Importance of Sleet-Proofing Your Home Exterior – A Basic Guide

Sleet is a mix of snow and rain in winter and it freezes once it lands on any surface. It poses a very big hazard for homeowners but protection against it is often underrated or overlooked. While a good number of homeowners claim to understand the importance of weather-proofing their homes, they don’t often pay the same attention to this particular hazard. 

Sleet can cause a lot of problems on a property including icy walkways, and damaged roofs, windows, and sidings. This therefore means that it is very important to adequately sleet-proof your property to safeguard the exterior, thereby reducing the possibility of accidents and extending the lifespan of major structural components of the home. 

In this article, we will explain the importance of sleet-proofing and share some DIY tips to help you in this regard. Meanwhile, you can click here for tips on how to prepare for winter safety. 

Importance of Sleet-Proofing Your Home 

Although sleet does not look as severe as torrential rain or heavy snow, its features make it quite hazardous. You may wonder why. Find below the answer and why you need to fortify your home against it. 

1. Prevents Exterior Damage – Sleeting on a home can lead to the frozen mixture accumulating on different surfaces which can in turn cause damage. An example is an accumulation of sleet on gutters and roofs which causes, leaks, ice dams, and sometimes structural damage. Another instance is the frequent freeze and thaw cycle that can happen with doors, windows, and sidings which leads to cracks and warping after a while. 
2. Prevents Slippery Surfaces– These ice pellets create icy driveways, walkways, and steps (outdoor of course) which increase the likelihood of accidents. This is especially so for homes that have steep outdoor stairs or driveways. 
3. Reduces Long-Term Costs of Maintenance– If you don’t protect your home from ice pellets; you stand the risk of incurring damages that will require expensive repairs. However, if you are proactive in safeguarding your home, you save money in the long run because the risk of damage to the structure of your property is reduced. 
4. Improves Energy Efficiency – A home with proper sleet-proofing stands a better chance of energy efficiency. This is because ice pellets block gutters and ventilation and when this happens, moisture is trapped which in turn leads to insulation issues or drafts. However, a home that is properly weather-proofed maintains a more even indoor temperature and reduces energy bills for heating.  

Major Areas to Sleet-Proof and DIY Tips 

To properly protect your home from this weather element, you need to take note of the specific areas in the exterior of your home that are mostly affected by icy conditions.  We discuss these areas below:-

Roof and Gutters

These are the main areas that protect your home from weather elements including sleet. That is also why they are the areas that are more vulnerable to damage from these elements. To this end, you have to do the following:- 

1. Constantly Inspect the Roof and Repair Damages– Before winter, ensure that you inspect your roof for cracks, gaps, or loose singles. These are the avenues that ice pellet access to cause leakage and water damage. Make sure you repair any damage you discover and also consider using protective sealants designed to help roofs withstand harsh weather elements 
2. Install a De-Icing System on the Roof – This system includes heating mats or heat cables and they prevent ice pellets from heaping up and forming ice dams. These dams happen when sleet refreezes at the edges of the roof after it has melted and they block proper drainage which can in turn cause leaks. 
3. Clean and Maintain Gutters – If you have blocked downspouts and gutters, your roof is in more danger of damage with frequent sleeting. To void this, therefore; ensure that you clear out twigs, leaves, and other forms of debris before winter to aid proper drainage. Also, make sure that the downspouts carry water away from the foundation of the house. 

Windows and Doors

Sleet can damage your doors and windows if moisture is trapped between the walls and frames; therefore, the following steps will help with protection:-

1. Seal Doors and Windows– Inspect your window and door seals for cracks or gaps. Apply weatherstripping or caulking to any crack or gap to keep moisture and cold air out. This will also prevent ice pellets from entering the house and causing drafts, which in turn increases your heating bill. 
2. Install storm windows and doors
3. Protect Exterior Doors 

Walkways, Driveways, and Steps

To protect these areas, do the following:-

1. Apply De-Icers or Ice Melts 
2. Add Traction – This is important for high-traffic areas such as sloped driveways or stairs. Traction aids include grip strips or non-slip mats and they provide additional friction which helps to reduce the possibility of slipping on icy surfaces. 
3. Heated Walkways and Driveways – These systems will come in handy if you live in a region that experiences constant freezing rain or sleet. 

Siding and Exterior Walls

The following are steps to employ to protect these areas:-

1. Inspect Sidings for Gaps or Cracks – Make sure that there are no cracks or gaps in your siding to prevent sleet from seeping in through them and causing mold, water damage, or worse still structural damage. 
2. Weatherproof the exterior with sealants or weatherproof paint. 

Foundations and Basements

The freeze-thaw cycle of sleet can cause damage to the foundation of your home especially if the moisture gets into the cracks and freezes over again, thereby expanding the cracks and making the gaps larger. Therefore the following steps are necessary for prevention:-

1. Check for cracks in the foundation and seal them 
2. Ensure that you have proper drainage and that your downspouts and gutters carry water away from the foundation of the house. 

Conclusion 

We have taken time in this article to explain the importance of sleet-proofing your home and also shared DIY tips to that effect. Note, however, that some steps may require professional help. You can visit ParadiseExteriors.com for with finding professional help. This will be especially important if you live in a region that experiences frequent sleeting or other inclement weather.

You can begin to take the necessary steps with the information shared in this article. Should you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact a professional. This is your best bet if you want to ensure that the job is done well.