We hate to be the bearers of bad news but—winter is here! And while some people are enjoying the cooler temperatures, most of us aren’t thrilled with all the work around the house that happens with the change of seasons. Luckily, we’re making it easy for you this year. We’ve prepared an easy-to-follow list for winter weather preparation for your home. See something on this list you don’t want to do yourself? Hire a professional to help.
Protect Your Pipes: Frozen pipes are by far one of the most common problems that homeowners encounter during winter. If the temperature drops below freezing, here are some tips to avoide the damage that can be caused by frozen pipes: 1. Keep the heat on. A warm home equals warm pipes. Saving a few dollars from lower heat will not be worth it when a pipe bursts. 2. Let your faucets drip to keep them from freezing. 3. Call a plumber immediately if your pipes freeze.
Check Your Weather Stripping: From doors to windows, make sure your weather stripping is up to date. If it’s old, worn, or cracked, pick up a new kit from your local hardware store. Good stripping will help keep warm air inside and prevent cold air from creeping in. In addition to weather stripping around your doors and windows, take time to check for leaks or drafts throughout your house. From vents to ductwork to cracks in your siding or foundation, be sure that everything is well sealed before cold weather strikes.
Clean Your Gutters: We know—no one likes this job. But clogged gutters have a higher chance of freezing. And if frozen, your gutters won’t properly drain the runoff from melting ice and snow. So while cleaning your gutters is time consuming, it’s an important pre-winter task. Next spring, you can insert gutter guards to help make cleanup less time-consuming in the fall and winter.
Prepare Your Roof: Is your roof prone to ice dams? An ice dam occurs when melted ice or snow refreezes on your roof. While it may not seem like a big deal, an ice dam can cause a lot of damage. From blocking your drains to adding stress to your shingles, ice dams are bad news. You can work to prevent them by properly insulating your attic. And in addition to curbing possible ice dams, purchase a roof rake for the winter. Too much ice or snow on your roof this winter could cause it to sink or collapse. So it’s a good idea to keep your roof as clear as possible, especially if multiple storms typically pass through your area.
Prune Your Yard: Most of us keep our landscaping beautiful in the spring and summer months, then we tend to neglect the outside of our home once winter hits. Do yourself a favor and take care to prune trees, pull weeds and even aerate your yard before winter strikes. This will help ensure that things like frozen branches don’t cause damage to your home this winter. What’s more, a little work on the front end could potentially save you thousands of dollars in damage this winter.
Buy In Bulk: With colder weather often come storms. Don’t be caught without batteries, sidewalk salt, or canned food and bottled water the next time a winter storm hits. Instead of fighting the masses of people shopping just before a winter storm, check to make sure you have all the basics. And refill your pantry and garage as needed.
Prepping your home for winter isn’t difficult, but it can take some time. It’s important to properly prepare your home for colder temperatures to ensure that you and your family are safe.
