Omaha, Get Your Home Winter Ready!

The first day of Fall was this past Saturday which means Winter is right around the corner. There are several things you can do to make sure you prolong the life of your assets- including your home. Additionally, taking these few steps can prevent against major damage on your home and reduce utility costs.

And trust us, now is the VERY best time to start considering taking action steps to property your property. Here are some steps Mutual Roofing recommends:

Steps to Get Your Home Winter Ready

1. Test Your Snowblower

Inevitably, it always happens. The first major snow storm comes by surprise and you’re struggling in the garage to get your snowblower to turn on. It’s best to run a test now and make sure you have gas on hand when that first snow storm hits. In Omaha, it’s not a matter of “if” but rather “when”.

2. Clean and Inspect Gutters

It’s extremely important to make sure your gutter are draining properly as snowfall and ice accumulate on your roof. One common problem roofers see is the build up of ice dams and that can often be prevented by a fall cleaning of the gutters. The goal of a roofing contractor who cleans your gutter is to inspect drainage and also confirm your shingles are ready for the Winter.

3. Inspect Roof and Ventilation

Most roofing contractors offer free inspections so we always recommend to take up the offer. An experienced roofer can let you know of any potential leaks, ventilation issues, or other areas of concern. Oftentimes, you can remediate these issues with minor repair to carry you through Winter.

4. Winterize Your Sprinklers

This is important to get this done before the first freeze. It’s important to blow our any moisture that could expand and damage your sprinkler system. There are many how-to guides on Youtube otherwise you can always hire a sprinkler company. Obviously, this includes turning off exterior water valves, too.

5. Cover Patio Furniture

To prolong the life of patio furniture, they will need to be covered against the elements or store in a shed, garage, or covered porch. It’s important to note that propane tanks are most safely stored outside.

6. Check Doors and Windows Stripping

Avoid having cold drafts enter your home and consequently raise your bill by inspecting your doors and windows. Most hardware stores carry stripping material and you can easily spend a weekend sealing all your windows and doors. Alternatively, you can use an exterior caulk to seal windows as well. This is especially important on older homes.

7. Check Your Furnace

According to this Angie’s List article, you should get your furnace checked and tuned up annually. The best time is around Fall in preparation for the Winter. A majority of HVAC companies say that many homeowners wait until their heat goes out before addressing the issue. Regular tune ups and cleanings will extend the life of your product so definitely schedule a cleaning.

8. Look for Pavement Cracks

Cracks around the pavement allow water to seep in and when it thaws and re-freezes, it can exacerbate the damage. A driveway caulking company can come now and began to seal any exposed areas, otherwise homeowners can also do it themselves. There are several Youtube tutorials on caulking best practices.

9. Turn Off (or Even Down) Humidifiers

In many instances, you only have to turn your humidified down significantly to protect and preserve wood floors. For some homes, however, it’s best to turn off your humidifier altogether. We see so much moisture accumulation in attics that really began to cause mold issues and other roofing/attic issues.

Summary

In Nebraska where we experience four seasons, it’s especially important to maintain your home for each season change. A roof inspection is just one of several steps to get your home Winter ready.

If you would like to take advantage of our free roof inspections, please call us at (402) 889-3381 or fill out our contact form.