Getting Your House Ready For Winter
Getting your house ready for winter will require some work. With Autumn approaching and cooler weather ahead, now is the perfect time to get this done. This might take several week end projects but if you start now, you should be done in plenty of time before winter sets in. If you put off doing this work your house could suffer damage and start to lose it's value. You should have a good pair of work gloves, safety goggles, a ladder, and of course your tool box.
The roof is where you start
Getting your ladder out, climb to the roof for a major inspection. Look for missing and loose shingles. These will need to be replaced or reseated and sealed. You will also need to reseal around all chimney areas and vent pipes. Make sure they are all properly capped. Look for areas where water has puddled and put extra sealant in these areas. Make sure there are no signs of leaks anywhere. During a cold rainy winter day, you will not want to climb back up there and try to fix a leak. Repair them now before winter gets here.
The soffit area
After coming down from the roof, you will need to check the soffit for missing pieces and even bird nests. Even squirrels and raccoons can make their way into your attic through missing soffit pieces. It is warm up there and a great place for them to build a home. Replace any damaged and missing pieces, but be careful here, wasps like to build their nest here also, and they will sting.
Siding is next on the list
The siding needs cleaned good to wash away mold and dirt that has accumulated on it. Not only does it look bad, it is not good for your health. Look for signs of water getting behind the siding and if located, pull off a few pieces to see if mold is growing inside. Mold can cause asthma and other breathing problems, skin rash, and a variety of other health problems. As you inspect each area of the house, look for signs of mold. It thrives in damp places and is sometimes hard to locate.
On to the windows
Make sure your windows are insulated and if not, consider upgrading them now. The will save much money on fuel during the winter, cut out cold drafts, and perhaps even qualify for a tax break. They will also make your house look better and add value to it. Getting your house ready for winter is not easy, but it is worth it for you will reap benefits from it all year round.
Air conditioners
Remove window air conditioner units and cover the central air models with a good tarp or even build a temporary wood closure for it. This will protect it from the elements and help keep cold air from coming into the house. Check your furnace filter and make sure you have extra on hand. Changing the furnace filter every 30 days will make sure the furnace runs more efficient. If you have a basement, make sure the sump pump is in good working order and don't forget to check for mold while you are down there.
The foundation
The foundation should be checked for cracks and these should be fixed with mortar if any is found. The vents should be closed when it starts to get below freezing. There should be no moisture under the house and if there is, locate the problem and fix it. The water pipes here should be wrapped with insulation or heat tape. Due to foundation areas being prone to dampness, this is another have for mold.
The finish
You have finally inspected your house from top to bottom. You should also be prepared in case of a power outage. Stock up on extra blankets, battery powered lights, batteries, and extra drinking water. Food that can be eaten without cooking should also be available. Getting your house ready for winter is finally done and you should be as ready as you can be when the cold sets in. You can now relax knowing your house is ready to weather the storms nature sometimes throws at us during the winter. But don't get to relaxed because spring will soon be here with another inspection needing to be done.
