How To Protect Your Home From The Elements
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Your home is your sanctuary, but the elements - rain, wind, snow, and even the sun - have a lot to say about the matter, and over time, all these things (individually and combined) can take a real toll on your property. You might notice peeling paint or water damage, plus much more, and it all goes to show that the outside isn’t as kind to your home as you would want it to be. Don’t worry, though; you can make it better and you can do a wide range of things to protect your home from the elements. With that in mind, here are some ideas about what to do, so keep reading to find out more.
Start With Your Roof
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, and a small issue here and there can turn into a big problem really fast, which is why you need to act sooner rather than later. Missing shingles? Don’t wait to fix them. Overflowing gutters? Clear them out right away. Plus, it’s worth getting a professional to check the roof once a year to make sure all is well because you might not be able to see all the issues from the ground (and getting up on a ladder without safety equipment and training isn’t a safe thing to do).
If your roof is older, think about upgrading to a more durable material like metal or specially designed impact-resistant shingles to help things stay safer. True, it’s a bigger upfront investment, but it can save you from costly repairs down the road, so it’s well worth looking into.
Have Proper Drainage
Water is a sneaky thing and it can cause a massive amount of damage and totally wreak havoc all over your home, including your foundations if you’re not careful. One way to keep water in check is to ensure your gutters and waterspouts are working properly, and that’s where LeafFilter gutter guards could be the ideal solution for you. These clever guards keep leaves, debris, and other nasties from clogging your gutter so rainwater flows smoothly and stays far away from your foundations.
These don’t take a lot of work to install (although you can hire someone to do it for you if you prefer), but they can save massive headaches and lots of money, so getting them and using them should go to the top of your to-do list as you’ll have good peace of mind once the job is done.
Seal Windows And Doors
Have you ever felt a chilly draft sneaking through your windows in winter (or a colder summer, come to that)? That’s not just an annoying breeze that’s making you feel colder than you’d like - it’s something that’s going to make your energy bills a lot more expensive and it can even cause moisture to form in your home, which leads to mold and other issues.
To stop it from happening, you’ll need to seal gaps around your windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping which doesn’t just keep your home more energy efficient, but it also stops water from getting in when it rains. And as a bonus, it keeps the bugs out too, and since no one wants to share their living space with insects, that’s got to be a good thing!
Defend Your Siding
Your home’s siding takes a lot of abuse from the weather, especially if you happen to live somewhere with some pretty harsh seasons and changes in temperature. If you do (or even if you don’t), it’s important to regularly inspect your siding for cracks, warping, or any other kind of damage, and if you find any you’ll need to repaint or reseal it. In fact, doing those jobs every few years is a good idea anyway because it’ll keep your home protected from water and UV rays.
If you’re happy to tackle a bigger project, you could also look into upgrading your siding to something made from more durable materials (one idea could be fiber cement, for example). It’ll last longer and be more weather-resistant, but it can also make your home look better.
Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Spaces
Decks, patios, and outdoor furniture are often overlooked when it comes to weatherproofing, but they can suffer just as much damage as anything else, and perhaps more so because they’re outside all the time and not checked over. It’s wise to regularly seal wooden decks to protect them from rain and sun damage, and you might also want to invest in high-quality covers for your furniture, or even move them indoors when you’re not going to use them for a bit (a shed could be a good alternative to actually having them in the house!).
If you’ve got a pergola or gazebo, make sure that’s secure because high winds can turn outdoor features into flying objects if they’re not anchored down!
