October 15, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 21 Winterize to safeguard your home from harsh weather Autumn is a beautiful time of year marked by wel- coming cooler temperatures and the natural beauty of leaves changing colors. Autumn also has a tendency to fly by, as if the powerful weather of winter simply cannot wait to make its presence felt. With such a seemingly short time between the end of summer and the dawn of winter, homeowners know they do not have too many weekends in between to prepare their homes for the potentially harsh months ahead. But such preparation, often referred to as winterizing, can make a home more comfortable when the mercury dips below freezing, while saving homeowners substantial amounts of money along the way. Clean the gutters. Falling leaves can be a beautiful sight to behold, but many of those leaves are likely find- ing their way into the gutters, where they can lodge and cause a host of problems down the road. If the leaves and additional debris, such as twigs and dirt, that pile up in the gutters are not cleared out before the first winter storm, the results can be costly and even catastrophic. Winter rain and snow need a place to go upon hitting the roof, and gutters facilitate the travel of such precipi- tation from the roof into street-level drainage systems. If gutters are backed up with leaves and other debris, ice dams may form, forcing water to seep through the roof. That damage can be costly and can even cause the roof to collapse inward in areas with heavy snowfall. Clean gutters throughout the fall, especially where there are many trees nearby, and be sure to check gutters one last time before the arrival of winter. Tend to the attic. Homeowners who have attics in their homes might want to add some extra insulation up there, especially those who recall feeling cold inside their homes last winter, which is often a telltale sign of improper insulation in a home. A good rule of thumb when determining if an attic needs more insulation is to look for the ceiling joists. If the joists are visible, more insulation is needed. Address leaky windows and doors. Sometimes attic insulation is not the culprit when it comes to a cold home. Often, leaky windows and doors are the issues in a drafty home. Fall is a great time to inspect for leaky windows and doors, as the wind outside can serve as a partner. When the wind outside is blowing, take a tour of the windows and doorways, standing next to them to determine if there any holes or leaks that are letting outdoor air inside. If there are any leaks beneath exte- rior doors, install some door sweeps to keep outdoor air where it belongs. Leaks around windows can be halted with caulk or weather stripping. Test the furnace. Homeowners typically do not devote much thought to their furnaces in spring, summer, and fall, but with winter on the horizon, fall is the time to test the furnace to make sure it is ready for the months ahead. Expect a somewhat foul yet brief odor to appear when starting the furnace. That odor should dissipate shortly, but if it does not go away, the furnace is likely in need of repair. Even if the smell does not stick around, consider having the furnace cleaned by a professional anyway. Such cleanings ensure the furnace works effi- ciently throughout the winter. Clean the garage. Why subject vehicles to harsh winter weather if a garage is available? Clean the garage in the fall so an indoor parking spot will be available throughout the winter. Protecting a car from the ele- ments can add years to its life and saves the trouble of digging it out of the snow. Fall is a time of year for homeowners to spend a week- end or two preparing their homes for the often harsh weather that awaits when winter arrives.