Calgary winters don’t play nice. One minute you’re enjoying a crisp fall afternoon, and the next, you’re staring down a forecast that looks like something out of a polar expedition documentary.
We’ve all been there: scrambling at the last minute, trying to winterize our homes while snowflakes are already dancing outside. This year? We’re doing things differently. No more panic, no more emergency repairs, just smart, strategic preparation.
Think of your home’s exterior like your favorite winter jacket. You wouldn’t wait until you’re freezing to check if it has holes, right? Same goes for your house. A little effort now means less stress (and fewer unexpected repair bills) when winter hits full force.
So, without wasting your time, let’s get a few useful tips to prepare your home exterior for winter-time.
Declutter Your Gutters
The exterior of your home is the first line of defense against weather conditions, hence the importance of starting with it.
Decluttering your gutters is often overlooked, yet it’s often the first step in the process. While you can try doing it yourself, the truth is hiring a professional company will give you a better result.
Not only do you avoid risks of injuring yourself, but professionals will also bring in the right tools and equipment to ensure the job is well done.
All the debris and leaves from the fall season are likely to build up. If water freezes in there, it will expand and can crack the gutters, making them useless.
At the same time, you can also opt for a maintenance package, meaning gutters will also be checked for leaks or cracks.
Book a Roof Cleaning Service
Ideally, you should’ve booked roofing services this in the fall season, but you can still do it in the wintertime. Generally speaking, the roof should stay dry for a couple of days once cleaned, yet a professional team can overcome this issue with the right products.
Cleaning the roof will prevent the buildup of mildew, dirt and mold.
Roof cleaning is about maintenance in general. Since you get a professional to go up there, you might as well ask for checks on the roof. Shingles, cracks, damaged elements and leaks can cause emergency situations in the wintertime.
While you can try to do it yourself, the truth is you need to go up there. That’s why it’s better to contact our expert professionals. Specialized in all kinds of construction procedures, the team can also help with maintenance operations.
Check the Insulation
Before getting all cozy for the wintertime, make sure your insulation is ready to take on the weather, too. This is one of the main reasons wherefore you might lose heat. The loft is one of the most problematic parts, but cracks in your home could also mean that insulation is damaged.
Talking about insulation, you should also consider water pipe insulation, not to mention cavity wall insulation. In all these cases, it’s obviously better to let a professional do the job. It could be seen as a renovation process, so it’s wiser to avoid doing it yourself if you lack the tools, expertise and materials.
With EA Built, any form of renovation can become a reality in no time. As one of the top rated renovation businesses in Calgary, you can count on following the highest industry standards and using top-notch materials only.
Inspect the Siding
The siding is often overlooked when preparing a home for the wintertime. Whether you have vinyl, aluminum or other type of siding, it’s still worth a quick check.
The problem is most people want their siding to look good and match the overall style of the home. In reality, what you should actually pay attention to is the insulating capability of the siding. Siding is extremely important for the protection of your home and can help in keeping your family warm.
While not as popular as other materials, wood siding is exposed to all kinds of issues. Its structural integrity can often be affected by storms, other bad weather conditions, moisture and insects. Its appearance will degrade along with its functionality.
In many cases, quick repairs are only temporary and alright when you’re on a budget. But if you can afford it, an upgrade to a better material would be a better choice. And that’s exactly when the experts at EA Built become your best friends.
Even if your siding is based on a different material, it’s still worth inspecting it for holes, cracks or dents that may hide more problematic issues.
Seal the Walkway and Driveway
The exterior of your home isn’t all about the actual building, but also about surrounding elements, such as your driveway or perhaps your walkway. From this point of view, sealing is a must if they’re based on concrete.
As a general rule of thumb, concrete isn’t cheap. At the same time, it can develop cracks overtime. Water gets in and freezes, only to expand and enlarge them. With time, it will crumble like an old piece of bread. Inspect these things and note if you can find any cracks.
There might be things you can do yourself, but overall, a contractor has more experience. Plus, contractors rely on high quality professional products, rather than DIY stuff you can find in any hardware store out there.
The process is quite comprehensive too. First, gaps and cracks must be filled evenly. Then, a sealer will prevent water from getting in.
Bottom Line
Getting your home ready for the harsh winter conditions isn’t all about bleeding your radiators and making sure your boiler works. The exterior of your home is just as important and can add to the overall efficiency of your protection, whether in terms of comfort or bills.
There are clearly many things you can try to do yourself with products from local hardware stores, but there’s also a more professional approach that will inevitably give you better results in the long run, especially in terms of quality and value for money.
With EA Built, you can count on exquisite results to match your budget and necessities.