Winter is almost here, and we all know it can get pretty harsh sometimes. That’s why it’s super important to get yourself and your home ready for the cold days ahead. To give you a hand, here’s a simple checklist to help you prep your home for winter.
First off, during the fall, leaves are everywhere. But don’t forget about your roof and gutters. Leaves can clog gutters, and when that debris freezes, it can get under the shingles and damage your roof. There’s also the risk of frozen debris falling and causing injury or damage to your home’s exterior. So, start by cleaning out your gutters thoroughly.
As the cold sets in, keeping your home warm and cozy becomes a priority. Without proper insulation, your house can lose heat quickly, making it hard to stay warm. Consider installing spray foam insulation to keep the heat inside. You can ask a local professional for guidance on how to do this right. Don’t forget to insulate your roof and basement too.
Another thing to insulate is your pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and cause serious water damage. To avoid this, make sure to insulate them before the temperatures drop too low.
For those with outdoor sprinklers, prep them for winter by removing any leftover water before the first freeze. If you don’t, the water can freeze, expand, and damage the sprinkler system and pipes. It might be a good idea to hire an irrigation contractor to ensure everything is properly blown out and dry.
If you live in a really cold place, you’ve probably dealt with frozen door locks before. To prevent this, apply some powdered graphite lubricant to your door locks. Spray it into the keyhole, insert the key, and turn it. This will lubricate the pins inside and stop them from freezing. Do this every year to keep your locks working smoothly.
Drafts can seriously impact your home’s warmth. To find drafts, light a candle and move it along the windowsills and baseboards. If it flickers, you’ve found a draft. Clean those areas and use white or clear paintable caulking to seal the gaps. This will make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.
Finally, if you have a fireplace, make sure it’s cleaned and ready to go. This is especially important for wood-burning fireplaces, as residue build-up can be highly flammable. Hire professionals to clean it and a certified chimney sweep to check the chimney.
Winter is on its way, and with this checklist, you can make sure your home is ready and cozy for the cold days ahead. Hopefully, this helps you prepare, so you can enjoy the magical season without any worries.
