those cracks is the No. 1 priority. Replacing windows and doors can also go a long way to fixing leaks.”
Using a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks can alert a homeowner to potential rotten wood that should be replaced.
“All you really have to do is look around your home and chances are you will see some things you can easily do to get your home ready for winter,” Butler added.
