Before winter sets in, you have to prepare your home to withstand the possible damages it may obtain once the temperature drops. Snow and ice may build up in the exterior of your house, which can leave you with a big repair bill afterward.
So you have to be ready to take on that using early and strategic preparation. Here are some of the most important exterior maintenance checks and repairs you need to do before winter.
Roof
The roof of your home must be in good shape at all times because it is the part that is most exposed to all weather damages. Your roof must be checked regularly so that you can avoid leaks and damages from rain and the like. To start, check that the shingles of your home are all intact. Missing, broken, or lifted shingles can cause water to leak into the interior of your house and cause other problems to your ceilings, walls, and floors.
Then you need to check the roofline for any sagging parts with dents or dips where water, snow, or ice can stagnate on. It is best to have these repaired before winter to prevent bigger damage, especially on your roof’s insulation which can be damaged by water, leading it to lose some of its insulating properties.
Especially for winter, an ice dam may form on your roof and the gutters. An ice dam is a buildup of ice and snow on roofs during frigid winters. This buildup can retain melted ice further up your roof, which can crack open the shingles and lead to seepage of water to the interior of the home.
Ice dams can be prevented by having good insulation and ventilation on your roof and inside your house to prevent heat from escaping and partially melting snow on your roof. But to eliminate the chance of ice dams forming, you have to regularly remove ice and snow buildup on your house’s roof during winter.
Gutters
Your gutters also have to be inspected before winter. To do the check, you first have to remove all debris from it. Manually scoop out leaves, and accumulated dirt, then hose off the remaining bits. The water should flow down the downspout properly. Otherwise, you have to unclog it as well.
While your hose is running, check for leaks, especially on the seams (if there are any) where gutter sections meet. Then check if there are gaps between the gutters and the fascia that may require you to secure them better or have them replaced. Specialized companies like The Gutter Works can install, repair, or replace your gutter system to become better suited for your house and its location.
Pathways and Driveways
It is also important to have your pathways and driveways prepared. Walkways with cracks can fill up with water and freeze in the colder weather. The freezing and thawing cycles due to the changing of seasons can destroy the pavement, leaving you with more repairs to worry about in the future.
So before winter arrives, it is necessary to fill up these cracks and gaps on your pathways to prevent water from getting in them. Having the walkways and especially the driveways sealed can also help to make them last longer.
The winter can also freeze your pathways and leave slippery ice on the surface, which can be dangerous to your family. You have to remove the snow from these areas regularly using a snow shovel with a rubber edge to prevent scratching and damaging your pavers.
You can opt for a snowblower, too but only when the snow is deep enough, or it can cause damage to your driveways. Salts can be used to prevent and remove the thin and slippery ice on your pavement but only use them when necessary as the runoff can be harmful to the environment.
Sidings
Having your home sidings repaired must be done before the arrival of the coldest of winter days. This repair (or installation) is necessary to keep your house in good shape after the cold thaws out. The tiniest of damage on your home’s sidings, from discolored paint to cracks and missing pieces, can be worsened by winter as water can seep in and expand while it repeatedly freezes and thaws.
All in all, your house must be fully prepared for the winter as snow and ice can cause serious damage, especially to the exterior of your home. Not only are you avoiding expensive repair fees, but you are also putting the safety of your entire family first.
