If you’ve noticed a change in the weather recently, you won’t be the only one – winter is definitely on the way, and the colder weather and darker days (and nights) are upon us. That’s no bad thing for the most part, this can be a wonderful time of year with a lot to look forward to, but when it comes to your home, it’s wise to make sure you’ve prepared it in advance for winter so you don’t have any last minute disasters and you can be warm and cozy inside. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to get your home ready for cold weather.
Clean The Gutters
One of the most important things you’ll need to do before the weather gets too cold is to clean your gutters. Gutters are such an essential part of your home because they direct rainwater and melting snow away from the building, which helps to prevent damp and mold – not something you’ll want to have to deal with if you can help it. The problem is that when they get all clogged up with leaves, dirt, moss, and anything else, the water backs up and can cause damage to your roof and the other structures in your home. It can even start getting inside and causing problems there.
It’s clear your gutters have to be cleaned before the rain and snow come, so start by removing as much as you can by hand and then flush the gutters with a garden hose. While you’re working, check for leaks or any loose brackets and make the repairs as soon as you can. Alternatively, call a professional gutter cleaning company to do the work for you, as they’ll be quicker, safer, and more efficient.
Get The Roof Checked
We mentioned how your roof can get damaged if your gutters aren’t cleaned, but that’s not the only way damage can occur – sometimes it can be due to bad weather, sometimes it can be because debris has fallen onto the roof (perhaps from trees you have around the backyard), and sometimes damage just happens because the roof is old.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to have the roof checked by a professional roofer before winter comes. Remember that your roof is a big form of defense for your property, keeping everything outside that’s meant to be outside, from rain to pests and so on. If there are any missing or broken tiles, signs of wear and tear, or any other issues, they can be fixed before the colder weather makes them worse.
Have The Chimney Swept
Although this point won’t be something everyone needs to think about, for anyone with an open fireplace or wood burner and a chimney they intend to use when the weather gets colder (it can be a much more cost-effective way to heat your home, so it’s something a lot of people do like to do), it’s important to have your chimney swept before you start using the fire.
Over time, your chimney can get blocked with lots of debris from outside and with creosote buildup from previous fires. If you try to light a fire with a blocked chimney, at the very least, your room will fill with smoke before there’s nowhere else for it to go, but it could actually start a fire. Getting a chimney sweep to clean the chimney is the best course of action.
