Tips For Keeping Pests Out Of Your Home During The Winter Months

When the weather outside turns cold, you want to stay inside your warm home. Unfortunately, so do the many insects and other pests that usually spend most of their time outside. Once these unwanted guests take up residence in your home during the winter, they can tear up insulation, chew into electrical wires, leave unpleasant odors here and there, and much more. To prevent these and other problems, here are some tips for keeping pests out of your home during the winter months.

Seal Up Cracks and Holes

Just before cold weather sets in, seal up all cracks and holes on the outside of your home. Pay particular attention to areas where pipes and utilities enter your home since these are prime spots for pests to enter. If you think some holes and cracks are too small to bother with, consider that house mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime.

To seal up small cracks and holes, you can typically find a caulk specific for the type of material the crack or hole is in. Typically, people use a caulking gun to make the application process a bit easier. Once you apply the caulk, you can wipe it down with your finger to smooth it down. Additionally, if you’re concerned about excess caulk that dried on, you can use sandpaper to smooth it down, if needed.

Trim Trees and Shrubbery

If you have trees and bushes close enough to your home that they may be touching your roof or other parts of your home, trim these back substantially before winter weather arrives. If you don't, you're giving various insects, mice, and other pests a bridge to walk straight into your home as the temperature drops outside.

To trim trees or shrubbery, you can use pruning scissors for the small pieces that are touching your home. For bigger branches that require a chain saw, it may be a good idea to contact a professional to ensure that the branches don’t fall into your home and ruin your home during the removal process.

Keep Basements and Attics Clean and Dry

Pest spraying and other services common to companies such as Skeeter Beater, can typically prevent your home from being habitable for insects. However, pest control services are only part of the solution. For many insects and pests, damp basements, attics, and crawlspaces are perfect spots to ride out the winter. With that in mind, it’s ideal to maintain a pest-free environment by keeping areas dry. In some environments, a dehumidifier may help prevent pest problems.

In addition to using a dehumidifier, it’s also ideal to decrease clutter or build-up of items that may be a good hiding place for pests. For example, cardboard boxes with holes in them that are full of china wrapped in newspaper is the perfect place for almost every type of pest.

Store Firewood Away from Your Home

When cold weather arrives and you start using your wood stove or fireplace, it may be tempting to store your firewood close to your home, or even bring quite a bit of it inside. While it may not be fun to walk outside and have a cold wind hit you in the face as you gather firewood, keeping it stored away from your home will lessen the chances you'll have mice, spiders, and other pests sitting by your fire as well. 

For best results, store your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, and also keep it at least six inches off the ground. Oftentimes, homeowners will create a mini hut with a wood roof on top of it so rain or snow doesn’t ruin the wood. However, some homeowners use a tarp, which makes it easier for pests to hide in the wood. With that in mind, I’d also recommend avoiding tarps that directly touch the wood stacks.

Besides hiring a professional pest control company, there are many things that you can do to also help prevent your home from being the home of insects and other pests during the winter months. By implementing these tips prior to and during the winter months, you'll have an easier time maintaining a pest-free home for you and your family can enjoy.

4 Changes to Make to Your Home Before the Winter

It's that time of year again! The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and cool and pumpkin spice everything is all over your grocery store. But before you break out the dishes for Thanksgiving dinner, it’s important to remember to create a safe and comfortable space for your holiday celebrations to happen. In other words, it’s time to prepare your home for winter. To help you do that, we’ve created this blog post to help you identify four things you should do before the cold sets in.

Check the Seals and Weather Stripping

Cold air can seep into your home via leaks in your windows’ weather stripping. You can prevent this heat loss by inspecting all of your windows. Check the seals and weather stripping on them, and if any of them have started to go bad, replace them. On a related note, if you have any broken windows or screen doors, be sure to replace those, too.

Take a Look at Your Heating and Air Conditioning System

To ensure that your heating and air conditioning systems are ready all year round, it’s good to inspect them at the change of the seasons. You’ll need to change filters, check the outdoor AC condenser and test the thermostats to start off with. If you’re not an expert, it’s also wise to talk to a heating and air conditioning contractor. These units require specialized knowledge to service and repair, so it’s typically better just to hire it out in the long run.

Prepare Your Fireplace

Inspecting your fireplace ensures that you can safely burn wood in it all winter long. Start your tasks by making sure that your chimney is clear of debris, including birds’ nests. The bricks around the chimney should be solid and not crumbling. Your fireplace’s damper must also open and close properly. Finally, make sure that the bricks and mortar around the mouth of the fireplace are solid and without cracks.

Do Due Diligence on Your Property

It’s easy to forget the grounds of our property once the cold weather settles in. Who wants to leave the house, after all? That’s why it’s important to check your property for things like troublesome tree branches or fallen leaves that could damage your roof or storm gutters.

Speaking of storm gutters, be sure to clear them out. Finally, check your roof to ensure that it’s solid. Any broken shingles or signs of curling or blistering should be fixed before the days turn cold.

