Fall is a good time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days make outdoor work too difficult. And if you do live in an area with cold winters, take some time this fall to boost energy efficiency throughout your home, and prevent damage from winter storms with proper tree care.At SMART CHOICE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, located in Atlanta, we give you five fall maintenance tips to keep your house in shape and help keep you warm during winter:
1. Regularly clean gutters and downspouts:
Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. When leaves and debris collect in your gutter system, eventually, it will create a clog in the downspouts. Rain water will overflow the gutters, damaging your roof, trim and siding. The added weight of the wet leaves and water could also cause your gutters to pull loose from the anchor point or collapse.
To prevent these problems and unforeseen repair costs, make sure to keep your gutters relatively clear through the fall. And, once the trees around your home are bare, do a thorough cleaning.
2. Inspect your Roof:
Hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for missing shingles or wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, replace them. If you have a lot of damage, it's time to replace the entire roof. Also, check the flashing around skylights, pipes and chimneys. If you have any leaks or gaps, heavy snow and ice will find its way in.
3. Clean and replace filters in your heating system:
Contact a licensed heating contractor to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Your local utility company will often provide this service for free.
4. Check the attic to make sure the insulation is installed properly:
The vapor barrier on insulation should face down toward the living space. If it is installed incorrectly (with the vapor barrier facing up) then the insulation will trap moisture causing possible water problems.
Without adequate airflow in your attic, you could be looking at higher-that-necessary energy bills and roof leaks emerging in a snowstorm. During the day, sunlight hits your roof and heats up the air in your attic. Without vents located at the soffits, ridges, and/or gables of your roof, the hot air condensates, causing moisture damage and possible mold or rot in your roof’s supports.
Additionally, when that hot air has nowhere else to go, it will seep into and overheat your living space, asking you to use your AC more than you have to. This is one of the reasons why insulation is so critical to an energy efficient home.
5. Clear off Debris:
It’s important to remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the surface of your roof as well as your gutters. Even small bits of debris will hold moisture and possibly rot or mold, which will break down your roofing material.
Trim dead branches out the trees to prevent them from coming down and causing damage in a winter storm.
At SMART CHOICE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, we are Siding, Roofing and Flooring specialists and we can help you to renovate your home.
Our qualified team have years of experience in all aspects of Siding, Roofing and Flooring in Atlanta and surround areas, contact us for a free quote and to see how we can help you!
For more information on our services in Atlanta, give us a call today for all inquiries (678) 628-9987 and visit us at www.atlchoice.com for a free estimate.
For more information on our services in Atlanta, give us a call today for all inquiries (678) 628-9987 and visit us at www.atlchoice.com for a free estimate.


