Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For much of the Western New York region, this weekend's weather likely blew down any remaining leaves on the trees, signaling an upcoming arrival of winter. With the leaves now fallen from the trees, local experts are advising you take the necessary care and precaution with the fallen leaves before conditions really get cold.
Domenic Cortese from "Hammertime Radio" on WBEN says it's an important line in the sand drawn by the trees to signal the time to spring into action to get the leaves picked up.
"Walk around your property, it's something I recommend on every season change," said Cortese in an interview with WBEN. "As we now have officially stepped beyond the leaf falling season and now the leaf collection season, we need to look at where the leaves have been impacted against the house, and where they might be possibly plugging any drains."
One place Cortese reminds people to be very aware of keeping clear of leaves and other debris is the gutters on your home.
"As the leaves fill and clog your gutters, the incidents of what could come as a consequence of that in the winter could be quite extreme," Cortese noted. "In that your gutters will no longer drain properly, and as the weather turns and we get into freezing conditions, that water would then turn to ice, which could lead to bigger problems with ice formation and ice damming and possibly leakage of water into your house.
"Starting with a leaf on a tree to water leaking in your roof is all a consequence of ignoring the leaves that have collected in your gutters."
Cortese adds if you also notice leaves being a problem for the drain on your street, you'd be a good neighbor to clear the leaves and avoid potential future flooding issues.
The leaves falling from trees is also a good time to take inventory and make sure you're ready for the snow and cold to arrive this winter. Among the top items Cortese recommends this time of year is getting your furnace tuned up and ready to heat your home.
"You want to be able to count on your furnace when you need it in the cold of winter, and if it breaks down on you when we are having cold conditions is the worst possible consequence. So planning ahead with a maintenance check of your furnace system would be something I would put high on the list at this time of year," he added.
"Starting with a leaf on a tree to water leaking in your roof is all a consequence of ignoring the leaves that have collected in your gutters" - Domenic Cortese
"Starting with a leaf on a tree to water leaking in your roof is all a consequence of ignoring the leaves that have collected in your gutters" - Domenic Cortese
