5 Ways to Weatherproof Your Farmhouse Exterior

We can't control the weather our property is in once we buy it. The seasons have been getting harsher in some areas, with temperatures staying at all-time highs, winter storms causing rough amounts of snow to fall, and thunder and wind storms causing turmoil: it's vital that your property can stand up against it.

These are the top five ways to weatherproof your farmhouse's exterior and why it matters so much.

Why Is Weatherproofing Important?

Weatherproofing is about more than just avoiding leaks. Although that's vital: you should be trying to keep moisture from getting anywhere on your property and keep other elements at bay as well.

Temperature is a large issue for many homeowners, with fluctuations in the weather causing their heating and cooling bills to skyrocket. This can make living extremely expensive, or you have to deal with living in extremely uncomfortable temperatures until they drop back down to what you can afford.

Weatherproofing also stops rot, which would welcome insect and pest life which could lead to further damage. If an animal like a raccoon finds a home with rotting exterior wood cladding, they can tear it open to eventually make their way into your walls or roof.

These are some of the best ways to stop any of this damage from happening.

1- Focusing On Your Roof

Your roof is the top thing keeping your home from huge fluctuations due to the weather. Because of that, it’s vital that you take the time to check on the health of your roof often. A roof that’s built out of solid materials like slate can last over fifty years if well maintained.

Make sure your roof and soffits are well-sealed and that it's as insulated as necessary. This will keep temperature fluctuations at bay and will give you the chance to ensure your roof is in good working order for longer.

2- Your Windows Are Vital to Weatherproofing

How old are your windows? Are they sealed? Part of weatherproofing your home is in ensuring that your windows are air-tight and keeping out any leaks. You can check windows and doorways for air leaks by walking near them with a lit candle. If the candle flickers strongly one way or another, there’s an air stream that shouldn’t be there.

You can reseal your windows, or you can replace them altogether. The decision lays heavily on your budget, but it’s vital that you get this fixed or replaced as soon as possible so that you don’t have to worry about it in the future.,

3- Your Siding Can Make a Huge Difference

What type of siding does your home have? Vinyl, and alternatives to vinyl siding, is great at keeping moisture out and keeping your home safe and secure. If you’re applying it yourself, make sure that you don’t screw it in too tightly since this can crack the siding: but it needs to be secure.

Siding should be replaced every twenty years so that your home can be as safe as possible. If your siding is older and you’re not sure if it’s still good or not, you can check it by looking for strong warping, cracks, discoloration, shifting, or gaps. These are signs that it’s not protecting your home as well as it should.

4- Get Rid of Cracks Early

Cracks in your home are dangerous. This means your basement, your walls, your floors, your foundation, everything. This is even worse if you’re in an area that freezes in the winter.

Cold temperatures cause water to expand and freeze, which can make cracks grow larger and larger over time. As the cracks grow bigger, more water can fill them, and then when that freezes, it makes the crack even larger.

An important step is to fill cracks in concrete throughout your entire property. If your foundation cracks: get it repaired as quickly as possible. This will stop future damage from happening to your farmhouse and will ensure you don't have to face an even larger bill.

5- Pay Attention to Your Cellar or Basement

Basements and cellars are more than just storage spaces! These are important areas that can quickly tell you what the health of your property is if you know what to look for. To protect yourself, consider waterproofing foundation walls and getting to know the signs of leaking, a cracked foundation, or other issues.

If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, get a sump pump or other type of system that will remove extra water from your basement without damaging your property further.

Every Property Needs to Be Weatherproof

Whether you’re buying this property to make it a rental, or you’re buying it to live in it: you need to keep the weather out to protect your investment. Consider some of these tips to keep your home as safe as possible.