Barrington's Olson Windows and Siding offers pre-fall tips for homeowners

Heading into the fall months, keeping the increasingly harsh elements out of one’s home is extremely important. Brian Olson of Olson Windows and Siding in Barrington, said prime aspects to focus on before the weather turns are efficiency, operation, cleaning and maintenance.

Olson and Joe Hirschbein, roofing and siding specialist with Olson Siding and Windows, are offering homeowners pre-fall tips on maintaining windows, siding and roofs.

“You want to make sure all your windows are operating and closing properly,” said Olson, who provided the following tips:

• Check around windows for any airflow.
• Make sure weap holes are not clogged, which prevents water from escaping.
• Check for any wood rot around windows.

Olson said the best, easiest windows are tilt-windows which are easy to clean from indoors and outdoors.

Making sure all windows and doors are properly caulked, he said, is also important heading into fall and winter.

Olson also said to prevent roofing and siding damage, homeowners should regularly check gutters and downspouts for any debris, particularly after heavy rains.

“That could result in water backup, resulting in interior drainage and roof and siding damage,” he said.

Also, Olson said it’s important that trees on the property be trimmed at least three feet away from the roof line, which prevents insects and animals from getting into the roof, into the walls and into attic spaces.

Homeowners should also examine their roofs as fall approaches.

“Visually look for curling and cupping of shingles,” said Hirschbein.

Fortunately, Olson and Hirschbein explained, modern hones are now being built less with cedar and more with cement board siding, which is more efficient and better resists pests like woodpeckers, insects and mold.