Prevent cold-weather damage by preparing early

It’s not too late to prepare your home for cooler weather. Bishard Homes has been dedicated to building the highest-quality homes in Virginia Beach for 25 years—and while our homes are built to last, we understand your current house might require a bit more maintenance to prepare for the cooler coastal seasons. Using our winterization checklist, you can rest assured that as a homeowner, you’ve taken the needed precautions to protect your home from cold-weather inconveniences and expensive damages. 

Keep the cold air (and moisture) out

A quick check around your home’s exterior can reveal cracks in draft-prone areas like windows and doors. Adding weather stripping or sealing exterior caulk to those spots is a cost-effective way to cut down on heating costs and keep moisture out of your home. Caulk flows easier when the weather is warm, so prioritize this task before the temperature starts to drop. 

Care for your landscaping  

Now is the perfect time to get your yard and landscaping ready for winter. Trees need extra attention, so look for signs of poor health like noticeable differences in leaf colors or fall patterns and dead branches. Trees that are unhealthy should be removed or pruned to prevent them from causing damage to your home (specifically the roof) during winter storms. As for lawn care, it’s important to rake fallen leaves throughout the fall to keep grass healthy enough to grow in the spring. 

Inspect your roof and gutters

Grab your ladder (and recruit a spotter) to safely make your way to the roof for an inspection—or hire a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself. Although roofs are built to last 20 to 50 years depending on the material, it’s worth giving a quick look. While some stains are just cosmetic, mosses or other growths could signify decay that you can’t see. If any shingles are cracked, curled or missing, make sure they get replaced immediately. Also check for cracks around vents and skylights—if there is more damage than spot treatment is worth, it might be time to replace your entire roof. 

While you’re up there, clear out gutters that are clogged. Once autumn hits, those pretty leaves falling from your trees end up in gutters, posing a major threat to the drainage of your home if left cluttered. Back on the ground, clear out any downspouts and check for damaged pieces to replace before winter. 

Replace batteries in detectors

A quick peek at your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors takes only a few minutes and are a priceless way to keep your family safe and healthy. It’s suggested that homeowners replace batteries in the detectors twice a year, so avoid the infamous chirp of a low-battery warning and set a reminder to do it again in six months. If your home is more than 10 years old, it may be time for a new smoke detector altogether. 

Check out your fireplace and chimney

A favorite cold-weather pastime can often involve your wood- or gas-burning fireplace. Before you fire it up for the first time this season, grab a flashlight and peek inside the flue to make sure the damper is in proper working order and clear of debris (like bird’s nests or leaves). 

Find your perfect home

Maintenance and repairs on older homes are not just expensive, but time-consuming. Why not invest your time and money into the new-construction home of your dreams, instead? Bishard Homes has been building homes in Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas for decades, and we know just what goes into lasting, quality construction. 

Whether you’re looking for a quick move-in home to reside in sooner or want to be a part of the design and building process from day one, Bishard has the available inventory, sought-after communities and functional floors plans to get you in a home that will meet every need. To learn more about the Bishard Difference, our process and what we can do for you, contact us today.