In most areas across the country, it will rain at least a few times per month. Furthermore, most of the country will see snow fall during the late fall, winter and early spring months. Therefore, it is important that you understand how to protect your home or vehicle when it gets wet outside. Snow can build up, and wetness that seeps inside your house and car can cause expensive damages later. So here are some ways to keep your home and car safe from snow and rain.
Keep Your Vehicle Inside
The best way to keep a car dry is to keep it in a garage or under a carport. If you have to park on a street or in a driveway, you can use a tarp or cover to prevent rain, snow, hail, and sleet from making contact with your car or truck. This also keeps your car safe from thieves and vandals. A tarp may be a hassle to take on and off every day, but the extra time will also help you notice if you left the doors unlocked, a light on, or the engine on.
Add a Layer of Wax to the Car’s Paint Job
Whenever you wash your car, consider adding a coat of wax to it as well. This can help to make the vehicle’s exterior pop while also helping to protect it from any moisture that it encounters. The wax itself will add a barrier that won’t allow water to come into contact with the paint. Furthermore, it can fill in any scratches or other imperfections, which can prevent rust from forming. A wax layer will serve as a defense against the elements, keeping you from having to pay costly repairs later.
Make Sure the Gutters Are Clear
Gutters are designed to funnel water away from your home and into the street. However, if your gutters are clogged with leaves, ice or snow, moisture may seep into the attic or into other parts of the home. It is also possible that water will flow directly into the basement during a rain storm and cause significant flooding. In addition to making sure that your home’s gutters are free of debris, they should also be flush to the roof itself. Window and roofing companies such as Window World of Cincinnati can help you inspect gutters or help to fix other roofing problems.
Add a Layer of Paint or Stain to Exterior Doors or Siding
Over time, wooden doors and siding can start to rot or warp because of exposure to moisture. However, you may be able to protect the wood by adding a layer of paint or stain. Just like adding wax to a vehicle, paint can prevent water from interacting directly with the wood.
Regardless of where you live, it is important to maintain your home and car so that they stay in good condition. Ideally, you will have them inspected on a regular basis to ensure that any problems are caught early. Doing so can make these problems easier to fix as well as less expensive to correct.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
