What are the things that you can do to protect your home from the ravages of winter? What things can save you time and effort later? Here are some reminders that go a long way toward a worry free winter and coming into the spring in good shape.
Your roof: The roof of your home is the most important protection from the weather. If you can safely get up on a ladder to look from it or even get onto your roof you will notice more. Even from the ground look for loose or curled shingles, buildups of fallen debris in valleys or against gutters, and excessive moss. You might also inspect for water stains in your attic. Look at your ceiling around the house for any signs of leaks. You will want your gutters and downspouts clean, and free of leaks or damage. Any shingles needing repair and flashing needing roof cement should be done even if larger long term work is needed in the dry season. Overhanging branches should be pruned back. If the work exceeds what you can safely and correctly do contract the services of a professional roofer, roof and gutter cleaning service, or arborist.
Siding: If your siding is in generally good shape and is appropriately painted or sealed, look around windows and trim for places that need recaulking. If your siding is very close to the ground it may get splashed with mud and water. If the bottom boards seem dirty, consider cleaning and repainting just the bottom couple feet. You will get a lot of protection for your effort. Look for entry points for birds, bats, and rodents that may need repair.
Plumbing: You may have frost free hosebibbs. Even these can freeze if it gets cold enough. Consider any protection you need.
Yard: Look for containers that collect water that need to be removed or turned over. Cleanup or remove things that are easy now but will be a mess come spring. Look for overall yard drainage. Does water from downspouts lead away from house? Are there low spots or places against the house that need a reworked escape route? Store summer furniture in a dry place. Plan your pruning. Some trees and bushes may be pruned as early as September, but for most November is better. Do you want to give any garden beds a tilling before winter? Remember those bulbs you always planned to plant in the fall. Those with lawns may want to give an application of winterizer fertilizer.
Heat source: Furnaces filters should be changed. You may be due for a service call. Woodstoves with any creosote buildup will need stovepipe cleaning. Do you need a professional? Electric baseboards should be vacuumed.
Other winter needs: You may need to line up snowplow services, call a landscape maintenance company for a one time yard cleanup after all the leaves fall, or have your septic tank pumped mid-winter. If you live in Seattle you might want to plan a January getaway to someplace below the 35th latitude line.
JR Mathwig Builders on HelpHive
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