Home Exterior Preparation for Winter

Is Your Home Exterior Ready for Winter?

As the weather begins to cool down, not only can the change in temperature take a toll on your body, but it can also be harsh on your home as well. Proper preparation for seasonal changes can help save you a lot of repair work and other expenses later on. Here are some of the ways that you can get your home in tip-top shape for the cold season.

Clean the Roof

Since colder seasons bring on elements such as falling leaves or even snow, it is important that your roof is clean so that rain, snow, and other residue can flow down the roof properly. Having lots of debris on your roof, especially in the gutters, can cause rain to form puddles on your roof, which can lead to major damage. When cleaning your roof, you should pay close attention to the gutters so that water is able to flow away from the house properly. Make sure that you remove any debris and leaves from your gutters so that they don’t trap and freeze water inside. When water freezes inside your roof’s gutters, the gutters can split resulting in more repair work that you have to do.

Protect Your Patio Furniture

As the weather cools down, you need to take steps to protect your outdoor furniture. If you can, it may be a good idea to simply store your patio furniture in a warm, dry place during the winter months. However, if storage is not an option for you, then you can try covering your outdoor furniture with a nice heavy-duty waterproof covering, like a tarp.

Seal Cracks

If you notice any cracks in your driveway or on your property, you should tackle these as soon as you can before the weather becomes too cold. If water gets into the cracks of the concrete, the cold temperature can cause the water to freeze, which will then cause the cracks to get even bigger. Sealing cracks in concrete yourself is pretty easy and can be done with just some concrete filler, a putty knife, and some compound. Just make sure that you allow the crack filler to dry thoroughly and avoid walking or driving on it for a few days.

When it comes to getting your home winter-ready, remember that you should start preparing before the temperature gets too low. By doing this, you don’t run the risk of dealing with frozen gutters, huge cracks in your driveway, destroyed patio furniture and more. That way, when the spring thaw happens, you can enjoy the outdoor features of your home right away.

If you want to make sure your home is not only ready for winter but also ready for buyers, contact us to schedule a home inspection!