Start now to protect your home and investment from the long, cold New England weather
As we enter the winter season in New England, you might be wondering, “What do I need to do to protect my home and investment from the long and cold New England winter weather?”
Follow these quick guidelines on how to protect and maintain your home and investment against the cold, wet, and wintery season.
Steps to protect your home during the long, cold winter
There are many factors that go into preparing your home for winter in New England.
Insulate your windows
When it comes to winterizing, the most important thing you can do for your windows is insulate them. Insulating your windows helps keep warmth in and cold air out.
Don’t stop at insulating your window panes (the actual glass), but also be sure to insulate along the sides of the window frame. This way no heat can get in or out through any cracks or holes.
Replace or cover up drywall and insulation exposed to the elements
It’s important to replace any drywall and insulation in your home that is exposed to the elements.
Drywall and insulation can become damaged from moisture or wind, and once the damage is done, it’s done. If you take care of the repairs before a storm hits, the moisture has no place to go.
Clear out any leaves from around drains to eliminate clogging
To make sure that your drains don’t get frozen over, clear out any leaves or debris from around them before the first snow falls.
That way, if a storm does hit, the water has a way to drain away from your house and won’t freeze up in your pipes.
Also, don’t allow leaves from your trees and plants surround drains. If too many leaves accumulate around the drain pipes under sinks, in the bathrooms, and especially in the kitchen, the leaves will begin to rot. This can cause serious problems with drainage and attract pests like mice or insects.
Inspect for clogged downspouts, and clean out gutters
Downspouts are the drains that carry water from your roof to the ground. They’re usually made of aluminum or galvanized steel, and they’re installed near gutters to guide rainwater away from a building foundation.
Inspecting downspouts for clogs is important because any blockage can cause leaks into your home’s basement during heavy rainfall events. Clogged downspouts also make it difficult for water to drain off of your property, which leads to flooding and erosion problems in yards and streets.
While you’re out there inspecting and cleaning out your downspouts of clogs, take a moment to clean out your gutters and make sure they don’t have any significant blockages. Make this a regular activity during the year to keep them looking and working their best.
Ensure your snow-thrower is in tip-top condition
When the first snow falls, it’s likely that you’ll need to use your snow-thrower. Make sure it’s up to par to clear the heavy, wet snow for you!
Test your snowblower to make sure it is running smoothly.
Or hire qualified a snow removal service
If you cannot manage a snow-thrower, or don’t own one, find and hire a reliable and professional snow removal service Green Horizons Landscaping Services that will clear your entire property for you.
At Green Horizons, our approach to our snow removal services is:
we don’t expect you to have to own a shovel.
That means Green Horizons will come to your home, clear your driveway and shovel your walkway.
If necessary, we will return to do any cleanup work required after a storm; you don’t need to call and ask us to come out; we just do it.
Wrapping up
Winter is coming, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared. With the right preparation steps in place before winter arrives, your home will be ready and waiting when snow starts to fall!
Get a head start on this year by following these tips from Green Horizons Landscaping and Property Maintenance Services.
Don’t put your home, property, or investment at risk to the damage of New England’s infamous blizzards.
Whether you need home repairs, assistance with preparing your property for the winter ahead, or snow removal all winter long, we can help you get through the long New England winters in comfort.
Green Horizons is always at your service
We hope you found this article helpful.
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