The chill of the season is coming upon us, which means it’s time to prepare your home for winter. As a homeowner, it’s important to take precautions during the winter to prevent any damage and keep your home warm during those blistery snowy days. The snow and cold temperatures can cause some costly damage to your home including the roof and your pipes.
Before the cold weather comes in, here are some ways to prepare your home for winter and avoid any damages.
Seal Windows
Keep your energy bill low and your house warm during the winter by sealing up any windows or doors causing drafts. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can use window caulking to seal up the exterior of the windows. This is recommended if a sideways nickel can fit in the gap.
To seal your windows inside your home, you can use window insulator kits. This will help keep the cold out of your house so you can stay warm and keep your energy bill down during the winter months.
Service Your Heater
Before the cold sets in, you should have someone come out and service your heater. You don’t want to be stuck waiting in the cold for someone to fix your heater or boiler. It’s best to do this in the autumn around October and early November. This will ensure that you aren’t stuck without great heat this winter.
Prevent Pipes from Freezing
One of the most expensive damages the winter can cause is frozen pipes that can eventually burst. To prevent your pipes from freezing, turn off any outdoor water sources such as a hose. Make sure to drain these outdoor pipes or hoses of water before the first frost sets in too.
As for pipes inside the house, you should insulate all pipes that run through areas of your home that are not heated. This would include the basement and the attic. Visit your local hardware store to pick up insulation supplies. When you prepare your home for winter, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your pipes won’t freeze and you won’t have to spend a ton of money to fix broken pipes.
Clean Out the Chimney
There is nothing like sitting around a crackling fire on a snowy day. Before you light that fire log, though, you should have a professional chimney sweep come in and clean out the chimney and fireplace. During the warmer months, small critters may find their way into your chimney.
Stock Up on Salt or Cat Litter
If you know snow is expected, make sure to salt your sidewalks the night before. This can be done with salt from a hardware store or even cat litter. Cat litter is actually safer for the environment and won’t stain anything when you put it down. It’s also more common to find in your home than salt if you own a cat. This is an essential part of preparing your home for winter because you don’t want anyone to slip and fall on an icy sidewalk.
Reverse Ceiling Fans
If your ceiling fan has a switch to make it turn counterclockwise, winter is the time to switch it. Since hot air rises, the counterclockwise motion will push the hot air in the room back down. This means your home will stay warmer and your energy bill will be lower too.
Prepare Your Home for Winter
Whether you enjoy the cold weather or not, nobody likes to be cold in their own home. Before the cold weather arrives, make sure to prepare your home for winter by servicing your heater, sealing up any drafty windows, cleaning out your chimney, stocking up on sidewalk salt, reversing your ceiling fans, and insulating any pipes that may freeze. With these prevention tips, you’ll be sure to have a warm and cozy winter.
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, call 215-518-5193 or click here.
