After a long, hot summer, autumn has finally arrived, and winter is just around the corner! Many homeowners wait until the cold weather hits to start preparing their homes for the season, but if you take some time now to winterize your home, you'll be able to avoid any nasty surprises down the line. In this blog post, we'll go over 18 different ways that you can winterize your home. So please read on and get started! And even if you skip some of the items on this list, make sure that creating early isn't one of them.
1. Check and clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free of debris and securely attached to the house.
2. Caulk holes or cracks in the exterior of your home, especially around windows and doors, to prevent heat loss and potential damage from moisture buildup.
3. Inspect your roof for any loose or missing shingles and have them repaired as soon as possible.
4. Drain outdoor pipes and faucets before freezing temperatures set in to prevent them from bursting.
5. Install storm windows or cover existing windows with plastic to improve insulation, decrease drafts, and lower energy bills.
6. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned by a professional to make sure it's running efficiently before the cold weather sets in.
7. Install door sweeps on the bottoms of exterior doors to prevent cold air from sneaking into your home.
8. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional to ensure it is safe for use.
9. Change the direction of ceiling fan blades to rotate clockwise, which will push warm air down from the ceiling throughout the room.
10. Replace furnace filters every 1-3 months as dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause the system to work harder than necessary.
11. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so that they push warm air down instead of circulating it near the ceiling.
12. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace old batteries if needed.
13. Wrap the water heater and pipes with insulation to keep them from freezing.
14. Bring outdoor furniture inside or cover it with a waterproof tarp to prevent damage from snow and ice.
15. Trim trees and shrubs away from your house to prevent damage to the exterior during windy winter storms.
16. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home when no one is there, saving energy and money on heating bills.
17. Insulate attics, crawl spaces, and basements to improve overall energy efficiency and decrease the potential for moisture buildup and mold growth.
18. Ensure that all doors have weather stripping around them to prevent drafts and heat loss in your home.
Taking the time now to winterize your home can save you from headaches and expensive repairs in the future. Don't wait until it's too late - start preparing for the cold weather today! If you aren't sure whether one of these tips is worth it, talk to your neighbors or ask your real estate agent what they do and what's typical for the area, so you don't miss anything critical.
