As the summer season comes to a close and the crisp, chilly air of winter gradually creeps in, it is prime time to start preparing your home for the looming cold season. From the frozen pipes, increasing heating costs, to potential safety hazards; the winter season can be brutal to the unprepared homeowner. It is therefore imperative to button up your home in preparation for the Big Chill. Here is a rundown of must-do winter home preparation tasks to steer away from the loom of home-related winter disasters and maintain a warm and cozy living environment.
1. Insulate the home: Ensuring that your home retains as much heat as possible is crucial in winter preparations. It includes insulating your home’s windows and doors which can be significant points of cold air leakage. You can use weather stripping or a window insulation kit that will keep the cold air out and reduce energy costs. Moreover, check the insulation in your attic and basement, these areas can lead to substantial heat loss.
2. Tune up your heating system: Schedule a home heating system check-up. A well-maintained furnace or boiler runs more efficiently, saves you money, and offers comfort to you and your family. Do not forget to check the filters and switch them if necessary.
3. Protect your pipes: Frozen pipes can cause horrific damages leading to significant repair costs. Ensure you insulate your pipes and keep your house temperature at a minimum of 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing. In colder zones, it might be bigger trouble as frozen pipes can lead to bursting.
4. Check your chimney and fireplace: A home fireplace can provide warmth and add crisp freshness into your home. However, fireplaces need to be serviced regularly to avoid hazardous situations. Call in professionals to inspect and ensure that your chimney operates optimally, is clean and free from any blockages.
5. Prepare a winter home emergency kit: Power outages can be quite frequent during winter. Stock up on essentials like flashlights, batteries, emergency candles, water, and non-perishable food items. Having an emergency kit can make the difference between undergoing a miserable or comfortable power outage.
6. Protect the exterior: Implement a fall cleanup regimen. Make sure the gutters are spotless to steer away from ice damming which can lead to water damage. Consider installing gutter guards to keep leaves and other debris out for good. Additionally, ensure to winterize your lawn by fertilizing and reseeding it.
7. Roof inspection: Have a professional inspect and make any necessary repairs to the condition of your roof. Remember, snow can quickly pile up and create substantial weight – a good, sturdy roof is vital to prevent any serious damage from occurring.
8. Storm door and windows: Installing storm doors and windows can increase energy efficiency by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Storm doors also offer an added layer of protection from inclement weather.
9. Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat can help scale back on energy costs by regulating your home’s temperature while you’re away or asleep.
10. Test your detectors: It is crucial to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. Considering homes will be closed up and heating systems in constant use, this is an essential safety measure.
As the sun sets slower and the trees shed their leaves and the Big Chill is around the corner, get ahead of the onslaught of winter by winterizing your home. Preparing for winter might seem like a daunting task, but with a solid plan in place, you can ensure a cozy, warm, and worry-free winter while avoiding potentially costly repairs. Remember, the earlier you start, the better off you and your home will be.