Winter is almost here, and we all know it can be harsh at times. That’s why getting yourself and your home ready for those chilly days is really important. To help you out, here’s a simple checklist for preparing your home for the winter.
First off, remember all those leaves that fall during autumn? They don’t just clutter your yard; they can also clog up your roof gutters. If these leaves freeze, they can get under the shingles and damage your roof or even fall off and cause injury or damage to your home. So, start by cleaning the gutters thoroughly.
With cold winter days ahead, keeping your home warm and cozy is key. Without proper insulation, though, heating your home will be tough because it’ll lose heat quickly. Think about installing spray foam insulation to keep the warmth in. It’s a good idea to talk to a local professional for advice on doing this right. Don’t forget to insulate the roof and basement as well.
Another thing to insulate is your pipes. In freezing temperatures, your home’s pipes can freeze, which can cause them to burst and result in serious water damage. So, make sure to insulate them to avoid any issues.
If you have outdoor sprinklers, prepare them for winter too. Be sure to drain any leftover water before the first freeze. If you don’t, the water can freeze, expand, and damage the sprinkler system as well as the pipes. You might want to hire an irrigation contractor to ensure the system is fully drained.
For those in extremely cold climates, frozen door locks are a common problem. To prevent this, you can spray a bit of powdered graphite lubricant into the keyhole, insert the key, and turn it. This lubricates the pins inside the lock, preventing them from freezing. It’s a good yearly practice.
Drafts are major culprits for heat loss in winter. To find them, inspect all windows and doors in your home. Light a candle on each windowsill and along baseboards to see if it flickers. If it does, there’s a draft. Fix it by cleaning the areas and using paintable caulking to seal the gaps. This will make your home more energy-efficient and draft-free.
Lastly, make sure your fireplace is clean and ready for use. This is especially important if you have a wood-burning fireplace, as unclean residue can be very flammable. Hire professionals to clean the fireplace and a certified chimney sweep to check the chimney.
With winter approaching, it’s important to get you and your home ready and cozy for the cold days. Hopefully, this checklist will help you prepare your home so you can relax and enjoy the winter season.