If you’re from New England, you know how hard the cold climate can be on your home. It’s important to take necessary precautions before the worst of the season arrives to help you stay warm and save money. Here are out exterior maintenance tips for the winter.
Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles
Missing or damaged shingles can lead to water leaks during the winter weather as the snow accumulates and sits on the roof for long periods of times. It’s best to get your roofing needs squared away before the winter months, but if you can’t, keep an eye on your roof during snowstorms and try to remove any snow that piles up.
Clean your gutters
Remove any leaves or other debris that has accumulated in your gutters to enable melted rain and snow to drain properly. This will help prevent ice dams by moving the moisture away from your home.
Extend your downspouts
Add extensions to your downspouts (if applicable) so that water draining from your roof runs 3-4 feet away from the house. With a frozen ground, the water would have nowhere to go. If you have cracks in your foundation, the water is likely to end up in your basement.
Insulate your windows
The obvious solution to heating up your home may be to crank up the heat, but there are other more cost-effective ways to beat the cold weather. There are several different ways that you can insulate your windows, none of which will cost you an arm and a leg. If you need a quick fix this winter to supplement you until you can replace your windows altogether, consider these options:
Rubber weather stripping: This option is cheap, effective and does not significantly alter the appearance of your windows. The downside to rubber weather stripping is that when you peel them away, they can damage the paint or leave a sticky residue.
Window insulation film: A kit of the window insulation film is a rather cheap option that can cover up to 5 windows. The drawback of this option is that if it’s not installed correctly, it can leave your windows looking cloudy and shrinkwrapped.
Cellular shades: These shades can be on the expensive side compared to rubber stripping and the insulation film, but they offer great insulation while allowing light through the windows, and can be custom fit to your windows and doors.
If you find you are in need of a quick fix for your window insulation, consider replacing your windows before the next winter season. Likewise, replacing your shingles every so often is important as well. If you have asphalt shingles, you should replace them about every 15-30 years.
Call Novus Exteriors at (508) 251-1361 for more information.
