Home repairs, most of them non-essential, are often put on hold throughout the year. Many minor repairs can wait, but a few should be addressed and completed before winter weather makes the repair far more difficult—if not impossible.
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Gutters
These work to help protect the façade and the landscaping that surrounds the home. Working gutters also keep water from finding an entrance around doors and windows. Seams and downspouts should be sealed to prevent damage to the home’s gutter system. When the roof is cleaned, the gutters should also be cleared to avoid clogging and breakage. Poorly-maintained gutters can be extremely dangerous during winter, when standing water within them freezes—the weight of accumulated water and ice increases the risk of gutters breaking off and falling.
Doors/Windows
Weather-stripping and caulking should be repaired or replaced to assure a snug fit that will keep out those cold winter winds. This repair works much easier and better during warm weather, when materials are more pliable. Well-sealed windows and doors make a huge difference when winter comes, keeping cold air out and warm air in. Replacing the weather-stripping and other seals is an inexpensive way to save a bundle on your heating bill once the weather turns.
Pipes
If you have that small drip you’ve been meaning to get around to, do it now before winter turns that small drip into a deluge. Indoor piping has been known to freeze and burst in the winter—a drip site speeds up this process, putting your pipes at risk. All exposed piping should be wrapped to help prevent freezing. It is much simpler to do this than to fix pipes filled with ice in the middle of winter.
Roof
Your roof essentially protects your entire house and should be kept in good repair. Loose or missing shingles or tiles present the possibility of leakage, which a specialist from United Roofing says can cause severe damage to the inside of the home. Make sure the roof is kept clean of debris like twigs, leaves, etc. Spring is the best time to inspect the roof, giving plenty of time during the warmer months to make any needed repairs.
Foundation
This is the base of your home and what keeps everything level and square. Foundations naturally contract and expand with the changing ground temperatures and will, on occasion, shift or crack. This can cause a great deal of damage to the entire house, if not repaired. Many foundation repair experts will not attempt repairs during cold winter months, so it’s very important to schedule this as quickly as possible when any damage is discovered.
Your home is probably the largest investment you will ever make and should be maintained as such. The need for repair can arise at any time, but anything that can be done during warmer weather usually makes the job easier, faster—and in some cases less costly—so you can enjoy your winter in a snug, cozy home.
