How To Winterize a House With Flex Seal Products
This “How To Winterize a House” blog was written by a paid contributor. All images courtesy of Shutterstock.
As Fall fades to winter, it’s important to take steps to protect your home from harsh, cold weather conditions. That means winterizing your house. Winterization involves tending to any cracks or openings around the property where the cold air can come in, as well as insulating the home to keep warm air inside.
Flex seal products can help get your home ready for the winter months by sealing leaks and cracks in your home’s exterior. This can help save you money on your energy bills and keep your home in good condition during winter and beyond.
Read on to learn how to winterize a house using the Flex Seal Family of Products.
Everyone's winter home maintenance checklist will look a little different depending on location and the types of winter weather you deal with, but certain areas of a home should always be attended to each year. Whether it's your permanent address or your vacation home, pay close attention to the following areas.
If the fall rainy season teaches us anything, it's that clogged gutters can lead to flooding. The same is true in the winter. Sleet and snow can cause just as much flooding as rain.
After cleaning your gutters, use Flex Seal spray to protect or repair them as needed. If your property has a chimney, spray the base of the chimney and any other areas where snow is known to accumulate to prevent any potential water intrusion.
Winter storms can be brutal on shingles and siding. The last thing you want is shingles flying off in the middle of a snowstorm. And if your siding gets ripped away, your house could be exposed to the elements. Do a thorough inspection of your property before winter hits and secure any loose shingles or siding with Flex Glue or Flex Tape.
If your roof gets compromised due to a storm from fallen trees or debris, you can use Flex Seal products as an emergency fix. Repair the area using a drywall patch or heavy screen, then coat with Flex Paste to create a watertight seal. If you need an immediate fix, you can apply Flex Tape. Just make sure the tape extends about one inch around the hole. For smaller holes, you can use Flex Seal Spray to stop water from getting in. You can also use Flex Seal products inside an attic to help patch, seal, and repair problem areas.
Since windows are one of the easiest places for water run-off to find its way into your home, sealing them should be one of the top priorities on a winter home maintenance checklist. Compromised seals and window casings let in water, but they are also places where heat can escape or cold drafts can slip through. Use Flex Shot to caulk around your windows and repair any spots that need it. For windowsills and trim, apply Flex Seal Spray or Flex Paste in a cartridge for a watertight seal.
Winter winds can be severe enough to loosen exterior fixtures, especially when those fixtures aren't tightly secured. Inspect all light fixtures, tiles, decorative walls, or other exterior objects that may need fastening. Flex Glue creates a super-strong bond to ensure your exterior fixtures stay put throughout the entire winter season.
Similar to windows, doors are another area prone to weather intrusion. Keep the wind from whistling through your door frames and create a waterproof seal by applying Flex Shot or Flex Paste to any cracks or gaps.
In case of an emergency, Flex Tape can be used to secure water-resistant tarps to damaged areas.
Basement walls take the brunt of snow piles and water run-off. Depending on how you use them, basements can also be the last place you notice any water has gotten inside. Left unattended, this excess moisture can quickly create mould and mildew issues. Coat your basement walls with Flex Seal Liquid to give you peace of mind not just in the winter but all year long. Use Flex Paste to protect vulnerable thresholds, basement windows, and any holes you find that might let water leak through.
The foundation supports your entire house, making it one of the most important areas to protect. Cracks in your home's foundation can quickly lead to major problems. To prevent expensive water damage, fill gaps, cracks, and holes with Flex Paste or Flex Seal Liquid.
Note: It’s advisable to have moderate-to-severe foundation deterioration inspected by a professional.
If objects like fencing, tiling, or rock wall accents become airborne, they can create a lot of damage. Suddenly, what could have been avoided by making one repair to a fence post has now become a more costly repair on both the fence and your now broken window. Remove potential projectile objects that can't be repaired, then secure any loose fencing, tiles, or accents with Flex Glue before the storm's arrival. To protect wooden fences from the elements, coat them in Flex Seal Liquid.
Pool coverings help keep your family and pets safe, but they also protect your pool from debris contamination. Summer fun can quickly become a winter headache if pool coverings aren't well fastened. Use Flex Tape to secure pool coverings for the winter so that they don't blow away in high winds. If your pool cover gets penetrated by things such as tree limbs, Flex Tape can be used to patch any holes
Protecting your home from the elements is important, especially during the winter months. By properly sealing your property with Flex Seal products, you can help keep it warm and dry and save on energy bills in the process. We hope these helpful tips provided you with everything you need to know about how to winterize a house. The Flex Seal Family wishes everyone a safe, happy, and leak-free winter!
By Melanie Snavely
Melanie is the writer and content producer for Life’s Sweet Journey. Her husband, Andrew, is along for the ride and makes cameos when things get technical. They have been across the country and back again, living in their 34ft Keystone Cougar for the past 3+ years. They share their travels, love for local restaurants and breweries, and any RV mishaps that happen along the way. You can find them on YouTube and Instagram at Life’s Sweet Journey.
