Important Home Maintenance Steps for the Winter Season
December 13, 2019
For homeowner’s in the Bay Area, seasonal home maintenance is a cakewalk compared to what our counterparts in other areas of the country have to deal with. We don’t have to worry about shoveling driveways and walkways after every snow storm, or thawing out frozen water pipes. However, we do have rain, wind and cold weather, so it’s important to prepare your home accordingly. Below are a few important maintenance tips to keep your home safe and comfortable through the winter.
Clean Your Gutters
This is an obvious one, and we’re probably not the first to remind you, but clogged gutters can lead to a number of significant issues. When your gutters become clogged, rainwater can overflow and collect around the base of your home, potentially causing foundation damage. Also, the water trapped in the gutters can rot the wood fascia and soffit boards near where the gutters are attached. What’s even more unsettling is that gutter debris, especially when wet, provides an attractive habitat for potentially destructive insects. So get those gutters cleaned!
Remove Suspect Tree Limbs
Every year, we hear about damage being caused to a home by a tree branch breaking off during a particularly gusty storm. It’s not always easy to catch, but if you happen to notice a weak or damaged tree branch, be proactive and have it removed.
Clean Your Fireplace/Chimney
Fireplaces are great during the winter. But if they aren’t properly cleaned they can become a great disaster, as creosote buildup and debris such as leaves and bird nests are a potential fire hazard. If you use your fireplace regularly, it’s best to hire a chimney sweep to come and clean it once a year.
If you need help tackling these jobs, or any other home maintenance tasks, please give us a call and we will refer you to a professional: (650) 363-2808