Outdoor Projects to do Before the Cold Weather Arrives
There’s plenty of fall home maintenance tasks to be done in preparation for winter. However, it’s also an ideal time to address some repair issues. This could be because winter weather makes them impossible to work on, or because snow and ice will cause further damage and even costlier repairs. Take a walk around your home and examine the following areas to see if they need fixing.
Repair Driveways & Walkways
That small crack or hole may be barely noticeable now, but a winter’s worth of freezing and unfreezing moisture can cause it to greatly expand. Here’s what you’ll need to take care of your driveway and walkways before the cold weather hits:
A pressure washer to remove dirt, debris, and chemicals that can damage surfaces when water freezes over in winter
Cleaning tools, such as brooms, brushes, and mops to prep surfaces for repair
Driveway care products such as driveway fillers, sealers, and rollers to seal up cracks and spalling concrete
Masonry tools such as trowels, chisels, edgers, and groovers to do your repairs
Repair Your Roof
Your roof is inaccessible during winter so it’s best to inspect it while you can and make any necessary repairs. You can do this yourself if you’re a seasoned DIYer, but you must wear a safety harness. Otherwise call in a professional. Replace any missing shingles and patch up any leaks to ensure your roof can withstand winter snow and winds. These basics will help you tackle minor roof repairs and ward off major replacement costs until spring.
Roof repair supplies such as waterproof sealant, roof cements, and fabric mesh
Caulk, coatings, and sealers to tackle small roof repairs
Clean Your Chimney
Your chimney will also be inaccessible so inspect and repair it while you can. Again, call in a professional unless you’re an experienced DIYer and have a safety harness. Either way, you should still schedule an annual chimney cleaning to clear soot buildup and prevent chimney fires. Be sure to check your flue dampers and smoke detectors as well. These essentials will ensure you stay safe and warm this winter without worry:
Chimney supplies such as flues, piping, flashing, and insulation
Chimney brushes to help clear away soot
Chimney caps to prevent raccoons or other animals from nesting inside
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to alert you to any danger
Fix Your Siding
Fall is also the best time to inspect, repair, and replace any damaged siding. Winter winds can tear a loose piece of siding right off, causing further damage to the underlaying materials. Minor siding repairs in the fall, such as replacing cracked boards and bent panels, can help prevent costly repairs in spring. These supplies offer simple fixes to keep your siding in tip-top shape:
Siding panels to replace damaged pieces
Caulk, coatings, and sealers for minor repairs
Exterior paint to help protect your siding from the elements
Clean & Repair Eavestroughs
Clearing leaves from your gutters is important, but you also need to repair any damaged sections to ensure proper drainage. Otherwise water can pool and freeze, causing extensive damage to your roof. You should check and repair downspouts to prevent water from pooling and freezing around your foundation, which can also cause damage. Here’s what you’ll need.
Drainage, eavestroughs & accessories help repair and replace gutters and downspouts
Caulk, coatings, and sealers help fix leaks and make gutter repairs easy
Garden hoses, nozzles, and ladders let you clear debris from gutters and improve drainage
Paint Before the Temperatures Drops
Fall is the perfect time to paint your home’s exterior. It’s best to paint in temperatures ranging from 1.7°C to 37.8°C in low humidity conditions to ensure an even coat. Whether you’re refreshing siding or repainting trim, a fresh coat of paint in the fall helps seal exterior surfaces from wet winter conditions and extend your home’s looks and longevity. These essentials will have you covered:
Exterior paint, including cold temperature painting options
Painting accessories such as tape and drop cloths to prep surfaces for painting
Paintbrushes, rollers, and tray kits help get the job done right
Seal Around Windows & Doors
Fall offers the perfect seasonal window to winterize your home. Sealing and caulking gaps around windows and doors help prevent drafts and ice damage. Reinforcing door and window seals with weather stripping also helps insulate your home for winter to save energy and money. Window insulator kits, garage door seals and draft guards make it easy to winterproof windows, doors, and garages.
Pest-Proof Your Home
Take advantage of warm autumn days to inspect your home and seal easy access points for pests seeking shelter in fall and winter. A little home maintenance can go a long way to ensuring animals don’t become unwelcome house guests this winter. These easily installed items will help keep pests out:
Steel wool to fill larger gaps and cracks
Screening around dryer vents, chimneys, pet doors, and mail slots
Winterize Your Outdoor Gear
Before you hibernate for winter, it’s important to get your lawn and garden tools ready for storage. Winterizing your outdoor equipment will keep it functioning at its best. Here’s how to prep your yard equipment to ensure it’s ready to use in spring:
Drain fuel, change the oil, and sharpen blades on your lawnmower
Clean and cover your BBQ, and remove the propane tank for safe storage
Drain your pressure washer and disconnect hoses and wands
Drain your garden hoses and store them indoors
Turn off your air conditioner and cover the outdoor condenser unit
Fall is the ideal time to prepare your home to withstand winter weather. Tackling these essential maintenance projects now will help ward off costly renovations and repairs come springtime.