Here in Montgomery, IL, home and business owners are getting ready to deal with the brutal winter weather. Even though most people prepare the interior of their homes to seal out the cold and keep the warm air in, it is important to pay attention to the exterior of the home as well. Inspecting your siding and various components on your home can help to ensure that you are protected while moving forward.
Steps to Prepare Your Home
Making sure that the exterior of your home is in good condition before winter weather hits is critical. It can help you to avoid costly repairs in the future. There are several steps that you should take to ensure that you will not have to deal with any unnecessary issues this season.
Check the Exterior for Visible Damage
The first thing that you need to do is inspect your siding. You will want to look for any signs of physical damage. This can include holes, cracks, warping, and other noticeable problem areas. If you spot any damaged areas, you need to take care of them as soon as possible.
Small holes or cracks can quickly become larger if they are not taken care of in a timely manner. Holes and cracks can allow water to seep through the siding and penetrate through your home. This can cause significant damage, mold growth, and even structural problems, so addressing these issues quickly is critical.
If you have vinyl siding on your home, you should also inspect joints and seams to make sure they are still tight, as these seals do tend to break down over time, which can allow moisture to get in. Moisture entering the siding can lead to warping and discoloration.
Clean Your Home’s Siding
After thoroughly inspecting the sides and seams of your home, you need to clean your siding. A pressure washer is an excellent tool for handling this job, as it allows you to blast away any grime, dirt, and other buildup on the surface. Hold the nozzle at least 12 inches from the surface and use a mild soap solution with water to clean the area. After cleaning, be sure to rinse away all of the soap residue.
After cleaning the sides of your home, perform another inspection to make sure there are no signs of damage that you may have missed due to buildup. If you locate any signs of damage, you need to address the issues immediately before the cold winter weather sets in.
Protect Your Siding
Once you have your siding all cleaned and you verify that it is in good condition, you must take the necessary steps to protect it from the frigid winter weather. If there is any wood exposed on your siding, you will want to apply a layer of paint or stain to ensure it is properly sealed from the elements. This can help to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood surfaces and causing it to rot.
Another step you need to take toward protecting your siding is to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly. You will need to clean your gutters and free them of any dirt, grime, and debris. Remove any sticks, leaves, or other debris that are trapped inside to ensure water is able to drain correctly. Finally, make sure that your downspouts are functioning properly and directing the water away from your home. This is critical when it comes to ensuring that melted snow and rainwater do not puddle around your foundation. You need also to make sure that your gutters are properly secured to your home. If they come loose, they can rip off and crash down, causing significant damage to your home.
Check Around the Front Door
The front door of your home plays a critical role in providing protection to your siding. If the varnish or paint cracks, flakes, or peels away from the door, it can leave gaps that allow moisture to enter. This can cause severe damage to your home and its siding. If you see any signs of damage, make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
It is also essential to ensure that the door is sealed properly and fits correctly. Drafty and damaged doors can allow moisture and cold air to enter the home, which can cause problems. Check to ensure all the weatherstripping is in good condition. If there are any signs of damage, replace the strips with new ones to create an airtight seal.
In addition to checking your front door, you should repeat this process for all of the doors and windows in your home. Ensure that they are all sealed correctly to keep the cold winter air out. Leaky and drafty doors and windows will not only impact how comfortable you are in your home, but they can also cause hikes in your energy bill, and no one wants that.
Replace Any Damaged Areas
If you find any damaged areas on your home’s siding, you will need to repair it or replace it as soon as possible. Even the smallest problem can escalate into a major issue during the winter months. The last thing that you want to do is have to spend thousands of dollars on costly repairs during the coldest months of the year.
Call Amenity Roofing for an Inspection Today
Preparing your home for winter is critically important. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to inspect their siding and other home components. This can result in them not noticing that any problems exist until it is too late.
If you are interested in scheduling an inspection to ensure your home is ready for the winter months ahead, contact our team at Amenity Roofing. We can inspect your roof and siding and make sure that both are in good condition. If we discover any problems during the inspection, we will notify you right away and provide you with a free estimate for repairs. Contact our experts by calling 1-630-636-9954 to get started.
