Winter can turn an otherwise comfortable home into a scary, frozen building that your family wants nothing to do with. This is typically a possibility if you ignore the important duty of engaging all home remodelers whose help you need to ensure that your home is ready for winter. Don’t wait to be caught by surprise by situations that you could have avoided from the start. Have a look at this informative guide to help you figure out the most important aspects of your home to keep well-maintained and work on them as soon as possible in order to secure your family’s comfort and safety in winter.
Roof
One of the most important aspects of your home to keep in good shape during winter is the roof. That said, call a roofer to inspect the roof and make sure that there are no damages that could be aggravated by ice as winter sets in. Roofing contractors can tell you if there are any major fixes that need to be made and work on them right away. This may involve replacing loose, damaged, or even missing shingles. This way, you don’t have to worry about more damage occurring to your roof as a result of the snow and moisture that the roof will be exposed to this season.
Call a residential roof repair company immediately if you notice signs of leaking and other issues like these. Failure to do this could predispose you to the risk of sudden roof failure in the middle of a harsh season in which it may not be easy to find professionals to do roofing work. If your roof is in good shape in structural terms, the roofer you hire could clean it thoroughly so that it starts the season without any debris weighing it down unnecessarily. This will ensure that you transition into the warmer seasons with minimal issues on your roof.
Gutters
While checking the roof and getting it in order, you should not forget about the gutters. This is because they work alongside the roof to make sure that any moisture that ends up on the roof is drained off fast and efficiently. If this isn’t the case, your roof may end up holding moisture for longer than it should, and this could predispose it to damage. Gutters that don’t drain the water off the roof to the drains can also allow water to seep into your home’s walls, causing mold to grow. Additionally, this water may end up on your foundation and driveway, damaging them both and leaving you with more and costlier expenses to deal with.
As such, prioritize gutter repair if there are any complications with the gutters. If the gutters have been on your home for a good part of their lifespan and are beyond gutter repair, don’t hesitate to simply replace them. All home remodelers you call to help you with gutter issues should know about various gutters on the market, so they can easily advise you on the right gutters to buy. If there’s nothing functionally wrong with them, have them cleaned up so that there’s nothing clogging them and making them fail to do their job the right way.
Exterior Structure
While compiling your list of all home remodelers to call before winter, don’t forget to hire professionals to get the exterior structure of your home in good shape. These include house painting services, which can help you get your home’s exterior in amazing shape for the winter. They may start by cleaning up your home’s exterior thoroughly to get rid of all the grime accumulated over the just concluded season. This is a service that could cost you extra, so think about doing it yourself. Keep in mind that for this, you’ll have to hire a pressure washer if you don’t have one and learn how to operate it safely and effectively.
Once you find an exterior painting company that you feel comfortable working with, remember to negotiate for a fair price. You may be able to get a discount if your job is straightforward, or if you sign up for a membership or something similar to this. Whatever the case, shop around to find a reliable company that has a good track record of successful projects behind it. When you get your home’s exterior cleaned and repainted, your home will look amazing come next season, and you’ll be sure to enjoy this season and all it brings with it.
Driveway
If you have an asphalt driveway, add an asphalt paving contractor to your list of all home remodelers to call this season. This is especially urgent for you to do if it’s been a while since you’ve had the driveway serviced or repaired. Depending on how extreme the temperatures get where you live, your driveway could undergo a lot of damage. This is because the cycle of freezing and thawing, added to the extremes of hot summers, can cause your driveway to heave and move around a lot. As a result, it will be quite likely to crack and develop holes.
These holes and cracks are more than just an eyesore. This is because they can be a tripping hazard to adults and children alike. Driving over them for a long time can also cause accelerated damage to your vehicle, making you have to buy parts more often than would have been necessary to do. That said, call the right professional to repair your driveway or seal it and let you know when the next time you need to get this done is. The same case applies if you have a concrete driveway.
Pool
Having a pool at home is one of the best things because, on top of making your home more valuable, a pool makes it easier to host parties and simply have fun without having to leave the house. That said, call your local inground pool contractors to take a look at your pool before winter. They should make any necessary repairs so that it has time to cure as the season changes. Most importantly, they should drain it correctly and disconnect and drain any connecting structures leading to it. This will keep them safe from the damage that’s bound to occur if they freeze while they have water inside them.
