Wherever you are during the year, your home is exposed to the elements. This means all the annual jobs that have to be done to get your home ready for the rain, wind and possible snow to come are due. Getting a home ready for warm weather is very easy: make the garden look pretty and open the vents. For unpredictable rain storms or freezing winds, however, it’s a little more complicated. Mother Nature is fickle and the weather can change from one day to the next. This can be a big threat to certain areas of the country, and if you’re in a place that sees more than its fair share of extreme weather, then you need to be ready!
If you are a homeowner, you’ll know the cost of repairs can be excruciating, especially on a tight budget. You have to be able to foresee any of the issues a wet season or possible gale force winds will have on your home, so that you don’t have to learn the hard way with thousands of dollars of repairs. For some states, hurricane season is very real, with storms and rain that seems like a typhoon. For others, a cold snap in months where it should be warm can mean the difference between replacing their pipes due to cracking! So, how can you get started in making your home safe for extreme weather, without spending through the nose?
Weather Proofing.
Wind and rain in all climates can do serious damage to an unprepared home. A house that isn’t ready for the battering that rain and wind can give is a house that will cost you a fortune to upkeep, but thankfully a lot can be done on your house to get it ready. Checking out the roof for any roof repair needed such as loose tiles should be your first port of call. You need to make sure you won’t be the victim of flooding, and a secure roof is the place to start. Make sure your TV dish is secure and the gutters are clear of debris like leaves and animal nests. Broken guttering also should be replaced as soon as possible so that your rainwater can drain effectively.
Indoor Heating. Your home likely has a level of insulation to keep it from getting cold all year round, but now is the time to bleed the radiators. If you are unsure how to do this, read this article to get you started. Fit draught excluders like this to the doors and double check the loft and wall cavities for that insulation we mentioned earlier. Following these instructions to lag your water pipes under the house and the water tank in the attic can also help you to prevent the pipes from bursting if the temperature drops too fast. You should have a yearly boiler check done by an engineer, but check your insurance policy for this.
Garden Gripes.
It’s not just the house you need to look at when it comes to preparation for the weather. Your garden will be a casualty of the cold, whether you plan for it or not and without the right preparation, you could be in for flooding across the grass if you aren’t mindful. A sharp drop in temperatures can kill off your garden that you spent time working hard on, so make sure you get it ready for it. Mowing the lawn can keep your garden neat and tidy on a dry day and mulching the bare soil with compost can keep it healthy.
Window Watch. Your home likely has screen windows and swapping these out for storm windows is a great plan for the windy season, especially if you live somewhere that is used to tornados. While you’re making those replacements, check around the window seams for leaks. There’s a trick to this: if you hold a lit match close to the edges of the window and the flame blows, there’s a leak! Caulk around the frame to seal it and add heavy lined curtains.
Chim-Chim-Cheroo.
If you have a chimney in your home, having it well-swept before the harsh weather starts is a good idea before you start lighting any fires. Birds and other rodents have a habit of making chimneys their home for the winter and sweeping it of excess soot and debris is necessary. Make sure the damper is in good working order, too, so that warm air cannot escape the chimney.
Getting the house ready year round for harsh weather isn’t the easiest of jobs, but once you do it you can help your home keep the heat in and stay safe through the worst of it. Other hints you can follow to get your house ready is to stock up on your food and water stores along with toiletries, just in case the snow keeps you trapped indoors for longer than you thought possible. Stay safe and comfortable!
