Preparing your home for the coldest part of the year is an essential process that many homeowners do not tackle correctly. When you miss the steps that are essential to prepare your home for the winter, you might find that you experience issues that could have been avoided, such as water damage and a furnace that decides to break down when you need it the most. Having a home that is prepared for winter means thinking about the things that you will need the most during the coldest part of the year, so that you and your family are comfortable no matter what.
If you have never prepared a home for the winter, you need to keep reading. This guide will help you know what needs to be done before the cold weather, rain, and snow show up. Being comfortable and snug all winter long can be easy if you prepare in advance for the coldest time of the year.
Preparing Your Home For Cold Weather
1. Make Sure Your Furnace is Prepared For Winter
Your furnace is one of the most critical parts of spending the winter comfortably. Without a healthy furnace, you won’t have a nice winter in a warm, cozy house. You should reach out to experts in heater repair in Lawton, OK, if you think that your furnace needs to be serviced or inspected before the cold months of the year.
Be sure that you check your thermostat and that you change the air filter before winter. You will also want to be sure that the furnace is operational by cycling the heat on and make sure that the space where the furnace resides is clean and tidy.
2. Clean Your Gutters
When your gutters are clogged or have broken during the summer months, you might run into water damage or water leaks in your home during the winter. Gutters funnel water off the roof and prevent standing water against the foundation of your home. Healthy gutters mean a home that is protected from water damage during the cold part of the year.
If you are not able to get up on the roof and clean out your gutters, there are companies that can handle this kind of work for you. Being sure that your gutters are going to work right during the stormy times of the season matters, and you should put this toward the top of your list of things to do before bad weather hits.
3. Disconnect Hoses and Protect Spigots
One of the most often overlooked parts of winterizing a home is detaching hoses and protecting spigots with covers. These areas of the water supply for your home are vulnerable to cold damage and can easily freeze and break if they are not protected during the chilly times of the year.
This is a simple and affordable means of protecting your home from winter’s harsh incursions, and you should make sure to tackle this project as soon as the first freezing nights are predicted. If you cannot protect your spigots or water lines with insulation, be sure that you allow spigots to slowly drip so that they do not freeze during the peak of the cold months.
- Use Foundation Plugs
Foundation plugs can help protect your home from cold floors all winter long, and they can also reduce your energy costs during the peak of the cold months of the year. These are very affordable and often quite simple to add to any foundation. You will likely be shocked at the difference this simple solution can make to your heat bill each winter and to your comfort.
5. Check on Windows and Doors
Before the cold part of the year shows up, you should make sure that your windows all seal up and close tightly, and make sure that doors are hanging straight in their frames and not allowing cold air to sneak in. Energy costs are often painful during the harsh winter months for homeowners, which is why even small leaks around windows and doors can really add up.
You might also want to add curtains that will block out drafts in areas of your home where there are lots of windows. This can be a perfect solution in bedrooms or even the living room, where you will likely spend a lot of time.
6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
The ceiling fans in your home are used to keep things cool in the summer, but they can also be a big help in the winter if you change the direction that they turn. When you reverse your ceiling fans, they will blow warmer air down into the lower areas of your home, and they will circulate the air to keep things fresh, cozy, and comfortable.
This is another great solution to control your energy costs all winter long and make sure that you and your family are comfortable.
Caring For Your Home Before the Winter Months Matters
Homeowners need to be aware of the necessity of preparing their homes for the coming cold and wet months. There is no reason to be caught off guard when your furnace doesn’t work or your gutters are pouring water into your basement. Being sure that your home is ready for winter only takes a few days or effort and can deliver cost savings when it comes to heating your home as well as reduced chances of major discomfort when the weather is at its worst.
Many people make the mistake of waiting until the last moment to deal with winterizing their homes, so be sure that you start thinking about these requirements for a healthy home before the seasons truly shift. The fall is a great time to check on the health of your gutters and start planning for an inspection of your furnace. The temperature can shift rapidly from fall weather to freezing cold, so preparing early for a chilly winter is always a good plan.
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