Winterizing your home should be a top priority when the temperatures begin to fall. Winter can wreak havoc on your home if you are not prepared. Winterizing your home will ensure that your home is in tip-top shape throughout the cold season.
Homeowners often focus on keeping the upper living areas of their homes warm, dry, and cozy for the winter. They forget the basement, which is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during winter. Your basement can succumb to leaking, flooding, and other effects of humidity, such as the growth of mold and mildew. These problems can be costly to repair.
Basement doors can also be affected by the winter. Older basement doors especially can succumb to rust. The following tips will help you get your basement doors ready for winter. 
- Visual Inspection of the doors
Inspect the basement doors for any signs of rust, leakage, or water penetration. If you find signs of leakage, it is essential to ensure that you waterproof the doors for the winter. While it is easy enough to caulk around the doors, this doesn’t resolve the issue. It’s important to get in touch with a basement waterproofing contractor to determine the root cause of the leakage and apply a long term solution.
- Check door operation
Check if you can operate the door on your own. Does it close and open easily? If you find that the door is too heavy or hard to open on your own, it will be even more unsafe to operate in the winter. You should consider having a new door installed. Bilco basement doors are lightweight doors that provide smooth operation even in colder months.
- Install a vertical door
Consider installing a vertical door at the bottom of the stairs leading into the basement. The door will not only provide additional security but also improve the energy performance of the basement and your home in general. You can significantly reduce your energy bills this winter with this simple step.
- Clean around the door
Clean around the basement door to remove dirt and debris that may have accumulated over the summer and autumn. Leaves, dirt, and grime will only serve as obstructions or as collection spots for water, which may result in leaking. Use a soft broom to brush the top, side panels, and sills of the door to get rid of debris. Wipe down the door with a soft cloth to get rid of grease.
Bilco basement doors are designed to be low maintenance. However, following the tips above will help you improve the safety and longevity of the doors.
Contact the professionals at AquaGuard Waterproofing today! (301) 595-9670
