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New York winters aren’t easy on homes—and your exterior takes the brunt of it. Between snow, sleet, freezing temps, and strong winds, even small weaknesses can turn into big, expensive problems if they’re ignored.
The good news? A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress (and repair costs) later. If you want to protect your home, avoid surprise damage, and feel confident your exterior is ready for whatever winter brings, you’re in the right place. Let’s walk through the smart steps you can take so your exterior doesn’t incur costly damage that could have been avoided.
Smart Ways to Safeguard Your Exterior from Harsh Winter Weather
Clean and Repair Your Gutters
Gutters are a small but vital part of your exterior that channel water away from your house, protecting your roof, siding, landscaping, and foundation from damaging water intrusion. If they become blocked due to leaves or other debris buildup, they can’t perform their vital function. This can make ice dams more prone to forming during the winter, which can lead to costly harm to your home.
Climbing a ladder and scooping muck out of your gutters can be hazardous. Consider either hiring someone to clean your gutters and downspouts, or having gutter guards installed to block debris and leaves from entering them in the first place.
Do a visual check of your gutters from the safety of the ground and if they are sagging, cracked, leaking, or water is pooling below them around your home’s perimeter, have them inspected by a pro and either repaired or replaced.
Inspect Windows and Doors
Walk around your home and assess the condition of your windows and doors. If you feel drafts near them, their seal may be broken and need replacement. Reseal them with caulk or weatherstripping to avoid costly heat loss and keep the chilly air outside where it belongs. This will improve your energy efficiency and ensure indoor comfort during the winter. It will also help preserve your HVAC unit by making sure it doesn’t have to work overtime.
Install storm windows to boost your home’s indoor comfort and energy efficiency. If you’re considering replacement windows, they can be upgraded even during the winter, ensuring you stay warm and cozy.
At Giant Siding & Windows, we are a Marvin Windows Authorized Replacement Contractor, so if you need new windows, they will be installed to perfection and deliver the long-lasting results you deserve.
Trim Trees and Shrubs Away from Your Home Exterior
Ensure heavy snow and ice won’t weigh down branches of nearby trees and cause harm to your exterior by having them professionally trimmed back. To avoid damage, branches should never come into contact with your roof or siding. Also, prune shrubs and other landscaping away from your house so they don’t brush up against your exterior and compromise its integrity.
Inspect Your Roof from the Safety of the Ground
A well-maintained roof is vital for safeguarding your property from winter damage. So grab some binoculars and step across the street from your home to have a good look at your roof’s condition. If you spot missing, cracked, or broken shingles, contact a reputable roofer and have it professionally inspected.
Pay attention to areas around your roof’s penetrations like skylights, roof vents, and chimneys. And if you spot any discoloration on the ceilings of the top story of your home, you may have a roof leak. Also, take a peek in your attic for any signs of moisture intrusion like rot, mold, or a musty smell. Don’t put off any needed repairs as they could cost you more in the long run.
Assess the Condition of Your Siding
Look for cracks, gaps, missing panels, or anything that appears “off” about your siding. Check for signs of moisture intrusion like warping, rot, mold, or peeling paint. Notice deteriorating caulk? Replace it. Ensure your siding isn’t compromised due to termites or carpenter ants. And take a glance at your utility bills to note if your energy use has gone up. If any of these issues arise, contact a reputable contractor and have your siding inspected. The faster you address any needed repairs, the easier and more affordable they’ll be to resolve.
Insulate Pipes and Faucets
There’s nothing more frustrating or inconvenient during the winter than having a pipe burst. You can help avoid this trouble by insulating your pipes in vulnerable areas such as your basement, crawl space, and attic. Also, disconnect and store your garden hoses, and insulate outdoor faucets to avoid freezing and pipe damage.
Have Your Fireplace Inspected
Maintaining your fireplace chimney ensures your house is safe, warm, and worry free during the winter. Blockages like bird nests, leaves, or debris can prevent proper ventilation, allowing dangerous carbon monoxide to enter your home.
Winter weather like ice, snow, and freezing temperatures can damage bricks, mortar, and chimney liners. An inspection helps catch cracks or wear before they get worse. Soot and creosote (which is highly flammable) can build up inside your chimney, and if ignited it can cause a chimney fire. Additionally, a clean, well-maintained chimney improves airflow, so your fireplace burns more efficiently and warms your home better!
Improve Your Home’s Insulation
If you’ve been considering boosting your house’s insulation, winter is a great time to schedule that. Also, you can take advantage of energy rebates and incentives, making it even more doable.
Store Outdoor Furniture
Storing outdoor furniture does more than protect the furniture itself—it helps safeguard your exterior from avoidable damage.
Ready to Transform Your Home Exterior?
If you’re in need of an exterior upgrade, we’re here to help. At Giant Siding & Windows, we’re family owned and operated for three generations, so you can rest at ease we’ll take every possible precaution to ensure your home upgrades are done with premium materials and workmanship. For more information on new siding, windows, or roofing, reach out to our friendly team of experts.
