PREPARE YOUR HOUSE EXTERIOR PAINTING FOR WINTER WITH THESE HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FROM HOME PAINTERS TORONTO
It seems like every year the cost of heat and power for your house gets higher and harder to manage. With energy costs on the rise, it is definitely beneficial to spend the time and the investment to winterize your home. Simple modifications can make drastic changes in your energy consumption. Sealing windows that leak air and water, adding insulation, cleaning furnaces and protecting water pipes, can save you a lot of hassle on the exterior during the winter months when it will be too late to prevent the problems.
BOTTOM LINE…START WINTERIZING BEFORE ITS COLD:
Winter appears before you know it, and cold weather can cause serious damage to your home (and wallet). We know that the winter season can take a toll on all types of properties. Whatever your personal feelings towards the season. The freezing temperature levels make surfaces fragile, snow can wamp moisture, and sharp winds can accelerate disintegration. Preparing your exterior for winter can help defend against the worst of winter’s rage.
The exterior of your house and business may pay the price if you do not do extra preparation. Just like your house exterior painting walls for the first time with the best exterior paint for cold weather. Make sure to take more safety measures to safeguard your house exterior throughout the winter season so you might enjoy the springtime.
First thing, insulate if you haven’t already. Attics are notorious for letting out hot air when poorly insulated. Funny how winter is the season of increasingly cold weather paint. Energy bills as we attempt to keep every space in our home at a comfy warm temperature. However, having a correctly insulated attic area can help home comfiness without increasing your energy expenses. Thoroughly check your attic, and look for gaps and cracks where blown insulation may not have been appropriately arranged.
With properly arranged insulation, you keep heat out of the attic and in your home’s spaces and living areas. Also, keeping your attic cooler will likely prevent ice dams from forming on your roof throughout the winter season. Wreaking damage in the future and ruining your best paint for cold weather.
Caulk any cracks in door frames and windows. You’d be surprised at how much cold air can sneak in here. Apply weather stripping to doors and windows on the exterior.
Ensure all flashing areas around garage roofs and bay windows have been caulked and sealed. A garage that isn’t effectively insulated enables heat to freely stream in and out of your house throughout the months, skyrocketing your bills. Of course, the energy waste will skyrocket during the winter season. Thus, remember to include your garage on your winter-season insulation checklist. If not considered, anticipate increasing energy bills and cold air sneaking whenever you enter your garage.
When insulating your garage, you should prioritize the wall the area shares with your home. This place is where most of the heat transfer occurs between your home and the garage. Likewise, never forget to include the garage door. It acts as a big, thin exterior wall with numerous joints that create areas where air can freely flow. Make sure storm windows are all sealed up as well. Or broken ones are repaired before the cold weather comes.
Crawl spaces are easy to disregard as you do not see these parts of your home daily.
But when insulated, these areas play a crucial role in keeping your house warm and cozy during the winter. You may call an insulation service company regarding this matter. If needed, ensure your upper and lower crawlspaces have sufficient protection versus cold temperature levels.
Furthermore, exterior walls shouldn’t be forgotten. Likely, your outside walls are currently insulated. But there’s no warranty that the insulation inside is sufficient. Even small gaps and fractures in your home’s exterior can result in drafts, moisture, and, even worse, bug invasion. Before winter reaches its destructive state, ensure that your house exterior is free from these uncertainties. You have also already checked exterior house painting ideas and spray painting in cold weather beforehand. This applies if you have any plans to do some projects, like how to paint a house exterior before winter and incorporate your ideal house exterior colours. Small spaces and cracks should be sealed through caulking. Weather condition stripping will safeguard your windows from wetness intrusion.
The most vital part of wall insulation is achieving a continuous fit with no spaces. For instance, keeping layers of busted insulation seamless is challenging as there are electric outlets and pipes to work around. Thus, there might be spaces in your wall that will need insulation and proper sealing.
UPDATE YOUR WINDOWS:
Old-style windows may let in cold air. Either replace them or make sure they are thoroughly caulked and sealed.
Make sure there are no double-pane windows that have condensation or broken vapour seals. If so, have a window glass specialist come in and replace them. This can cause cold air to come in.
WINTERIZE YOUR WATER PIPES:
There is nothing worse than having frozen water pipes when getting ready for work in the morning. It is costly to repair frozen pipes. Winterizing plumbing is advised during the winter, especially if it will be vacant for an extended period and no water will go through the pipelines. The winterizing process involves clearing the water heater, filling all components with an antifreeze solution, and draining all water from the pipelines. Determine the pipes most vulnerable to freezing if you have sufficient time to thoroughly check the condition of the structure’s plumbing. Look for pipelines outside windows and walls, uninsulated pipes, and pipelines near unheated areas.
