Most of us were taught there are four seasons; Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  For most of the country, that is true.  Life in Texas, however, is a little different.  Though there are some subtle changes that occur as the calendar months change, there are really two seasons in Texas: Hot and Not Hot.

Hot starts towards the end of May and goes all the way to October.  Highs in the mid to upper 90s are common.  We run from air-conditioned houses to air-conditioned cars and from these cars to air-conditioned offices or stores until the searing sun goes down.  We can only take off so much before public indecency becomes issue, so we go to the pool to try to keep cool.

While Hot is a rough time of the year, Not Hot is great!  Besides brief bouts of bitter cold, the rest of the year is very nice.  It is cold enough to need a jacket or coat, but not so cold that it becomes clear that Hell will probably be sub-zero, not scorching hot.  If our kids get a bike for Christmas, they can ride them before April.  The Not Hot season makes the Hot season bearable.  This is the time of the year that we get things done.

As an inspector, I have to go into the attics at the peak heat of the Hot season.  Some of these attic temperatures are greater than 150 Degrees Fahrenheit.  The heat from the attic causes the HVAC equipment and ducts to absorb this heat and deliver it into the house, or at least makes the HVAC system work harder.  Hot attics cause heat to enter the house through conduction.  So if there is any work to be done in the attic, Not Hot is the season to do it.

What work needs to be done?  Go and check.  Check to see if the attic access ladder is properly installed (manufacturer’s recommendations will indicate the proper size and amount of fasteners- almost none are installed properly).  Is there adequate attic decking or a safe catwalk to the mechanical systems?  Look for signs of rodent activity.  It is surprising how many houses have mice, or worse, squirrels (which are really rats with bushy tails).  Look at the insulation levels, are they high enough?  Is the ventilation adequate?

While in the attic, look for future problems.  If the water heater or heaters are in the attic, check the safety pan.  Is it secure.  It may be worth testing with a bucket of water (I know I wish I did a few years ago).  The pan can look like it will hold water but then leak when it fills with water, but that is another post.

We don’t have to limit ourselves to working in the attic during the Not Hot season.  It is the time to prune trees and bushes with less stress on these living but dormant organisms.  Garages typically don’t get as hot as attics, but it is still hot.  Cleaning the garage or even the exterior of the house is so much better in the Not Hot season.  Digging in the yard or putting up a fence is so pleasant in the Not Hot season that it barely feels like work (at least until the next day).

If writing a check is better than doing the work, keep in mind that the Not Hot season is often a slow season for various contractors.  Prices may be better if work is done during the Not Hot season.

While we are all busy during the entire year, the Not Hot season is a great time to maintain the house or work on projects that were started when it was the Hot season.  Take advantage of this time.

Remember, your home will last as long as you take care of it.