Is Your Home Ready for the Winter Weather?
Winter weather may have already hit your area, but it is not too late to prepare your home for winter. It’s ideal to make these preparations sooner rather than later, but my goodness, some of us have lost track of time. Or the giant to-do list seems so overwhelming, we just can’t seem to get started. Alright, either way, it’s time to get it done.
What’s on the “prepare my home for winter” to-do list?
- Clean gutters and check downspouts.
- Check roof and shingles.
- Inspect exterior faucets and water pipes in crawl spaces.
- Check windows and doors for air leaks.
Gutters and downspouts
Not only should the gutters be cleaned of leaves and debris, they also need to be inspected to make sure they have proper fastening. An ice dam in the gutter can cause water to seep into and saturate the interior wall and the weight of snow and ice can pull gutters off the house. Make sure the downspouts are extended away from the house at least 5 feet to prevent flooding the foundation and water damage from melting snow.
Roof and shingles
Check for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace them before you get a leak. Remove any tree branches that could get weighed down by snow and ice and fall on your house.
Consider having a contractor check your roof to make sure it will sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall. Don’t forget to check the flashing at chimneys, skylights and vent pipes. Seal joints if needed. You don’t want water to leak through these areas.
Exterior faucets and water pipes
Remove and drain any hoses from the faucets. If possible shut off outside water valves. Drain water from outdoor pipes and valves. Wrap outside faucets with covers to prevent damage. If you have a crawl space, you may want to wrap the water pipes with insulation sleeves or heat tape to keep them warm during extremely cold weather. Nobody wants to deal with a pipe bursting in the middle of winter.
Windows and doors
Check all doors and windows for drafts. Use weather-stripping to prevent heat loss around windows and doorframes. Already have weather-stripping? Check for leaks to prevent the cold air from coming in. Replace it if needed. In addition, if you have cracked or broken glass in a window, repair or replace it. Finally, if you have storm doors or windows, it’s time to put them on.
These are a few tips to help you prepare your home for the winter weather. As a result, these actions will help keep your home warm on the inside and prevent damage to the outside. We hope these tips are helpful to you.
We are already looking forward to helping you with your spring and warmer weather projects. Remember Permalatt Products manufactures high quality, solid core lattice that will enhance your project. Contact us today!