Take care of the roof
Dear Heloise: In the winter months, a home’s first measure of protection against rain and snow is the roof. A roofing manufacturer offers these hints for how to get your roof ready for the cold winter:
n Start off by checking the roof’s framing structure to make sure it is not compromised. Visually scan the roof for any sagging or uneven areas.
n Inspect the gutter systems to make sure they are not clogged with branches, leaves or other debris.
n Make sure that gutters are fastened properly, and are tight and secure.
n Check the valleys of the roof to ensure that they also are free and clear of debris that can add weight to the roof and also act as a barrier to rain and snow.
n One of the most common causes of roofing leaks is with flashing. Remember that flashings can be loosened or torn by high winds and heavy rains.
n You should walk around to carefully inspect the shingles on the roof — look for curling or missing granules, and certainly for missing shingles or damage from birds, rodents or squirrels.
— Kathryn K. in Massachusetts
Good points to know. It’s time to take a walk around the house. — Heloise
GIVING DRIPS THE SLIP
Dear Heloise: When serving wine from a decanter, wine often runs down the outside after a pour. To stop it, we place a hair scrunchie around the decanter to serve as a drip stop (darker scrunchies for red wine, and lighter ones for white).
The scrunchies can then be washed and reused, plus when color-coordinated, they can add to the decor. — Barry, via email
TP TIP
Dear Heloise: This is for when you have to use the bathroom during the night, it’s dark, and you can’t find the end of the toilet tissue. I always leave it hanging a few inches from the time before. Love your column! — Norma, via email
TWO HELPFUL HINTS
Dear Readers: Here are two hints from Shirley B. in Houston:
TRAVEL HINT
The paper envelopes that motels and hotels give you to hold your room cards make excellent protection for credit cards, especially those you use the most. They are exactly the same size, and the cards fit right in.
(Heloise here: The covers you get from gift cards at mega retailers also are handy to slip credit or even ATM cards into!)
TOUCH-UP HINT
My kitchen is all white (woodwork, cabinets, appliances, tile floor). I also have lots of white in the bathrooms. After 18 years, everything looks practically new, with no remodeling. Every time there is a nick or scratch or any kind of blemish, I touch it up with correction fluid. It works on everything and lasts forever.
HAIR REMOVAL
Dear Heloise: Every so often, I have to pluck a hair I can’t see. I use a mascara brush to make it show up. So easy to see and pull out. — A Kerrville, Texas, Reader
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise(at)Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
(c)2011 by King
Features Syndicate