Without proper attention, your home’s quality can quickly decline. During winter, it is especially important to take care of your house. This will ensure that it holds strong throughout the cold season. Plus, preparing it for winter will help you avoid massive headaches such as frozen pipes, a snow-covered driveway, or a leaky roof.
Here are 5 tips to prepare your home for winter.
5. Clean Your Gutters
Autumn has passed, and your gutters show it. They are probably full of leaves if you haven’t cleaned them out. It’s essential to do so. This will prevent any snowmelt or other precipitation from running down the sides of your home. When this happens, your exterior can deteriorate quicker than usual. Plus, your foundation may be negatively affected as well. So, get outside and clear those gutters.
4. Replace Shingles
If you need to replace any shingles, do it before winter sets in. It’s difficult to replace them in cold weather because they become more brittle and harder to work with. Plus, if you have broken shingles during winter, precipitation can freeze underneath the cracks and cause leaks. It can also lead to larger breaks than before. As a result, you could experience a leaky ceiling.
3. Prevent Frozen Pipes
There are a few things you can do to prevent frozen pipes.
- Try insulating pipes in your attic and crawlspace.
- Check your dryer vents to make sure no cold air gets in.
- Make sure to drain your outdoor faucets.
- Disconnect any exterior hoses.
- Allow water to drip from an exterior faucet.
- Leave cabinets that contain pipes open overnight. This allows your heating system to keep them warmer.
2. Check Your Heating System
Making sure that your heating system is maintained. There are a few great ways to accomplish this. First, change your filters. Second, hire a professional to check your system. This will ensure that you will be ahead of any possible issues. You don’t want to get caught on a cold day with no heat.
1. Stock up on Outdoor Hardware
This may seem obvious, but many people forget about it. When a snow or ice storm hits, the last thing you’ll want to do is trudge through the snow to get a snowblower or shovel. So, make sure you stock up on these items ahead of time. Here are some examples of what you’ll need.
1. Salt
Stock up on salt. Spread it over your sidewalks and driveway before an impending ice or snow event. This will prevent them from sticking as badly. Plus, they will melt easier.
2. Snowblower
Snowblowers are super convenient. They allow you to effortlessly clear snow off your driveway, sidewalks, and even vehicles. Click here to see a fantastic list of the best snowblowers out there.
3. Shovel
An old-fashioned snow shovel is needed as well. It’s not the easiest option, but make sure you at least have one as a back-up plan.
Author Bio: Paige Jirsa– I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.
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