Hello, October! Here is your October To-Do List! To go along with the topic of last week's post, FALL REMODELING PROJECTS, this month we are going to focus on the roof, gutters, windows, and doors!
Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's projects: a custom glass elevator and home remodel in Laguna Beach, California. For more photos of this remodel, click HERE.
THE OCTOBER TO DO LIST
The following topics are important to protecting your home from the elements as well as prolonging its lifespan.
1. Check for and repair broken or missing shingles
Your roof protects your home from the outside elements. Missing shingles, broken shingles, and shingle debris in your rain gutters are signs that your roof will need some repairs done. Ignoring these signs may cause your roof to leak, adding more items to be repaired in your home and increasing your expenses.
2. Clean gutters and downspouts
Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear. Debris tends to collect there. This will make sure that water will drain from your roof properly. Clogged downspouts can cause water to backup into your gutters, causing an overflow. Water will have nowhere to drain to and can potentially cause water damage to your roof, such as leaks, and eventually damage the interior and exterior of your home. Dirty gutters and downspouts are also pest friendly. It will attract insects, rodents, and even bees/hornets/wasps to create a home there, so it is very important that you make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
3. Make sure water drains away from your home
Along with cleaning gutters and downspouts, make sure that the water collected from these drain away from your home. Stagnant water around your home will cause the soil to soften around your home, and potentially damage your home’s foundation, so it is important to make sure that water drains away from your home.
4. Seal around windows and doors
Drafts are air leaks into your home caused by windows or doors not being completely sealed. Windows are sometimes poorly sealed, allowing cold air to come inside your home. Search your windows for any cracks, this is where the cold air will come from. You can easily seal these cracks with a window sealant. If you notice drafts coming in from your door, it is a good sign that you may need door repairs to keep outside air from coming into your home. To fix this problem, you can either update the weather stripping or add a door sweep.
Drafts entering your home from the outside will decrease the energy efficiency of your home, whether its summer or winter, resulting in increased energy bills, so it is important to seal around doors and windows.
5. Clean windows
Windows bring in the natural light to your home. Cleaning your windows will make sure you are getting the most amount of light into your home. This can save money on your electricity bill by providing natural light so you don't have to use the light in your home. When it gets cold, windows bring in the heat from the sun so you don't have to use your heater during the day. Another thing to note, cleaning your windows regularly will help prolong their lifespan.
For a printable To-Do List, click HERE.
Contact Kaplan Construction at (562) 495-0483 or via email at BOB@KAPLANCONSTRUCTION.COM for your general contractor needs for your home remodel/renovation!
