Page 30 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • September 14, 2011 (ARA) It may not feel like winter yet, but cold weather is around the corner. Take advantage of the good weather now by following these tips to prepare the outside and inside of your home to survive the winter months ahead. After a summer of caring for your lawn, you might be looking for a break, but make sure you don’t stop mowing too soon. Lawns should be mowed well into the fall, even after growing stops. Grass should be at least three inches high. If you planted perennials, check with your local garden center about what type of protection particular plants require depending on where you live. Gardeners in Minnesota will face much different winter weather than someone in Virginia. Protecting with extra mulch or soil will help in some places, while others may require covering the plants with burlap, canvas, or another porous fabric. If you have trees that come near a power line, the branches should be trimmed back in the event of ice storms or heavy snowfalls that can cause trees to fall. Companies like TimberTech manufacture composite Get your home ready for winter: inside and out decking, railing, and fence products that require less maintenance than traditional treated wood. While no product is maintenance free, low maintenance decking means less work for you to prepare your deck for the winter. Whether your deck is treated wood or composite wood, keeping a clean, dry deck surface is the key to longer deck life and enjoyment. Just as you would rake the leaves from the lawn, sweep the leaves, needles, and branches from the deck and remove all smaller debris from between deck boards as proper drainage is important to avoiding moisture build up. You can also use a deck cleaner and power washer to eliminate buildup. If you have a treated-wood deck, make sure you seal or stain the deck to keep water from getting in. If you live in a cold climate, use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice and snow on your deck. When shoveling snow off the deck, run the shovel lengthwise on the deck boards. Shoveling cross-wise can scratch or cut into the planks. Storing deck furniture depends on what type of furniture you have. Wood furniture needs to be treated and ARA Roof maintenance done today saves trouble later (ARA) Many homeowners experienced damage caused by last winter’s ice dams. Were you concerned about snow and ice buildup on your roof? While the weather is still warm, this could be the last thing you think about. However, being prepared for the those nasty cold surprises and taking care of the preventative roof maintenance when it’s warm is a better alternative than having to make an emergency repair outside during cold or extreme weather. So on a warm and dry day, run through the following checklist to make sure your roof remains in good shape throughout the year: Clear gutters of dust and debris. Twigs and other debris will often settle on your roof and then get washed into your gutters. Clearing your gutters can help to ensure that water won’t collect in them. Allowing gutters to clog and overflow could possibly cause water damage, put undue stress on your gutters, and create potential ice dams. Install roof and gutter de-icing cables. These specially designed electric heating cables help protect your property by efficiently reducing ice formation along roof edges, in gutters, drains, and downspouts. When properly installed, these products create a path for the melt water from ice or snow to drain off the roof. Installing de-icing cables during the warmer months can keep you from having to deal with ice dams in the winter. For additional information you can contact a heating cable manufacturer, such as EasyHeat Roof and Gutter De-Icing Cables. Inspect the places where your gutters are joined to the roof to make sure they are securely attached. Inspect your roof for moss or other vegetation that may be growing on your shingles. After sweeping off debris or vegetation, it is recommended to apply a special removal solution (approved for use on your roof), or call a professional service to clear the roof. Another way to minimize ice dams is to inspect your attic space to make sure it is properly insulated and ventilated. Improperly insulated attics can cause hot air to collect at the top of your home during the winter, heating the roof and causing snow to melt and ice to form. Properly insulating your attic can also help you save on heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It may be advisable to consult with a local professional service on this type of work if you aren’t familiar with insulation and ventilation systems. Once you’ve gone through your roof maintenance checklist, you can rest easy that you won’t have to get out the ladder to fix a problem and your roof is protected against frosty weather. covered with a protective, waterproof cover. Folding deck chairs can be easily stored in basements, garages, or sheds, while covers are available for most size tables. If you have a snowblower, make sure it’s tuned up and ready to go; if you have a lawnmower, make sure you run it down or drain all the fuel out of it. Fuel in a mower or snowblower should be fresh when you start the season. If you have cracks in your driveway or sidewalks, make sure they are repaired before the snow starts. The thawing and refreezing of snow can cause significant damage when it gets into cracks. The more cold air you keep out of your home, the less heat you’ll have to use. If you have drafty windows, consider wrapping them with plastic to help save energy and keep the cold air out of your house. Another way to keep the heat in is to caulk around windows and door frames where air may leak into the house, and add weather stripping or replace weather stripping that may have worn down. If you have a fireplace, make sure it is capped to keep out birds and rodents. Firewood should also be stored away from your house as it can become a home for mice. Heating accounts for 34 percent of utility use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, so checking your ducts to make sure they are sealed is a great way to save money by increasing the efficiency of your furnace. Other ways to make sure you are heating your home efficiently is by making sure your furnace is tuned up and installing a programmable thermostat that can be set to regulate your home’s temperature without you having to remember to do it yourself. Following these tips can help you save money in the short and long term as you get ready to welcome the winter to your outdoor and indoor spaces.