If you would like your home look as appealing in the winter as it does in the summer (and avoid the damage caused by the cold and severe weather), it is important that you pay attention to the areas of your home's exterior that tend to be overlooked. Wind, ice, and snow can cause permanent damage to your home’s structure and can be extremely expensive to repair. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started protecting your home's exterior during the harsh winter months.
How to Protect Your Home's Exterior During The Winter
Roof The first area you want to pay attention to is the roof. Regardless of whether you have a new one or not, high winds, rain and snow can damage roof tiles; oftentimes, you won't even know you have an issue until a leak appears. This is especially concerning for homes with flat roofs. The weight of the snow can make flat roofs collapse or develop a severe leak. You should have the number of a local roofing specialist handy just in case, so you can contact them as soon as you notice the problem. Be sure to ask your friends and family for recommendations.
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Gutters You might think that the gutters of your home are just a necessary accessory, and you probably don't even think much about them. In fact, your gutters are connected to downspouts that can connect to a drainpipe, which allows the water to flow far from your home's foundation or an underground piping system that can be used to recycle the water. When the pipes are blocked and there is standing water that freezes, pipes can expand and burst, or even result in interior dampness or mold. It is important that you check that your gutters are clear from any debris and water is running down the pipes freely with no blockages.
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Paving The frost, snow, and ice can cause paving stones to become damaged, usually from expansion (similar to how potholes form). If your pavers break, you should get them replaced as soon as possible. In most cases, pavers may only start lifting and shifting instead of breaking altogether, which means that your driveway or patio will become uneven, increasing the chance of trips and falls, and further surface damage.
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Garage
It is crucial that you pay attention to any outbuildings you may have on your property as well, should you like to maintain your home exterior's good looks. Consider your (detached) garage, which generally have flat roofs. Be sure to keep your garage door in good shape as well, taking care to lubricate any chains or pulleys, and check the weather seal and replace if necessary. If your issues seem beyond your own repair, contact a local garage door repairs company that will help you solve the problem before it gets worse.
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Drainage
Getting rid of your wastewater is important to keep your home hygienic. You should always check for blockages and get your drainage inspected using a CCTV survey in the late fall (the perfect time to do this is when you do your home's "fall clean up"). You can purchase a decent drain and sewer CCTV system for about $500. Checking for blockages in the fall will help you avoid problems in the winter.
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Keep in mind that it's never too late to perform a check of your home's exterior. If you would like to make the most out of the exterior looks of your home, and want to protect the structural integrity of your house, you need to be on the lookout for the dangers caused by severe winter weather, and monitor your home's exterior condition regularly.
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