Winter can cause a lot of dangers to your house and landscape. From collapsed roofs, to mold and mildew, to frozen pipes, there are many ways your house can suffer when the winter weather hits. To prevent this, it is important to winterize your home before the cold comes. But what do you do?
When fall winds begin to blow colder, you know that it is time to get busy prepping your house for the winter. Seasonal maintenance is important all year long, but it is possible that you have a few projects underway that need to be completed now. The benefits of these five common home renovations all go further when you get them done before the first big frost. So make sure to finish these 5 common tasks before fall is over. Paint the exterior of your house, replace your water heater, pour a new patio or driveway, organize your closets, and upgrade your insulation. By completing these projects before winter hits, you will be better prepared for the end of the year.
Paint the exterior of your home before winter hits. Updating the exterior paint on your house increases the curb appeal. Paint also serves as a protective top layer that keeps wet weather from ruining the underlying wood and other materials. Painting your house now helps the paint dry faster, and you won’t have to worry about winter weather delays. The paint will help better protect your house during winter storms.
Try to replace your water heater if it needs renovation before fall is over. The pipes to your home must run through the cold ground to get from the main water supply to your house. In the winter, unheated water can be extremely cold, and no one likes feeling colder than they already are after being outside. A water heater installation helps you to avoid having a sudden splash of cold water when you least want it. This is also the perfect finishing touch for bathroom remodels that you started earlier in the year.
Try to finish any concrete work like pouring a new patio or driveway before the temperature drops too much. This is another renovation that is difficult to do once it is too cold or wet outside. Concrete needs to be able to dry out as fast as possible, and you don’t want precipitation to ruin the final appearance. Getting the pouring out of the way now means that you can also avoid cracks deepening due to the upcoming temperature changes.
Now is the time to organize your closets! Your family will likely be pulling out those bulky jackets and winter gear. Closet organization systems are easier to install when you are already switching out your wardrobe. You’ll be glad you finished this project when you need to find those mittens and boots.
Newer forms of insulation are more effective at reducing unwanted temperature transfers in your home. This is also one renovation that provides a good return on your investment by increasing the energy efficiency of your house. Getting the insulation installed now means that you can begin enjoying the benefits when winter arrives.
Fall is the ideal time to conquer those lingering projects around the house. The weather is cooler than the summer, but the harshest cold temperatures have yet to hit. Take advantage of the next few weeks to set yourself up for a cozy winter season.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan