The chilly season is here again! As winter knocks on the door, you may have started planning for the holidays or preparing to snuggle under the blankets. But there’s one preparation you may have forgotten or ignored - winterizing your home.
The winter season doesn’t just come with snow and freezing temperatures; it brings damaged gutters, high energy bills, pest invasion, and all sorts of problems. Use this checklist to prevent these issues and get your home ready for winter!
Protect Your Pipes
The cold temperature can cause water in the pipes to freeze, which can be a severe problem. Frozen pipes can expand and burst, spilling water everywhere in the home and causing water damage, which is very expensive to repair.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated sections of the home. Don’t forget to keep the internal temperature steady. To protect pipes outside the home, shut off the water supply.
Reduce Energy Usage
The winter season and high energy bills go hand in hand. However, there are some things you can do to save money. For example, you can keep the cold air out by applying weatherstripping and caulking around your windows and doors.
Investing in a smart thermostat also helps adjust the internal temperature to your lifestyle rather than leaving the heating system on all day. You can also reverse the ceiling fan to help push down warm air.
Clean Your Gutters
Before the first snowfall, make sure your gutters are clean. Leaves, twigs, sticks, and other debris prevent melting snow from flowing into the gutters and downspouts.
With nowhere to go, the water finds its way into the attic, ceiling, and walls. It also refreezes at night when the temperature drops. This causes ice dams, which are heavy enough to cause your gutters to bend or warp. Ice dams can also be dangerous; they can break free and fall on people, landscaping, and items below.
Prevent Fire Hazards
Fire outbreaks generally peak during the winter months for several reasons, one of which is the poor maintenance and usage of heating systems and other equipment. Excessive soot deposits and blockages can result in chimney fires, for example.
Also, not cleaning lint filters and dryer vents can cause a fire outbreak. Prevent fire hazards by scheduling a clean-up and ensuring your equipment is winter-ready.
Get Winter Supplies
Don’t wait until the thick of winter before getting essential winter supplies. Check to see if you already have ice melt, snow shovel, scrapers, and salt, and replace them if you don’t. Don’t forget to stock up on non-perishable food items, first aid supplies, and drinking water, as they could come in handy in severe weather conditions.
With this winter checklist, you can worry less about damages to your home and property or high energy costs and focus more on spending quality time with your loved ones. It’s also smart to review your home insurance policy and upgrade it if necessary to ensure it protects your home and other assets. Contact us today to get started!