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How To Prepare Your House For Winter

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We had a late start to fall this year but finally, the beautiful colours of Autumn are upon us. And we know that once Fall hits, Winter arrives shortly after and makes its big debut. The Sidorova Inwood Team would love to provide you with some house tips to keep your home in top-notch condition for this upcoming winter. 9071-red-orange-and-yellow-autumn-leaves-on-a-tree-pv

 

Check The Exterior Part of The Home’s Paint

While the weather is still bearable and dry, it is important to check for peeling paint on the exterior walls. If we ignore peeling paint, the siding of the house will eventually deteriorate. This could lead to more expensive repairs down the line.

Clean The Gutters

The leaves are continuously falling and they ar leaving the streets and lawns filled with gorgeous gold, red and yellow colours. But if you mix leaves with rain and melting snow you will be left with clogged gutters that can eventually lead to a lot of damage. Not only could you end up with structural damage, but the resulting damp can cause health issues for you and your family. And once winter hits, the clogged gutters can also cause ice dams. So, now is a great icicle-1214262_960_720time to clean out the gutters and downspouts. Flush them with water, tighten the brackets and even install a mesh to prevent more leaves from clogging.

Inspect The Roof

The worst thing that can happen is a leaky roof during a snowstorm or a rainy cold day. Rain, snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on roofs. It is necessary to protect your roof, since it is your first defence in protecting your home. You will need to inspect for missing and loose shingles. It is an even safer idea to get an inspector to do the job.

Seal The Driveway

Seal up foundation and driveway cracks. During cold weather, moisture can seep into these areas and freeze- causing surfaces to crack and split, which could also lead to accidents. Sealing the driveway now will help extend the life of the asphalt through the winter and beyond.

Caulk Windows

To prevent heat from escaping, it is important to caulk around windows and doorframes. What’s more is that if there is an opening in your doorframe or windows, this can cause water to get in and freeze. This can result in cracks and 3091200674_4796b78309_bmold buildup.

Reverse The Ceiling Fan

Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft. This redistributes warm air from the ceiling. Now is also a good time to take out your humidifier – but just remember to regularly clean it during the heating season

Ready The Fireplace

It is that time of the year when we finally get to cozy up in front of the fireplace! You will need to check your place forchristmas_fireplace soot or creosote build-up. In fact, a chimney sweep could be beneficial this time around. By preparing your fireplace this way, it will work more efficiently, last longer and have fewer problems throughout the remainder of fall and all throughout winter.

Cover Air Conditioners

To prevent your air conditioner from rusting during the colder, wet seasons, make sure to cover it with a plastic cover.

Prepare Your Deck For The Colder Season

Cover and store outdoor furniture and barbecues in a protected area until the summer season returns. If you have any soil or plants in your pots, it is good to empty them since dirt left in freezing weather can cause pots to crack.

Sources: http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-fall-home-maintenance-musts-1676#.WCDoq9UrLIU