With summer ending and winter’s cold weather fast approaching, properly preparing your home’s exterior is important not only for curb appeal but also for keeping your home and property in good condition. Winter weather causes some harsh conditions for the exterior of your home, so you may be wondering how you can get your home prepared to be safe during this season.

One effective way to get ready is by following a fall home maintenance checklist. This proactive approach helps prepare homes for the upcoming cold weather and winter storms, ensuring a safe and enjoyable autumn season.

The good news is that with by keeping your home in good repair with regular upkeep and preparation, you don’t have to stress about winter ruining the exterior of your house. Read on for seven tips to prepare your home’s exterior for this coming winter!

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Do a Visual Inspection of Your Home’s Exterior.

Take a few laps around your home and in your yard to notate any areas that look like they could become problematic if not taken care of before the winter months. Pay attention to areas like the roof, gutter drainage, hard exterior surfaces (including the home’s foundation and exterior walls), patios or decks, driveways and walkways, around the door frames and windows, and the chimney. Additionally, ensure you check and maintain carbon monoxide detectors as part of these safety checks to keep your home safe.

Don’t forget your exterior faucets, too! Turn off the water supply to these (there’s typically an easily accessible shut-off valve along the water line) and then frost-proof faucets by insulating them with a foam cover.

While some of these areas may seem more like fixes for vanity’s sake, they are actually crucial preparations to protect your home from damage from the season to come and prevent potential further damage to escalating a smaller existing issue.

2. Schedule a Roof Cleaning Before The Winter Season

Scheduling a regular roof power washing is important to help prevent mold, dirt, and mildew buildup. Having a regular roof cleaning in the late summer or fall months may be a great time of year to do so, as it is important that the roof can stay dry for a few days post-cleaning.

It’s important to keep an eye out for any leaks or cracks in your roof, as these can allow water to get into your home. You don’t want to be surprised by a leaky roof after the first winter storm of the season hits.

Pay special attention before cleaning your home’s roof, making note of any areas where extra caution should be taken (ex: near broken shingles or low-hanging tree branches) so not to cause further damage or create more cracks.

While you can decide to clean your roof yourself, for the best and safest experience, Trotta’s Power Washing recommends using professionals for a roof cleaning. This way, you can mitigate the risk of damaging your roof — or more importantly — yourself! Experts know the best way and have the proper tools, cleaning materials, and methods to clean and make sure you have a winter-ready roof.

3. Prepare Gutters & Downspouts for Winter

Gutter cleaning is a must before winter to ensure that your home’s exterior remains safe and secure. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which can cause water damage to your home’s walls, ceilings, or foundation. To prepare your gutters and downspouts for winter, follow these steps:

• Clean Thoroughly: Start by cleaning your gutters and downspouts thoroughly to remove any debris, leaves, and twigs. This will ensure that water can flow freely and prevent blockages.
Install Gutter Guards: Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from entering your gutters and downspouts. This can save you time and effort in the long run by reducing the frequency of cleanings.
• Check for Blockages: Inspect your downspouts for any blockages or damage. If you find any, repair or replace them as needed to ensure proper drainage.
• Gutter Heating System: To prevent ice dams from forming, you might want to install a gutter heating system. This can help keep your gutters clear of ice and reduce the risk of water damage to your home.

Regular gutter maintenance by professionals can protect your home from potential water damage and ensure that your gutters and downspouts function properly throughout the winter.

4. Check Your Home’s Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most common and popular types of siding used for homes in America. Whether your house has vinyl siding, aluminum siding, or uses another type of material, checking your siding before winter is important.

Sure, you want your siding to look good for curb appeal, but it is even more important to think of your home’s siding as its jacket for insulation; siding is an integral part of your house’s protection so that it keeps your home (and you!) warm and protected during this cold season. Wood siding, in particular, plays a crucial role in both curb appeal and structural integrity. Damage from storms, insects, and water can significantly affect wood siding, making its repair essential to restore both functionality and appearance.

Much like when you check your roof, you want to do a thorough inspection of your siding for any cracks and holes. This isn’t just to prevent water from leaking in, but also to prevent mold and mildew buildup to start and get into your home during harsh weather. Cleaning your siding before winter can help prevent the green stuff because no one wants mold or mildew to accumulate in their home!

Regular cleaning of your siding is vital to wash away any accumulated dirt and debris, especially before and during the winter months. Moss, mildew, mold, and algae can all build up on your house’s siding during the winter season. Power washing your siding is recommended by experts so that it can be cleaned deeply and properly.

5. Seal Cement Driveways & Walkways

Preparing your home’s exterior for winter doesn’t only mean the actual house — your driveways and walkways are an important part of your property, too!

Concrete sealing is a process of cleaning and protecting your flat concrete surfaces from developing too many cracks. Concrete work can be expensive, so you want to protect it. Taking the time to inspect your concrete driveway and walkways is important to note if there are any cracks forming that need to be filled.

