Locking Down the Fortress: Your In-Depth Guide to Exterior Fall Prep

Autumn along the Wasatch Front is a season of spectacular beauty, but every Utahn knows it's also a race against the clock. The crisp air and golden leaves are a clear signal that heavy snow and freezing temperatures are just around the corner. While it’s tempting to simply enjoy the scenery, the work you do now on your home's exterior is the single most important investment you can make to prevent catastrophic damage this winter.

A small leak, a clogged gutter, or a forgotten hose can quickly escalate into a full-blown emergency in the middle of a blizzard. This guide provides a detailed, 4-point plan to transform your home's exterior into a secure fortress, ready for anything the season throws at it.

1. Start at the Top: Roof, Chimney, and Gutter Fortification

Your roof and gutters are the unsung heroes of winter. They manage thousands of pounds of snow and direct melting ice away from your home. If they fail, the result is often severe water damage inside your attic and walls.

• Action Steps:

  • Conduct a Thorough Roof Inspection: From the ground (using binoculars for safety), meticulously scan every section of your roof. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Pay close attention to the flashing—the metal seals around your chimney, vents, and skylights. Damaged flashing is one of the most common sources of winter roof leaks. Also, check for any dark streaks or moss growth, which can indicate trapped moisture.

  • Clear Gutters and Downspouts of All Debris: This is non-negotiable. Clogged gutters are the primary cause of destructive ice dams. When water backs up and freezes, it can force its way under your shingles, leading to rot, mold, and major interior leaks. Use a sturdy ladder, wear thick gloves, and scoop out all leaves, pine needles, and grime.

  • Flush and Test Your Downspouts: After cleaning the gutters, use a garden hose to flush the downspouts. This ensures there are no hidden blockages and confirms that water is being discharged at least 3-5 feet away from your foundation. If it's pooling near the house, consider adding downspout extensions.

2. Secure the Perimeter: Siding, Windows, and Doors

Tiny cracks and gaps in your home's "envelope" are open invitations for frigid air and moisture. Sealing them not only saves a significant amount on your heating bill but also prevents water from seeping into your walls, where it can freeze and cause structural damage.

• Action Steps:

  • Inspect and Refresh Caulk: Carefully check the seams around all windows, door frames, corner trim, and any areas where pipes or vents exit the house. Old caulk becomes brittle and cracks. Scrape it out and apply a fresh bead of high-quality, exterior-grade silicone caulk to create a waterproof, flexible seal.

  • Install or Replace Weatherstripping: Check the seals around your exterior doors and the bottom of your garage door. If you can see daylight or feel a draft, the weatherstripping is failing. Replacing it is a simple and inexpensive DIY fix that provides an immediate barrier against the cold.

  • Examine Your Siding: Walk around your home and look for any cracked boards, peeling paint, or loose panels. These vulnerabilities can allow wind-driven rain or melting snow to get behind the siding, soaking the sheathing and framing of your home.

3. Defend the Foundation: Grading, Wells, and Vents

When snow inevitably melts, you want to dictate exactly where that water goes—and that is away from your home. Water pooling against your foundation creates immense hydrostatic pressure, which can lead to basement leaks, flooding, and even cracks in the concrete itself.

• Action Steps:

  • Verify Positive Grading: The soil around your foundation must slope away from the house. A drop of at least six inches over the first 10 feet is ideal. If you have low spots where water collects, now is the time to fill them with compacted soil to prevent that water from pressing against your basement walls.

  • Clear and Cover Window Wells: Basements are vulnerable where windows meet the earth. Remove all leaves, dirt, and debris from window wells to prevent water from collecting. Consider installing clear window well covers to keep them clean all winter and add a layer of insulation.

  • Manage Foundation Vents: If you have a crawlspace, check your foundation vents. In our cold climate, it's common practice to close these vents for the winter to help prevent pipes in the crawlspace from freezing.

4. The Final, Critical Step: Winterize All Exterior Plumbing

A single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage. This is one of the most common and devastating winter emergencies—and it's almost entirely preventable.

• Action Steps:

  • Disconnect, Drain, and Store All Hoses: This is the #1 cause of a burst spigot. When a hose is left attached, water gets trapped. As it freezes, it expands with incredible force, cracking the pipe inside your heated wall where you won't see the damage until it thaws.

  • Shut Off Water to Exterior Faucets: If you have interior shut-off valves for your outdoor spigots (look in the basement or crawlspace), close them tightly. Then, go outside and open the spigots to drain any remaining water from the line.

  • Insulate Your Spigots: For just a few dollars, buy insulated foam faucet covers from any hardware store. They provide an essential layer of protection against deep freezes.

  • Professionally Winterize Your Sprinkler System: The water lines for your sprinkler system will freeze and crack if not properly emptied. This system must be "blown out" using an air compressor to force all water from the pipes. Due to the risk of injury and equipment damage, it is highly recommended to hire a professional landscaping or sprinkler company for this crucial task.

By thoroughly tackling these exterior tasks now, you create a secure and resilient fortress. You can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve protected your home against the most common and costly winter threats.

Next week, we move inside to prepare your home’s internal systems—like your furnace and water heater—for the demands of the cold months ahead.