It’s that time of year again; winter is starting to creep in, and all we want to do is close up the windows, crank up the heat, and ignore the freezing weather outside. However, it’s important to remember that your home isn’t safe from the elements just because you want it to be! In fact, cold temperatures can actually cause serious damage to your home, ranging from small cracks in your foundation and pipes to serious structural problems like your roof collapsing under heavy snowfall.
Protect your exterior faucets
In order to protect your home during the cold months, winterize your exterior faucets by placing a protective cover on the bibs to prevent pipes from bursting. You can pick these up from any Home Depot, Lowe's, or home improvement store. If you have an older home, this is especially important because the pipes may not be as well insulated as they should be. You can find pipe insulation at any hardware store, and it will only take a few minutes.
Check your heating system
In the colder months, it's important to check your heating system. Make sure it's up-to-date and in good working order, and that you have a backup plan for when things go wrong. Be on the lookout for any leaks as well; these can be a serious fire hazard. If you use your fireplace during the winter, it needs to be cleaned out periodically.
Seal up cracks and gaps around your doors and windows
Sealing up cracks and gaps around your doors and windows during the winter months can help you protect your home. This will prevent drafts from coming in, which can make you feel colder than necessary. To seal up these gaps, first try using weather-stripping or caulking (depending on the size of the crack). If this doesn't work, you may need a foam insulation product that can be cut to fit.
Bring outdoor furniture inside
It's time to pack up your outdoor furniture and bring it inside for the winter. This will protect your patio furniture from being ruined by the snow and ice that accumulate outside. When you're ready to put everything back out in the spring, simply store them safely until then.
Inspect the roof
Check your roof after the storms this spring and summer. Look for damaged shingles or holes around chimneys. Check and clean your fireplace chimney before lighting the first fire. Remove any debris from under your house that could cause a fire, such as leaves, pine needles, and sticks. Clean out gutters so that water can drain off the roof rather than into the walls. Inspect heating vents for clogs in case you need to vacuum them out with a hose attachment from time to time.
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