Much to our dismay, summer is coming to a close. With winter weather approaching in just a few months, now is the time to get your home and yard ready for the winter weather that is headed your way. Aside from just general cleanup of your yard, you’ll want to make sure that you check the snow-removal equipment, make sure the exterior of your home is ready, and that the interior is prepped as well. Here are some helpful tips.
CLEAR OUT THE YARD.
In the summer, you likely have a lot of items in your yard. This can include things like patio furniture, benches, a grill, pool equipment, yard equipment, children’s toys, potted plants, and so forth. If you leave all of these items in the yard, this can cause a lot of weather damage to these items. Not to mention, if winter storms bring strong winds, this is debris that could get blown into your home and potentially cause damage.
Try to find a place that you can store these seasonal items. If you don’t have a garage or shed, look into a local storage unit that will keep everything safe and secure. Houston Chronicle points out that there are ample storage facilities in the Houston area, with rents in 2018 averaging 86 cents per square foot. You can shop online for deals, since many places have discounts. For instance, Proguard Self-Storage in Midtown and Montrose offers a second month free for all of their units.
When clearing away furniture, tools, and toys, don’t forget about wrapping up any delicate bushes that are part of your permanent landscaping. A bad winter storm can get the best of your plantings, and you’ll want everything to weather the season so you can enjoy your yard next spring.
TAKE CARE OF THE GUTTERS.
Most areas that have snow will experience freezes and thaws periodically. If you have clogged gutters, this can lead to water pooling up on patios or on your property. Standing water is never good for your home. You can end up with water in your basement. Water can seep into cracks and gaps at the point of foundation, leading to mold growth within the structure of your home.
Clean out your gutters, and as Ned Stevens notes, you may want to consider adding gutter guards. These guards can be installed onto your gutters, preventing debris from building up over time. Check the downspouts to make sure they are pointing away from the home, the way they were intended to be used.
PREPARE YOUR PLUMBING.
Burst pipes is a wintertime mess that hits some homeowners when cold weather becomes severe. There are some steps you can take to keep your pipes safer when the colder weather arrives. Installing an emergency relief valve can help take some pressure off sensitive pipes in your home in a quick pinch.
The Spruce points out you can also affordably add some insulation to your pipes in order to keep them warm and protected. Pipes under your home aren’t going to receive the same benefit from internal heating and may benefit greatly from this insulation. Don’t forget to turn off your water for piping on the outside of your house.
The winter season can be very harsh on a home, whether it is a new build or a very old structure. Clear your yard of objects that could cause damage or become victims of harsh weather, tend your gutters, and prepare your pipes properly. A little bit of routine maintenance now will prevent you from having expensive repairs later on down the road.
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