Fall is a perfect time of the year to start preparing your home for the oncoming cold weather. Most of these preparations can be performed by the homeowner, such as cleaning gutters and draining outdoor faucets. But if you choose to hire a professional, it would be well worth the cost.
Regardless of where you live, winterizing your home will not only protect your foundation but give you peace of mind. Here is a list of fall preparation tips to help you keep your foundation stable:
Fall Preparations Inside the House
- Use caulk and weather-stripping to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors. This will reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Hire a professional to check your heating system or gas-fired room heater.
- Get your home’s foundation repaired if a crack is wider than 1/16 inch.
- Seal small cracks to prevent mice or small pests from entering the home.
- After a heavy rainstorm, inspect your home for leaks in the ceiling.
Fall Preparations Outside the House
- Repair cracks in concrete slabs, including sidewalks, driveways, patios, steps, and basement slabs.
- Check your roof for damaged shingles, holes, leaks, or corroded flashing.
- Inspect and clean gutters by removing debris and leaves. Also, clean downspouts to allow water to flow away from the foundation, as well as the walkways.
- Make sure the proper downspout extensions are installed on your gutters to prevent water accumulation and foundation leaks.
- Drain outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
- Secure all entrances and openings in the crawlspace.
- Look for wood rot, signs of moisture or pest infestation in the crawl space.
- Rake and remove leaves and debris around the perimeter of the foundation.
- Check the ground slope around the foundation to make sure it slopes at least 6 inches away from the foundation.
At Jerry’s Waterproofing, we want to make sure your foundation stays in tip-top shape all year round. If you need help with your fall preparations or need basement waterproofing, give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns that you have regarding your foundation.