It’s hard to believe that cold Nebraska winter weather will be here before we know it. The bitter temps and heavy snow and ice can be harmful to your home if it is not properly prepped. Fall is the perfect time to do a mini-inspection on your home’s exterior and to make sure any necessary repairs are taken care of.
Here are just a few of the things you can do to make sure your home exterior is prepared for winter –
Check Your Drainage
Ensuring that water is properly diverted from the perimeter of your home is especially important in the winter time as pooling water around your foundation can cause major issues if it freezes. Before winter begins, walk around the perimeter of your home and make sure that soil has not settled. If you notice sloping toward your home, build up the space with soil.
It’s also important to check your gutter downspouts to ensure water is being properly diverted away from your home. Check to be sure your downspouts are not clogged with leaves. If you have been putting off a gutter repair, now is the time to take care of it! If necessary, add downspout extenders so expelled water moves far enough away from your home.
Clean Out Your Gutters
It might be too early to clean your gutters right now. But once all the leaves have fallen from your trees, get the ladder out! Although we don’t generally get rain in the wintertime, unusually warm days after significant snow can lead to lots of water in a short amount of time. You’ll want to be sure your gutters are free and clear so they can divert water away from your home efficiently. If clogged, your gutters may overflow which leads to water ending up where it shouldn’t be. This can cause premature deterioration to your facia, siding, and foundation.
Inspect Your Windows
Go around your home and make sure all storm windows are closed completely. On the exterior of your home, check for large cracks around the trim of your windows. Caulk any gaps to prevent water from seeping in. Fall is also a great time to replace windows, if needed.
Shut Down Water Systems
Be sure to winterize your pool pumps and sprinkler systems before the first freeze. Water left in your exterior lines can freeze and expand, which can cause broken pipes or seals. Prevent this by detaching all hoses from exterior water spigots, turning off their valve, and draining the line.
Look at Your Trees
Fall is the perfect time to check out your trees. Look for dying, hanging, or broken limbs that could easily fall under the weight of snow. Although it’s not a great time to have your trees trimmed, it’s a safe choice to remove these potential hazards, especially if they are hanging over your or your neighbor’s home.
We hope this list has helped you out! If you stumble upon any issues with your roof, gutters, siding, windows, or doors as you move through these items, we’d be happy to help. Schedule an on-site inspection by one of our qualified estimators.
