How to Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter

• Inspect The Health of Your Basement

During fall and winter, it's not uncommon to deal with melting snow, ice, and rain. If your basement is not adequately protected from flooding, excessive winter precipitation could affect your basement. An effective way to protect your basement from flooding during fall and winter is to install a sump pump, and basement drains.

• Get Your Heat Sources Ready for Fall and Winter

You will heavily depend on your heat sources when the cold weather sets in, so it’s necessary to call a heating contractor to inspect your heat sources, including your heat pump and fireplace to ensure everything is working properly.

• Insulate Your Plumbing Pipes

Winter’s freezing temperatures can cause the water flowing through pipes to freeze, resulting in burst pipes when the pressure inside the pipes becomes too much. It’s important to take precautionary measures to protect your pipes from freezing before fall or winter sets it. An effective way to protect your pipes from freezing is to call a nearby plumber to insulate your pipes.

• Inspect Your Roof

The fall and winter seasons can take a toll on your roof, especially if it’s not in top condition. That’s why it’s important to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof and evaluate its structural integrity and determine if there are missing or loose shingles. Damaged roof shingles can leave your roof exposed to the snow, ice, and freezing rain that comes with cold weather.

• Clean The Gutters

Your gutters need to be in top shape to allow snow, ice, and rain to flow out of the downspouts without any problems. If your gutters are worn out or clogged, ice can build up under the roof and obstruct your downspouts. Clogged gutters can also strain on your roof, causing it to buckle.

• Fix Any Cracks in Your Driveway and Sidewalks

Cracks in concrete surfaces in your home are not only unsightly and a tripping hazard, but they can also worsen when freezing water gets into the cracks. Be sure to call a concrete contractor to seal any cracks on your driveway and other concrete surfaces in your home.

• Ensure Your Water Heater Is in Top Condition

Fall and winter come with increased demand for heated water, which means your water heater will work harder during cold weather to sustain your heated water needs. Be sure to call a plumber to inspect all the components of your water heater to ensure the unit is in good shape.

Freezing temperatures and snow accumulation during the cold season can cause water damage in your home if you don’t take preventative measures to safeguard your home. In case you experience water damage of any kind in your home, call Tidal Wave Response to help you with water damage cleanup and water damage repair.