Preparing Your Home for Colder Weather

by Travis Etheridge

As we head toward winter, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to do to winterize your home. Winterizing is a process that prepares your house for colder weather. It requires the checking and fixing of leaks and breaks in the home that the freezing temperatures can use to create chaos.

Tips for Winterizing Your Home on the Inside

Check the heating system. It may or may not need a tune-up; however, checking is always best.
Seal your home: paint, caulk, seal, etc. You want to make sure that you do this for and around hard surfaces.
Make sure your ceiling fans, are reversed. This is useful because heat rises and ceiling fans in reverse will help heat the space.
Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s always good to check these because they can save your life!
Your attic. You want to make sure that attic insulation is set to keep your house warm bit the attic cool (this helps reduce the melting snow on the roof).
Windows! Make sure you consider storm doors and windows. Storm doors and windows can increase energy efficiency in your home by 45%!
Do you have an emergency kit? Are you prepared for a storm that could cause the loss of power? An emergency kit should be stocked with: food, water, batteries, and other essentials that can help a great deal in the event of a storm.

Tips for Winterizing Your Home on the Outside

It’s a good idea to clean out your gutters. Did you know that having clean gutters prevents ice dams that can cause water damage?
Do you own a snow blower? Some homeowners own a snow blower and should test that it is functioning properly before the season starts.
Check your roof. You want to make sure that your shingles are not loose and/or damaged. Hail does a number on roofs.
Do you use rain barrels? Some homeowners use rain barrels and so, those should be empty and ready for winter season.
Check your outside water hose. Is it disconnected for the fall and winter seasons? Outside pipes can freeze and cause the pipes to burst due to ice in them expanding.
Your irrigation system. Did you know that draining the sprinkler pipes are reduce the chances of pipes bursting?
Check your winter essentials. Do you have salt/ice melt for the first winter storm of the season?
What about trees around the home, are the branches hanging over the home? The collection of snow and ice will weigh them down, causing them to break.

Your home is one of the biggest investments and so, keeping it safe and in working order is very important as is making sure your property is fully covered in the event that damage does occur. Give us a call and we can help make sure you are fully prepared (and covered) for this coming winter.