Here in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, it can get brutally cold in the winter—you know this. In fact, you’re probably preparing for the cold months ahead. What’s on your checklist? You may be starting to clean the fireplace and buy hot cocoa in bulk, but don’t forget your home’s exterior!

In terms of preparing your house for the winter, there are plenty of things you should do now before it gets too cold and snow starts to fall.

Prepare Your Home for the Winter

We recommend following these four steps to get your home winter-ready. Take care of issues related to your:

1. Roofing

Do a quick visual inspection of your roofing. There’s no need to get up on a ladder—just stand at the bottom of the driveway or at a far enough distance from the house so you have a clearer view of the roof. Check for:

  • Shingles that are blistering, bubbling, broken, or missing
  • Cracked flashings
  • Mold or mildew growth

It’s also a good idea to check inside—look for wet spots on the ceiling, which could indicate a roof leak.

2. Gutters

While you’re doing a quick inspection of your roof, look at the gutters as well. Are they:

  • Uneven or “sagging”?
  • Loose or partially detached?
  • Rusting?
  • Growing mold or mildew?

Wet spots on the ground near the downspouts and basement flooding are a couple of other indicators that your gutters need to be repaired or replaced.

3. Windows

Ideally, you should have already replaced your windows a month or two ago. It’s not too late to call now, but if you don’t, it’s recommended to apply caulk or another form of weatherstripping—and don’t forget to make a note in your calendar to schedule window replacement after the cold season is over! New windows can make a world of difference in terms of home energy efficiency and interior comfort.

4. Siding

Also take a look at your siding. Walk around your house and check the exterior for cracks or gaps.  Take note of any siding that is broken, rotting, or missing. If you find any damaged or missing siding, call a home improvement company right away to take care of the issue before the winter hits!

Need a Home Improvement Company Serving Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia?

If you need a home improvement company in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, look to the team at Shanco. We provide a variety of exterior home services and can help you get your home ready for the winter so you can have peace of mind—we want you to be able to sit by the fire and enjoy your mug of Swiss Miss! Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals.