Preparing Your Home’s Surfaces for Winter Weather - by Stephanie Rogers

Although autumn is still young, it is never too early to start preparing your home for winter.

That first seasonal blizzard often arrives on short notice, putting poorly-prepared properties at risk of wind and moisture-related damage. To avoid this scenario, keep reading as we explore some straightforward tips for preparing your home’s surfaces for winter weather!

Seal Concrete Driveways

Concrete driveways provide a stunning, finished aspect to a home’s exterior. Unfortunately, they do have some porosity issues that can lead to cracks during winter freezes. If the cost of heated driveway options is prohibitive for you, the best course of action will be to apply a concrete sealer ahead of winter. The best products will penetrate deep into the concrete bed, preventing moisture from infiltrating and wreaking havoc during the freeze/thaw cycle. Chapin offers an industrial line of sprayers, designed to handle concrete sealers. 

Prioritize the Foundation

A strong foundation is the building block of a quality home. When it starts to go, the structural integrity of the entire home is sure to follow. With this in mind, it is important to add an extra layer of protection to the foundation to safeguard it during winter.

One of the best options in this regard is the application of waterproof membranes. These self-adhering membranes attach snugly to foundation walls. The permeable layer allows groundwater and liquified debris to pass through, directing it to a dimple drainage board and away from the home via subterranean pipes.

This innovative waterproofing system protects the foundation and surrounding substrate from strong hydrostatic forces, ensuring the structural integrity of the home in all seasons and weather conditions.

Have the Roof Inspected

Small roof leaks are notorious for proliferating during winter. Strong winds, standing snow, and freezing temperatures are just a few of the myriad winter conditions that can cause roof issues to multiply. As such, it is critical to have the roof professionally inspected ahead of winter. Replace any blistered or raised shingles. Have the flashing assessed to guarantee that no moisture finds its way under the roofing surface. Service the gutters to prevent any blockages that will inhibit proper moisture runoff.

Maintain the Deck

It stands to reason that the deck will see a decrease in utilization during the winter months. But even though you might not be spending as much time outdoors as you did during the warmer seasons, it is crucial to avoid letting the deck go during winter.

If the summer sun has dried deck boards, treat the wood surfaces to prevent them from absorbing standing snow. Cover all furniture and tie it down so that strong winter winds don’t carry it away. When possible, add a tarp over pergolas to further protect deck surfaces from the elements.

Fortify the Windows

Window-to-wall transitions are often the path of least resistance through which moisture and cold air enter the home. If upgrading to robust aluminum or hurricane-grade storm windows is out of the budget, use a silicone/polyurethane composite water sealant to fortify degraded window joints. This heavy-duty sealant adheres to nearly any type of building material, offering immediate waterproofing properties to keep frigid precipitation outside the building envelope on even the harshest winter days.

Treat the Siding

Like exposed deck boards, wood plank siding should be painted or stained ahead of winter to limit moisture absorption. Brick and masonry cladding should be sealed to reduce the risk of freeze-related damage. If the siding is in particularly rough condition, consider upgrading to more robust fiber cement or steel log options. These engineered products can be manufactured to closely resemble natural wood or stone but offer far greater resistance to moisture, wind, and projectile impact.

Consider Permeable Gravel Options

Concrete is a ubiquitous exterior material. It is affordable, versatile, and offers clean aesthetics (when new). As mentioned, however, concrete does not always perform so well in winter, due to its porosity. Without regular attention to cleaning and sealing, it will readily stain, crack, and buckle in the face of inclement weather.

Due to these concerns, many homeowners are exploring ways to implement permeable gravel options into their exterior surfaces. Whether it be a gravel driveway or stone sidewalk, permeable paver surfaces offer numerous benefits over concrete. The durable substrate grids hold surface stone in place and are resistant to freezing, twisting, and compressive forces. Thanks to the natural drainage of gravel, this guarantees that exterior surfaces maintain a consistent, rustic appearance in even the most cold and snowy conditions.

Handle Winter in Stride with Proper Preparation

Winter puts the home to the test unlike any other season. Strong winds, snow accumulation, and freezing conditions are just a few of the challenges your property must be prepared to face. By considering any of the straightforward tips listed above, you can get a head start on preparing your home’s surfaces to take even the most severe winter weather in stride. If you need more information on identifying the proper tools and equipment to winterize your home, visit Chapin today for the best sprayers, spreaders, and irrigation systems on the market!

Author Bio:
Stephanie Rogers is a freelance writer that enjoys sharing her love for writing with others. She primarily writes about traveling, music and design ideas. She lives in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys spending time with her husband golfing and traveling and hiking with their dog, Chino. Stephanie’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.