5 Ways to Protect Your Home from Bad Weather
Your home is a significant investment, and it takes a lot of work to keep it safe and comfortable, especially when it comes to the weather. But a little bit of preventative maintenance and regular repairs can go a long way. Not only does it reduce the overall damage your home may face, but it also keeps your repair costs lower and your property value high. Here are five ways you can protect your home from bad weather damage. (photo from Pixabay)
1. Insulate your pipes
Frozen water expands to approximately 109% of the volume of liquid water. This can crack your pipes if standing water in the pipes has a chance to freeze. Two of the best ways to reduce that risk are to:
- Insulate cold-area pipes so the air can’t cool the pipe and the water to an unsafe temperature.
- Keep your taps open so there’s a small drip. This keeps the water moving and makes it less likely to freeze.
However, your water supply pipes aren’t the only pipes at risk. Exterior hose fittings, irrigation pipes, and swimming pool components can all take on catastrophic damage if trace amounts of water within them freeze and expand. Make a point to keep them insulated and dry.
2. Invest in your roof
Inclement weather can damage your roof, even if it looks visibly fine. Heavy snowfall can compromise the underlayment and trap water or ice below the shingles. If your roof has relatively low insulation, there might even be a layer of thawed ice running between the shingles and the snow piled on top, where it can soften the wood or break the shingles’ seal. More drastic weather damage from hail, wind storms and broken branches can also tear away shingles or punch through your roof into your attic. Repair or replace the roof to keep your home’s interior safe. And remember, if you’re planning on moving, taking care of the roof can dramatically increase the selling price of your home so you see a net return on the cost of repairs.
3. Regularly check your gutters
When your gutters get clogged, they trap standing water, snow, and moist leaves against the eaves of your roof. Check the downspouts for blockages that may have iced over or gotten stuck.
Winter isn’t the only time your gutters can jeopardize your roof’s integrity. During the spring and autumn, they can fill with debris that invites rot, mildew, and pests along the edge of your roof. If the blockages get too heavy, they can also start to pull away from the edge of your house and leave raw wood exposed to the elements.
4. Add insulation to your windows
North or south, summer or winter, your windows are letting the outside temperature into your home. Windows have a low R-value, or insulative capability, and the treated air inside will press against the glass and let the energy dissipate into the outside air. Adding curtains or thermal film reduces this effect. Replacing your windows with thermally-graded windows altogether can have an even more significant impact on your energy bill, the comfort of your home, and its future selling price.
5. Seal your garage door
Much like your windows, your home’s garage door is letting a lot of energy go to waste because of its low R-value. It’s a thin sheet of aluminum or fiberglass, and it will let in cold and hot air without much resistance. But the real problem is the gaps around the door. Regularly check the weather-proofing seal along the top and sides of the door to make sure it’s not torn, dirty, or missing. This seal stops a draft from getting in. It also stops standing water or rain from entering your house. While most garage door fixes require a professional, replacing the weatherstrip around its edge is something you can do in no time.
By taking steps now to protect your home against the weather, you’ll give your entire house a fighting chance against the elements. Plus, with regular maintenance and repairs, you ensure your most valuable asset retains its value and allure for when the time to sell comes around. Winterizing tips are provided by http://winterizeguys.com
