When the air gets chilly, winter is coming. Winter is a wonderful season for joy and fun, but it is not fun for your home. Snow can cause a lot of problems and damage. Here are some tips to help you take care of your home in the winter.
Check the Air Conditioning and Heating System
Air and heating systems last around 12-15 years, but sometimes they don’t work after 10 years. The life expectancy of the systems will depend on maintenance. You should maintain your systems and change the filters before winter comes. Find an HVAC contractor to check the system. You do not want to deal with a nonfunctional furnace when the cold air starts to roll into your town.
Snowy Roads
While this is not necessarily a way to prepare for winter, it is something that you will deal with when the snow falls. While the snow may look pretty at first, it will start to pile up and make it hard to leave your home. You can try to remove the snow by yourself, but it is a tiring and time-consuming job. We recommend that you find services to remove snow and ice from Grande Prairie snow removal companies to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Protect Exterior Wood
It would help if you protected all the wood trim in your home to prepare for winter. The wood trim around your windows and exterior doors can quickly deteriorate because of the winter weather. It is hard to repair, and replacing them is costly, so it is best to keep them painted and caulked. You may need a trim carpenter if the wood rotted and requires a replacement. However, you can prevent that by scraping away any cracked caulk and chipping caulk then apply a fresh coat.
You need to protect the wood on your deck, even if it is made out of rot-resistant or treated wood. While to stain and seal the deck yearly, it is good to check it now and then. To test it, pour some water onto your deck. It is okay if the water beads up, but you have to clean then seal the deck if water gets absorbed into the wood.
Clean the Gutters
Saturated soil will freeze and thaw around your foundation throughout winter, which can create massive problems to your foundation. You do not want water to pool at the foundation of your home, so check the soil around your foundation to see if it settled. Use some soil to fill a low spot. Do not forget to check the rain downspouts – be sure the water will move away from your house. If needed, you can add downspout extensions.
Check Your Drainage
It is time to clean your gutters once all the leaves fall off the trees. If your gutters get backed up, they will overflow, which will make water run down your house and quickly deteriorate the outside of your home. It could also deteriorate your foundation and water can settle under the concrete walks and porches, so it is best to clean your gutters as soon as you can.
It would be best if you were proactive in protecting your home. Follow the tips above to keep your home safe during winter.