The winter months are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to take care of any issues that could lead to bigger problems. If your home isn't ready for the cold weather ahead, you're going to have a rough few months trying to keep up with the weather-related problems you could encounter. To help save yourself some trouble this season, be sure to check off all the items on this to-do list. Once you do, you’ll be able to enjoy the winter and the coming holiday season without the worries and stress that come from having to do unexpected home repairs.

Need a New Roof: Matching Your New Roof Material and Color to the Style of Your House

If your home needs a new roof, it's also an opportunity to give your home a fresh new look. Different styles of architecture require different roofing materials. Also, consider heat gain and potential roofing repairs each different type of roofing may require. For example, in a hot, sunny place like Arizona, white roofs are preferred to reflect the sun. On the other hand, a dark roof could help to keep a home in a cold climate warmer.

Architecture

Your style of architecture can dictate your roofing materials and colors. For example, red terracotta roofing tiles are perfect for the Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes. Log cabins often sport forest green metal roofs. Modern and minimalistic architecture can also look fabulous with an unpainted metal roof. Finally, colonial and cottage-style homes look good with wooden shake shingle roofs.

HOA

However, many homeowners must abide by HOA (homeowner's association) rules and regulations. In that case, the color choices for a home might be limited. Types of roofing materials might also be specified in your HOA agreement.

Environment Color

If you’re making the decision based on color, you’ll likely want to use asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of colors and are also the most common roofing material in modern homes. Roofing repairs for asphalt shingles are also relatively straightforward.

To choose the right color, first step back from your home, and take in the surrounding environment. For example, if you live in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, asphalt shingles in shades of brown, gray, and green complement the natural environment. The natural light in the far north has a bluish tint, and roofs in cool shades of gray and blue look serene. 

On the other hand, roofs in the deserts of the Southwest require lighter shades of white and tan to keep the home cool. 

Finally, classic red brick homes often look stunning with a dark-colored roof. Before you purchase any shingles, take home a sample to see how it might look on your home.

Climate

Once again, consider your climate. While a black roof might look stunning on a red brick house in Phoenix, it can add a significant amount of heat to the interior. But asphalt shingles that are California Title 24-compliant are available in a wide range of colors, from light to dark. These “cool shingles” are made with highly reflective granules to reflect the sun’s heat. If you live in a hot climate but would like a dark roof, this is something to consider.

Repairs

Sometimes you don’t need a whole roof replacement. Sometimes you just need some roofing repairs. These will be much more affordable than a whole roof replacement. Instead of finding a new material, you’ll simply need to match the repair materials to your existing roofing. Your roof repair contractor should be able to find a similar material to do the repairs in.

There are no hard and fast rules about selecting a roof color. But, take into consideration any HOA rules and your home's surrounding environment. By taking the time to make the right decision, you can save yourself a lot of money and a lot of headaches in the future.

Reasons You'll Need a Plumber for Your Bathroom Renovation

It is the perfect time to consider a bathroom renovation if it smells old and the layout doesn't work anymore. You should also renovate it if the storage is insufficient and you notice brown rings on the ceiling. But before that, it is best to pick the right person for the job. Read on to discover why you should work with a professional plumber for your bathroom renovation.

Saves You Money

Your bathroom renovation can be expensive, especially when you do it on your own. Most homeowners usually spend more than they should on supplies and tools, which you might never use again after the renovation. You don't have to buy these tools when you hire professional plumbers because they have all the tools for the job. Above all, they will help you find quality discounted supplies for the project.

Complete the Renovation Quickly

Your bathroom renovation can take time, especially if you don't have enough time for the project. For instance, the project can take at least one month if you only work over the weekends. Calling a plumber is the right thing to do if you want to complete the renovation as soon as possible. They will devote their time and attention to the project until the end. Moreover, they have the expertise and tools to complete the job quickly.

On-the-Job Experience

Bathroom renovations are not as simple as they seem on YouTube tutorials. The truth is that things can get out of hand quickly. Regardless of how ready you are for the job, it is a good idea to leave it to the experts. Professional plumbers have been renovating bathrooms for the longest time and have the expertise to deal with any unforeseen problem. Also, they understand building codes better than you do.

Protect Your Valuables and Loved Ones

Accidents and flooding are likely to occur due to poor installation techniques. These issues can cause electrocution if the water gets into contact with electricity. In addition, they might promote mold and mildew growth in your home. Hiring a professional plumber will keep your valuables and loved ones safe during the renovation. Experienced plumbers always put safety first.

Professional Plumbers Can Handle Any Problem

Whether you are planning to buy a home or a realtor representing a client, professional plumbers like Spartan Plumbing and Services will inspect the drains, supply lines, water heaters, and all plumbing fixtures to make sure everything is good to go before you move in.

When hiring plumbers for your bathroom renovation, make sure to hire the best to get great value for your money.