(BPT) – As the leaves begin to change and the cooler temperatures settle in, it’s time to prepare your home for the season ahead. Here’s an essential to-do list to ensure your home stays in top condition throughout the fall and into the winter months.
Inspect and Upgrade Your Gutters
Consider upgrading your gutters so they can handle any rain or upcoming snowfall. If you notice debris building up, overflowing water, or cracks in the gutters, it may be time to replace them.
Look for gutters featuring a “folding in” design, a backsplash lip, and a wide-mouth outlet. These attachments allow the gutter system to capture water quickly and ensure maximum water flow even during the heaviest of storms.
Secure Your Home’s Foundation
Seasonal changes during fall may cause the ground to expand and contract, which can lead to foundation issues like wall cracks or uneven floors. Avoiding this type of damage is possible when you invest in a permanent foundation solution.
Creating a secure foundation is best handled by professionals. Most contractors will use tools that are not available at home improvement stores, and DIY fixes are not long-term solutions.
If you notice foundation damage, be sure to address it as quickly as possible. As the weather gets colder, structural issues will only become more severe.
Waterproof Your Basement
Ensure your basement stays dry against autumn rain. Water in your basement increases the chances of mold growth, musty smells, and water damage to your personal items.
Waterproofing your basement is one of the best ways to prepare for the changing season. Consider installing vapor barriers, interior drains, and a dehumidifier. All of these tools prevent water intrusion and move moisture away from the basement, keeping it dry all season long.
Encapsulate Your Crawl Space
Crawl spaces are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy home environment, and encapsulation is the best way to protect it.
With tools like a vapor barrier, crawl space drain, and crawl space support posts, your crawl space will stay protected from the elements.
Lift and Stabilize Your Concrete
Autumn weather may weaken the soil in your yard and cause concrete to sink. Sunken and uneven concrete not only poses a tripping hazard but also detracts from your home’s curb appeal.
Concrete lifting will restore your concrete surfaces back to a stable position. Stay away from DIY techniques like self-lifting concrete or mudjacking, as repairing concrete is never just a weekend project.
These methods rarely solve the actual problem behind sinking concrete. Instead, it’s best to work with concrete lifting experts that use polyurethane injections. This modern technique is more efficient than traditional concrete lifting methods.
Autumn is a season of change, but that shouldn’t apply to your home’s safety. With these tips, your home will experience a smooth transition into the cooler months.
To learn more about how to protect your home this season, visit AquaGuard Foundation Solutions.
