Winters comes at us fast! First, the kids go back to school followed by the start of the NFL/NBA season. Then, the leaves shed their green coat for a vibrant spectrum of yellow, orange, and red as pumpkins line front porches and menus. Before you know it, the holidays are here. Next thing you know you’re sitting with a cup of peppermint-flavored coffee or hot chocolate as you watch white flakes falling obliquely through your chilled windows.
For homeowners, there’s more to the first snowfall than snow angels and snowball fights. Jack Frost comes with a risk of property damage from subfreezing temperatures and high energy costs.
If you want to spend less time fretting over eye-watering utility bills and weather-induced messes, you must winterize your home before Old Man Winter comes knocking. Luckily, preparing your home for winter is relatively inexpensive and easy.
Here are some tips to winterize your home before the first snowfall:
1. Winterize the Heating System
A warm cozy home is all you can ask for come winter. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning heating system when temperatures plummet.
Some precautions you can take to ensure your heating system runs like a well-oiled machine all winter include giving the system a test run, making sure the fuel supply is topped off, replacing the furnace’s air filters, checking for carbon monoxide leaks in fuel-burning appliances, and inspecting the heating vents to ensure a free flow of air.
2. Weatherproof Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are one of the main energy-wasting culprits in your home. Failure to minimize drafts can drive up energy bills just around the time you’re pinching pennies to throw a memorable Christmas party.
Check for gaps around windows, vents, and doors leading to the outside. A simple DIY trick to pinpoint air leaks is walking around with a stick of incense or a candle on a windy day. Also inspect locking mechanisms, clean window tracks, and inspect outside moldings.
Use weather stripping or waterproof caulking to seal leaks and keep the heat where it belongs. You might also consider applying window film or a door sweep to improve insulation.
3. Protect Water Pipes
Frozen pipes are a homeowner’s worst nightmares. Burst pipes from freezing can fetch a pretty hefty repair price tag, which is why protecting your pipes should be top of your winterization to-do list.
Systematically review plumbing pipes and insulate any exposed piping with foam insulating sleeves, drain exterior faucets (sillcocks or hose bibbs), disconnect, drain, and store garden hoses/water sprinklers, and shut off the water supply if you’re leaving the property for the winter.
4. Air Conditioning System
The condensing unit may see the most action in the heat of summer, but it also needs some attention before the first snowfall. This includes cleaning any debris and protecting the units with a breathable waterproof cover. You’ll be glad you took the precautions come spring and summer.
5. Check the Chimney and Fireplace
Got a fireplace? Make sure the chimney is clear of obstructions (e.g., bird nests) and build-up. Also, check the damper and test the chimney draft to make sure smoke rises up the chimney as intended. Depending on the condition of your fireplace chimney, you might need to hire a professional chimney sweep.
If you don’t use your fireplace, seal or plug it to prevent the infiltration of cold air. For this, you can inflate a chimney balloon or install fiberglass insulation into the fireplace to block cold air coming down the chimney.
6. Inspect the Roof
Your roof is your first line of defense against snowfall. It’s worth doing a quick check to ensure it’s in a spic-and-span condition to shield you from harsh weather.
Be on the lookout for damaged or missing shingles and inspect the flashing around roof projections (e.g., around the chimney) to seal out possible leaks. And while you’re at it, inspect the attic and insulate the space to keep drafts out.
7. Clean Your Gutters
The roof may be the shield, but it’s the downspouts and gutters that do the heavy lifting for your home’s exterior. They direct snow and rainwater away from your roof to prevent damage and repair expenses.
But to perform their all-important role, gutters have to be clean and unclogged. Leaves from the fall season and other debris can accumulate in the gutters and add significant volume/weight when frozen – increasing the risk of serious damage.
An easy and effective way to clean your gutters is by using a telescoping gutter wand.
8. Don’t Forget the Outdoors
Before you trade in your leaf rake for a snow shovel, remember to winterize your plants. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Get rid of trees hanging over your driveway or house and trim weak branches to prevent snapping under the weight of the snow, damaging the property.
- Move potted plants indoors or to an area sheltered from snow and wind. Also wrap the containers with straw, foam, of clippings from evergreens to help insulate the roots.
- Water the outdoor plants and apply slow-acting fertilizer before the first snowfall to nourish them through the winter months.
Along the lines of winterizing your outdoors, always prepare your deck and patio. Cover patio furniture with weatherproof covers or move them indoors (if possible), apply a fresh coat of sealant to a wooden deck, and patch any cracks to concrete walkways or steps.
9. Have Your Tools and Gadgets Ready
Have your snow removal tools (shovels, de-icing agents, firewood, snowblower, etc.) hauled out and ready to go. You’ll be patting yourself on the back when you wake to 3 feet of snow. You’d also be wise to replace the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Stay Warm in Your Winterproofed Home
Winterizing your home can be a DIY project – and a handy homeowner can pull off most of the tips highlighted above easily. However, you must allow yourself enough time before the first snowfall. And if you come across an issue that is above your skill level or one that could pose a safety risk, call in a professional.
With your house well-winterized, you can enjoy the holidays in a cozy home.
Happy Holidays!
