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Is Your
Home Ready for Winter?
By Andrew Roth
With wet weather coming, a little preventive home maintenance now will
go a long way to protect your property and pocketbook from more costly
repairs in the future.
Here is a list of things to consider:
Exterior
- Check the condition of exterior paint. It is best to repaint before
the very first sign of cracking and peeling
- Keep windows and doors sealed with a good coat of paint, including
the tops and bottoms. But don't paint the channels where windows need
to slide. Instead, use a light coat of linseed oil as a sealer
- Check for rotted wood trim or siding, and repair or replace as necessary
- If your roof is over 10 years old, have it inspected and make necessary
repairs
- Check chimneys for lose, deteriorated, or missing mortar
- Clean gutters and inspect them to assure they are securely attached
and working properly
- Examine caulking for deterioration around doors, windows, and joints
between wood and masonry
- Replace worn weather-stripping around exterior doors
- Make sure the ground around the foundation slopes downward, and
ensure all concrete patios, walks and driveways slope away from the
foundation.
- Check all culverts and exterior drains to ensure they are free of
debris.
- Trim trees and remove the dead branches
- Make sure all fence posts are secure in the ground.
Interior
- Inspect heating system, and change your furnace filter. If your
heating system is older than 20 years, consider replacing it with
a modern, efficient unit.
- Make sure your attic is properly insulated
- Replace or fix any windows that are not functioning properly, and
repair any cracked or broken windowpanes
- Caulk around door and window frames
- Inspect fireplace and clean chimney
Back to Remodeling.
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