Preparing Your Property for Colder Weather

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging off a frozen branch

It's that time of year when the weather transitions from summer to fall. The cooler temperatures, shorter days and changing leaves are all signs that winter is on its way. While some people look forward to the change in seasons, there are others who dread it because they know their property won't be ready for it. You can avoid costly repairs by making sure your home or business is prepared for any inclement weather that comes its way.

Fall also means cooler temperatures and a change in weather that can cause damage to your property if it isn't prepared.

Fall also means cooler temperatures and a change in weather that can cause damage to your property if it isn't prepared. It's important to prepare for the season so that you don't need to make costly repairs when things start going wrong.

Minot gets cold fast, and residents know how much of a difference the temperature can make. Trees will be more brittle, which makes them more likely to fall onto power lines or houses during windy days. This can cause power outages or even fires if something catches fire from the heat generated by an electric light bulb. In addition, falling leaves can create debris on lawns that could blow into a storm drain and clog it up, causing flooding when rain comes down hard later on!

It's important to make sure your home or business is ready for the storm season brought on by colder temperatures.

It's important to make sure your home or business is ready for the storm season brought on by colder temperatures. The following steps will help protect your property from weather-related damage and health risks:

• Make sure all of your gutters are free of debris and clear where necessary.

• Clear leaves and other trash from around any vents or drains on the exterior of your home, and check water pipes regularly while they're still warm to make sure they won't freeze over in colder months.

• Move outdoor furniture into an enclosed area if possible; not only will it give you more space inside, but it'll also prevent any potential water damage if rain or snow falls unexpectedly!

Roof maintenance.

Roof maintenance is an important part of preparing your property for the fall weather. The following are some tips to help maintain your roof:

• Make sure your roof is in good condition. Check for missing or damaged shingles, loose nails and standing water on the ground around the house. Look for cracks in shingles or missing shingles; this could indicate that a leak has formed.

• If you have any concerns about your roof's condition, consult a professional before taking any action yourself as this may make things worse instead of better!

Clear gutters, downspouts and drains of leaves and debris.

The exterior of your home should be in good condition. If you don’t have gutters, it’s time to install them now. Use our handy checklist to make sure that your gutter system is ready for the fall:

• Gutter screens - Check for holes or tears in screens. Replace all torn screens with mesh available at most hardware stores

• Shingles - Inspect shingles for cracks, missing granules and loose nails

• Gutters and downspouts - Clean out leaves, twigs and other debris from downspouts as well as gutters

• Drains - Make sure drains are clear so water flows freely away from your home

Trim overhanging branches that can damage roofs and gutters.

When trimming your trees, you should not just focus on the branches that hang over your house. You should also be mindful of any branches that hang close to power lines. If a branch falls onto power lines, this could lead to an electrical fire in your home or garage.

In addition to overhanging roofing and gutters, tree limbs can pose risks for pets as well as people. The best way to avoid these risks is by having all overhanging tree limbs trimmed back before autumn arrives so that they don't drop during inclement weather conditions, causing damage both inside and outside your home!

Inspect outdoor lighting.

• Check for loose or damaged bulbs and make sure they are the correct wattage. Also check for exposed wiring and broken or cracked sockets. It's important to look at every bulb on each fixture, as some may work while others don't. You should also check the wires connecting each light to see if they're in good condition—if so, there's no need to replace them (unless you want a new color scheme).

• Make sure all of your outdoor lights are working properly by testing each one individually! If there are multiple fixtures within one area, it can be helpful to test them together using an extension cord plugged into an outlet inside your home (don't forget: plugging something into an outlet outside is dangerous). This way you can easily ensure that all of your electrical connections are secure—and if they aren't secure enough already then just tighten them up with pliers or screwdrivers from inside before going back out again!

Check sump pumps and drainage systems.

The sump pump is an important part of your drainage system. It helps keep water away from your foundation and basement by collecting it in a tank, or sump, and then pumping it out into a drain or sewer line. Make sure this is all working properly by checking the following:

• Check to make sure water doesn’t pool around the sump pump when it runs. If there’s too much water for the pump to handle, consider adding another one (or two) to increase capacity.

• Check that pipes are not clogged with debris such as leaves or branches (and if they are, clean them out).

• Check for any cracks in pipes leading to the sump pit--these can lead to leaks that will flood your basement!

Clean up leaves and yard waste.

If you haven’t done so already, it is time to clean up the leaves and yard waste that have been accumulating in your yard. Don’t let leaves pile up in gutters, downspouts or drains. If they do, they may clog the drain and cause water to back up into your home or basement.

Service heating systems to ensure they are working properly before the coldest weather arrives.

Before the first chill of fall arrives, it is important to perform a thorough inspection and maintenance on your heating system. Here are some tips for making sure that your furnace is ready for the season:

• Check the thermostat and make any necessary adjustments. Be sure that it's set to a temperature that will keep rooms at 65 degrees or higher during cold weather, but allow them to warm up quickly when it warms up outside (between 55-70 degrees).

• Check the filter, which should be changed every 30 days based on how much dust and debris are in your home. Cleaning or replacing filters can help ensure that air circulates properly through vents, improving efficiency while preventing heat loss through ductwork.

• Inspect pilot lights as well as blower motors, pressure switches and gas valves for signs of damage or corrosion—these can cause fires if they aren't functioning properly. If you notice anything unusual while inspecting these components, contact an experienced technician immediately so they can be repaired before use this winter season starts heating up again!

People who prepare their properties for cold weather are better protected than those who don't prepare their properties at all

It's a good idea to be prepared for the worst. If you have a home, business or property that may need to withstand cold weather conditions, preparing it for the winter season is key. A few simple steps can help you protect your investment from damage during colder months.

Preparing your home for winter weather

• Prepare your insulation by checking all vents and windows to make sure they are closed properly. Be sure not to leave any gaps around doors or windows where cold air can enter through cracks in the walls or floorboards.

• Ensure that chimneys are cleared of debris before use—a buildup of debris could cause sparks and other dangerous conditions when using fireplaces during fall/winter seasons! Also keep an eye out for settling dust on ceiling fans; simply wipe them off as needed throughout autumn months so they don't cause issues later on down the line (i.e., getting clogged with dirt!).

Conclusion

Following these tips will help you take care of your property during the fall season. Remember that preparation is key in keeping your home or business safe from the damage caused by cold weather.