Are you Prepared for the Fall and Winter?

With fall and winter just around the corner the Livingston Building Department would like to remind residents and businesses of a few steps that can be taken now to ensure your safety through the upcoming months. 

Trees and Branches: Trees and branches can cause substantial damage in hurricanes, nor’easters, high winds or heavy snow. If you have a dead or dying tree, dead branches, or a tree which appears to be hazardous, contact a tree professional to assess it as soon as possible.

It is necessary to have dead or dying trees removed and dead branches pruned as per the Livingston Property Maintenance Code. If you believe that a tree on Township property is dead or dying, contact the Public Works Department at 973-992-5000, ext. 5522 for a determination. Once the leaves have fallen it is difficult to distinguish a dead tree from a living one.  

Roofing and Siding:  Roofing and siding should be inspected twice a year, at the beginning of fall and beginning of spring. First examine the roof from the inside by taking a flashlight and checking for sagging plywood or water spots in the attic. Next, go outside and look for things like missing or deteriorating shingles, flashing or siding. There are two options for roof replacements. The first option is to add another layer on the existing roof.  If there are already two layers of roofing material you will need to select the second option which is to rip off and replace the entire roof and possibly the plywood. A building permit is required for both roofing and siding however the permit can be issued while you wait.

Gutters and Leaders: Overburdened or clogged gutters will cause major ice damming in the winter which, if ignored, can cause roof leaks and sheetrock damage on the interior of the home and also gutters to break away from the house completely. It is very important to have your gutters, leaders and private storm drainage piping cleaned at the end of fall to remove leaves, dirt and branches that can accumulate. It is also imperative not to direct leaders toward a neighbor’s property. Leaders can be tied into the Township storm sewer with approval from the Engineering Department first. 

Service your Heating Unit: With the upcoming cold weather, you should consider having your major appliances such as hot water heaters, boilers, furnaces and HVAC systems serviced, especially if you have encountered recent flooding in your home. An HVAC contractor or licensed professional may replace any of these items.  Building permits are required for replacement of units.

Sump-Pumps, French Drains and Waterproofing: With high water tables and major rainstorms recently, it may be a good idea to have an expert examine your basement or crawlspace to determine if waterproofing is the right solution for your home. If so, a building permit is required prior to the work being done. Also, the installation of a sump-pump and / or French drain can also serve an essential part in protecting your home. If you decide to install a sump-pump or French drain, you will need to obtain permits from the Building Department.

The Engineering department will need to check the discharge location of any sump-pump in order to protect against the adverse consequences of uncontrolled sump-pump discharges. They may not discharge into the street, on the sidewalk or into a neighbor’s property according to the Township of Livingston Ordinance number 227-25: Sump Pump and Pipe Drain Discharge Control.

Please remember that the Building Department is always here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. We can be reached via email at building@livingstonnj.org or via the telephone at 973-535-7957. Office hours are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information visit the Township website: www.livingstonnj.org. Click on Building Dept and/or Engineering in the left hand column.