Page 17 - Fall 2011

from a hose through gutters and the
drainpipes to finish the job and test that
they're clear.
10. Clean your roof's valleys. Water,
your home's worst enemy, also dams up
behind debris that has accumulated in the
roof's valleys. Left alone, it will seep under
the roofing material and leak under the
eaves and into cavities between walls,
rotting wood and making a home for mold.
Once you're up on the roof, also check the
flashings — the metal water barrier used
to line and waterproof joints, vent pipe
skylights and chimneys. Look for rust or
holes that need repair.
and waterproof joints, vent pipe
skylights and chimneys. Look for rust or
holes that need repair.
s, s,
11. Switch ceiling fans from summer to winter. To get the most from the
money you spend on heating fuel, switch ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter
and counterclockwise in summer. If that's confusing, just watch the fan as it runs:
In summer, the leading edge of the blades (the part that goes around first) should
be higher than the trailing edge (the part that rotates last). That's so the fan will
push cool air down. You should be able to stand under the fan and feel a breeze.
In winter, it's the opposite: Switch blades so the leading edge is lower and the
trailing edge is higher, pushing air up into the center of the room, which forces
heat off the ceiling (remember, hot air rises) and down along the walls into the
room. You'll find the fan blade switch on the outside body of the fan. (Learn more
about ceiling fans at the federal government's Energy Star site
11. Switch ceiling fans from summer to winter. To get the most from the
money you spend on heating fuel, switch ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter
and counterclockwise in summer. If that's confusing, just watch the fan as it runs:
In summer, the leading edge of the blades (the part that goes around first) should
be higher than the trailing edge (the part that rotates last). That's so the fan will
push cool air down. You should be able to stand under the fan and feel a breeze.
In winter, it's the opposite: Switch blades so the leading edge is lower and the
trailing edge is higher, pushing air up into the center of the room, which forces
heat off the ceiling (remember, hot air rises) and down along the walls into the
room. You'll find the fan blade switch on the outside body of the fan. (Learn more
about ceiling fans at the federal government's Energy Star site.) When you use a
ceiling fan you can adjust your thermostat — lower in winter, higher in summer —
to save fuel. You can run a ceiling fan half the day for about $1.50 a month,
compared to $25 for an air conditioner, according to this article in Sierra
Magazine.
12. Heal cracks in asphalt paving. Extend the life of an asphalt driveway or
path by inspecting it a few times a year and patching fissures with a caulking gun
and asphalt patching caulk ($5 to $15 a tube). Squirt the stuff into cracks. Use a
plastic putty knife to smooth it. If you ignore asphalt cracks, water will soak under
the pavement, making it mushy and creating potholes when you drive on it. In
addition, apply asphalt sealer every five years ($50-$100 for a five-gallon
bucket). Brush it on with a squeegee or push broom.