Home Smarts

The knowledge you need to be a better homeowner.

- Gary Wentz

KEEP COOL WITH SHADE

Shade from trees, trellises and vines blocks direct sunlight through windows, which is responsible for about half the heat gain in your home. Carefully positioned trees and horizontal trellises on the east and west sides can save up to 30 percent of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling.

EMERGENCY ROOF PATCH

A section of flashing is the perfect patch for smaller holes, which are often caused by blown-down tree branches. Slide the flashing under the shingles above the hole and nail down the exposed corners of the flashing. Don’t forget to caulk around the hole and the nail heads. Special roof sealant is best, but any type of caulk is better than nothing.