DIY home guide: Winter
How to protect the value of your property, cut energy costs, avoid costly repairs, and spiff up your surroundings this winter.
Patrol for pests
Cost: $100 to $200 for a single visit from a pro
Mice and other vermin like to come in from the cold too, says building inspector Dick Edwards, vice president of Pacific InterWest Building Consultants. If your home has a crawlspace, check inside it for signs of animals, such as droppings, smells, or noises, and look for holes in the screens of the foundation vents.
Your garage is another weak point. Once there, pests can climb into your walls and attic, where they'll be harder and more expensive to remove. The gap between any garage doors and the slab should be no more than half an inch.
NEXT: Tighten the seals
Last updated January 28 2011: 4:46 PM ET
