Autumn is the perfect time of year to address routine maintenance and prepare your home for winter weather. Winter weather can be damaging. These winter home prepping tips can help minimize damage from winter conditions and make your property safer for your family.
Winter Home Prepping Tips
Improve Heat Retention
Over the winter months, it is vital to reduce heat loss to lower heating expenses. Eliminate gaps in windows and replace door seals as needed. There commonly are additional openings around different pipes or wires connected to your building.
Perform an Exterior Inspection
The exterior of your property usually takes a beating over winter. Repair any missing shingles on the roof before it gets too cold. Inspect your siding for any holes that may allow in moisture. Unclog and fix gutters. You might need to extend downspouts to direct water away from your home. These are all critical aspects of your property to review and address repairs prior to winter.
Flush Water Pipes
Your home may have a few exterior water pipes such as an irrigation system and exterior faucets. These should be winterized to prevent freezing and pipe bursts. For faucets, turn the shutoff and release any water left. sprinkler systems might need a professional to properly winterize.
Fire Protection
With heating systems in use in winter, the chances of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning is higher. As a safeguard, have heating sources inspected and cleaned every year. This includes HVAC systems, fireplaces, wood stoves, etc. Be sure to replace batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Additionally, make sure fire extinguishers have not expired. All of this will help reduce dangers in your home.
Additional Ways to Prepare Your Home For Winter Weather
There are many additional ways to prepare your home for winter weather. In addition to addressing appropriate repairs, it is important to move any furniture and equipment to a place protected from the elements. Think about lawn mowers, lawn furniture, lawn ornaments, potted plants, and anything else that you may have. Anything damaged the previous winter should not be left outdoors again this year. Take care of those items now to eliminate a problem this year. Lastly, perform a check of your supplies and equipment. Make sure everything is in sufficient working order. Pull out snow shovels and winter gear. We hope that you find these winter home prepping tips helpful.