Winter is a time of colder temperatures and sometimes dangerous weather, such as heavy snowfall and icy conditions, regardless of where you live. Making sure your home is winterized is important whether you live in an area that experiences a cooling off and unexpected precipitation or in a place that expects snow and below-freezing temperatures for months.
Here are some easy things and updates you can do to make your house feel more like a home and chase away the winter blues.
Check Your Windows And Doors
Keep the warmth in by ensuring all the leaks around the windows and doors are sealed. The weather stripping around your windows and doors should be checked and replaced as needed. And to ensure that the warm air stays inside and the cold air stays outside, it’s important to inspect drafts and caulk both the inside and the outside of the building where necessary.
Storm windows can be put over existing windows to prevent heat loss. If you can’t afford them, you can use plastic film to insulate your windows. Thick drapes on sliding glass doors can also help keep warmth in.
Also, consider taking your window screens down and keeping them somewhere dry and warm during winter. Putting the screens away keeps them safe from the wind and cold (and wayward snowballs).
If you want to have new windows and doors installed, it’s best to book an appointment with experts, such as Clera Windows & Doors, as early as possible to ensure a convenient period.
Inspect The Roof
Since your roof is what stands between you and the weather, it’s important to make sure it’s in good condition and can keep you and your loved ones warm and safe all winter long. Taking preventative measures before the winter weather sets in may increase the likelihood that your roof will withstand any approaching winter storms and keep your home warm and dry through the winter.
A roof inspection is a must. Be sure to do a thorough inspection of these areas as you get ready for the winter:
- Shingles
- Roof Flashing
- Valleys
- Asphalt Sealant
- Signs of Damage
To make sure everything is for the next colder months, it may be wise to have a professional roof inspector look at your roof.
Heat Things Up
Everyone loves spending time in front of a warm fire, right? Get your fireplace ready for the winter so you can enjoy warm evenings inside. Before the first frost of the season, have a professional check and clean your chimney and inspect the heating systems. Vents and other heating components should be vacuumed as part of this process. Inspect the filter in your furnace to see whether it needs to be replaced.
Clean Out Gutters
The gutter’s main purpose is to channel rainfall away from the roof and into the downspout. However, it won’t be able to do that if it’s being prevented from doing so.
And if the gutter becomes clogged due to fallen leaves, moss, or branches from a bird’s nest, the water starts to accumulate. And if you fail to clear those clogs, it will freeze when winter comes. When the time comes that your gutter’s frozen clogs begin to melt, it drains down the side of your house, or the paint on your walls has discolored, you may have a problem. So, to prevent it from happening, make sure that you clean your gutter before the temperature drops.
Prevent Water Build Up
Without proper draining, the water left inside the pipes can freeze and expand, causing pipes to burst. First, turn off any outside water sources and remove any remaining water from the faucets.
If your home is older than ten or fifteen years, it probably does not have frost-proof faucets, so be sure to close the main water valve before the temperature drops below freezing.
Pipe insulation can be used to protect your pipes from freezing temperatures throughout the winter. It’s important for the hot and cold-water pipes inside and outside the property.
Trim Trees
As part of your roof’s winterization, you should also trim any nearby trees. In winter, trees with branches that can reach your roof are extremely dangerous. They can break from the weight of snow and ice that has accumulated on them during a winter storm, sending debris crashing down onto your roof. If these branches are trimmed or removed, they won’t cause any problems in winter.
If branches are near or over your roof, hire a professional. Contact an arborist to help and ensure safety.
Conclusion
To keep your home warm and dry and to avoid costly repairs, it’s worth your effort to winterize it. Get snow shovels, salt, sand, and other winter essentials as soon as you can. Nothing will be wasted, and you’ll have a use for them before you know it. This house winterization checklist will allow you to relax and enjoy the cold season knowing that your home is winter-ready.
