Winterize Your Home

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Protect your home from by cleaning your gutters.

Winter is right around the corner and from the looks of it so far it is coming quicker than expected. With this being said you have to be prepared before the real cold weather arrives. Most people don’t think about preparing their home for the winter because it isn’t something that we normally think about, but it should be. If you and your house are prepared this winter you most likely will avoid damage but if you don’t, you are putting yourself at risk for a variety of things that could happen. Today I am going to list a few things that you can check so you can be ready for winter and whatever it brings.

Trim Tree Branches

Make sure tree branches are trimmed before the snow comes. Keep tree branches at least three feet from your home to prevent them from breaking and falling on your home.

Check the Roof

• Inspect broken or missing shingles
• Inspect rubber boots around vent pipes
• Cracked caulk or rust spots
• Check for moss or any decaying part of the roof

If you suspect this could be happening and don’t feel comfortable checking yourself, consult a specialized roof inspector.

Check Gutters and Downspouts

Clean out gutters and downspouts, otherwise they could cause ice dams or damage your foundation due to improper draining. Late Fall is a good time to go up to make sure everything is clean and working properly.

Insulate Windows

It is always good to double check your windows before the winter, check if there is a draft coming through. If there is, you may need to seal up any cracks with rope caulk, shrink film, or weather stripping. Doing this can also lower your energy costs.