Preparing your house for winter is very important to stay warm and comfortable without having major issues during the cold. Our simple 8-Step Guide may help prepare your home. There are a lot of preparations that must be made—both for yourself and your home—but preparing your roof for the winter should be at the top of your list. In making seasonal preparations, it always helps to have a guide you can follow in preparing your house for winter.

At Northwest Roofing, we’re here to tell you that prevention is the best approach to avoid major roof problems during its lifespan. That includes seasonal maintenance steps to ensure your home is ready for winter, one of the harshest times for homeowners.

Preparing Your House for Winter

1. Check Your Roof

Walk around your house outside and check your roof for missing shingles.  Missing shingles can cause leaks or water damage. Before winter hits, look over your roof carefully. Look for any loose or missing shingles. Check for any broken seals around the vents and the chimney.

2. Seal Driveway Cracks

If your driveway has cracks that aren’t re-sealed before the snow, the cold can cause water to freeze and expand in the cracks,  leaving you with more damage come spring.

3. Insulate Garage Door

Adding insulation to the door’s interior channels can help keep your garage an average of 10 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in winter, and as much as 20 degrees cooler in summer. Keep the garage door closed to cut down heat loss.

4. Outdoor Faucets and Water Hoses

Drain outside faucets, remove all water hoses, and put faucet covers on outdoor faucets. A garden hose left connected to a water faucet traps water inside. When that water freezes, it can bust open the faucet, the hose, or both. Sometimes even the pipe behind the faucet bursts and sprays hundreds of gallons inside the house. This can happen with a frost-proof faucet, and even with the water supply turned off, so always disconnect garden hoses before winter arrives.

5. Yard Drainage Swales

Check drainage swales for proper rainwater flow. A swale is like a gentle ditch that is a foot or more wide. It is pitched so that the water will travel from the higher elevations to lower points. The swale should lead the water away from your home. Poor drainage can cause water accumulation around your home’s foundation, which can cause severe and costly problems such as sinking and cracked foundations.

6. Gutters

Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, and rainwater flows out correctly. Cleaning the gutters is an essential maintenance task year-round. Gutters filled with leaves, sticks, and other debris, can cause clogs and result in water creeping under the roof, and into the foundation. Clogged gutters can also lead to ice dams in the winter and cause water damage to the interior walls.

7. Clean the Chimney

If you use your fireplace, have it and the chimney cleaned before you use it for the first time. This will ensure no buildup of harmful creosote, or any debris such as leaves or bird nests, which can become a fire hazard. Inspect the area where your chimney meets the roof. Check that the flashing is secure and there are no gaps where water could enter. If you notice any issues with your roof or flashing, consult a professional roofer for repairs.

8. Check Attic Insulation

Attic insulation helps to keep utility bills low and keeps the heat in your home. When winterizing your roof, check that the insulation is in good condition and that your attic is well-ventilated. If you notice any leaks while conducting your inspection, check for moisture and mold growth on the insulation too. Any damp or moldy insulation must be removed as it will not retain heat and poses health risks.

Summary:

By preparing your house for winter, you can minimize heat loss and keep warmth indoors, reducing your need for constant heating. Air leaks around windows, doors, and attics can let warm air escape and allow cold air to enter, which can put a burden on your heating system and cause energy bills to climb. Ice dams can cause havoc on your roof and the interior of your walls. Keep your gutters cleaned out so that water cannot back up causing damage. Drain outdoor faucets, drain your water hoses, and put them up. Put a faucet protector on all outdoor faucets. Have a safe and warm winter!

Northwest Roofing is your local roofing company in Tarrant County.  Whether you need a roof inspection, a reroof, or a new roof, help with attic ventilation or a gutter install, we’ve got you covered!

Don Rutherford, Business Owner, and Roofing Contractor for Northwest Roofing, Haslet, TX. You can also check us out at the Better Business Bureau of Fort Worth. View the Gallery of Homes we serviced. Read our satisfied customer’s Testimonials. We offer other important Services.  Call us or fill out the Contact Us form and let us know how we can help you.