With colder weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare your home for freezing temperatures, biting winds, snow and everything else Wisconsin winters have to offer. Taking care of a few maintenance tasks this fall can help prevent costly damage, improve energy efficiency and keep your family comfortable throughout the winter months.
Here are 10 quick tips to help get your home’s exterior ready for cold weather.
Allrite Home & Remodeling’s Cold Weather Checklist
1. Inspect Your Home’s Exterior
Take a walk around your home and inspect your siding, masonry and other exterior surfaces for signs of damage. Look for cracks, gaps, loose siding panels or areas where moisture could make its way inside.
Pay special attention to areas where pipes, vents or wires enter your home. Small openings can allow cold air, moisture and even pests inside. Caulk and seal gaps as needed, using materials appropriate for the surface.
For stone or brick homes, check the masonry for cracks or deteriorating mortar. Inspect your window and door sills for weather damage, too. If you notice significant damage, contact a qualified mason for repairs before winter arrives.
2. Check Your Gutters and Downspouts
Falling leaves, twigs, and other debris can quickly clog your gutters and downspouts. When water can’t drain properly, it can overflow and potentially damage your roofing, siding, and foundation.
Clogged gutters can also contribute to ice dams during winter, when melting snow refreezes near the edge of your roof. Keeping gutters clear and addressing underlying heat-loss issues can help reduce the risk of water damage.
Make sure your gutters are securely attached and that water can flow freely through the downspouts before freezing temperatures arrive.
Sick of cleaning your gutters? Consider installing a gutter-guard system to help reduce debris buildup and make seasonal maintenance easier.
3. Make Sure Water Drains Away From Your Home
Snow and ice are inevitable during Wisconsin winters, but water pooling around your foundation doesn’t have to be.
Check that your downspouts direct water away from your home and that the surrounding ground slopes away from the foundation. As a general guideline, the ground should drop at least two or three inches every ten feet. And depending on your property’s grading, downspout extensions may also be necessary to help move water farther away from your home.
Proper drainage is especially important during late-winter and early-spring thaws, when melting snow can lead to excess moisture around your foundation.
4. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Prepare Faucets
Before the first hard freeze, disconnect and drain your garden hoses. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets, if your home has interior shutoff valves, and drain the remaining water from the lines.
Water left inside hoses or exposed plumbing can freeze and expand, potentially causing pipes to crack or burst.
Even frost-free outdoor faucets can be damaged if a hose is left attached, so don’t overlook this quick maintenance task!
5. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Heavy snow, ice, and strong winter winds can put extra stress on trees and shrubs around your home.
Inspect nearby trees for dead, damaged or unstable branches, especially those hanging over your roof, gutters, driveway or walkways. Removing hazardous limbs before winter can help reduce the risk of falling branches damaging your home.
Be sure to check shrubs and landscaping near your siding, too. Keeping vegetation trimmed back helps prevent moisture buildup and allows you to more easily inspect your home’s exterior.
Need help with larger trees or branches near your home? Contact a qualified arborist for assistance.
6. Check for Drafts Around Windows and Doors
Feeling a chilly draft around your windows or doors? Small gaps and air leaks can make your heating system work harder than necessary during the winter.
Air sealing measures, including weatherstripping around doors and windows, can help reduce unwanted airflow and improve your home’s comfort.
Check the weatherstripping around exterior doors, inspect caulking around window frames, and look for visible gaps where cold air could enter.
Keep in mind that drafts aren’t always coming from your windows and doors. Air leaks in attics, basements, and other areas of your home can also contribute to heat loss. A professional assessment can help identify areas that may benefit from additional air sealing.
7. Evaluate Your Home’s Insulation
If improving your home’s insulation is something you’ve been considering, fall is a great time to get started.
Proper insulation helps reduce heat loss, maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, and improve energy efficiency throughout the year. It can also help address uncomfortable rooms that always seem too cold during the winter.
Your attic is a particularly important place to evaluate. Inadequate insulation and air leaks can allow warm air to escape, contributing to higher heating costs and conditions that can lead to ice dams.
Allrite offers professional insulation and air sealing services to help homeowners throughout Southeastern Wisconsin improve their home’s comfort and energy efficiency. You may also qualify for rebates or incentives through Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, depending on current program requirements.
8. Rake Your Yard and Clear Away Leaves
We know, more raking! But removing excess leaves before winter can help keep your lawn healthy and ready for spring. Thick layers of leaves can trap moisture, block sunlight, and contribute to lawn problems when left under snow for extended periods.
Be sure to clear leaves and debris away from your home’s foundation, window wells, and exterior drainage areas, too. This can help prevent water buildup and keep drainage paths clear when the snow begins to melt.
9. Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Inspected
There’s nothing quite like a cozy fire on a cold Wisconsin evening, but before lighting that first fire of the season, make sure your fireplace and chimney are ready for use.
Chimneys should be inspected regularly for creosote buildup, blockages, structural damage, and other potential safety concerns.
A qualified chimney professional can determine whether cleaning or repairs are necessary and help ensure your fireplace is safe to operate. Looking for a qualified professional to help? Find one here.
Don’t forget to check that your chimney cap is in good condition to help keep out rain, snow, debris and unwanted critters.
10. Inspect Your Windows and Storm Windows
If your home has older windows, now is the time to inspect them for damage, drafts, and other signs of wear. Check the frames, seals, and weatherstripping, and repair or reinstall storm windows as needed. Look for cracked glass, deteriorating caulk, difficulty opening or closing windows, and signs of moisture around the frames.
Have you been dreaming about replacement windows? New, energy-efficient windows can help improve indoor comfort, reduce drafts, make maintenance easier, and enhance your home’s appearance.
And here’s something many homeowners don’t realize: You don’t have to wait until spring to replace your windows!
Allrite’s experienced crews install replacement windows year-round, including during Wisconsin’s winter months. So, if your windows are past their prime, there’s no need to put off your project until warmer weather arrives.
Considering a winter home improvement project? Learn more about what to expect from exterior remodeling projects during the winter.
Now is the time to check your roof, siding, windows, gutters and overall home exterior to ensure everything is in good condition to keep you safe, warm and dry during the Wisconsin winter months (all 8 of them 😉).
If your fall inspection reveals areas that need attention, the team at Allrite Home & Remodeling is here to help. As a family-owned and operated company serving Southeastern Wisconsin since 1969, we have the experience to help you protect and improve your home through every season.
