Keeping your home safe is a lifetime activity. It requires regular maintenance to prevent costly repairs due to wear and tear, hail, snow, rain, and other outside elements. These can all cause massive damages, so make sure to do sufficient preventative measures to make your home safe and habitable. Here are some tips to protect your home from various elements:
This is a contributed post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Invest in High-quality Doors
Your doors are more than an entryway or a reflection of your personal style. They serve as a barrier defending your home from severe weather and other elements. Ensure your front and back doors are constantly maintained, and look for high-quality garage door installation to protect your vehicle from rain, snow, debris, and other seasonal elements.
When your doors are left unchecked, they can result in an uncomfortable home and higher energy bills as they cannot efficiently block out the cold. Make sure to regularly check if your doors have signs of wear and tear to make them last longer and get you through colder seasons.
Another factor that can affect your doors is the constant temperature changes. There should be no cracking on the door surfaces to avoid heat from inside the house to get out. You should also monitor humidity changes because humidity drops can cause cracking and warping on doors.
Keep Your Home Insulated
Regardless of whether you live in a cold, hot, or variable climate, your property can face various challenges regarding temperature. Improve the insulation of your home to avoid high energy costs, mold, and long-term property damage. If you think your home’s insulation is not as good as it used to be, consult with an expert to check what improvements can be done.
Some simple improvements you can make at home are adding draught excluders for improved insulation, applying window films, and placing plants outside the house. These improvements will keep your home’s temperature comfortable enough for the whole family.
Keep Gutters Clean
If gutters and drains are clogged, the water from your roof will likely end up in your home’s brickwork or walls, which can cause serious damage. A simple trick to keep your property protected is to regularly clean your gutters. Ensure the rainwater has a proper place to go and the whole gutter is free from debris. Here are other tips to keep your gutters running efficiently:
- Invest in gutter covers and guards to prevent debris from entering the gutters and downspouts. You can also schedule regular cleaning of the gutters and manually remove leaves, sticks, and other objects that can cause blockage.
- You can also use a pressure washer to blast debris, but always use a low setting to avoid damaging the gutter. Before using the pressure washer, check the hardware for loose screws that can break under pressure. A gutter cleaning kit is also a good option in cleaning out the gunk and leaves from your gutters.
- If you don’t have a gutter cleaning kit, a leaf blower is also a good option for removing gutter debris. There are available gutter kits that can fit leaf blowers and even extensions, so you don’t have to use a ladder.
Avoid Cracks and Leaks
Extreme temperature can cause brick, wood, and concrete to contract and expand. This can eventually cause cracks that lead to leaks and other structural damages. When moisture forms in any crack, it will freeze and further cause damp penetration and open up larger spaces. Look out for any cracks in flooring, ceilings, and walls, and make sure to fix them as quickly as possible. A sign that there is a nearby crack is a wet patch on the ceiling or a damp wall.
To effectively avoid cracks and leaks, find their source and always check your plumbing lines as they are usually the cause of these leaks. You can also hire professionals to do the inspection, especially for the roof, as this is a risky task. You can start visual inspections, but don’t just climb the roof – consult roofing experts to prevent further damage and possible accidents.
Inspections should be done at least twice a year to avoid any situation from getting worse. Always report any concerns to the experts so that they can address them immediately.
Outside elements can be brutal on your property if left untreated. Make sure that simple inconveniences are immediately rectified to avoid major repairs. As long as you ensure there are proper preventative measures and maintenance in your home, you’ll be able to weather any problem caused by various elements.
