Fall Home Maintenance Tips – Preparing Your Home for Winter
- November 9, 2016
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With fall weather kicking in full swing, now is the perfect time to think about getting your house ready for winter weather and snow. Taking preventative steps now can save you money down the road and the headache of dealing with serious issues to your basement, attic or foundation. The following home maintenance items can make a big difference when it comes to getting your home ready for snow and wintry conditions ahead.
Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts direct rain water and snow melt off the roof into areas away from the foundation. If there is excessive buildup of leaves and debris in your gutters, water can’t flow freely and this could cause problems with your roof. Also, if the water from gutter downspouts does not make it far away enough from the home, it can pool around the foundation of the home. This can lead to hydrostatic pressure on the foundation and cause basement or crawl space flooding. With the fall foliage, this is an especially important time of year to check your gutters!
Check Outside Drains
Similar to gutters, drains located in your outside stairwell, window wells, and driveway can get clogged by leaves and need to be checked as well. As part of your fall maintenance, be sure to clear leaves and other debris from any outside drains. This will ensure that rain water and snow melt is able to drain away from the foundation of your home. If you didn’t know, one of the most common causes of basement and crawl space leaks are outside drain stoppages!
Seal Doors and Windows
Although your doors and windows were sealed when they were first installed, the sealing wears off over time. It is a good idea to seal cracks and gaps around your doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping every year. This will keep your home insulated and less drafty during the cold weather. This will also increase the energy efficiency of your home since your central heating will work less to keep your home warm.
Check for Roof Problems
The time to check for problems with your roof is now: before the weather gets harsh and especially before potential for heavy snow. Even a small leak in your roof can cause expensive and time-consuming home issues since that water will trickle down onto anything below. If you suspect any issues, have a roofing professional check for problems before the weather gets too serious.
Encapsulate Your Crawl Space
It is important that your crawl space is well insulated and conditioned to prevent cold floor issues. A well-conditioned crawl space will help lower heating costs and discourage moisture in warmer months. Crawl space encapsulation helps achieve this through insulation, vapor barriers, and controlled ventilation. If your house gets noticeably chillier during cold temperatures, take a look inside your crawl space or have a professional inspect it for conditioning issues like falling insulation.
Waterproof Your Basement
If you’re tired of dealing with basement flooding or leaks every time it rains, Basement waterproofing can help stop these issues from reappearing with snow melts in the winter. Even if you’re just noticing peeling paint, a musty odor, a noisy sump pump or any minor signs of moisture in your basement, have an experienced basement waterproofer take a look at it.
Simple home maintenance tasks that prepare your home for the winter can make all the difference when the harsh weather comes. Don’t wait until the problems are out of your hands. Get an early start on preparing your home for the winter this year during the fall season.
If you find that you would like a professional opinion, contact our experts at Value Dry. Even we cannot help you personally, we have a network of trusted partners to assist you.