We all know that winter can be a tough time of year for homeowners - and even more so if you live in an area where the weather is harsh. The cold, snow, ice, and other elements can wreak havoc on your house. If you want to keep the weather from damaging your home this season, here are five ways to protect it.
#1 Have your roof inspected
The first thing you should do is have your roof inspected. If there are any cracks, holes, or other weak spots on the roof, it could lead to leaks and damage inside your home. Of course, you could check your roof yourself, but you'll probably need a professional to do it. The next step is to fix any issues with the roof and make sure that your house's foundation isn't damaged by water or ice melting off of the roof. Making these repairs will help keep damage from occurring in general.
Still, you can even go a step further by purchasing roofing felt paper from a local hardware store - this is an extremely thin material usually used as a waterproof barrier under shingles or other types of roof coverings. If installed properly, it won't allow any moisture into the house, thus protecting against leaks and eventually mould growth if there are cracks in your walls.
#2 Seal your windows and doors
After you've done this, it's time to seal your windows and doors. If water can't get in during a storm or melt off of the roof, then there won't be any damage inside. To do this, simply buy weather stripping from your local hardware store and apply it around all window sills and door frames that are exposed to inclement weather. You should also purchase insulating foam tape if there is an area where two windows meet - for example, at a corner joint - which doesn't have insulation between them already (usually older homes don't).
This will help reduce drafts coming into the house as well as offer another layer of protection against leaks. The best kind of weather-stripping material is called "mushroom" weather-stripping because it forms a seal that will also reduce noise from outside. If there are any areas on the windows or doors where you can't attach anything, then use a clear caulk to fill in these gaps and hand cracks around them - this is another inexpensive way of sealing your home against winter elements.
As an additional step, check all of your window sills for water damage and discoloration due to leaks by removing the baseboard trim if necessary (it usually comes off easily). Finally, suppose there's any mold growth inside the house. In that case, you'll need to get rid of it right away since not only does mold release spores which could exacerbate allergies, but it also damages wood structures over time, so they won't be able to withstand water pressure as well.
#3 Clean the gutters
After you've sealed your windows and doors, it's time to clean out the gutters. Clogged rain gutters can overflow during heavy rainfall or snowfall, which means that water will run down the exterior of your house instead of flowing through them properly - this could lead to leaks. If your gutters are unclogged, they'll be able to drain any rain or snow falling on your roof adequately, ensuring no leaks or damage will occur.
#4 Have a look at your basement
The final step is to check your basement for any water leaks. Suppose there are cracks in the foundation around the exterior of the house. In that case, it could lead to major problems, especially when you're dealing with such extreme weather elements - this is why it's essential that every home gets a regular inspection by damp specialists, just like how they do on roofs and gutters during hurricane season or wintertime when snowfall can be extremely heavy in some areas too.
#5 Trim away any overhanging trees
If there are any overhanging branches located in the vicinity of your roof, then have them removed by a professional arborist because they could damage it during high winds. Also, make sure to prune away any trees located near your home. If they grow too close to the house, their roots could eventually damage their foundation (especially older homes that are already showing signs of wear and tear or aren't as structurally sound).
In conclusion, to avoid damage to your home during wintertime, it's important that you take some proactive measures in the fall before the weather starts turning cold so that there won't be any problems with leaks or rot later on.
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