It’s time for the annual fall check up -  Now open Wide!

Starting with the roof and chimney,

1)Check gutters and downspouts clear blockage and repair leaks.

2)Replace any missing, loose or damaged shingles.

3)Check all flashings, re-caulk nail heads, tears or gaps with roofing cement, re-nail if necessary.

4)Make sure the chimney is sealed and there are no gaps to the pointing.

5)Install a cap on the chimney to keep out animals and birds.

6)Clean the chimney and check the firebox for creosote buildup.

The Hot Stuffy Attic

7)Make sure the attic is properly insulated and ventilated ( 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic square footage, the best is 1 square foot for every 150 square feet)

8)Look for leaks and note any shingles that may be leaking

9)Check ceiling penetrations around pipes and wiring and fill up with a canned foam insulation.

10)Make sure that water drains away from the house during a rainstorm. Water that pools at foundations can seep through and dampen or even flood basements; the ground should slope away from the house at least one inch every four feet. Check the perimeter drainage system, you know where the down pipes from your gutters empties into, take the garden hose and give them a good flush on all down pipe drops.