Preventative maintenance is an important part of owning a home. The more you put into preparing it for the worse, the less of a chance you will have to repair it in the future. This is especially true during the fall. Just as you have to prepare the inside of your home for the winter, it’s just as important to prepare the exterior. Read on to learn more about how to prepare the outside of your home for winter.
Paint, Caulk, & Seal Exterior
Before the snow starts to fall, you’ll want to ensure the exterior of your home is prepared. Without checking for peeling paint and cracked caulking you are leaving your home’s wood exposed to harsh weather conditions. This makes the wood vulnerable to rotting, which can lead to a slew of other problems.
You can check your siding and window frames for any signs of damage, rotting, or cracking or you can have a pro take a look for you. If there are signs of damage be sure to have it repaired before winter comes. Leaving damage unrepaired will only lead to further damage come springtime.
Seal Surfaces
Just as the exterior of your home’s structure is susceptible to the elements, so are your exterior surfaces. This includes your driveway and any decks or patios you may have. Applying a sealant product to the surfaces will help to protect the surface throughout the winter. Leaving your concrete exposed can lead to extreme cracking. Learn more about how to maintain your driveway throughout the winter here. Having your bare wood exposed can lead to early rotting and further mold issues. Connect with a pro to have your surfaces sealed this fall before winter arrives.
Clean Gutters
It’s important to clean your gutters regularly and even more so once all the leaves have fallen. If you notice your gutters are showing any of these warning signs, connect with a pro immediately. If your gutters are left full they will overflow due to not draining properly. Without proper drainage, the water will begin to flow onto the side of your home. This can speed up the rate of deterioration as well as damage your home’s foundation. Connect with a pro to schedule one final gutter cleaning before the first snowfall.
Drain Outdoor Plumbing
Whether you have a sprinkler system installed, a pool in your backyard, or even an outdoor sink or shower, you’ll need to drain the water lines and shut off the plumbing. Leaving those outdoor water lines running in the winter will only end with them freezing. If these water lines freeze they will most likely burst the plumbing or even worse, can cause interior flooding. Be sure to have a pro shut down your systems for you. While it can be tempting to DIY, this can lead to unknown issues come spring time. It’s a lot cheaper to pay now, rather than pay to fix broken water lines in the spring.
Taking the necessary steps to prepare your home for the winter will not only protect your home from the harsh Canadian weather, but will also save you money and stress. Connect with pros in your area to help you tackle these small projects prior to the first snowfall.
