Have you felt the chill...?

Have you finally felt the chill? The cold of winter is quickly approaching and it is time to get ready for the weather ahead.

If you need help, call Madera and Sons. In the meantime, you can begin home winterization with some easy-to-follow guidelines.

Check the exterior, doors and windows, looking for cracks and exposed entry points where cold air gets in. Those holes need to be sealed or your heating dollars are going to waste. Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk the windows.

Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint all of the exposed wood. If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields. Replace any broken windows and now is a good time to install your storm windows.

Adding extra insulation to the attic helps to prevent warm air from escaping to your roof and causing ice dams. Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home and replace worn roof shingles or tiles.

Clean out your gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris. You can also consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

Madera and Sons can help you prepare for the cold and keep a warm roof over your head this winter.