Home Preparation For the Winter

Home preparation for the winter is important to prepare as soon as possible. Winter is the worst time to be unprepared. If preparations are made now, you can save yourself much woes and misery.

Check out the following tips to prepare for the cold of winter, both on the exterior and interior of your home.

Prepare the Plumbing

With colder winds and weather coming in, it would be wise to consider dealing with your water sources outdoors. Make sure to drain the water from outdoor faucets and hoses. In addition, make sure to have any sprinkler pipes blown out. Make sure to place any hoses you have away and out of sight to avoid damage due to colder weather.

Cleaning the Fireplace

If you enjoy using your fireplace, it might be about time to consider cleaning it. Make sure to have your chimney inspected and cleaned before using it during the winter. This creates a cleaner chimney and a less likely chance of your home become dirty.

In addition, make sure to close the flue if you are not using the fireplace. If the flue is open, cold air can easily seep inside.

Seal any Potential Leaks

While the home can be nice and warm during the winter, it is important to consider patching up any cracks or leaks within your home before the winter comes. These cracks can appear in throughout the house, even within the basement. Make sure to use caulk on any leaks around the windows or exterior walls. If the doorstops are worn and old, replace them. If pipes or ducts have any cracks or damage, make sure to weatherstrip and seal them with tape or caulk.

If these cracks are sealed, it can prevent from any heat from escaping and any cold air from entering.

Cleaning Your Furnace

Your furnace will receive much activity during this point in the year. Since it will be constantly active, it is important to consider the condition of the unit. Clean your furnace annually each autumn. Sediment build-up can cause your system to work less efficiently or potentially become a fire-hazard. Cleaning your system and getting it inspected will reduce the risks.

During the winter try to change your filter regularly; a dirty filter will decrease airflow and energy-efficiency. And if your furnace is ready to be replaced, buy an energy-efficient model. It will save you money and energy each month!

Lighting the Way

Winter months experience far less sunlight than in other seasons. This can be problematic as darkness can creep up on us. With that in mind, consider upgrading your outdoor lighting system to LED or CFL. These bulbs are able to function during rain and snow. These lights can be easily installed and can result in a better-protected home.

Home Preparation Tips

Here are a few other tips to prepare your home for winter. Consider the following:

• Repair roof leaks
• Remove tree branches that get weighed down due to snow and rain
• Have a contractor examine your roof to make sure that it is able to support heavy snowfall
• Wrap your water pipes with insulation sleeves to slow heat transfer
• Make sure any furniture is free from any ventilation points
• During colder temperatures, leave your cabinet doors open. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes such as the ones found in the bathroom and kitchen
• Ventilate your attic