It’s no secret that winter is often a time where it gets cold and either rains or snows a lot, depending on where you live. During that season, homes that haven’t had proper maintenance in the past begin to show signs of problems.
For example, roof damage may mean water leaks down through walls and ceilings and cause further damage to drywall and plaster. Furnaces that haven’t been serviced can stop working when you need them most; the list goes on.
You’re probably wondering whether there’s anything you specifically need to do to your home so that it’s ready for winter. The following tips will ensure you won’t need to deal with winter-related damage or disruption in your home:
Get Your Roof Checked
As mentioned earlier, roof damage can result in water leaking into your home and causing further damage elsewhere. Plus, damaged guttering, for instance, can result in mold growth in external-facing walls and cause a myriad of health problems for people and pets.
Thankfully, you can avoid all those problems by having a professional inspect your roof and guttering for any damage. They can then rectify any issues and make your roof watertight, ready for any winter rain and snow.
Get Your Heating System Checked
For most people, winter can prove to be the coldest season of the year. In some areas, daytime temperatures can often dip into minus figures. When you’re dealing with such cold weather, you want to know that your home’s heating system will keep you warm.
The last thing you want to happen is for your heating system to not work due to a faulty furnace, for example. With that in mind, have a heating engineer visit your home and check that your system is functioning correctly.
If you’ve got a relatively new or modern heating system, you shouldn’t have any issues that some light maintenance couldn’t fix.
Wrap Up Any External Faucets
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that outdoor faucets won’t work effectively, if at all, during below-freezing temperatures. If you don’t wrap them up and protect any external water pipes exposed to freezing temperatures, you could end up with pipes that burst.
You can buy pipe insulation easily and cheaply from most hardware stores and online suppliers. Plus, some companies even sell easy-to-fit faucet covers that simply slide over your faucets.
Spread Rock Salt on Your Driveways and Paths
Lastly, when the temperatures get so cold that you end up having snow in your area, it’s a good idea to spread some rock salt on your driveways and paths. Doing so helps keep them clear of snow and ice and ensures the safety of your family and visitors to your home.
Ideally, you should spread rock salt on your driveways and paths before it starts getting icy and snowing. Keep a regular check of local weather reports so you can prepare your home in advance.
Be sure to have an ample supply of rock salt at your home, especially if you live in an area where winters are very harsh.
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