Your home needs you to take care of it or else it will deteriorate in no time with the lack of attention. It is important that you take the time to protect your investment. Not only will you save money and time when you maintain your home’s structural integrity, but you will also be providing you and your family with the right living conditions to live a comfortable life. With that being said, maintaining your home’s condition is something that should be routinely done, especially during the winter. With harsh weather conditions and many dangers that could potentially damage various parts of your home, winter is a season where you have to provide extra care for your home. So, to help you with doing so, here are 5 easy steps and tips to prepare your home for the winter.
Heating and Air Conditioning System
Most heating and air conditioning systems endure 12 to 15 years on average and it is important to note that it will last this long if you take proper care of it. For instance, some of the HVAC systems after 10 years crumble and aren’t able to function and then on the other hand, other home’s HVAC systems are still running strong 20 years in. This is mostly due to how they are maintained, so it is crucial that you take proper care of it. Before it gets chilly outside, it is recommended that you take advantage of the opportunity to at the very least change your filters. Various professionals from across the country advise having a trustworthy HVAC contractor examine the system and address any possible problems they may find. Even better, you should consider signing a yearly maintenance contract as this will help cover the costs of any damages. It is also important to ask the contractor to inspect your system to ensure that your heat will function when you need it. Finding an HVAC issue while the weather outside is still moderate is far preferable than discovering your furnace isn’t working in the winter.
Paint, Caulk and Seal Exterior Wood
Your home’s exterior wood trim has to be weatherproofed in its entirety for the wintertime. Unfortunately, the wood trim around your outside doors, windows and siding is usually only a one-inch-thick pine board that deteriorates extremely fast if not maintained, unlike the pressure-treated or rot-resistant species of wood used on your deck. Having said that, it is common to see a lot of decaying wood around the edges of external doors and bay windows. Even specialists have trouble making the repair seem decent since it is so expensive and difficult to replace this trim. Keeping it painted and caulked will help prevent it from rotting in the first place, which is the ideal course of action. Most people, if they remain on top of it, can do this task alone. If the wood becomes decayed and has to be replaced, you’ll likely need to employ a skilled trim carpenter to complete the task for you. You must make sure that your paint is not flaking away and that no caulk is splitting before that occurs by taking the time to go around your house. It is also important that you remove any inferior paint or caulk if it is flaking away. Your deck also still requires protection even if it is built of treated or rot-resistant wood. Your deck doesn’t need to be stained and sealed annually, but you should inspect to make sure it is. In order to check, you can pour some water on it. You’re okay if the water begins to bead up. If the wood absorbs the water, your deck has to be cleaned and sealed.
Masonry and Hard Surfaces
Your patio also requires maintenance and as a homeowner, it is your job to provide just that. You should be cautious when protecting any concrete walks, patios, or driveways you have. All of your flat external concrete surfaces should, on a regular basis, be sealed with concrete sealant. Every concrete flatwork will ultimately crack, which is why control joints are intentionally inserted into your concrete by good masons to try to limit cracking. Before applying sealer, you must give your concrete a thorough inspection and fill in any gaps to prevent water from seeping in and freezing over the winter. This should guarantee the long-term durability of your costly concrete installation. Furthermore, the perfect time to consider replacing your asphalt driveway is when the temperature is moderate. You may either purchase a bucket of sealer and roll it on yourself, or you can hire a firm to come over and give it a fast spray of sealer. If there are any cracks in your driveway, you should fill them in before sealing.
Drainage
To prepare your home for the wintertime, it is recommended that you verify that the soil around your foundation hasn’t changed, leaving spaces where water may accumulate and pool at your foundation. If you see any and want to solve the problem, you can simply fill up any of the low areas with soil. Next, you must walk around and inspect your gutter downspouts. It is best that you verify that water is being transported away from the house. If necessary, professionals recommend that you add downspout extenders. As the ground surrounding a foundation freezes and thaws over the winter, saturated soil can cause serious issues, which is not something you want as it costs money and time to fix this sort of problem.
Gutters
As the temperature gets colder and colder, the time to clean your home’s gutters gets closer and closer. When your gutters overflow from a backup, the water pours down your house and accelerates the degradation of your exterior, which can be detrimental for your home, especially during the winter time. Additionally, it can cause your foundation to deteriorate, which is not something you want. This is because once your foundation deteriorates, water will be able to seep into your basement and water will also be able to settle on your concrete porches and pathways, all of which cause various issues.
Protecting and taking proper care of your home is an important task that you must complete as a homeowner all year round. By doing so, you are not only saving on money and time, but you are also providing yourself and your family proper living conditions that will allow you all to live a comfortable lifestyle. Taking care of your home is especially important during the winter as this season poses a lot of dangers that could damage your home’s interior and exterior. To prepare your home for the wintertime, you must check your HVAC system, paint, caulk and seal exterior wood, seal your mansory and hard surfaces, check your drainage and clean your gutters. By doing all of this, you are setting yourself up for a winter with no worries that relate to the condition of your home.