How to Prepare Your Home for the Winter Season

Posted: November 20, 2022 12:33 pm

Get Your Home Ready for the Harsh Elements

As much of the nation experienced the first real taste of winter this past week, many Americans are realizing that they have fallen behind in preparing their homes for winter. Here are a few things to add to your to-do list as you winterize your home.

Caulk the Windows

The first step in winterizing your home is taking steps to keep the cold out. Start this process by caulking around the windows. You can also use foam outlet covers to mitigate the odds that more cold air enters the home. It is also a good idea to check to ensure that you have proper insulation around the attic every few years, the part of the home that typically is to blame for the greatest amount of heat escape. Weather stripping is another key element of keeping the heat inside.

Protect the Pipes

There is nothing fun about dealing with frozen pipes. You can take steps to prevent this from happening by using specially designed tubular pipe wrap. This wrap will keep the pipes toasty in the hardest freezes so that you are not dealing with frozen or burst pipes.

Clean the Gutters

While most people rightfully focus on keeping the cold out during the winter months, it is also important to perform tasks such as cleaning the gutters as part of your prep. You should start this process once you know that all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Clean gutters will provide a space for snow to melt and drain in the coming months.

Purchase a Programmable Thermostat

If you have not already begun using a programmable thermostat, now is the time to do so. You will save a significant amount of money over the long run by making the switch. Take it one step further by installing a smart thermostat. With this option, you can control your thermostat with your phone when you are away from home. This translates to maximum comfort when you are home without wasting money heating the premises when you are not around.

Check the Roof

Do not neglect winterizing your roof when you are going through your checklist. Make this happen by inspecting the surface for missing or broken shingles, clogged valleys, or other signs of roof deterioration. While you are inspecting the surface, take the time to clear off the dirt, leaves, and other debris. This is a good time to check the attic for signs of leakage and to ensure that it is properly ventilated so that mildew and mold are not given an opportunity to grow.

Inspect the Furnace

You would be wise to inspect your furnace before firing it up for the first time each year. You will enjoy greater function of the unit if you replace the filter once every three months of use. A dirty filter is more likely to trap dust, lint, and other environmental impurities. Airflow is also obstructed if the filter is too dirty, making the furnace have to work harder to heat your home.

Guard Your Plants

Do not let the first cold snap kill the plants that you have been nurturing all year. Be sure to bring in flowering trees and plants that need protection from the cold. A good general rule of thumb to follow is to bring these plants indoors before the mercury dips below 45 degrees. You can also consider covering vulnerable plants if bringing them indoors is not an option.

Bring in Outdoor Items

While you are bringing in your plants, it is also important to take care of outdoor items that may see corrosion or other types of damage when exposed to the harsh elements. For example, snow and ice may damage outdoor furniture and grills. You will increase the lifespan of these items if you have space to store them in the garage or in a shed. You can also purchase covers for these outdoor items.

Check the Fireplace

In addition to checking the furnace, you are going to want to inspect the fireplace. It is not unusual for animals to build nests inside chimneys or for other types of debris to collect during the off-season. A chimney sweep of a wood-burning fireplace is a good way to ensure that your fireplace is ready for the rigors of the season. Even electrical fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected prior to the first use.

Stock Up for Inclement Weather

Lastly, this is an ideal time to begin stocking up for inclement weather. What you stock up on largely depends on where you live and the odds of severe weather shutting you indoors for an extended period of time. Good items to always have on hand include ice melt, flashlights and extra batteries, and an emergency vehicle kit. Be sure to also keep some non-perishable food and bottled water on hand as well as the appropriate medications and pet food, if needed. Do not let that first big winter storm catch you off guard.

Putting these things on your to-do list in the next few weeks will ensure that you are ready for what may lie ahead in the weather forecast.

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