Prepare Your Missouri Home for Winter 2019

Missouri is already experiencing the tell-tale signs of winter: snow, earlier sunsets, harsh wind and bare branches. Now that November is in full swing, put aside some time to prepare your home for winter. Your home is your biggest investment and provides shelter during the colder months, so you want to make sure you’ve set yourself up for a fuss-free winter.

For those who have recently moved into a custom home or newly remodeled home from Watts Construction in mid-Missouri, you can rest easy knowing your projects were completed using the best materials and installation processes available. With that being said, you likely won’t need to worry about most of these tips!

Your home’s exterior can take a beating in the winter months. To prepare for the season of snow and ice, follow these simple tips.

You don’t want to find out your heating and cooling unit is having issues when it’s 20 degrees out! Instead, test your system to make sure everything is running smoothly. We also recommend having filters changed regularly and having a professional inspect the unit annually to keep your home’s heating and air conditioning working properly.

If your home’s exterior is covered in dirt, dust or organic growth, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your home’s exterior prior to freezing weather conditions. This can be accomplished with a power washer (for siding), and a good washcloth to give windows and doors a wipedown.

Examine the wood trim on the outside of your home and take notice of any chipped paint or caulk that is no longer providing a proper seal. To keep your trim looking as great as possible for as long as possible, fix chipping paint or recaulk areas that need it.

Depending on when the concrete was laid, you may need to fill in cracks or add a concrete sealer. This protects your concrete from moisture freezing and creating new cracks or disrupting the integrity of your concrete flatwork.

Now that the trees have lost the majority of their leaves, you’ll likely find your gutters clogged with debris. Since your gutters will need to divert the flow of water from ice and snow away from your roof, keep your gutters clean and clear.

Break out a pair of binoculars and make sure your roof is in good shape. If you see loose shingles, low spots or other problematic areas, call a professional right away.

To prevent pipes from freezing, make sure you shut off exterior faucets and sprinkler systems before winter hits.

Snow drifted on roof of a home

Winter usually means more time spent indoors enjoying the warmth and comfort of your home. Take advantage of the last few weeks of warmer fall weather to prepare your home for heavier winter use.

Make sure your detectors are functioning properly and you’ve added new batteries.

Spend a few minutes on your attic to make sure there aren’t any signs of air leaks, damage, or any critters trying to move in for the winter.

Reverse your ceiling fans so they can help keep warm air down and assist your HVAC system in keeping your home a comfortable temperature.

You likely won’t be opening your windows for a while. Once a warm fall day hits, take the opportunity to air out rooms to freshen things up a bit. We’d also recommend washing and air drying bedding during this time, vacuuming carpets, dusting and airing out rugs.

Looking to move? Imaging your family spending Christmas in your dream home? Watts Construction custom home builders can make those dreams come true. We offer a variety of custom home building and remodeling services in Ashland and Lake Ozark, Missouri.