Preparing Your Home For Winter
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing and falling, the air is getting cool, and the Christmas décor is going up! But even with all the holiday fun, there’s still some work to be done. Follow these home maintenance tips to get your house ready for the season and into the winter.
Inside:
- Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. Seal any drafts by weatherstripping. Use materials like vinyl, silicone or metal instead of felt or foam, which aren’t as durable.
- Caulk anywhere you can’t use weatherstrips (where materials meet—foundation and wall, openings where ducting, plumbing, and electrical cables pass through, etc.).
- Have your furnace serviced before winter and be sure to change out the filter for improved efficiency.
- Bleed your hot water radiator. Doing so will release trapped air and pump out hot water used to heat the house. Find the valve and use a screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise until water drips out. Use a bowl to collect the water.
- Check your fireplace. Make sure the damper opens and closes, ensure no wildlife or debris have made it into the flue, and check the firebox for missing bricks or cracked mortar.
Outside:
- Clean out those gutters! You can even install gutter guards to prevent leaves from clogging them up.
- Winterize your sprinkler system to prevent pipes from bursting. Close shut off valves and open the faucet to drain water from the line.
- Pack up patio furniture and store away the lawn mower. It’s a good idea to add fuel stabilizer to any leftover gas in your mower to prevent it from degrading.
- Disconnect garden hoses from spigots.
These simple home maintenance guidelines will help keep your house in better condition for longer.