Having a yard for the kids to play in

Two home maintenance tasks you must do before winter arrives

5 April 2017

Wyatt Patterson

The freezing temperatures, frequent bouts of rain and strong winds that accompany the winter months can take their toll on your home. The damage these type of weather conditions cause often takes a great deal of money and time to deal with. As such, it makes sense to do a bit of preparatory work now to ensure that your home is ready to withstand the elements come wintertime.

Give the roof and gutters some TLC

The roof serves as a shield for your home; it helps to keep the cold air out and prevents rainwater from entering your property and wreaking havoc on its contents. Make sure the roof is in top condition before the winter weather arrives. Roof leaks will not only result in the aforementioned water damage but could also encourage the development of mould and dampness inside your home.

If you're comfortable working at a height, you can carry out a basic roof inspection yourself. However,  it's important to have somebody at the bottom of the ladder, holding it in place as you climb up, to reduce the risk of you falling and injuring yourself.

During your inspection, look out for curled or buckled shingles, which may allow water to seep in. Additionally, examine the texture of the shingles; if they are no longer granulated (to the point where they feel almost entirely smooth to the touch), this may be an indication that they are past their prime and can no longer provide the same level of protection from the elements that they once did. Such shingles should be replaced before the winter weather sets in.

It's also a good idea to clear out your gutters, particularly if you reside in an area with a lot of trees. During the autumn months, the plethora of leaves falling from trees, coupled with other debris, such as twigs, bird droppings, algae and moss, can quickly lead to your gutters becoming blocked, which can prevent them from effectively directing rainwater away from your home.

Check your double glazing

Most properties nowadays are fitted with double glazed windows. Double glazing plays a crucial role in insulating your home. In addition to retaining the heat produced by your heating system, it also helps to keep cold air from entering the property. However, these type of windows have a limited lifespan; over the course of a decade or two, the seals will start to degrade and they will no longer offer the same level of thermal insulation that they once did.

If you don't bother to check your double glazing before winter arrives, you may find yourself faced with unusually large energy bills and a home which is uncomfortably chilly. As such, it really is worth spending just a few minutes examining each of the windows in your home for signs of deteriorated seals. Some of the signs to watch out for include a build up of condensation in between the glass panes, drops of water seeping inside after a spell of rain, or draughts flowing through the window during periods of high winds. If you spot any of these things, have the affected windows replaced as soon as possible.

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