Some home maintenance issues can easily be prevented. For example, roof repair tasks, such as replacing damaged or faulty tiles, can stop pests from entering your property while also keeping your home as energy-efficient as possible. 

However, there are some scenarios that are harder to control. For example, we’re unable to re-route a storm that is heading through our town and putting our home at risk of serious damage. 

Photo by Jamie Whiffen on Unsplash

While we cannot control the weather, there are certain preventative measures that can be followed to minimize the impact this has on our homes. 

Carry out regular HVAC maintenance. 

Storms and heavy rainfall are not the only weather conditions that can wreak havoc on your home – as cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst alongside a plethora of other issues. As a result, it’s important that you ensure your home is cold-weather ready by carrying out regular HVAC maintenance. For example, you should carry out some simple research tasks so that you know how to get your HVAC system ready for cold weather. This way, you will not find yourself without heat when you need it most. 

Clean out your gutters. 

Cleaning out your gutters regularly is important as “clogged gutters can hamper effective rainwater drainage,” which presents a real issue during heavy rainfall. If this water does not drain effectively, you could be facing significant repair bills due to structural or flood damage. As such, you should clean out your gutters at least once a month or whenever you receive an advanced weather warning. 

Upgrade your insurance policy.

Your home insurance policy can also come in handy when dealing with the after-effects of bad weather, especially if you need to carry out significant maintenance tasks as a result of this. As a result, now is the perfect time to assess (and upgrade) your insurance policy to ensure that it includes things such as storm cover. If you’re considering switching to a different provider, you should use price comparison websites to ensure you’re getting the best possible price. 

Seal gaps in window and door frames. 

Over time, you may notice small gaps or cracks appear in your window or door frames. This is caused by the “different expansion and contraction rates of different types of materials at different temperatures.” However, this is far more than an aesthetic issue, particularly during bad weather as it creates a gateway for the elements to enter into your home. This can also cause your heating our utility bills to skyrocket, as hot air is constantly escaping through the gaps, no matter how small they may seem. As a result, you should ensure that you fill or seal any gaps/cracks as soon as you notice them. This will make your home both warmer and safer and will also help you to be a little more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, meaning it’s a worthwhile task. Furthermore, you can buy sealant and similar products over the counter and can complete the task in just a few short minutes.