Wrap pipes that are in basement/crawl spaces or garages with foam insulation, heat tape or pipe wrap. It is also essential to check for any fractures in floors, ceilings, and walls. Caulk them to keep cold air from entering those gaps if you discover holes during your checking.
Foam insulation:
It is a kind of insulation that is sprayed onto walls or into little, tough-to-reach locations. Although it is more costly than polystyrene and fibreglass insulation, which is installed in blocks or sheets, it is more reliable in areas like attics, where there might be unfinished walls and ceilings. Solid house insulation is vital for lowering heating and cooling expenses and avoiding damage from moisture and wetness.
Heat Tape:
Pipes can safeguard your home from frozen pipelines. Securing your pipes from freezing can prevent limited circulation and the dreadful burst pipe. Heat tape should be a vital part of your pipeline freeze defence system. Installing heat tape for pipelines allows you to keep non-flowing pipes in inadequately insulated border walls flowing regardless of harsh winter season temperatures.
Pipe Wrap:
You can likewise use heat cables with thermostat control as a pipe wrap. But do note that the best pipeline insulation for your situation will depend on your house.
OTHER WINTER PREPARATION TIPS FROM HOME PAINTERS TORONTO
Do a thorough check of the exterior door frame openings or any other areas that lead into the house. Caulking and sealing these areas is crucial to prevent heat loss and water leaks
Next time it rains, check for any water overflow in the eaves troughs and downspouts. This is really important so water runs away from the house and not into the foundation causing a potential basement flood.
If you have a roof that’s low enough (i.e., a bungalow) see if you can check all the roof vents, valleys, and any roof openings to ensure they are all caulked and sealed. Either caulk it or get a roofer to help you. If the house is too high, either call a roofer or handyman to help you with this.
The same goes for bricks and aluminum siding. Make sure any cracks are sealed/caulked as well.
Preparing your exterior using the methods pointed out above will reduce the possible unfavourable impact winter season weather conditions can have on your house. But then, it’s inadequate to simply call it a day after making these preparations. Remember that the most effective home exterior defence throughout the winter season is to take preventive measures with continuous action. We are sure you don’t want to let the snow build up outside your home. Thus, ensure that you also have snow remover types of equipment like shovels and snowblowers to secure your home throughout the winter season.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional Exterior Painter
Expertise and Efficiency
- Skilled Execution: Professional contractors possess the skills and knowledge to execute the job with precision, ensuring a high-quality finish. They know how to prepare the house for painting the exterior or take the right steps to paint the house exterior.
- Time-Saving: With their experience, professionals can complete the work more efficiently, saving homeowners time and hassle.
Right Tools and Materials
- Access to Professional Equipment: Professionals come equipped with all the necessary tools and equipment, which might be too expensive or impractical for a homeowner to acquire just for one project.
- Quality Materials: Professionals have access to high-quality materials and paints that might not be readily available to the general public, ensuring a better and more lasting finish.
Safety
- Trained for Safety: Exterior painting can involve working at heights and with potentially hazardous materials. Professionals are trained to handle these risks safely.
- Insurance Coverage: Professional services come with insurance coverage, which protects homeowners in case of accidents or damages during the project.
Cost-Effectiveness
- Long-Term Savings: While it might seem less expensive to DIY, professional work often lasts longer and can prevent costly mistakes, ultimately saving money in the long run.
- Warranty on Workmanship: Many professionals offer a warranty on their work, providing homeowners peace of mind and protection against potential issues.
Aesthetic and Property Value
- Curb Appeal: A professional job can significantly enhance the exterior appearance of your home, boosting its curb appeal.
- Increase in Property Value: Quality exterior work can add to the value of your home, making it a wise investment for future sale prospects.
Hiring a professional for exterior painting and repair work offers undeniable benefits. It’s a decision that can save time, reduce risks, and ensure a stunning and lasting result, enhancing both the beauty and value of your home.
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Sounds like a lot of things to do? It can be. But winterizing your Toronto home to combat the costs of frigid winters in Canada can help you save money, keep you warm, keep the water outside where it belongs, and have a more peaceful, problem-free home all year around.
If you’re thinking of doing some home exterior painting but don’t want to do the work yourself, let our exterior painters help! Even if you are undecided, professional house painters can help you with any problems or questions you may have.
If the work involved sounds like it involves too much time and energy to do yourself, call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below as well!
