Winter Is No Joke
Winter has a way of sneaking up on us, and if your home isn’t ready, you could end up saying “oh no” instead of “oh, snow.” A little preparation now goes a long way toward keeping things warm, safe and stress-free for you and your family. Here are 15 things you need to do around your house before it gets really cold.
Seal Drafts Around Windows and Doors
Nothing makes a winter day feel colder than a draft coming in. Walk around with your hand near doors and windows and if you feel cold air, it’s time to seal. Weatherstripping or caulk is cheap and makes a big difference.
Get Your Heating System Serviced
Before the temperatures drop too low, call in a professional to check your furnace or boiler. A simple tune-up ensures it’s running efficiently and safely. You don’t want your heat going out during the first real cold snap… that’s a miserable way to start winter.
Clean Out the Gutters
Clogged gutters may seem harmless, but when they’re packed with leaves and debris, melting snow has nowhere to go. That can lead to roof damage and even leaks inside your home. Take an afternoon to clear them out or hire someone if ladders aren’t your thing.
Check Your Roof
Snow and ice are heavy, and the last thing you want is a weak spot in your roof giving out in the middle of winter. Do a quick inspection and if anything is missing or sagging, fix it. Or, if you have no roof experience, call a professional.
Protect Your Pipes
Frozen pipes are no joke - they can burst and cause expensive water damage. Make sure to wrap exposed pipes in insulation, especially in basements and garages. A lot of people forget this and thus have to pay out bank-breaking amounts over the holiday period.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
This one’s surprisingly effective. Most ceiling fans have a small switch that lets you reverse the blade direction. In winter, set them to spin clockwise at a low speed. That pushes warm air, which naturally rises, back down into the room.
Stock Up on Winter Essentials
Nothing’s worse than realizing your home or car is covered in snow and you can do nothing about it. Get ahead by stocking up now before the first really big storm hits. Buy snow shovels, snowblowers etc, and learn how to use them if you don’t already know.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Winter means furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters are all running, and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide leaks or fires. Check your detectors and replace batteries if needed. It’s a quick five-minute task that could literally save your life.
Bring in Outdoor Furniture
Your patio set definitely isn’t meant to sit under a blanket of snow for months, so you should bring in your chairs and cushions. Not only does it keep everything looking nice, but do you really want to spend money on a new patio set right after Christmas?
Check Your Chimney and Fireplace
If you love cozy nights by the fire, you need to make sure everything is safe and working before you light it. A chimney sweep (yep, they still exist!) can clear out any buildup which might cause dangerous fires. Also check that the damper opens and closes properly.
Insulate the Attic
Heat rises, and if your attic isn’t insulated well, that warmth just escapes straight through the roof. Adding extra insulation keeps your house warmer and lowers heating costs. You can do this yourself, or hire someone, but either way it needs to get done.
Winterize Outdoor Faucets
Your garden hose won’t do well in freezing temperatures. Disconnect and drain hoses, then shut off outdoor water valves if you have them. Some people even buy little insulated covers for outdoor spigots - it’s cheap protection.
Weatherproof the Garage
If your garage isn’t heated, cold air can creep into your home through the connecting door. Add weatherstripping straight away and an insulated garage door. Not only does it keep the garage warmer, but it also helps protect your car, tools, and anything else you store there from harsh winter conditions.
Prep for Power Outages
Winter storms often mean power outages, so it’s smart to be ready. Stock up on flashlights, batteries, blankets, and maybe even a backup power bank for phones. And if you have kids, maybe give them a little talk about what to do if the power goes off so they don’t panic when it happens.
Set Up an Emergency Kit
Beyond flashlights and water, think about what you’d need if you were stuck at home during a blizzard. Canned food, a manual can opener, and a first aid kit are a good start. Sure, it might not happen – but better to be safe than sorry.
