Winter is one of the most dangerous things for most properties. The moment the chill sets in, it brings cracked concrete, risks of air leaks, and even danger of animals making their way inside. These are seven home and lawn maintenance tips that you should complete before winter gets here to ensure your property comes out well on the other side.
1. Give Water Somewhere to Go
When you have standing water on your property in the summer, it can make your whole lawn mud, but when you have it in the winter: you might make an accidental ice rink that could seriously harm someone.
Give water somewhere to go, away from your property, by looking into landscape drains and other driveway drainage ideas that can pull water down and out.
You should also take steps, like getting hardy, deep-rooted plants that can pull this water down as far as it needs to go. Make sure these plants are able to handle your climate. You don’t want aloe dying because you tried to plant it in Connecticut.
2. Make Sure your Roof Is In Great Shape
How old is your roof? Is it showing its age yet? The average roof won’t last longer than thirty to forty years before it starts showing major wear and tear and falling apart or letting in leaks. This can also allow a lot of heat to escape through your roof instead of trapping it inside so that you’re warm and comfortable throughout the season.
If you can’t afford to replace it, take the time to repair it, and check your insulation levels. Sometimes insulation can make a huge difference.
3. Repair Cracks in Concrete
Cracks in concrete have to be repaired before the first freeze, or they’re going to get worse. The moment any moisture gets into them and then freezes, it’s going to expand and cause an even larger crack or fracture. If these get severe enough, you won’t be able to fill gaps in concrete areas and may have to completely replace your driveway or walking paths.
4. Check Seal On Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are the largest culprits for temperature fluctuations within the home. Not only can they make your house cold, but your heating bills will skyrocket. To take care of this, it’s a good idea to text to see if you have an air leak.
Light a candle, and walk close to windows and doors while they’re closed, watching the flame. If the fire pulls strongly towards or away from a specific window or door, that one needs to be resealed. If multiple windows are all showing strong air leaks, it might be time to update all of them.
5. Seal and Treat Any Exterior Wood
Treating exterior wood is vital to make sure it lasts for as long as you need it to and looks good while you have it. To do this, you’ll need the best polyurethane for decks you can find and patience. You’ll have to go through this process at least once every one to three years, sometimes more often if you’re dealing with a lot of rain that year.
This seals out any conditions like moisture that could rot or crack the wood around your home. When water gets into cracks and then freezes during the winter, it expands and causes cracks in wood to grow larger the same way they do in concrete.
The only way to stop this from happening to your deck is to seal and treat it when it needs it.
6. Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters, and considering putting gutter guards on them, is extraordinarily important when you’re getting your property ready for the winter. When gutters fill with leaves and debris, they can quickly gather ice and mess and will eventually allow a burg to form. This can damage your roof, make it harder to keep your home cool, and can be dangerous or even deadly when it starts to thaw.
Cleaning your gutters can be dangerous, so if you’re unsure or you don’t have the right tools for it, consider updating this portion of your home and adding guards to protect them!
7. Trim Any Trees Too Close to Your Home
Although this may feel like overkill for some, it’s one of the most important parts of getting your home ready for the colder months. Not only do extra tree branches mean extra snow and ice can gather on them and drop throughout the season, but they also create a highway for anything that wants to get into your roof or home for warmth.
Raccoons are a big issue, especially since they’re known to rip siding and roofing materials off simply to get inside a warm home and nest. Make sure you don’t have anything that will give them a clear route to get onto your roof.
Take Care of Your Home’s Exterior Before the Temperature Drops!
Winter is swiftly coming in, so it’s vital that you do everything you can to get your home ready for it. Take the time to create the perfect chill-proof property, and this winter will be a breeze!
Barbara Taylor is a freelance writer that loves sharing her knowledge and studies on environmental sustainability and energy efficient living. She lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and gardening with her grandchildren. Barbara’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.