You invested in a beautiful, quality-built Gerstad Builders home. As the seasons change and the crisp air of fall arrives, a few simple steps can prepare you for winter. While all Gerstad Builders homes feature modern, efficient materials, proactive seasonal preparation is essential.

This guide outlines the key steps you can take to protect your investment, maintain its value and ensure your home stays safe and cozy throughout the colder months:

Why Does Seasonal Maintenance Matter?

When you purchase a home with Gerstad Builders, you make a lasting investment you want to protect over the years. Like all residences, new single-family construction requires special care to ensure it retains its integrity through seasonal changes. You must watch for freezing, thawing, heavy rain, falling leaves and other issues to avoid larger problems sneaking up.

By staying on top of tasks such as preventing water damage from clogged gutters and frozen pipes, maintaining energy efficiency by keeping utility bills low and protecting landscaping and exterior finishes, you can make sure your home is ready to navigate life’s exciting chapters alongside you.

Exterior Maintenance

We understand exterior maintenance can feel like a chore, but it is imperative to stay on top of this sector of your home. Reference this list each season to keep on top of your tasks:

• Gutters & Downspouts: Inspect and clear all debris, ensuring downspouts direct water away from the foundation to prevent erosion and basement leaks.
• Exterior Faucets & Hoses: Disconnect all hoses, locate the interior shut-off valve for exterior spigots, turn them off and drain any remaining water from the pipes.
• Landscaping: Prune trees and shrubs near the home to prevent damage from winter storms. Remove any dead plants and cover sensitive vegetation. Add a layer of mulch around perennial plants and shrubs to protect the roots from the harsh cold. Wrap any young or delicate trees to prevent sunscald.
• Prevent Ice Dams: After a big storm, use a roof rake to safely remove heavy snow from the eaves of your roof.
• Check Your Sump Pump: Double-check that it is in working order and that the discharge pipe is clear and directed away from the foundation.
• Seal Your Driveway: Apply a sealant every few years to protect the surface from cracking and spalling.

Interior Maintenance

Protecting the inside of your home is just as important as the exterior! Don’t neglect the following seasonal prevention steps:

• HVAC System: Schedule a tune-up with a professional and replace the air filter.
• Attic & Crawl Space: Check for any signs of moisture or leaks if your home has an attic or crawl space.
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide: Test all detectors and replace dead batteries.
• Fireplace & Chimney (if applicable): Have a professional inspect and clean the chimney before using it for the season.
• Emergency Supplies: Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, blankets and a first-aid kit in case of power outages.

Reference this Gerstad Builders-approved list each time the temperatures change season to season to make sure your home is as long-lasting as our commitment to you. Live your life the way you intended, without any tricky seasonal home disasters, in your Illinois or Wisconsin new construction home.

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