When it gets cold outside, your home is at a greater risk of something going wrong – cold weather can put stress on your house structurally, and the snow and ice can make hazards out of the porch and walkway you previously thought were harmless. It is very important to get your house in good shape for winter and to understand how to make the exterior pathways and surfaces around your home safe when the snow and ice strike. Here are some suggestions on how to keep your home safe in the winter:

1. Maintain Your Walkway and Driveway

It’s very important to maintain your walkway and driveway. Do this by, first of all, making sure there is no debris on your walkway or driveway.

If you’re in the habit of raking, make sure there are no piles of leaves around. Even if you’re short on yard space, paved surfaces are not a good place to deposit dead leaves.

After you clean up the area, check out the condition of the pavement. Cracks in the surface and uneven pavement can become a serious hazard in the snow, when it’s harder to see these things.

When winter hits and the threat of snow and ice draws near, make sure you are well-supplied with salt to spread on these surfaces and be sure to keep up with shoveling or plowing. This will cut down on the possibility that you or someone you care about will slip and fall.

2. Inspect Your Porch

Do a thorough inspection of your porch for any needed repairs.

In the sometimes slippery conditions of winter, it is extra important that your porch has secure handrails, so if they are loose, tighten them.

If you’re not very handy, get your contractor to inspect your porch for structural damage and fix any problems. Have them check underneath the structure for any hidden issues. This caution will pay off when it’s cold and snowy out.

Once winter hits, keep your porch safe by keeping it clear of snow and ice.

3. Protect Your Roof

The roof is your biggest defense against winter weather. Make sure your gutter situation is good. Winter weather can cause clogged gutters and ice dams that damage your gutters and make it harder for them to do their job of clearing the snow and moisture from your roof. Staying on top of your gutters and inspecting your roof are a couple of ways to prevent winter roof & gutter damage and to help keep your home safe and protected.

Check out the perimeter of your home for any overhanging trees that could fall on your house and threaten the integrity of your roof. It is a good idea to have someone inspect your roof for problems now, so that when winter hits you can feel secure in knowing that your roof will protect you. Something seemingly small like a missing shingle can prove a big problem in winter.

If you see anything amiss during an initial inspection, give Zephyr Thomas a call at 717-399-4708! We can help with any of your home improvement needs and get your home ready to brave winter.