It’s wintertime, and for many of us, that means snowstorms are in the forecast. This is a time when it’s essential to prepare your home for inclement weather. You want to make sure you have enough firewood or other fuel source to stay warm during power outages if necessary, as well as ensuring that all of your windows are sealed tightly so cold air doesn’t seep in. Here are eight simple ways you can get started today!
Have Your Heating Systems Serviced
It’s essential to have your heating systems serviced before wintertime. If you haven’t done it already, now is the time! Not only will this ensure that they are operating at maximum efficiency, but frequently having something checked out by a professional can save money down the road as well. For example, if you were told that it would cost less than $500 for new filters or parts on your furnace and air conditioning unit, wouldn’t you want to know? Having these systems looked over each year could be one of the best investments in your home during the upcoming season!
Switch Off All External Faucets
It’s important to switch off all external faucets if you’re planning on being away from home. This will prevent them from freezing and bursting, which could cause water damage inside your house! If this does happen, though, don’t fret; it can often be fixed with a blow dryer or heat gun in no time at all. Don’t forget about the pipes running through your basement as well – these should also be turned off before leaving for an extended period of time. Even better than switching them off is having insulation installed around exposed piping that spans outside walls to ensure they won’t freeze during winter months either! Finally, be sure to check any outdoor hoses leading into your home too. These are super easy to switch off and help ensure no water damage occurs to your home.
Clean The Gutters
It’s essential to clean your gutters before wintertime. Not only does this improve the appearance of your home, but it will ensure that water can flow freely and prevent ice dams from forming on roof edges. It also helps reduce the risk of icicles falling, which is good if you have pets or small children around! If you still haven’t gotten rid of any leaves that are clogging up your gutter system, though, now would be a great time to do so with gutter guards as well. Just like regular maintenance for other parts in your house, make sure all windows and doors’ weather stripping is intact and working correctly too!
Restock on Winter Essentials
Before wintertime, it’s a good idea to restock on any essentials you may need while the weather is cold. Things like firewood, candles and matches, extra coats or blankets for your home – if they’ve been used already this year, be sure to replace them! Also, make sure that all of these items are placed in an easy-access location near where you spend most of your time inside during colder months. It might also be wise to ensure you have working flashlights and extra 18650 button top battery to power them. This will ensure items aren’t forgotten when needed quickly because there isn’t one nearby. If you find yourself needing other household supplies throughout the season, though, don’t forget about shopping at local discount stores instead!
Inspect Your Roof for Ice Dams
It’s essential to inspect your roof for ice dams before wintertime. These are formed when melting snow re-freezes on the edge of roofs, which can drip down and cause water damage inside homes. It could be as simple as having an extra bucket or container under the leak, though – often, this is enough! If you do find yourself with a small icicle forming in unfortunate places around your home during colder months, though, it may be time to invest in either heat tape or insulation products instead. Be sure that all vents leading outside from attics and crawl spaces have been covered too!
Have Your Chimney Swept
It’s essential to have your chimney swept before wintertime. If you’ve been using it already this year, chances are a buildup of soot has occurred, which could pose a fire hazard if not cleaned out properly! Not only that but having clean chimneys can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from occurring as well – something no one wants throughout the season. It also ensures nothing will block airflow during colder months, leading to inefficient heating and high energy bills down the road!
Trim Bushes and Trees
Before wintertime, it’s a good idea to trim any bushes and trees around your home. This ensures that branches aren’t sticking out in uncomfortable places during colder months – which could be hazardous if snow begins falling! It also helps prevent animals like birds or squirrels from nesting inside, too – not something you want happening while the weather is cold outside. If there are already nests (especially bird ones), consider placing nets over them instead to ensure nothing happens during this time of year either!
Inspect Windows and Doors for Leaks
It’s crucial to inspect windows and doors before wintertime. Not only does this improve the appearance of your home, but it will ensure that no water damage occurs either! Of course, entries should be secured tightly, too – if they’re not already locked or blocked with a doorstop, for example. If you find any leaks, though, there are many different ways to fix them, depending on how large they are. Don’t forget about weather stripping, too, as these can help prevent air from entering during colder months!
Winter isn’t something to be feared when you’re prepared for the weeks ahead! Be sure that all gutter systems are in good shape, insulate your home properly and clean out any soot or ashes from previous fires too. If you do find yourself needing extra help, though, don’t hesitate to call professional services instead – they’ll ensure nothing gets damaged during these colder months either!
