It is safe to say that Summer is on it’s way out and fall is about to start. But with fall and of course winter, you are likely to receive harsher weather. Rain, colder days, and even snow can cause huge problems to your home when advanced preparation hasn’t taken place. Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for any bad weather to come. With that in mind, here are some essential tips to prepare you home for the harsher winter weather.
Image creditMake sure you heating system is in good working order
As winter approaches the days will get shorter and colder. So it’s vital to ensure that your whatever heating system your home has in place are in good working order. The last thing anyone wants is for this system to break down on the coldest day of the year. Test out your system and see if it fires up or call in a professional to give your heating system the once over. This could highlight any potential issues giving you plenty of time to resolve them.
Clear out the gutters to ensure good drainage
Bad weather often means rain and a lot of it. So as this rain pours it is essential to ensure it has somewhere to go, otherwise it could potentially cause you further damages. Things like flooding or problems to your foundations. It could even flood any basement area you have causing you to consider a wet basement repair. A great tip is to ensure that all gutters and drains are cleared of any debris or leaves. Often these things are the main culprits when it comes to any blockages. It’s a simple job but could save you a lot of hassle.
Add additional protection to exposed pipework
Exposed pipework is subject to the elements. While this normally doesn’t pose a threat, it can be problematic during the cold and icy days. Those pipes could freeze on the severest of days, and when thawed can burst. Causing leaks and problems you won’t want to be hassled with. A good idea is to add protection to that exposed pipework. Often a foam surround is enough to keep the pipe from freezing inside.
Image creditMake sure your garden and pathways are cleared
Snow and rain can cause a lot of problems anyway, but don’t create further problems by having uncleared gardens and pathways. During the fall leaves and debris gather, and during the harsher weather they can become a hazard across your walkways. Give these areas a clean as often as possible. It could be as simple as brushing the pathway or driveway regularly.
Checkout your attic space for any obvious roof issues
Finally, check out your attic and loft space before the bad weather sets in. Any damage may have gone unnoticed during the sunnier months, but a leak could cause you a lot of internal damage like damp and even mould. Being aware of any suspected issues in advance gives you the upper hand to resolve problems before they become serious.
