How to Prep Your Home for a Wisconsin Winter
How to Prep Your Home for a Wisconsin Winter
If you live in Madison, Wisconsin, you know that winter is coming. In fact, you’ve already had some snow and it’s not even Christmas yet. So, is your home ready for the weather ahead? To avoid costly problems, there are several preventative measures you should take now.
Reroof or Repair with Paramount Roofing and Siding Madison WI
Did you know that wet snow is considerably heavier than dry snow? Six inches of wet snow is equivalent to 38 inches of dry snow. Now imagine the weight of that on your roof. Newer roofs are built to withstand snow loads of 15 to 30 pounds per square foot. If you have an older roof, you may need a new roof or roof repairs before the snow piles up.
Roof Inspection Madison WI
Paramount Roofing and Siding, offers free onsite roofing inspections and quotes. Signs you need a new roof include stains or wet spots on your ceilings, your roof is more than 15 years old, your asphalt shingle roofing is cracked or curling, or you notice dark streaks or moss on your roof.
Siding Inspection Madison WI
Much like an aging roof, your home’s siding could need an inspection before the winter comes. If you notice high heating or cooling bills, peeling paint, rot, mold or mildew, fading, bubbles, or cracks, it could be time for new siding, which Paramount Roofing and Siding can also handle. Ideally, you will want to take care of any siding issues before the weather turns really cold.
Clean Up Your Yard
One thing many homeowners neglect to do before winter is to clean up their yards. You should trim your trees of any dead branches so that the extra weight of snow and ice won’t bring them down on your house or car. You should also clean out your gutters to prevent ice buildup. Melting ice needs to be able to flow freely and away from the house. You should also make sure to turn off outdoor water lines and put the garden hoses away. Trapped water can freeze and break pipes in cold weather.
Check Windows and Doors
Now is the time to check your doors and windows for drafts. You may want to get a draft guard for exterior doors or replace them if cold air can enter from all four sides. You should caulk any gaps or openings around windows, as well.
Inspect Your Furnace
You don’t want to be without heat this winter, so get your furnace inspected now and replace the filter. You may need to have the furnace cleaned or repaired to make sure it is working efficiently. This can ensure that you won’t have to make any emergency calls because the heat went out, and it can also save you some money on utility bills.
Buy Winter Supplies
Don’t wait until Madison gets a foot of snow before you buy a shovel. You should check now that you have shovels, a snowblower, salt for walkways, gloves, hats, and boots. You should also get your snowblower serviced if you haven’t already. If you won’t be handling the snow removal yourself, make arrangements to have your driveway plowed or hire someone to shovel for you. You should also make sure to have flashlights, blankets, and a space heater handy inside your home and vehicle.
Winter is coming to Madison, Wisconsin whether you’re ready or not. Take these preventative steps to ensure that you won’t encounter costly problems later. You might have safer and happier holidays if you do.
