Winter is almost here, but it’s not too late to do some home maintenance in preparation for the season. So, make sure you get home maintenance done right with this list of common mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Switching to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs
The days are shorter during winter, which means you’ll need to switch your lights on earlier. If you still have old-fashioned incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, you can end up with higher energy bills. Switching to LED bulbs is a great investment. They may cost more than regular light bulbs, but their significantly longer lifespans and lower energy consumption make them a great investment.
2. Using Your Pressure Washer on Everything
Pressure washers are great for cleaning layers of dirt on driveways or old paint from wood surfaces. However, it’s not a catch-all solution, and many homeowners make the mistake of using it – often at full force – on surfaces where it can cause damage. One of the things you should watch out for is damaging the outer coating on composite or fiber cement siding as it could void your warranty coverage.
3. Not Cleaning Your Gutters
Gutters are ideally cleaned twice a year: before winter and before summer. Clean gutters during winter are not susceptible to the stress placed by freezing water in the gutters, which helps improve their service life and long-term performance. Consider investing in a gutter protection system like Gutter Helmet®: it eliminates the need to clean your gutters by preventing leaves, twigs and other solid matter from entering your gutters.
4. Applying New Caulk Over Old Caulk
Replacing old caulk on windows can help reduce air leaks, which can help lower your heating bills. Many people make the mistake of just applying new caulk over the old layer. This would trap dirt underneath, and the finished installation often looks unappealing. Before you break out the caulk gun, make sure that the work surfaces are cleaned. Use a razor blade to cut away the old caulk, wash the area with a grease-removing cleaner, and dry the area properly before applying new caulk.
Gutter Helmet of Piedmont is your leading provider of the best gutter systems in the area. Give us a call at (844) 204-1015. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding communities.
