Outdoor Projects to do Before the Cold Weather Arrives

Repair Driveways & Walkways

That small crack or hole may be barely noticeable now, but a winter’s worth of freezing and unfreezing moisture can cause it to greatly expand. Here’s what you’ll need to take care of your driveway and walkways before the cold weather hits:

• A pressure washer to remove dirt, debris, and chemicals that can damage surfaces when water freezes over in winter 

• Cleaning tools, such as brooms, brushes, and mops to prep surfaces for repair 

• Driveway care products such as driveway fillers, sealers, and rollers to seal up cracks and spalling concrete 

• Masonry tools such as trowels, chisels, edgers, and groovers to do your repairs

Repair Your Roof

Your roof is inaccessible during winter so it’s best to inspect it while you can and make any necessary repairs. You can do this yourself if you’re a seasoned DIYer, but you must wear a safety harness. Otherwise call in a professional. Replace any missing shingles and patch up any leaks to ensure your roof can withstand winter snow and winds. These basics will help you tackle minor roof repairs and ward off major replacement costs until spring. 

• Roof repair supplies such as waterproof sealant, roof cements, and fabric mesh 

• Roofing underlay and flashing 

• Roofing shingles 

• Roofing screws and roofing nails 

• Caulk, coatings, and sealers to tackle small roof repairs

Clean Your Chimney

Your chimney will also be inaccessible so inspect and repair it while you can. Again, call in a professional unless you’re an experienced DIYer and have a safety harness. Either way, you should still schedule an annual chimney cleaning to clear soot buildup and prevent chimney fires. Be sure to check your flue dampers and smoke detectors as well. These essentials will ensure you stay safe and warm this winter without worry: 

• Chimney supplies such as flues, piping, flashing, and insulation 

• Chimney brushes to help clear away soot 

• Chimney caps to prevent raccoons or other animals from nesting inside 

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to alert you to any danger

Fix Your Siding

Fall is also the best time to inspect, repair, and replace any damaged siding. Winter winds can tear a loose piece of siding right off, causing further damage to the underlaying materials. Minor siding repairs in the fall, such as replacing cracked boards and bent panels, can help prevent costly repairs in spring. These supplies offer simple fixes to keep your siding in tip-top shape: 

• Siding panels to replace damaged pieces 

• Caulk, coatings, and sealers for minor repairs 

• Exterior paint to help protect your siding from the elements

Clean & Repair Eavestroughs

Clearing leaves from your gutters is important, but you also need to repair any damaged sections to ensure proper drainage. Otherwise water can pool and freeze, causing extensive damage to your roof. You should check and repair downspouts to prevent water from pooling and freezing around your foundation, which can also cause damage. Here’s what you’ll need. 

• Drainage, eavestroughs & accessories help repair and replace gutters and downspouts 

• Caulk, coatings, and sealers help fix leaks and make gutter repairs easy 

• Garden hoses, nozzles, and ladders let you clear debris from gutters and improve drainage

Paint Before the Temperatures Drops

Fall is the perfect time to paint your home’s exterior. It’s best to paint in temperatures ranging from 1.7°C to 37.8°C in low humidity conditions to ensure an even coat. Whether you’re refreshing siding or repainting trim, a fresh coat of paint in the fall helps seal exterior surfaces from wet winter conditions and extend your home’s looks and longevity. These essentials will have you covered:

• Exterior paint, including cold temperature painting options 

• Painting accessories such as tape and drop cloths to prep surfaces for painting 

• Paintbrushes, rollers, and tray kits help get the job done right

Seal Around Windows & Doors

Fall offers the perfect seasonal window to winterize your home. Sealing and caulking gaps around windows and doors help prevent drafts and ice damage. Reinforcing door and window seals with weather stripping also helps insulate your home for winter to save energy and money. Window insulator kits, garage door seals and draft guards make it easy to winterproof windows, doors, and garages.

Pest-Proof Your Home

Take advantage of warm autumn days to inspect your home and seal easy access points for pests seeking shelter in fall and winter. A little home maintenance can go a long way to ensuring animals don’t become unwelcome house guests this winter. These easily installed items will help keep pests out: 

• Weatherstripping and caulking 

• Steel wool to fill larger gaps and cracks 

• Screening around dryer vents, chimneys, pet doors, and mail slots