Old Man Winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start prepping your home for cold weather. Taking time for winter preparation now can save you a lot of headache when the chill sets in. After you put away the patio furniture and rake the leaves, consider taking these five steps to make sure your home is ready for freezing temperatures and snowy days.
Keep Critters Out
Your warm home looks like a cozy oasis to rodents and bugs. Keep these disease-carrying pests out in the cold by sealing off any possible points of entry. Common routes for small animals to enter your home include dryer vents, gaps around pipes and holes in window or door screens. If you already have an invasion, call a pest control service to evict your uninvited guests.
Check Your Gutters
If your gutters are still stuffed with fall leaves, the snow and ice that winter brings can back up and cause major damage to your roof. Clean out the detritus before winter weather hits to prevent a major repair bill in the spring. If your downspouts don’t extend at least three feet away, consider extending them to prevent foundation damage from melting snow.
Photo by John Linam Jr, Architect, PLLC
Add Insulation
A quarter of your home’s heat will escape through your roof, while another 35% exits around doors and windows. Stay warmer and save money by plugging these gaps with insulation. Installing weather stripping around doors and windows is an easy do-it-yourself job, but insulating your roof should be left to a professional. Call a roof insulation service to make sure your attic is properly insulated. Additionally, your insulation might be outdated or easily replaced with better, warmer insulation.
Photo by Architectural Collaborative
Maintenance Your Heating System
It’s important to get a professional heating inspection before you fire up your system. A technician can make sure your furnace or boiler is in good working order and recommend necessary repairs. They can also test your natural gas system for carbon monoxide leaks, which is essential for your family’s safety.
Photo by kimberly peck architect
Reverse Ceiling Fans
Did you know that your ceiling fan can help heat your home? Use your fan’s reverse switch to make it spin in a clockwise direction. This creates and updraft that helps push warmer air from the ceiling down into the room.
Now that your home is ready for winter, don’t forget to prepare your family too. Stock up on winter weather emergency essentials like ice melt and candles. Keep an eye out for blizzard or ice storm warnings and keep a supply of drinking water and shelf-stable food.