4 Tips to Make Your Home Winter Ready this Year

So, winters are approaching, and you can well imagine your challenges. From long days of heavy winter clothing to seeing your breath and everything else freezing outside, be prepared to encounter a minor inconvenience and discomfort.

When you think about winter preparedness, protecting your home should be at the top. Since the winter storms and severe weather conditions generally take a toll on water pipes, gutters, and even the interior walls, ensure they don’t get critical to the point that they cause real damage.

From covering windows to servicing your heating systems, devoting time to preparing your home for the upcoming winter can make a big difference. Here are a few tips to help you through:

Inspect your Windows

Old and drafty windows are the most significant reason behind transferring all the chills inside. Those cracks in the windows invite the cold air, making your heating system less efficient. To block potential entry points, seal these drafts with foam or weather stripping inside the door frame.

Also, consider switching to energy-efficient windows that provide better insulation and withstand weather changes and environmental conditions.

Clean out your Gutters

This may sound like one of the least glamorous things, but cleaning your gutters is necessary if you want trouble-free winters. Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, ensure the drains are cleared before the temperature goes too low and forms ice dams. If neglected, these ice dams can become water pools and cause leaky roofs that are too costly to fix.

Even if you don’t live in a heavy snowfall-prone region, substantial care and maintenance of gutters are still important. Removing debris and shredded tree leaves away from your house saves you from roof damage and mold growth.

Check your Plumbing

Plumbing systems are the most vulnerable to the effects of winter seasons, and their repairs can get expensive. The pipes can burst out or freeze, hampering outdoor plumbing. So, turn off all the faucets and drain the water from the pipes.

One clever technique is to insulate the pipes to avoid unwanted freezing during the cold weather.

Prep up the Fireplace

Who doesn’t enjoy having a cozy nook that offers all the comfort after a long, hectic day of work outside in winter? A fireplace in your home is a great way to give you that much-awaited warmth. So, if you have a fireplace, get it inspected and cleaned by an expert before the winter hits.

Vacuum the vents and other heating equipment. Check your furnace filter to see if it needs any repair or replacement. Also, consider installing a programmable thermostat that can help you save hundreds of dollars wasted on fuel costs throughout the year.