Winter in Northeast Ohio can be tough on your home. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, high winds, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can all take a toll on roofing, siding, windows, gutters, and other exterior components. Taking time to winterize your home before severe weather arrives can help prevent costly damage, improve energy efficiency, and keep your home more comfortable throughout the season.
At The Third Estimate, we help Northeast Ohio homeowners prepare their homes for winter with roofing inspections, replacement windows, siding upgrades, gutter systems, and exterior remodeling solutions designed for Ohio weather conditions.
Clean and Inspect Gutters
Clogged gutters can trap melting snow and contribute to ice dams, water intrusion, fascia damage, and foundation drainage problems during winter storms.. The rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at the end of fall so that all the leaves are off of the trees and no more will collect in the gutters. That’s quickly approaching! You will want the gutters cleaned out before any freezing can happen. If water freezes with the debris in the gutters, it can cause ice dams that will result in mold, stains, and damage. The Third Estimate offers gutter systems with guards that will block debris from collecting and clogging your gutters.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Overhanging tree branches can be a danger to your roof. Branches can fall and break when too much snow has collected on them. These fallen branches can hit your roof and cause serious damage that needs to be repaired. Save yourself that hassle and trim those branches.
Check Windows and Doors for Drafts
Drafty windows and doors can cost you a lot of extra money on your heating bills this winter. To prevent heat loss in your home, caulk around the edges to block any cold air that may be creeping its way inside. Adding weather stripping to your doors and windows will also create a seal that won’t allow cold air in. When buying windows, pay attention to the Energy Star rating to ensure that you are purchasing an energy-efficient product. Lastly, swapping your lightweight curtains out for insulated thermal-lined curtains will do a lot to trap the cold air and keep it out.
Protect Your Pipes
Cold weather can cause pipes to contract and possibly burst. This is a problem that no one wants to deal with. To protect yourself from this happening, insulate vulnerable pipes with foam or fiberglass sleeves. This will prevent freezing. Also, keeping your faucet running, just a trickle at a time will keep the water circulating, thus preventing a freeze.
Inspect Your Roof Before Snow Arrives
Small roofing problems can quickly become major leaks once snow and ice accumulate. Before winter arrives, homeowners should inspect for missing shingles, damaged flashing, soft spots, or signs of aging that could allow moisture intrusion during freeze-thaw cycles.Any damaged areas will create a weak point in your roof that could cause leakage or cold air to seep through. Clear any debris from the roof. Debris combined with snow and ice is a recipe for home disaster. Leaks, broken shingles, and ice dams are sure to occur if not taken care of. Using a snow roof rake is a great way to clean your roof without the danger of getting on top of your roof with a ladder. You should avoid that at all costs.
Prevent Ice Dams and Attic Moisture
Heat travels upwards in your house during the winter. If not insulated properly, your heat could be escaping out of your attic very quickly and costing you a lot of money on your heating bills. Make sure that your attic is properly insulated to keep your heat in and your bills low.
Schedule Winter Exterior Repairs Early
Many homeowners wait until severe winter weather exposes a problem before scheduling repairs. Unfortunately, roofing leaks, siding failures, gutter backups, and drafty windows often become more expensive to address once freezing temperatures and snow arrive.
Prepare Your Home for Northeast Ohio Winter Weather
Winter weather can expose roofing, siding, gutter, and window problems quickly. The Third Estimate helps Northeast Ohio homeowners protect their homes with exterior inspections, repairs, and replacement services designed for Ohio’s harsh seasonal conditions.
Schedule a free estimate or exterior inspection today.
