Winter is still a couple of months away, but it shouldn’t stop homeowners from preparing their homes for the season. Preparing the home for winter allows homeowners to keep their loved ones healthy and safe, especially in the middle of a winter storm.
Homeowners should not wait for temperatures to fall before preparing for the season. They should work on making their homes cozy and warm long before the first snow falls on the ground. Here are the things that homeowners should do to prepare their homes for winter.
Check the Pipes
Inspecting the pipes should be among the first things a homeowner should do. He should make sure that the pipes have proper insulation to prevent the water inside from freezing. The water inside these pipes is susceptible to freezing during winter. When the water freezes, the pipe might burst or rupture, and the homeowner will have to spend for the repairs.
At this point, the homeowner should work with a reliable plumbing contractor to ensure they prepare the pipes properly. It’s essential to work with a professional to avoid mistakes and issues when winter comes.
The professional can help insulate exposed piping in the house, especially in uninsulated areas. These areas include the attic, basement, exterior walls, and crawlspaces, among others. They can also work on ensuring the exterior faucets have no water supply.
Prepare the Heating System
Homeowners should also prepare the heating system of the house. Since heating is a major expense during winter, homeowners can install a smart thermostat since they can adjust the home’s temperature depending on whether it’s occupied or not.
Wearing extra clothing and using a thick blanket instead of a heater can bring the cost of heating the home down. Homeowners can also cook often in the house to keep it warm. If the surge in the pandemic continues over the winter, the homeowner will likely want to stay home to avoid getting the disease.
The homeowner can also check the furnace before the cold season comes. They can turn up the heat in the thermostat to check if the furnace is running fine. They should check if warm air comes out before turning the house’s thermostat back to the regular setting. If there’s something wrong with the furnace, it’s best to call a professional to check and fix it.
Checking the exhaust vents for the furnace is also important to prevent the accumulation of exhaust gases in the house. Installing carbon monoxide detectors is important to check for the presence of deadly gases in the home. Homeowners should also hire a service technician to check and clean the heating vents. Homeowners should also check the air filter and replace it whenever necessary.
Inspect the Insulation
To keep the cold out and ensure the home is cozy and warm, the home should have proper insulation. This can also help reduce the cost of heating the home. Homeowners can cover any gaps between the exterior door and the floor using a door snake. They can also use a rolled-up towel to prevent the heat from escaping the house while keeping the cold air outside.
Homeowners should also check the windows to ensure they do not let heat escape from the house. They should make sure to shut the windows. The homeowner can also use heavy curtains to cover the windows and keep the heat inside the house. Sealing any gaps and cracks in the house is also important, so the homeowner should check the exterior and interior walls of the house.
If necessary, the homeowner can also upgrade the insulation of the house. They should do this long before winter comes since it will require a lot of work to complete a major insulation upgrade of the house.
Check the Roof
Homeowners should make sure to protect the roof of the house from heavy snowfall. When snow accumulates on the roof, it can collapse from the weight. To prevent this, homeowners should install proper ventilation on the roof. This can also prevent the formation of ice dams on the roof.
Homeowners should also check and replace damaged or missing shingles on the roof. They should also repair damaged flashing around the chimney to prevent leaks. They can hire a professional to fix the damage since they have the experience and equipment to perform these repairs.
Leaves and debris trapped in the gutters and downspouts can cause water to accumulate in these areas. And when winter comes, the wet leaves and debris will freeze and cause significant damage to the house. So, homeowners should also check the gutters and downspouts of the house.
Preparing the house for winter is important to keep it safe for the family to stay during a pandemic.
Meta title: Getting Your Home Ready for Winter
meta desc: Preparing your home for winter ensures that it becomes a haven during the cold season. Know the things to check in the house to prepare it for winter.
