How to Prepare Your Home for Winter?

While many of us want to enjoy the fall, it is also important to keep in mind that winter is coming. You can’t procrastinate in preparing your home for the winter because the cold weather, ice, and snow can cause real damage to your home if you do not take time to prepare for it. Here are some of the things that you can do to prepare your home for the winter:  

Check Your Roofs

Your roof can be vulnerable to piles of snow if not checked ahead. Rust spots and roof decays can be vulnerable to damages especially if the snow begins to pile up on your roofs. It is also a hassle to find some roof leaks especially after the first snow hits. As much as possible you want to make sure that your roof is not leaking and is strong enough to withstand the cold and icy weather. Roof leaks can lead to much bigger damages such as damaged ceilings and mold problems. So check your roof ahead to avoid much bigger problems. There are damages that you can repair by yourself, however, it is still advisable to ask for professional help in repairing your roof.  

Be Sure to Insulate Your Pipes

The water inside uninsulated pipes can potentially freeze during the cold weather and when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your pipe will surely burst. Exposed pipes that run along a wall or any unheated area such as the basement and crawl space are very much at risk, therefore, it is important to make sure that pipes especially in these areas are insulated.    

Apply Lubricants in Your Door Locks to Avoid Freezing

Door locks can easily freeze during the winter. However, there are things that you can do to avoid that from happening. There are powdered-graphite lubricants that you can spray into your door locks. This will lubricate the pins inside the lock and is very effective in preventing those pins from sticking during the cold weather.   

Have Your Fireplace Cleaned

It is necessary to check if your fireplace is working well before the winter comes. Your fireplace is essential in keeping your home warm and cozy during the cold weather and you don’t want to be caught off-guard with a damaged fireplace especially when the winter comes. Be sure to have it professionally cleaned, especially the wood-burning fireplace, to avoid creosote build up. Before burning any log, it is essential to make your fireplace, chimney, and vents clean and in good condition. You don’t want to face bigger problems of not cleaning the chimney, fireplace, and vents. Or else carbon monoxide will invade the interiors.  

Be Sure to Trim Tree Branches Within Your Perimeter

Tree branches may cause damage and can potentially harm your family especially during the winter storm. Before the winter comes be sure to check if there are tree limbs and branches that need to be cleaned up. These branches should be at least 3 feet away from your home to avoid any potential damages.  

Check Your Gutters and Downspouts

Repairing the gutters or downspouts can be expensive. Leaves, twigs, and gunk may accumulate and can cause potential damage to your gutter or downspouts. Be sure to check it, especially before the winter comes. Make sure that your gutters have no sagging. Be sure to tighten the gutter hangers and the downspout brackets and replace any damaged parts before it leads to more significant damage.  

Drain Sprinklers and Disconnect Exterior Faucet

Outdoor sprinkler systems should be drained, and exterior faucets should be turned off to avoid having residual water that could freeze inside your pipes. Frozen pipes may burst because the ice inside expands. It is best to shut the water source, open the drain valves and allow the water to drain beforehand to avoid any pipe problems.   

Mulching

Mulching helps protect your lawn as well as your flower beds during the winter. Instead of raking, you can opt to mow because cut leaves will eventually decompose and help nourish your lawn over the winter. Aside from that, you can add a layer of hardwood mulch to your flower beds to regulate soil temperature and protect your plants from significant damage.  

Call For a Home Inspection

Secure your home before winter comes so that you will know what to fix while it is not wintering yet. Do not let winter cause bigger damages to what you have right now at home. The best thing you can do for your home is to get a home inspection.  

Key Takeaway

Prepare your home for winter so that you will not worry about the effects that winter can bring to your house. It is better safe than sorry.