Fall and autumn can be a time for hibernation and relaxation, doing your best to enjoy the long nights in your lovely home and ignoring the cold, miserable weather outside.
If you want to avoid costly repairs, you should take care of your house constantly.
However, knowing what you can do now to prepare your property and secure it from the cold isn’t always easy.
Here are several tips to follow to protect your house from wet and cold weather and all the problems that go with it.
Ventilation
While it’s tempting to keep all your doors and windows closed during the winter months, it’s important to let your home breathe and maintain air circulation.
Open the windows on the other side of the house slightly to allow for ventilation.
To reduce the amount of wetness and moisture, you should be careful and take steps to reduce it. If you have a hob extractor, always use it when steaming or cooking food.
When taking a shower, always open the window. If possible, dry wet clothes in a tumble dryer, never on a radiator.
Clean the gutters
Cleaning gutters should be at the top of your list of things to do before fall. It has many benefits and can protect your home from moisture.
Cleaning can prevent water damage as leaves and debris can block the gutter, and consequently, rainwater may not drain properly.
Moreover, it can cause water damage on both sides, the interior and exterior parts of your home.
It is critical to follow these tips for maintaining your home in the fall if you want to secure it from damage and problems that go hand in hand with it.
Preventing water from flowing out of your home can cause it to pool around the foundation of your home.
This water, when it expands and freezes during the winter, can crack the foundation.
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts can prevent future, unexpected and costly projects. Taking preventive measures now can minimize the chances of needing roof repair or replacement.
Insulation
If you suffer from a cold, damp home, it might be worth looking into new insulation to keep your entire building warm and dry.
You should take the time to research different ways to insulate your home. Insulation has a positive effect on your property and your winter comfort.
There are many different ways to insulate your home, some of which you can do yourself.
Clean radiators
The reason dust accumulates behind radiators is the result of thermal convection processes that cause recirculation of cold air drawn under the radiator, distributing it in the upper part of the room and turning it into warm air containing polluted dust particles.
This can lead to increased exposure levels in the air you breathe, increasing the risk of allergic reactions, which are not easily associated with poor indoor air quality.
Check windows
Aside from obvious cracks and holes, the number one sign that a window needs replacement is that it is drafty.
In the summer, when the windows are closed, hot air blows in. In the cold season, it’s always cold around the window.
Drafts are an indication that your windows are not sealed well, and the air is coming in and out.
Airing in and out through windows can cause water to seep into your home.
This can lead to mold and other issues. In addition, many insects enter places where air and water easily enter, which can cause insect damage.
Other signs to look out for are a lot of condensation on or between the glass panes of your windows, or windows that you can’t open.
Cleaning the window may open it, but if the window is stuck, it usually needs to be replaced.
Close your garage doors
If your home has a garage attached to it, minimize the amount of time the garage door is open.
This prevents cold air from entering your home and protects your garage plumbing fixtures and pipes in the shared walls between your home and garage.
Water and electricity
As you know, water and electricity never go hand in hand, especially during the wet and cold seasons.
A poorly maintained electrical system can cause short circuits, prolonged power outages, or worse, extremely painful electric shocks.
It is a must to consult a professional before the season begins. Until then, electrical tape can be used to cover suspended wires, panels, or fixtures while the main power switch is off.
Corroded pipes, on the other hand, are a long-term sign of acid rain.
Replace metal or concrete pipes, which are susceptible to corrosion and damage, with materials that do not corrode.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to protect your house and yourself from the cold and wet weather.
You can keep the cold and damp out by following the given tips to inspect and take certain measures.