Winterizing your home is a crucial process. During this time, you want to prepare your property for the winter season. However, time is essential for this project. By focusing on the major areas of your home, you can identify any potential issues and address them well before the first snowflake drops on the ground. Once you have winterized your home in Delaware, you can spend the rest of the season relaxing and enjoying your well-protected house.
What Should You Check Around Your Home?
Winterizing your home is vital to ensure your comfort and safety during the winter months. Here are the critical areas of your home that you should focus on when winterizing.
Seal Doors and Windows to Reduce Energy Loss
Winter weather can significantly increase your energy bill due to the infiltration of cold air through leaks around doors and windows. Fortunately, these air leaks can be easily reduced by using weatherstripping. That stripping is an inexpensive and efficient way to keep your home warm and comfortable during the winter.
You will also want to check the windows and their exterior moldings. During this time, inspect the area around the windows for any damaged or missing caulking. If you see any problem areas, you can use a high-quality exterior caulk to seal any gaps. Old windows use traditional glazing putty to hold the glass panes in the frames. In some cases, they may have cracks or missing putty. Make sure to replace any missing putty to prevent air leaks. Before winter, you should also clean the window tracks. Debris found in the tracks might interfere with seals, causing leaks.
Don’t forget about the doors. Your exterior doors can also have leaks. With that in mind, check the outside moldings of door frames and add new exterior-grade caulking if necessary. You might also want to replace weatherstripping and door sweeps. If they look damaged, replace them as soon as possible.
Inspect the Roof and Clean the Gutters
Some significant damage can occur to a roof in the wintertime, especially if you don’t take the necessary measures to keep it well-maintained. First, you will want to check the flashing around certain roof projections, such as chimneys and vents. With an inspection, you can ensure they are in good condition and securely attached to the home.
Ice dams are a significant problem in the winter. For that reason, you will need to inspect the roof’s ventilation system to ensure it is working correctly and not blocked by debris or other materials. If you have problems with snow and ice build-ups, consider installing snow guards, which are metal or plastic devices attached to the roof to help prevent snow and ice from sliding off and causing damage to your home.
From the ground, look for signs of damage. You will want to keep an eye out for any cracks, dents, or other signs of wear that could allow moisture to penetrate the roofing. This is the best time to schedule an inspection from a professional Delaware roofing company. During this time, ask them to check the roof deck. They will make sure it is sturdy and in good condition. Any signs of sagging could indicate a problem with the underlying structure, which will need to be addressed promptly.
Finally, you will want to clear out any leaves and debris from the gutters. If those objects remain in your gutters, it can cause clogs in the channels, leading to a build-up of ice and snow during the winter. With that build-up, it will add weight to the roofing structure. As a result, the entire gutter system could detach from your home, causing significant damage. While cleaning the gutters might seem like an easy job, there are plenty of roofing companies in Delaware to take care of this task for you.
Check the Heating System
You will want to check your heater, especially the furnace. Make sure you operate the system before the cold weather hits your area. Flip the switch for the furnace and wait for the warm air. You may smell a burning scent in many cases, but that is normal. If the heating system does not work, it may be time to call a service technician.
Along with that, you will want to replace the air filter. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the type of air filter your furnace needs. Plus, ensure no obstacles are blocking the heating vents so that you have free-flowing heated air throughout the season.
Unfortunately, you will want to make sure the heating system is safe for the winter. During this time, carbon monoxide leaks can develop. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, but it can easily be detected with a test badge or a battery-operated alarm. If you notice a problem, call a professional to identify and resolve the issues with your heating system. In many cases, the problem exists within a furnace’s exhaust system or other fuel-burning appliance, such as a water heater.
We Can Help Winterize Your Home
Winter can be a challenging time for your home. If you need a professional team to inspect your home’s roof, windows, or siding, reach out to RGB Construction. Our technicians will ensure that your house is ready for those colder months. When you want a reliable and professional roofing, siding, and window team, you can schedule a consultation by calling us at 856-264-9093.