A house sits quietly under a blanket of fresh snow
It won’t be long before the frigid New England winter is upon us, so it’s important to make home preparations now before the temperatures dip any further. Luckily, there are a several simple winter home maintenance tasks that can save you lots of headaches down the road.
Before the snow hits, take a moment to inspect the following areas of your home to ensure they can stand up to storms.
Take a Close Look at Your Windows
Check for gaps between your siding and window frames. Over time, these areas may wear down and require a coat of silicone caulking to seal up drafts. Older windows may require window glazing putty to reinforce the seal along the pane or a sheet of shrink plastic as an extra layer of protection against the elements.
If you find yourself working overtime to reinforce your windows, it may be time to consider new replacements. Improvements in new window designs provide a stronger barrier against the cold and can lower energy costs considerably.
Don’t Forget Your Door
Inspect all of your exterior doors for spots of daylight shining through. If light can get through your door, so can cold air and that can cost you a lot of money in energy bills.
Apply weather stripping to any doors that don’t pass the light test and inspect for gaps that need sealed with silicone caulking. Inspect your door’s glass panes and address them as you would windows. If your doors are too old to stand up to another winter, call Coastal Windows to discuss Energy Star winning ProVia fiberglass doors to keep out the draft without the hassle.
Go Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are easy to overlook until they cause a problem. Clogged or ill-fitting gutters can cause water back up, leaks and dangerous ice dams which can be catastrophic for your roof, siding and home—making them an important focal point for winter home maintenance.
Clean dirt and debris from your gutters (consider installing gutter guards to make this job easier in the future) and inspect gutter sections for signs of wear and tear. Pay attention to downspouts and be sure that they lead at least 3 feet away from your home to avoid water damage to your basement and foundation.
Inspect Your Roof
Taking a few moments to inspect your roof now is far easier than trying to repair leaks and damage under a foot of snow. Replace loose or missing shingles to keep moisture away. Check for damaged flashing seals around vent stacks and chimneys that can lead to leaks. Any weakness in your roof now will be far worse under heavy melting snow so address it head on before the leaks start.
If your home inspection reveals potential problems, it’s not too late to get your home ready for the New England Winter and you can download our Winter Ready Home Guide for a wealth of tips to get your home through winter. Contact Stephanie at svanderbilt@mycoastalwindows.com to answer your questions and discuss your needs and options for exterior winter home maintenance.
