Winterizing tips to prepare your home for colder months
Winter weather can take a toll on your house. Here are a few ways you can take some of the pressure off it and keep energy bills from skyrocketing.
Insulation
Caulk around window and door edging is a powerful tool to minimize air and heat loss over the winter.
Updating your house’s insulation is one of the best investments. Not only will it keep you and your family comfortable during frigid weather, but also it means less energy expenditure, therefore, lower bills.
Insulation can deteriorate over time, so if it’s been a while since you inspected it, now is a good time to check it out. The best way to find out where you may be losing heat is to get an energy audit, which can pinpoint any heat loss, whether it’s from the attic, windows or walls.
A DIY project is installing weather stripping, which is inexpensive and can be found at any home improvement store. Weather stripping is self-adhesive, so it’s easy to install around windows and doors. You can also caulk around windows and doors to lessen heat leakage.
Outside the house
Have your roof and siding inspected and make any necessary repairs. Prevention could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Inspect gutters and downspouts to ensure proper fastening and re-secure sagging or loose gutters. Also, clean the gutters to avoid overflowing and icicles. Make sure downspouts reach at least 5 feet from the house to avoid flooding and water damage.
Your lawn and garden
Now is the time to aerate and reseed the lawn. You can also use a winterizing fertilizer if you want to.
Cut back overgrown branches near the house and near any electrical wires. Ice and snow buildup can cause branches to break, potentially snapping a line (or damaging your home) on their way down.
Turn off outside faucets. Drain water from the pipes in order to avoid the pipes bursting. Remove any attached hoses and put them inside to avoid cracking and prolong their usefulness. Cover exterior faucets to prevent water damage.
Check outside lighting. With long, dark days, proper lighting will help prevent accidents on iced-over walkways. Also, inspect handrails on outside stairs, making sure they are secure.
Tools
Prepare seasonal tools, such as snow blowers, with a tune-up, which includes a light coating of oil to prevent rust. Make these tools (including snow shovels and salt) easily accessible so you don’t have to dig them out when you need them. Make sure everything is in proper working order.
Get your lawnmower ready for long-term storage by cleaning away leaves, mud, grass and other debris.
Inside the house
Get your chimney inspected and cleaned to avoid unintentional and dangerous fires. It’s also time for a furnace tune-up.
Make sure your humidifiers are clean and have new filters for best efficiency.
Remove window AC units or install specialized covers over them. This will help keep out drafts.
Ceiling fans should be switched to the reverse position, blowing warmer air down for better energy efficiency.
Here are more things to know to get your home ready for winter:
Furnace inspection
To ensure your system is running properly, have your furnace inspected by a professional to achieve maximum output. By having your furnace inspected, your chance of a breakdown during the coldest days of the year can be reduced.
Adjust ceiling fans
Make sure your ceiling fans are running in a clockwise direction. This will push the heated air to the floor, thus warming the house.
Inspect your roof
Inspect your roof for any damaged, loose or missing shingles. Failure to do so could result in a leak into your home, causing significant damage.
Clean your gutters
Properly inspecting and cleaning your gutters limits the chance of water backing up against your house and causing damage to your roof. This can also limit the chance of leaks into your home and ice dams forming.
Direct your water
By directing water away from your home, you limit the chance of large amounts of ice and ensure that water doesn’t run into your foundation and freeze, causing damage to your home.
Turn off outdoor faucets
It is important to remember to drain existing water from all hoses and underground sprinklers. Undrained water can freeze and expand, causing pipes to burst.
Stow unneeded yard tools
Stow summer and fall yard tools properly to ensure that your garage is prepared for the upcoming weather.
Test your sump pump
Check your sump pump to ensure it is working properly. For complete instructions on testing your pump, check your homeowner’s manual.
Inspect your chimney
Before you start burning the annual Yule log, have your chimney inspected by a professional. This will help prevent chimney fires and ensure your chimney is ready for the winter.
Restock winter supplies
Get stocked up on salt or ice melt. It is important to make sure you have the proper equipment to remove any debris or snow before the first snow of the season.
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