Winter is here. As winter draws closer, preparing around your home is important to ensure you and your family are healthy and safe this season. Winter weather can be harsh, and the constant threats of ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can take a toll on your home. Remember, your home is likely your biggest asset, so protecting it from winter’s icy wrath is important. Here are some tips for preparing your home for winter so you can get through it with as little damage as possible.
Clean Your Gutters.
One of the most important things to do to prepare for winter is to clean your gutters since clogged gutters can cause ice dams, which can cause leaks or damage to your home. Clean your gutters the old-fashioned way: using a leaf blower, a hose, and a gutter cleaning tool. If your home has steep slopes or is on a hill, use a pole with a rope attachment (or a pole with a tree branch on it) to reach up.
Clean Your Chimney and Order Firewood.
Wintertime is when the chill starts to set in, and the need for heating your home comes with that. You might not know that your chimney and furnace are tied closely together. When you prepare your home for winter, your chimney should be ready to handle the workload, too. With the colder months approaching, now is the best time to prepare your home so you and your family can enjoy the season’s warm moments. First, check your chimney for loose bricks and cracks, as well as check for creosote buildup. You may need to have your chimney cleaned, depending on the level of buildup. Creosote is flammable and can be hazardous and detrimental to the outside of your roof.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors And Inspect Your Home’s Heating And Air Conditioning System.
Winter can be harsh on your home. The winter chill can cause the pipes in your home to freeze, leading to water damage and necessitating the need to hire a plumber offering plumbing in novi MI (if that is where you live). Though the experts can tend to this job well, but trying to avoid such a situation is always best. That being the case, this is how you can protect your home against frozen pipes:
Test your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before you begin to winterize. You should also examine your home’s air filters, ensuring they are clean and in good condition.
Check the roof for any missing or damaged shingles. You can get a roofing contractor to do the inspection before the winter hits. Moreover, you can also replace your roof with metal roofing in san antonio, tx (or elsewhere), especially if your old roof cannot be repaired.
Inspect the gutters, remove any debris and check for any leaks.
Repaint, Rechalk, and Reseal Exterior Wood.
A freshly painted exterior is a beautiful, eye-catching sign of spring and an oversized ticket item you can’t afford to ignore during winter and early spring. You may need to think about having the exterior of your home or business painted by professionals from My House Painter or a similar painting service provider near you. You may need to get this done before winter sets in, which can be difficult since many painting contractors fill up their schedules for spring and summer. For this reason, many painting contractors also offer a winter painting package, saving you a lot of time and money.
Seal Your Masonry and Hard Surfaces.
Winter is just around the corner, so it’s time to prepare your home for the cold months. Seal your masonry and hard surfaces. Seal brick, stone, concrete, stucco, and woodwork. As the weather turns colder, it’s time to bring your home’s exterior back into shape. Washing your house exterior is often necessary, as winter precipitation and winter winds can take a toll on your house’s siding and mortar.
Check Your Drainage and Pool
It doesn’t matter if you have a barn, a cabin, or a mansion; no building is impervious to winter’s fury. When temperatures drop, all buildings tip toward survival mode, taking on qualities of snow-plowed roads and ice-covered windshields. October through March, it’s smart to keep an eye on the exterior of your property, including checking your drainage. And when it comes to your outdoor pool, winter is the best time to consider swimming pool restoration and repairs as it will be mostly idle throughout the season.
Winter can be difficult for many homeowners as they battle freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and icy roads. And naturally, people tend to focus on the negative aspects of winter, such as frigid temperatures and frozen pipes. However, winter is also a beautiful time of year that can bring loved ones closer together. With a bit of preparation and moderation, you can enjoy winter safely!