Winter is on the way, and it’s important to prepare your property for this season. This may not sound like the most fun way to spend your time, but with a plan, it’s easy to do and won’t take you a lot of time. Here are five ways in which you can protect your investments this winter season.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
The roof is one part of your home that’s exposed the most to extreme weather, and that’s why it’s advisable to have your roof cleaned by a professional at least once every year. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have it inspected. Call in a roofing contractor to have a look at it because they will be able to spot problems that the untrained eye cannot. You can save a lot more by avoiding potential future damage that can be made worse by the freeze and thaw cycle in winter.
Check On Your Home’s Heating System
There’s probably no other time when heating is as crucial as in the winter, so make sure that it’s working well to avoid terrible surprises. Most heating systems are made to last anywhere from 12 to 15 years, so if yours is in this age group, you should consider replacing it. If you’ve maintained it well, however, it may still have some years left in it. Before winter checks in, have a professional look at it and change your filters. This will help you stay confident in weathering the cold well.
Reapply Exterior Caulk
This is maintenance that’s pretty simple: buy and apply some caulk. Inspect the outside of your doors and windows to see if there are any gaps and cracks. Replace any missing weather stripping and seal the cracks with caulk, which you can get from a local hardware store. This should be easy enough to find with 30.7 small businesses operating in America, many of which are home improvement focused. Sealing cracks will help you keep more heat in the house and therefore save some money on heating bills, as you won’t have to crank the heat all the way up.
Clean Out the Gutters
Your gutters serve the purpose of directing rainwater off your roof and away from your driveway and the foundation of your house. To ensure they do this efficiently, clean them before winter. They likely have an accumulation of debris including dust and leaves that have been blown about. These can clog up the gutter and form ice dams, which will damage your roof as the seasons change, so spare some time to clean them out or hire a professional to do it for you.
Take Your Vehicle to Be Winterized
If you will be commuting to and from work or elsewhere, it’s important to have your vehicle winterized. To make sure that you’re safe any time you’re on the road, start with the tires, as you should switch them for winter tires if you don’t have a vehicle with four-wheel drive. Change the windshield wipers as well to make sure you have great visibility. Don’t forget to check your antifreeze and the battery as well as change your oil. On average, a consumer spends about $400 annually on tune-ups, scheduled maintenance, and diagnostics. To keep these maintenance costs low each year, be sure you visit a professional who can ensure your vehicle is in its best condition each season.
As winter approaches, it’s better to be safe than sorry by preparing for the different weather conditions when it comes to your house and car. Plan in advance for an easier winter season!