As summer becomes a distant memory and we find ourselves deep into the cool weather, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you can be doing to prep the exterior of your home and garden for the upcoming winter months. Winter can take quite a toll on the exterior of your home, which is why you want to take as many preventative measures as possible. This will help to ensure that once spring comes around the house and garden are in great shape and didn’t suffer too much during the cold harsh months.
So what steps should you be taking? There are actually a number of things you can be doing in order to prep the exterior. Here’s a list that you can follow.
Have the Gutters Cleaned and Repaired
When it comes to the gutters, this is the exact time of year that they take a real beating. As the leaves fall off the trees, the wind kicks up, and debris blows around, the gutters can start to accumulate quite a mess. When this happens, it blocks the flow of water, which can then result in water damage, especially come spring during the thaw. So, before the weather gets too cold, it’s a good idea to have the gutters cleaned and any damage to them repaired.
Cleaning the gutters isn’t exactly an easy job, nor is it particularly safe since you need to climb a pretty tall ladder. This is why it’s a good idea to call on a professional like Edward’s Enterprises that offer rain gutter cleaning and minor repairs. They will be able, of course, clean out all the debris that may clog up the gutters, but they can also clean out the downspout, seal the gutters, install rain gutter screens, divert water, and much more. All of this will help ensure that the spring thaw doesn’t result in water damage in your home.
Check for Leaks in Windows and Doors
This particular job will likely require you to investigate indoors and outdoors. You want to walk around all the windows and doors in the house and take a look at the weather-stripping and caulking. Make sure everything is intact to prevent drafts from occurring. If you do find cracks and gaps, then you can go ahead and make the repairs.
Ensure that Your Roof is In Good Shape
If your roof is more than 10 years old, it’s a good idea to start doing regular checks. To do this you can walk around the perimeter of your home checking for loose slates and tiles. If you see signs of damage or wear, have a professional roofer come out to make the repairs.
Put Away Loose Outdoor Items
It’s also a good idea to put away any loose or lightweight items that are in the garden. These can easily topple over and break during the cold harsh storms in winter. If possible, store the items in a shed, garage, or in the home.
Turn Off the Outdoor Plumbing
In order to keep the pipes from freezing during the winter, you will also want to turn off the outdoor plumbing. After turning it off, make sure you drain the hose and lines so that there is no water sitting in it. You can then disconnect your hose and store it somewhere safe until spring.
If you happen to have a sprinkler system, it should be winterised by late-October.
Trim Broken or Loose Branches
To prevent any damage to your yard or home, it’s also wise to trim any loose or semi-broken branches off trees and shrubs. In high winds, these branches can become projectiles and cause serious damage, and even end up hitting a person and injuring them.
Rake Up All the Leaves
While this isn’t exactly a fun job, it is a necessary one. Be sure to rake up as many leaves off your property as possible. When wet, these leaves can become extremely slippery. Also, they can blanket your grass, which prevents it from getting the moisture and sun that it needs to stay healthy during the winter months.
Unfortunately, this is a job you may have to do a number of times before winter actually arrives. Tackling it once or twice a week helps to prevent the job from getting too big and too out of control.
Change Out Lightbulbs
This is also a great time to change all the light bulbs on exterior light fixtures. You don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark, and there’s nothing worse than having to stand outside to change a bulb in the middle of a winter storm.
Your Home is Ready for What Winter Brings
Each of these tips is designed to prep the exterior of your home to ensure that it’s well prepared for the winter weather that is just around the corner.