Winter and cold weather can be incredibly rough on your home, especially over the course of several years of cold seasons. It can be tempting to put off the maintenance needed after or during a cold season, but staying on top of maintenance will make sure your home looks beautiful year round and stays in good condition. Here are just a few of the ways you can stay on top of your home maintenance during the cold seasons of the year.
Watch Out For Winter Interior Issues
During the winter, moisture can cause a variety of problems within your home. While most people don’t necessarily think of winter as being a wet season, snow can cause increased humidity and moisture in the air, which will lead to problems throughout the inside of your home. Be on the lookout especially for mold, since warmer interior conditions combined with moisture can lead to mold growth. Mold doesn’t have to be present for long to cause serious problems. It only takes 48 hours for mold to set in, and the longer things remain wet the more likely they are to have permanent damage. Try to keep from tracking moisture from snow or ice into your home to keep your space safe and dry.
Don’t Forget The Exterior
While it might seem to be too cold outside to do any exterior maintenance, you should still check up on the outside of your home to avoid damage. Before any major snowstorms, be sure your gutters are thoroughly cleaned and your roof is ready for the snow. While your roof might seem to be in good condition at first, the added weight of the snow can cause roofs to collapse. This will end up costing a fair amount to fix, so be sure to avoid this by keeping your roof well-maintained.
Additionally, be aware of the siding on your home. Your home’s siding often deals with the bulk of the damage, wear, and tear caused by damp, cold weather. How this is maintained will depend largely on what type of siding you have for your home. Proper maintenance can ensure your siding lasts as long as possible; for example, cedar siding can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance.
What About New Homes?
Generally speaking, if you’ve lived in your home for an extended period of time, you know what things tend to break down or need more maintenance in your home. However, if you’re just buying a new house or moving into a new home with your family, you might not be as familiar with the space. In these cases, talk to your real estate agent, who may have more information on the home than you do at the moment. 78% of recent buyers found their real estate agent to be very useful when looking for additional information, including on what problems the home already has or may need to have fixed before moving in.
Is your home ready for cold weather? Planning to do more maintenance this year to keep your home in the best shape possible? Comment with your plans to keep your home looking beautiful in the coldest months of the year.
