The Roof Over Your Head

Winter is here, and with it the inevitable chilly, wet and snowy weather.
This is the time to look at winterizing your home. The number one place
to start your home winterization is with the roofing system.
Here are some tips to follow for winterizing your roof.

MAKE REPAIRS
Spots in your roofing system that are weak will be vulnerable to the more extreme weather of winter. Start by replacing missing shingles, and repair shingles that are loose or damaged. This applies to just about every type of roofing system, like tiles. If you notice more than a single incident that needs attention, then you should call a roofing professional to come do an inspection.

CUT BACK TREE LIMBS
Prune or cut back tree limbs that may cause damage to your roof. Even healthy tree limbs can come crashing down or smash against your roof in high winds or under the weight of snow and ice.

ROOF AND GUTTER CLEANING
One of the most important chores in winterizing your home is cleaning the roof and gutters of leaves and debris that have accumulated. Algae growth on your roof can take root beneath the shingles, and in freezing temperatures may expand, causing damage to the roofing material.

This is also the time to inspect the gutters, and drains. They play a vital role in the integrity of your roofing system, and if clogged, rusty and damaged can even lead to damage in yard and the home’s foundation. This is another area where having a professional do an inspection is prudent.

CHECK ATTIC INSULATION
Inspect your attic if you have easy access. Look to see if your insulation is in good shape. Remove, and replace any insulation that is damp or moldy. Taking care of the insulation is one of the simplest ways to save energy, and improve the home’s comfort..

PROFESSIONAL ROOF INSPECTION
For the do-it-yourselfer, it is very tempting to grab the ladder and head up on your roof. A word of caution — walking on a roof is dangerous. It can also result in damage to shingles or tiles. If you’ve not done a roof inspection in awhile, schedule a professional roof inspection.

Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. Having a professional roof inspection is a worthy investment. It can help your roofing system last longer and improve the heating efficiency of your home.

Lest We Forget

On Remembrance Day, we
commemorate the sacrifices
that Canadians have made in
conflicts across the globe.
The red poppy symbolizes
the memory of those
who’ve died in armed
campaigns.

As we pay homage to
those who have made
the ultimate sacrifice of
their lives, it is also a great
day to say thank you to the
thousands of Canadians who have
made it their life’s calling to serve our nation.

Did You Know

  • Approximately 65,000 Canadians serve in the Regular Force. There are another approximately 25,000 reservist members in the Canadian military.
  • Approximately 15% of the Canadian military are women, and more than 9,400 female personnel are serving in the Regular Force.
  • Canadian Armed Forces also perform many other important functions such as peacekeeping, search and rescue, patrolling our air space and territorial waters, supporting anti-drug operations and helping out in the aftermath of natural disasters.
  • Remembrance Day is a day for all of us, as a nation, to reflect on all that has been, and is given from some of our fellow citizens.

    Health & Wellness

    With the winter season here, it’s important to stay as healthy as we can. One of the best ways to do that is by eating healthy, and winter is a great time of year for hearty, healthy dishes. Here’s a favourite recipe.

    Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
    This stuffed eggplant dinner is delicious. Be sure to select an eggplant that is smooth, blemish-free and kind of heavy for the size. Serve this entree with a green salad.

    Ingredients

  • 1 (1 1/2 pound) eggplant, halved lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
  • 2 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

    2. Brush the cut eggplant with olive oil. Place cut-side up onto a baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly.

    3. Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet, and drain off the grease. Place into a mixing bowl, and season with: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Stir in bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the beaten egg — mix well.

    4. Take the cooled eggplant and scoop out the flesh to within 1/2-inch of the skin. Roughly chop the eggplant meat, and fold into the sausage mixture.

    5. Divide evenly among the two eggplant shells, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.

    6. Bake in preheated oven until the filling has set, and the cheese is bubbly and golden-brown — about 30 minutes.

    7. Warm the remaining spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat to serve with the eggplant.

    Serve and enjoy!

    What Our Customers
    Have To Say

    We recommend Capital Direct highly to everybody because of the professional, rational, and flexible service we received. The mortgage consultant explained everything in detail to us.
    JP., Port Coquitlam, BC

    The equity in your home is something that you've worked hard to build. Every month, Capital Direct helps Canadians just like you to realize their dreams. What about you? 'Let your house lend a hand' © Contact a Capital Direct mortgage specialist to discover your options.


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