Top 10 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Before the really cold temperatures set in, it’s important to make sure your home is ready. Proper home maintenance helps save money, keep your home safe, and provide a more comfortable home for the months ahead.

Here’s a great list from Bob Villa’s website with helpful tips for winterizing your home:

1. Roof: Check the roof and around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary.
2. Attic: If there is no ridge vent, keep gable vents open year-round to ensure proper ventilation.
3. Gutters: Clean the gutters and drain pipes so leaves won’t clog them and be sure they drain away from the house.
4. Heating System: Have your heating system serviced, ensuing its safe, efficient performance throughout the heating season.
5. Filters: Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed. Check and clean the dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.
6. Hot Water Heater: Drain your hot water heater, removing sediment from the bottom of the tank. We are your local experts in residential water heating and can service and maintain any water heater. Annual maintenance ensures that your water heater is working efficiently and safely, and won’t fail unexpectedly (leaking water all over your floors!)
7. Safety Equipment: Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.
8. Refrigerator: Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced. In addition, if you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils. Also, stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.
9. Windows and Doors: Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.
10. Siding and Paint: Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint. Replace caulk if necessary. A carpet knife can work well for cutting away old caulking from house siding. Slice down alongside it from both directions with the hook-like blade, and then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bed intact.

Sources:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/259-home-maintenance-checklist/pages/1
https://genzryan.com