To prepare your house for winter is a time-consuming task. However, keep in mind that your real estate property is a valued investment. The safety of your home should be your first priority. The unpredictable winter is not always friendly for your home. To get ready for cold weather, take a look at these ways to winterize your home.
Seal Your Walkways, Driveways, and Patios
All breaks and cracks in surfaces like concrete walkways, driveways, and patios should be sealed. This is to prevent them from expanding. Find a skillful and reputable stonemason who can patiently and strategically insert control joints. When each control joint has been placed, the mason should seal any cracks or breaks to prevent water from getting in. Do not overlook this necessary step in the winterization process. If you check it off the list, your masonry will last a long time.
Clean out Your Gutters
Gutters will gather roughage, including leaves and branches. When the gutters pile up with material, the drainage system will be blocked. Then, the water will flow to undesirable places, such as over the gutters or into the surrounding yard of your home. Thus, to prepare your house for winter, take a day or two to clean through your gutter system. This way, you can ensure the easy flow of water properly to designated channels. The water will keep away from your home’s corridor, foundation, and basement.
Seal Exterior Wood Trim and Paneling
Paint and seal all exterior wood surfaces to help protect them from raindrops, sleet, and snow. You will also want to treat the exterior wood, to make sure that it lasts during extreme and harsh temperatures. Check around for all wood furniture that needs replacement. Then, you can seal doors, window casings, and paneling. You can hire a professional carpenter to handle these projects, or you can carry out these small tasks yourself. Keep an eye out for cracking paint and chipping wood.
Clear out Your Chimney
Setting up a fireplace might bring a cozy delight; however, always make safety a top priority. You can do this by clearing out your chimney. Having your chimney inspected and properly cleaned up by a licensed company is the best and most guaranteed course of action.
Store Firewood Properly
One of the ways to prepare your house for winter is to properly store firewood. Keep more than enough wood for your fireplace in a location where it will remain intact during winter. You really do not want to be left stranded in the middle of winter with rotten wood or with less wood than you require.
Give Your HVAC System a Checkup
Heating and air conditioning systems require maintenance from time to time, because they do not last forever. They might function well for the first 15 years, but some have a shorter lifespan of about 10 years. If your system is going on 10 years or more, fall is the perfect time for a checkup. Regularly changing the filters on the equipment should keep them under control before a detailed professional maintenance check. However, it is highly recommended to get an annual detailed inspection from a certified HVAC personnel. Then, checks to avoid overheating, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fire hazards can be made on the entire systems.
There are different things that you must do to prepare your house for winter. Remember that safety is the most important priority. During winter, you want to be in a warm home with no issues.
