7 things every homeowner should consider before winter.
“Winter is coming”, and it can put a strain on your home, but it does not have to. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be truer when it comes to your home. If you have ever had something go wrong with your home in the middle of winter then you know, it can be a nightmare. Do not let this be your Christmas story, plan ahead and have a warm stress-free holiday season with your loved ones.
7 THINGS HOMEOWERS SHOULD DO BEFORE WINTER
1. Clean or repair Damaged Gutters- If you do not clean and repair your Gutters periodically, they can accumulate leaves and debris. When that debris gets wet in the wintertime it freezes and ice is very heavy. The gutters can give way from the weight of the ice and break free damaging your home.
2. Check roof and shingles for leaks or damage. Your roof is another part of your house that is vulnerable to freezing damage if it is not properly maintained. A damaged roof or shingles can lead to leaks and leaks can lead to structural damage to your roof, or even the formation of black mold. That is why it is important to have your roof inspected by a professional every couple of years.
3. It is particularly important that your home has good drainage especially if you have a basement. You do not want water laying up against your basement when it gets cold. The water freezing can cause damage to your basement wall or your foundation. If you have problems with water laying around your home, you should hire a contractor to do an inspection to locate the issue. You can have drainage ditches installed that will divert the water away from your home.
4. Seal up any cracks in your masonry. Nothing is stronger than a block foundation, except the unrelenting power of winter. If your masonry contains cracks water can get in those crevices, then freeze and expand damaging your home’s foundation. That is why it is so important to seal and cracks in your masonry before winter.
5. Make sure all your windows and doors are properly sealed. Most people do not realize how much heat they are losing through their windows and doors. If your doors and windows are not sealing properly you could be losing a fortune on your heating and cooling bills. If you have old windows or doors you should consider upgrading to more energy efficient doors and windows.
6. Have your furnace or boiler inspected. If you have not had your furnace or boiler inspected in over five years, then you are overdue. Like anything your furnace and boiler will eventually need serviced, and if you do not inspect it regularly it can break down when you least expect it, leaving you hanging in the middle of winter, or worse it could lead to a fire.
7. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected- just like your furnace your chimney needs cleaned and inspected regularly for cracks and blockages. A damaged or clogged chimney can result in a loss of heat, or even lead to a house fire. Not to mention a clogged chimney can lead to high level of carbon monoxide in your home.
Brazen Contacting (licensed contractor), offers many services that can help you prepare for winter, and inspections that can help you prevent damage to you home. Check out all our services here…. https://www.brazen-contracting.com/contractor-services/
Call us or submit your information on our contact page for a free estimate.
If you have questions about winterizing your home give us a call, we would be glad to help…
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