Are These 3 Things Ready for Winter at Your Home?

With winter quickly approaching, there are several things you need to do to get your home ready today so you are not left out in the cold when the spring thaw comes around. By being proactive, your home will be ready for the chilly temperatures that are just days away.

Concrete

To help prevent the various substances and solutions road crews put down in the winter to help melt ice from causing an unattractive peeling and chipping away of your driveway or sidewalk top, winterization is necessary. It’s impossible to prevent these substances from creeping up on your concrete, but it is possible to prevent some of the damage they create. Once this gets into the pores of your concrete and it refreezes, it will damage or even destroy your concrete.

For cracks in sidewalks and driveways, use a caulk to fill the void. This prevents moisture from getting into the concrete and causing problems.

Gutters and Downspouts

Before the first snow, look in the gutters and downspouts to make sure all the fall leaves or other debris are cleaned out. As an added measure, run some water from a garden hose to fully clean the gutters out. Make sure you also clean the gutters out with the water, as well, since leaves may have accumulated in there, as well. This will prevent ice from backing up in your gutters and causing damage to your roof and ceiling.

Sprinkler System

Frost can go as deep as three feet so it is very important to blow out your sprinkler system so the ice does not damage it beyond use in the spring. Water is probably still in your lines and freezing temperatures will cause them to bust.

To blow out your sprinkler system, simply shut off your water supply and open the drain on the supply line to allow it to drain. Remove the back flow preventer and hook up an air compressor. This step is crucial and should not be attempted if you are not familiar with the proper procedures. Not allowing the compressor to get too hot or exerting too much pressure is important to prevent further damage to your pipes. Calling a professional for help might be a wise choice to make sure your sprinkler is completely ready for winter.

Winter is a great time of year. However, you need to take a few precautions to make sure you are not left with a few surprises and unexpected expenses when spring rolls around. With the proper planning now, getting your home ready for winter is a relatively easy process.