Don’t Get Caught in the Cold: 6 Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter
Colorful autumn leaves announce that winter is on its way, with its low temperatures, frigid winds, and icy winter storms. You can face the season with confidence, however, if you’re prepared. Here are 6 things to do right now to get you and your home ready for winter.
Prepare Your Yard and Deck
Image via Flickr by scazon
Fallen branches and trees are some of the main sources of winter property damage. Trim back any tree branches that may fall on your home or power lines. Check your drains and make sure snow and rain flow away from your home to prevent problems with your foundation. Remove and store any hoses and cover your outdoor faucets. Turn off the water to outdoor sources and drain valves, pipes, and sprinklers to prevent burst pipes. Make sure you have adequate outdoor lighting around doors, paths, and driveways to minimize the chance of falls on slippery surfaces.
Check Your Roof
Make sure there are no missing or damaged shingles on your roof that may leak during heavy storms or from melting snow. If there are more than a few damaged shingles, have a professional evaluate whether it is more appropriate to repair or replace your roof. Be sure to check and clean gutters; clutter-filled gutters can damage your roof or vinyl siding and can also contribute to the formation of dangerous ice dams.
Weatherproof Windows and Doors
Check the weather stripping around doors and windows and replace any damaged sections. Swap screen windows and doors for their winter storm counterparts. If you have windows that won’t be opened during the winter months, caulk them shut with peel-away temporary caulk to prevent cold air leaks.
Ensure Fire and Furnace Safety
Image via HomeAdvisor
Now is a good time to clean or replace the air filters on your furnace. If you have a fireplace, call in a chimney sweep to clean the chimney and flue pipes to prevent fires and gas leaks. If your fireplace is drafty, check the condition of the damper. If it’s damaged or warped, a Fireplace Balloon will ensure a good seal. It’s also important to change the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide alarms.
Organize Your Equipment and Supplies
Give your snowblower a tune-up by replacing the spark plug and changing the oil. Move the snowblower and your shovels, ice picks, and other snow-removal equipment to the front of your garage or storage shed. Make sure you have a supply of sand or ice-melting chemicals on hand to prevent dangerous ice buildup on paths, walks, and driveways. Be sure your vehicles have ice scrapers, sand, blankets, and a supply of bottled water and dry snacks in case you become stranded.
Be Prepared for a Power Outage
Set up an emergency drawer or basket and stock it with flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, and multi-purpose tools such as a Swiss Army knife. Get a battery-powered NOAA weather radio. Have at least one telephone with a cord in your home. Even in a power outage, these handsets still work. Have plenty of drinking water and snacks like granola or protein bars, beef jerky, and high-calorie candy bars available. Here’s a great resource by Survivor’s Fortress on being prepared for a power outage.
Put together a first aid kit and make sure that you include at least five days of daily medication for all the members of your family who take them. Keep copies of insurance cards and identification documents with your kit in case you need rescue services.
If you have very young children or family members who rely on electricity to power life-saving equipment, you may want to invest in a backup generator. While these units can be costly, their value is incalculable in the event of a long-term power outage.
This winter season is expected to be especially cold and snowy, so it’s a good idea to take steps now to prepare your home for the onslaught. Careful inspection and a proactive approach to maintenance, along with a little common-sense preparedness, is the key to a warm and safe winter.