Winter is almost here, and it’s vital to prepare your property for this trying season. Guarantee your entire home is ready for snow and ice damage by prepping these six crucial exterior areas.
1. Ready Your Roof
First, perform a visual inspection of your roof. The most obvious sign of damage is if you have any missing shingles. However, a more subtle clue of wear on asphalt roofs is finding granule remains inside your gutters or downspouts. Look for shingles that curl or rise because they’ll soon detach.
Additionally, see if your roof shows signs of hail damage, as your homeowner’s policy might cover replacement. To cut down on costs, rather than getting rid of your old roof and putting on an entirely new one, you can consider placing a fresh layer of shingles on top of the old.
2. Clear Your Gutters
You’ll also need to make sure your gutters are in good condition. If they aren't working correctly going into winter, you can experience structural damage and foundational issues.
Before winter, clear your gutters of any debris, ensuring they’re not clogged. Use a wire brush to push through any stubborn dirt or leaves. If you find any holes, cut a piece of sheet metal and patch it over the gap using roofing cement.
3. Prepare Your Lawn
Cold winter temperatures can do significant damage to your turf. Prevent lasting harm by preparing your lawn before the snow starts to fall. Be quick to clean up any debris since heavy logs or branches can devastate the health of your turf, delaying the growth of spring grass.
Continue to mow your grass in the fall, but adjust the height of your blades. Avoid cutting your turf to more than one-third of its standing height. Another practice to prepare your lawn for winter is to aerate your turf or drill holes into the soil to improve its quality. It’s also wise to fertilize and reseed your lawn before cold temperatures set in.
4. Trim Your Trees
Another wise seasonal precaution is to trim trees with any low-hanging or damaged branches. Ice and snow can cause branches to break and fall, harming your property. If you have tall trees or those that stretch over your roof, consider hiring a professional tree cutter for this task.
5. Protect Your Pipes
You'll need to take additional precautions to protect any outdoor pipes from freezing. Shut off all water and drain the pipes before things get chilly. Remove any connected hoses and store them inside your garage.
Perhaps you have outdoor pipes you can't shut down. There are additional means to prevent freezing, like insulating pipe sleeves and foam covers. Know that you can also protect your outdoor pipes by heating your house.
6. Cover Your Air Conditioner
A straightforward task many homeowners forget to add to their list is to cover their air conditioning unit. Although they are manufactured to withstand all weather conditions, adding a protective layer of coverage during the off-season is wise. Debris like twigs and leaves can easily get trapped in your unit, requiring repairs because of moisture buildup and corrosion.
The best time to cover your AC unit is in the fall and winter if you live in the North. You should only cover the top, allowing it to breathe and not lock in moisture, which causes corrosion and lasting damage. However, if you live in a climate with high humidity, it might be best not to cover your AC at all.
Try These Tips to Prepare for Winter
Be thorough in your approach when preparing your home for winter. Manage your exterior so you limit the damage caused to the entire property. Hit these six target areas, and you’ll be ready for any snow and ice the season brings.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!