You should remember to add pool contractors to your list of all home remodelers in order to be sure that your pool stays safe from damage. A pool is one of the most expensive additions that you could make to your home. This makes it crucial for you to keep yours in good shape and avoid losses that could come up as a result of not taking a precautionary measure or two to safeguard it.
Landscape
Your landscape, which frames your home in an attractive background when it’s in a great state, should not be left behind when you’re thinking about all home remodelers that you need to call before winter. Talk to local landscaper contractors to have a look at your landscape and let you know what you need to do to keep your landscape in good shape so that it springs back to life come the next season. Apart from the greenery of your landscape, professionals should also be able to help you work on the hardscape if necessary.
One of the important projects that would need to be done in this case is marking the edges of your walkways, flowerbeds, and even driveways. This can be done by using driveway markers or a more permanent solution in the form of landscape lighting. If you choose to go with lights, call local landscape lighting contractors to guide you on the right way to set up lights, as well as the best lights to use. As a result of this, your landscape can become a lot more attractive not just this season, but for the entire year.
Trees
Remember that trees can be turned into dangerous projectiles by high-speed winds during winter. This is the reason why you need to add a local tree pruning company to your list of all home remodelers this winter. They’ll do a fast, efficient, and safe job of helping you get rid of any trees or tree branches that are dangerously close to your property. As a result, you need not fear ending up with a massive tree on your roof or a branch through one of your home’s windows in the middle of a harsh winter storm.
These professionals will also let you know what you need to do to ensure that your trees stay in good health. If you have young trees, for instance, they can show you how to protect them from the biting cold by using layers of mulch. Ask them about the right fertilizer to use as well so that you can give your trees the nutrition they need to get through this season and thrive in the next one. This way, you can maintain your property’s value and appeal once the snow melts away and your house is clearly visible from the street once again.
HVAC
This list of all home remodelers to call cannot be complete without adding HVAC professionals to it. These are experts who can help you inspect and service your HVAC, leaving it in a great state to serve your home adequately this winter. In fact, professionals advise that the HVAC needs to be serviced once in the hot season and once in the cold season. This should ensure that it doesn’t break down and keeps working optimally, and all without consuming too much electricity.
If there are any repairs that your air conditioner needs, work on them right away to ensure you’ll stay comfortable through this season. If it has actually reached the end of its lifespan, don’t hesitate to get an upgrade for it. This will be a wise investment because you have the chance to get a modern unit that’s made to be a lot more energy-friendly than its traditional counterparts. Make sure that you get a unit that will be the right size for your home and family’s needs, which is not too large and not too small either.
Insulation
The importance of having good insulation cannot be overrated during winter. This is because, without it, your home will leak the treated air to the outdoors, forcing you to turn your air conditioner up to extremely high settings just to maintain the interior temperatures. That said, do an inspection of the entire house, from the antic right down to the basement. If you spot any gaps or other issues with the insulation, fill them up as soon as you can so that you secure your home.
Adding insulation services to your list of all home remodelers can go a long way toward keeping your house safe and comfortable all year long. Insulation repairs may not even be expensive to do, so there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t work on them. Look for the right insulation to use in terms of durability, safety, and of course, budget-friendliness.
Electrical System
Last but not least, remember to check your home’s electrical systems to ensure that everything is in good shape. Have an electrician help you do this so that there’s no chance of missing a crucial detail. Keep in mind that you and your family will spend a lot of time indoors during this season. You’re also going to rely on electricity quite heavily. This makes it important to make sure that nothing’s likely to go wrong and put you and your family at any kind of risk. If you live in an area that tends to experience electrical disturbances in winter or other extreme seasons, think about investing in a backup generator.
This guide comprises all home remodelers you need to prioritize finding before the thick of winter. Doing so can make a big difference to your home’s comfort, value maintenance, and most importantly, your family’s comfort and safety. Use this guide as a checklist so that you don’t leave anything out. In the end, you can be sure that your home will be your haven this winter, as it should be in all seasons.