“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” While the winter months bring holiday cheer and joy that fills people’s homes, they can also bring potential damage. Falling snow is a beautiful backdrop for the holiday season, but winter storms can bring fierce weather that poses a significant threat to your home if you’re not prepared. When you’re readying the inside of your house with winter decorations, make sure your home is ready for the harsh conditions that the winter weather brings.
Paint, Caulk, and Seal Exterior Wood
The wood trimming of your home needs to be protected from the harsh elements of winter. While bigger wood pieces are likely already treated, homeowners tend to forget about the thin wood trim that is usually around the outside of bay windows and exterior doors. Making sure it is caulked and freshly painted can help you avoid rotting which leads to a replacement. Your wood deck shouldn’t need to be sealed every year, but an easy test is to pour some water on it. If the water beads up, your sealing is good, but if it all absorbs into the deck, it’s time to reseal it.
Seal Your Masonry and Hard Surfaces
It’s not just wood surfaces that need to be sealed and winterized. Your patio, driveways, and walkways need to be protected as well. All concrete eventually develops cracks that can get much worse in the winter as water freezes. Fill in any crevices and apply a concrete sealer to ensure your masonry work lasts a long time.
Check Your Gutters and Drainage
Check your rain gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure water is moved away from your home and not pooling along the foundation. When leaves fall off the trees, they can end up in your gutters and leave them clogged or backed up. Make sure to clean your gutters before winter to avoid overflowing that will run down your house and could end up flooding your basement.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Winter is the time of year house fires are the most common. With the furnace blasting and homes closed up tight, ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly to keep your family safe.
Prepare Your Outside Features
Winterize your lawn and outside features before the weather gets bad. Cover your patio furniture and shut down your pool completely. Ensure your sprinkler systems are turned off and your outside faucets are shut off and drained so they don’t freeze.
Contact Bachman’s Roofing, Building & Remodeling
It’s crucial you properly prepare your home for harsh winter weather conditions to protect your home and your family all season long. If you need help, our experts at Bachman’s Roofing, Building & Remodeling are equipped to handle any interior or exterior project to ensure you have a happy and worry-free winter. Give us a call today to learn more and get a free quote at 1-800-922-5818.