Preparing your Home’s Exterior for Cooler Months
As the cooler air starts to roll in here in Bourbon Country, you may be thinking it’s too late to prepare your home for these cooler temperatures. But, the good news, is you still have a little time. There are a multitude of ways to prepare and things you can do to help make your home life easier and your energy costs lower in the cooler months. From basics like cleaning your gutters to the lesser known repairs, what exactly should you be doing to prepare your home?
Be sure to clean your gutters and check your chimney are some pretty standard things that most people think of when preparing their homes for cold weather. Along with checking your drainage and HVAC systems, some of these things may be easily done yourself or with the help of a professional. If you have a fireplace, clean your fireplace and chimney, and collect or order your firewood. This is also a great time to check the trees around your home for any falling or loose branches or limbs that could fall and cause damage to your home or vehicles.
Insulation and draft problems tend to become more apparent in the cooler months. Our suggestion is to take some time to check for drafts and insulation issues while it's still temperate and get them fixed or repair them yourself, if possible. Doors and windows are the most important places to check for draft problems while the attic and/or basement are the most important places to check for insulation issues. Checking for and repairing these issues now will lower your energy costs now and in the future.
There are a few things we suggest that some people don’t think about. Painting, caulking, and sealing any exterior wood will help protect it from the elements and add some length to its life span. Masonry and other exterior elements should be checked for cracks and damages that could be worsened with cooler weather. Check your porch, driveway, sidewalks, and any other concrete surfaces for cracks. Occasionally applying a concrete sealer to your flat concrete surfaces will protect it and keep water from seeping into the cracks, freezing, and causing more cracks during the winter months.
If you have a pool or sprinkler system, this is also a good time to check and drain those systems and faucets. This is one of those home maintenance tips that may be best left to a professional. Also, your outside spigots are susceptible to the elements so make sure to turn off the main water valve, and drain all the water out. This helps prevent frozen and ruptured pipes in the winter. Cover or store your patio furniture and prepare your lawn and lawn equipment for the cooler months as well.
Your home is your largest investment and one of the most important purchases you will make in your lifetime, so make sure you are taking care of it in every season. From the lawn to the porch to the roof, all the projects can become overwhelming. If you feel overwhelmed, call in some professionals to help check some things off your “to-do” list. Bourbon Country Roofing, Home Exteriors, and Custom Homes would be glad to help you assess and repair any exterior element of your home from the roof to the gutters, to the sidewalks, and the handrails, our team of professionals doesn’t let the cool weather slow us down. Make sure to give us a call for all your home exterior needs.
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