With Halloween just around the corner, we are slowly descending into winter. This time of year is loved by many and puts a lot of strain on your home. Depending on where you live, a heavy winter can mean heavy snowfall, strong winds, and a number of other environmental factors that can leave their mark in the long run.
Because of this, it is imperative that you prepare your home for winter and make sure that all of the core pieces are ready for use and ready for the season. We've compiled a list of four major repairs to consider before winter. Without further ado, let's get started right away!
1. The annual roof inspection
The roof is arguably one of the most important parts of any home. It is the shield that protects you from the weather, whatever the weather. An annual rooftop inspection is a great way to stay on top of any small issues that may arise over time. What you are looking for is physical damage to the shingles. If you have had strong winds in your area in the past few months, chances are some of the shingles on your roof are loose or missing. This is common with older homes that have not had roofing work done for some time.
While absolutely no one wants to do roof work in the fall, it's important that you fix any damage before winter sets in. Water getting into the shingles is a great way to invite all kinds of problems into your life. We will also include gutter inspection in this segment as it is essentially part of the roof. Make sure your gutters are clean and not clogged with leaves. You may need to look at them again after the fall is on the way out, especially if you have trees above your roof.
2. Make sure the HVAC system is fully functional
There is nothing worse than a cold house in the middle of winter. Most of us rely on our HVAC systems to provide heat when it's cold outside. You can completely avoid having to deal with heat when it's subzero outside by giving your air conditioner a good inspection.
Run the system through its cycles and see how well it heats up the entire house. It gets cold enough where you can take this test and see if something is wrong. If there is a problem, make sure you schedule an HVAC technician to come over and fix the problem as soon as possible. You could be overflowing with calls and interventions in a month or two.
3. Check the inside for moisture
When the first rain falls, it's a good idea to check the interior for moisture and leaks. Water damage can be expensive and will require you to get a loan to renovate your home if left unattended for a long time. Along with the roof inspection, the interior inspection should let you know how airtight everything is. If you find any leaks, make sure they are fixed before temperatures drop below zero. More expensive leaks can damage your electrical system and cause structural damage to the walls.
4. Clean your chimneys and chimney
If you have a nice fireplace in your home, check it out before you use it. This includes cleaning the fireplace and taking a close look at the chimney. Depending on how your pile is built, chances are you've shared your home with some birds.
Bird nests are a common thing in fireplaces that aren't used that often. Also, be sure to check the chimneys for obstructions other than birds. Sometimes there is a loose brick in the pile that falls into the chimney, causing a clog. If you light a fire with a clogged pile, smoke will quickly surround you.
Prevention is the key
Performing these simple inspections before the start of winter is a great way to spot problems before they become a problem. What we have listed above are the key exams that you need to take each year. However, there are plenty of other minor maintenance jobs that you should do before it gets too cold.
Things like turning off the water to an outside tap to make sure your drainage is clean when you are on a hill are only a small part of the overall list of tasks. If you do everything right, you should have a carefree winter and plenty of time to enjoy the holiday season without dealing with any unforeseen problems.