Once you fill any existing cracks if necessary, applying a sealer will prevent water from getting in and freezing over the winter. With professional concrete cleaning and sealing on your cement, you can help your beautiful driveway and walkways last a long time.

6. Protect Your Deck or Patio from Winter Weather with Deck Sealer

Preparing your deck or patio for the winter means more than covering up or bringing in your outdoor furniture. It means preventative maintenance. Whether wood, cement, or another surface, it must be protected from the winter elements.

Concrete cleaning and sealing will help protect against erosion that can be caused by snow or rainwater as well as protect your patio or deck’s surface against oil and salt. A clean and sealed concrete surface will repel water and even impede algae production.

Similarly, professional cleaning, restoration, and sealing for wood surfaces will not only keep your patio or deck looking clean and new, but it will also help prevent the wood from rotting and needing to be replaced. Applying deck sealer is crucial as part of the maintenance process for wood decks. Preparation steps such as cleaning the deck, checking weather conditions, and ensuring the wood is dry before application maximize the effectiveness of the sealer. Selecting the best deck sealers is important to protect and enhance the longevity of wooden decks. Deck sealers reduce water absorption, prevent mildew, and extend the lifespan of the deck. Deck stains offer a dual function as both a protective sealant and a way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of wooden decks. Practical advice includes cleaning and sanding the wood deck, emphasizing the importance of choosing the appropriate deck sealer to protect against water absorption and UV damage. If this is not something that you stay on top of, it can lead to expensive repairs and other dire consequences for the exterior of your house.

Trotta’s offers professional deck restoration and concrete sealing services, along with a proper power wash to help you prepare your deck or patio and protect their surfaces from damage during the cold and snow.

7. Safety Precautions

As you prepare your home’s exterior for winter, it’s essential to take safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Ladder Safety: Always use a ladder safely and securely when cleaning gutters or inspecting your roof. Make sure the ladder is on a stable surface and have someone hold it steady if possible.
• Proper Attire: Wear warm and waterproof clothing when working outside in cold weather. This will keep you comfortable and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
• Protective Gear: Use gloves and safety glasses when handling sharp objects or chemicals. This will protect your hands and eyes from potential injuries.
• Clear Walkways: Keep your walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls. Use salt or sand to improve traction if necessary.
• Handrails: Install handrails on your stairs and porches to provide extra support. This can help prevent falls, especially when surfaces are slippery.

By following these safety tips, you can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries while preparing your home for winter.

8. Plumbing and Faucet Protection

Freezing temperatures can cause your pipes to burst, leading to costly repairs and damage. To protect your plumbing and faucets from cold weather, follow these steps:

• Insulate Pipes: Insulate your pipes in unheated areas, such as the garage or basement. This will help prevent them from freezing and bursting.
• Disconnect Hoses: Disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses from outdoor faucets. This will prevent water from freezing inside the hoses and causing damage.
• Freeze-Proof Faucets: Install freeze-proof faucets or frost-proof spigots in outdoor areas. These are designed to prevent freezing and can save you from costly repairs.
• Let Water Drip: Let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. This can help prevent the pipes from freezing by keeping the water moving.
• Open Cabinet Doors: Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate. This can help keep the pipes warm and prevent freezing.

By taking these steps, you can protect your plumbing and faucets from the cold weather and avoid costly repairs.

9. Final Preparations for Cold Weather

As the cold weather approaches, it’s essential to make some final preparations to ensure that your home’s exterior is ready for winter. Here are some tasks to complete:

• Roof Inspection: Check your roof for any damaged or missing shingles and repair or replace them as needed. This will help prevent leaks and water damage.
• Deck and Patio Maintenance: Inspect your deck and patio for any damage or rot and repair or replace them as needed. Applying a deck sealer can protect your wooden deck from the elements.
• Store Outdoor Furniture: Bring in any outdoor furniture and decorations to protect them from the cold weather. This will help extend their lifespan and keep them in good condition.
• Seal Gaps and Cracks: Check your home’s exterior for any gaps or cracks and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. This will help keep the cold air out and the warm air in, reducing your heating bills.

By completing these final preparations, you can ensure that your home’s exterior is ready for the winter weather and protect it from potential damage.

Hire a Professional to Help Winter-Proof Your Home’s Exterior

Hiring a professional like Trotta’s Power Washing can help you ensure that the exterior of your home is safe and secure for winter, and you can save money on costly repairs from winter weather damage. With exterior home services for cold weather that include roof cleaning, gutter brightening, power washing, concrete sealing and cleaning, wood restoration, and deck restoration, we are like your one-stop shop for completing your home winter-proofing to-do list!

We have the expertise and tools to get the job done efficiently and effectively, giving you peace of mind as you head into the colder months. Schedule your fall cleaning for your home’s winter preparations before the harsh winter weather is upon us. Contact Trotta’s Today!