How to Winterize a Home in 8 Easy Steps
It’s that time of year again! The temperatures are cooling down and there’s noticeably less daylight. Winter is around the corner! So before your day-to-day schedule gets bombarded with holiday decor, shopping and family get-togethers, it’s a good idea to prepare your home for the temperature drops. I’m breaking down everything you should include in your winterize home checklist.
What Does It Mean To Winterize a Home?
Because cold temperatures can have different effects on the structure of your home, winterizing a home will help you prepare against future damage the season can cause. A little maintenance can protect you from the big ticket, costly fixes. Not to mention you avoid the chaos of getting a professional to come to your home in the middle of winter. Winterizing your home also cuts down on energy bills. So not only does it avoid potential stressful pitfalls, but it also saves you money! Read on for everything you need to know to get your home in tip-top shape before those chilly winter days.
Prepare Your Pipes
This is an important step! Freezing temperatures can lead to pipes bursting, which is a nightmare that is best avoided. If you have a summer home, protect your pipes by setting the thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit instead of turning the heat off entirely.
For any home, you’ll also want to:
Drain and disconnect sprinkler systems and garden hoses. Cover the faucets and store any garden hoses in the garage or shed.
In case of an emergency, know where your main water shut-off valve is.
Check your basement for open windows and areas where cold air can get in and freeze your pipes.
Insulate your pipes with pipe wrap where it’s needed.
Weatherstrip Your Windows & Doors
The name of the game here is protecting against unwanted cold air drafts. If the weatherstripping around your doors and windows is worn down, now’s a great time to replace it. A caulk gun is your best friend to seal any gaps or cracks around your windows. It’s also a good idea to install a door sweep. The more you’re able to keep your windows and doors airtight, the less you’ll have to spend on energy bills. So these little adjustments pay for themselves. You can test for cold air creeping in by holding a lighted candle to your windows or around your door to see if it gets extinguished.
Check Your Insulation
The majority of heat loss in your home occurs through your attic. So maintaining the right amount of insulation is key. You’ll want to consult an R-value chart to know the appropriate thickness level for our region. The same idea applies to crawlspaces, basements and garages. To give your windows a little extra insulation, you can swap out your lightweight curtains with thermal-lined ones.
Pro-tip: To keep the warm air in, turn your ceiling fans in the clockwise direction and use the lowest setting, this helps to push the warm air down.
Prepare Your Roof
Your roof is exposed to all the elements throughout the year, now is a great time to have it inspected! Have it checked for broken or missing shingles and other forms of deterioration. You’ll also want to have your gutters cleaned before the first snowfall. Keeping them clear of leaves and debris will allow them to function properly. You want the gutters to allow rainwater and snow to trickle off your roof to prevent any accumulation of moisture. All of these steps will help prevent a costly roof leak.
Protect Your Plants, Patio & Deck
Because we see a good amount of snow in the Greenwich, Connecticut area, we want to protect against damage to our outside living spaces. Store your patio furniture and grills in a garage, basement or shed. Propane tanks must be stored outside, if you have a gas grill disconnect the tank first and close the tank valve. You can also choose to shield your outdoor equipment with a weatherproof cover.
If you have a wooden patio or deck, apply a weatherproof sealant to extend its longevity. It’s also best to bring delicate potted plants indoors. For planted greenery and bigger pots, you can purchase a plant cover to prevent them from freezing temperatures. Take this time to also clean and store your garden tools and lawn mower for the next season.
Do A Fireplace Tune-Up
A dirty chimney is a fire hazard – that’s one problem you can easily avoid by hiring a chimney sweep. Have them check your chimney damper and make sure the area is clear of any buildup. Soot, debris and even animal nests can easily collect over the year. You’ll want to have it cleaned up before you light the first fire of the season. Even electronic fireplaces need regular cleanings and maintenance. Check your user manual for how best to keep your fireplace in top shape.
Service Your HVAC System
Regularly maintaining your home’s cooling and heating system will add more years to its life. And having a schedule for replacing the air filters improves the quality of air in your home. The best time to check that everything is running smoothly is before the colder winter months! Schedule a technician to check out your HVAC system or furnace so you won’t have to deal with an unwelcome surprise later. Because nobody likes being stuck without heat in the dead of winter.
Be Ready for Emergencies & Stock Up!
You’ll thank yourself later if you keep items like your snow blower, snow shovel, ice scraper and flashlights easily accessible. And because winter storms can sometimes leave homes without power, you’ll want to have an emergency kit handy. Fill it will extra batteries, candles, matches, blankets and a first aid kit. Stock up on essentials like bottled water, nonperishable food items and snacks. And don’t forget your four-legged family members! I keep extra pet food stored for Teddy and Bucky. Because I couldn’t bear to disappoint those cute, fluffy faces.
Keep this winterize home checklist handy this season!
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