Preparing Your Home for Winter

Preparing your home for winter protects your home from the harsh conditions of winter. This lessens the chances of doing any hard work when keeping your house in excellent shape as the cold season approaches.

Below are tips on how to prepare your house for the coming winter.

Inspect the furnace

Make a stack of furnace filters and change them on a monthly basis.

Switch off the thermostat so it can be programmable.

For those who are using a hot-water radiator, open the valves partially then close it once the water appears.

Do not place any flammable stuff near the furnace area.

Gearing up the fireplace

Put a screen on the chimney to bar birds or rodents.

Clean the chimney of the soot.

Make sure the fireplace damper works.

Make a stock of firewood.

Doors, windows and the exterior

Find out if there are cracks especially on the exposed pipes so you can seal them off.

Prevent chill air from entering your doors or caulk windows. You may as well replace cracked windows and, if necessary, include the pane itself.

Put plastic shields on the windows of your basements.

You may install storm windows if you are using summer screens. A glass replacement will do.

Roofs, downspouts and gutters

Make sure that water has no way of entering your home.

For those who will have a temperature that will drop below 32 degrees, add an extra insulation to the attic.

Clear away the debris on your roof, gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are working and are not clogged.

For equipments that require great care especially in cold weather

Empty the lawnmower of gas.

Make sure the snow blower is tuned up.

If your rakes or snow shovels are worn out, replace them.

Foundations of the house

If there is vegetation growing close to the house' foundation, rake them away.

Make sure that there are no spaces under the house for small animals to crawl into.

Check for wooden sills for rot or insect infestation.

Fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

If it is necessary, buy and install smoke detectors in every room of your house.

Make sure you have spare batteries for the smoke detectors. You may change them after daylight savings time.

For water heaters and furnaces, install a carbon monoxide detector near them.

Purchase a fire extinguisher or change them if it is 10 years or more. Be sure that the detectors are working.

Preventive measures against frozen plumbing

Know where the water main located in your house is so you can shut it in times of emergency.

Make sure the garden hoses are drained of water.

For exposed pipes, insulate them to prevent it from freezing. Drain your air conditioner of water, or shut off the water valve in it.

Set the heat on for about 55 degrees if you are going on a vacation.

For the landscaping

Make sure that tree branches are trimmed and do not reach electrical wires.

Ensure that patios, wooden decks or the driveway is sealed.

Potted plants that are sensitive to cold weather have to be moved indoors.

Emergency kits

Be ready for power outages. Buy candles and matches.

Make sure that the contact numbers of utility companies are posted near your phone.

Have spare batteries for laptops or other electronic equipments.

Get an extra stack of potable, bottled water and non-perishable goods. This also includes blankets and other stuff important in fending off the cold.

In case of an emergency, make sure you have an evacuation plan.