Weatherproofing Your Home is Crucial in Seattle Each Fall and Will Save You Money

Weatherproofing is crucial for homeowners in the Seattle area. We are being overtaken by autumn slowly and now is the time for homeowners to take a look at the outside of their homes to ensure that they are ready for the onslaught of wind-driven rain. This weatherproofing check should be performed every year if you live in the Pacific Northwest. It's particularly important to pay close attention to the south and west exposures of your home as they are more likely to take the brunt of the inclement weather in Seattle. Homeowners waste a lot of money confronting costly repairs that could have been avoided by performing yearly maintenance - don't let this happen to you!

Inspect Exterior Caulking and Wood For Signs of Rot

It's important to take a look at the caulking responsible for providing a watertight seal around windows and doors and to inspect wood for areas of rot. Newer homes are not immune to the severe damage caused by tiny leaks and rot. My home, which is 10 years old, has been meticulously maintained and nearly every year I find areas that need to be re-caulked or boards that need to be replaced. Small areas of rotten wood are easily repaired and if you don't do something about it, it will spread like cancer and is even capable of impacting the structural integrity of your home - not good!

French Doors May Be Attractive, But Only Certain Designs Withstand Seattle's Weather

If you happen to have French doors on the south or west side of your home, it is particularly important to make sure you have a weatherproof seal. Inspecting the threshold around your exterior doors and underneath them if they are on the second floor is imperative if you want to avoid costly repairs. If you live in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest, two brands of French doors designed to be able to withstand our weather here are Anderson and Milgard. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for. These doors can stand up to relentless wind-driven rain without allowing any moisture into your home.

Making sure that gutters and perimeter drains are draining properly is also crucial if you want to avoid costly repairs. These simple things aren't all that time-consuming and can save you a ton of money and frustration down the line. It's a good idea to wait until the leaves are down for the year to clear the gutters. Making yourself a checklist is a good way to stay focused and to ensure that you aren't forgetting anything. Think of it as a yearly walk-around that can save you a lot of money and aggravation.

You Don't Have to Hire Expensive Contractors to Successfully Weatherproof Your Home!

Unfortunately, our summers in Seattle are rather short and the time to make repairs and adjustments before things get ugly is here. It's a lot easier to caulk, paint, and clear gutters before the windstorms arrive. A small area of wood rot that is left until next year may escalate from a small repair costing less than a hundred dollars to something that could cost you thousands. You don't have to hire expensive contractors to handle most of the weatherproofing that will keep your home safe and dry. The DIY Network offers practical advice for the average homeowner to successfully weatherproof vulnerable areas. Who has money to burn right now? Take the next favorable weather window and get in touch with the exterior of your home or condo and make sure it's weatherproofed - you'll be glad you did!

Sources:
DIY Network - Weatherproofing
Anderson Doors
Milgard Doors