{"id":10036,"date":"2025-02-23T00:08:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-22T16:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=10036"},"modified":"2025-02-23T00:09:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T16:09:18","slug":"defend-your-home-from-harsh-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/defend-your-home-from-harsh-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Defend your home from harsh conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Harsh elements like snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on your home \u2013 if it’s not properly prepared and maintained. Make home maintenance both indoors and out a priority this winter to ensure it’s safe, warm, secure and operating efficiently.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While winterizing can be a daunting task, you don’t have to do it alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Winter can really take a toll on your home, but a few proactive steps now can save you headaches later,” CEO Dan Thrasher said. “At Thrasher Foundation Repair, we help protect what matters most \u2013 your home and peace of mind. We’re happy to share our pro tips to help you keep your home safe, dry and ready for whatever winter throws your way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all begins with homeowners taking proactive steps to recognize small problems before they spiral out of control. Use this checklist from Thrasher’s experts to prepare your home for a warm, secure and stress-free winter season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
<\/strong>When debris like leaves clog gutters, it causes water to overflow and freeze, leading to ice dams and roof leaks. These blockages can cause water to damage your roof, siding and foundation, meaning it’s critical to remove debris. Run water through gutters and check for proper water flow \u2013 if you notice pooling or slow drainage, there may be a blockage that needs attention. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation and walkways by extending them at least 10 feet away from the home. Also be sure to inspect and tighten any loose gutter brackets and fasteners so they can withstand the weight of snow and ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insulate Rim Joists
<\/strong>Rim joist insulation plays a big role in your home’s energy efficiency. If your insulation is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a more efficient material to reduce heat loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect the Basement and Foundation
<\/strong>Now is a good time to inspect your foundation for any cracks or damage. Bringing in the experts to address problem areas can help avoid larger issues when spring storms arrive. A working sump pump is critical for preventing basement flooding caused by snowmelt or winter storms, so it’s important to test it to ensure proper functionality. It’s also important to inspect discharge lines for potential freezing issues to avoid water backup into the basement. Consider grading soil to ensure the ground slopes away from your home, preventing water from seeping through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seal and Protect Concrete
<\/strong>Carefully inspect walkways, driveways and patios for cracking. During winter, water can seep into cracks, freeze then expand, causing long-term damage. Seal them with a penetrating sealant (rather than a topical one) for long-lasting protection from moisture, salt and other winter elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimize Humidity
<\/strong>Turn on your furnace’s humidifier to maintain proper indoor humidity levels and adjust your dehumidifier settings to match winter’s low humidity. This helps keep your home comfortable while preventing moisture-related issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clear Debris Around the House
<\/strong>Along with cleaning gutters and downspouts, it’s important to clear window wells and clean up around the foundation, too. Debris in window wells can block drainage, causing water from snowmelt to pool near the foundation then seep into the basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manage Snow and Ice
<\/strong>Leaving snow and ice on concrete surfaces can erode and weaken the material over time. Regularly shoveling snow from driveways, sidewalks and patios helps prevent ice buildup and protects the concrete from long-term damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more winter home maintenance tips and contact the pros for assistance by visiting GoThrasher.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It all begins with homeowners taking proactive steps to recognize small problems before they spiral out of control. Use this checklist from Thrasher’s experts to prepare your home for a warm, secure and stress-free winter season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10039,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2433],"tags":[2277,1268,1243],"class_list":["post-10036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","tag-green-home","tag-home-care","tag-home-design"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10036"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10040,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10036\/revisions\/10040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}