7 Tips for Winter Prep
I may be a little a little late this season in providing these tips, seeing as we have already had 2 snow days before November, but here they are anyways.
1. OUTSIDE PREP
Gutters and Drainage
Water is your home’s worst enemy. Gutters can provide a strong defense in keeping the water away from your home, so it is important to keep them in proper working condition.
Before winter arrives, make sure all the debris is cleaned out of the gutters and they are draining properly. Clogged gutters can overflow and break, they can put strain on the roof itself, and they can also fill with ice. It is also important that all of your downspouts have extension present to divert the water away from the foundation.
Sprinklers and Hose Bibs
Have a professional blow out your sprinkler system. It is a small expense that can prevent costly future repairs. Any left over water in the lines can freeze and cause leaks in the system.
The same is true of hose bibs. If you have shut off valves inside your home, turn them off, disconnect your garden hoses and drain all of the remaining water that remains. Undrained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause the pipes to burst as the ice expands. I often find garden hoses still connected in the middle of winter that are full of frozen water.
Finally, if you have any water pipes that are exposed to the freezing outdoor temperatures they should be protected so they do not crack. Cracked pipes once thawed can release hundreds of gallons of water in a single day. Be sure they are turned off at the main, drained of all remaining water, and for additional protection you can add insulation to the pipes.
Bring the Outdoors in
Move all your outdoor furniture and appliances into your garage or shed for the snowy winter months. Put away all of your lawn equipment and clean up your space to prep for the snow.
2. SERVICE YOUR FURNACE
For under a $100 a qualified HVAC technician will inspect and clean your system to ensure it is ready to keep you warm during these upcoming cold wintery months. The inspection also measures for Carbon-monoxide leaks which if present are extremely harmful to your family.
By planning ahead you’ll minimize the chance of being 200th in line for repairs on the coldest day of the year when your system decides to stop working. Well maintained systems can also last significantly longer than their typical life span.
3. HAVE YOUR FIREPLACE INSPECTED AND CLEANED
If you have a fireplace that you frequently use during the winter months, like a furnace, it is important to have it inspected to ensure that both your chimney and vents are clean and in good repair. Clogged chimneys can lead to house fires and also cause Carbon-monoxide to creep into your home.
4. CLEAN YOUR DRYER VENTS
Clogged dryer vents can be a fire hazard (visit my previous blog to learn more www.homeprideinspect.com/dryer-safety/). Make sure to remove built-up lint from the dryer vent in order to reduce the fire risk and improve your household energy efficiency.
5. SEAL UP LEAKY DOORS AND WINDOWS
It’s important to get ahead of the winter weather and make sure your home is ready to handle the cold to come. Check your doors and windows closely for gaps and areas that may cause a draft. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal them up, or consider replacing the windows or doors if the problem is severe enough. It is simple to replace a worn gasket or missing piece of weatherstripping.
6. REVERSE YOUR CEILING FANS
Most ceiling fans have a switch that lets you reverse the direction the blades spin. Be sure your fans are spinning clockwise in winter to help prevent the warm air from rising. This can potentially help you save money on heating by keeping the heat where you want it, down in the room where you are!
7. PREP FOR WINTER STORMS
I think we were all taken by surprise early this year from our winter storm in October, however you can still be prepared for the next one to come. If you have a generator, test it to make sure it is working. Keep some batteries and flashlights nearby in case of another power outage. Buy your salt or ice melt early so you don’t have to worry about it being sold out when everyone is scrambling to pick some up. Pull out your snow shovels and window scrapers so they are easily accessible when needed.
Winter is coming. Don’t wait until it is here and catches you off guard to prep your home for the cold months ahead.