Preparing Your Home for Cold Weather

As winter approaches it is crucial for homeowners to think ahead and perform simple preventative maintenance on their homes to avoid unnecessary and often expensive repairs.  It is possible to complete the majority of these projects in one weekend.

Examine the exterior of the home and look for potential hazards like tree limbs hanging overhead that could fall and damage the roof or sides of the home.  Trim any bushes have grown and are now making contact with the house.  Make sure all doors and windows are sealed tight and if necessary, purchase new weather stripping and replace old worn out sections.  If there is any existing damage to the siding on the house or the roof shingles, now is the time to repair these problem areas.  Check the gutters and downspouts for debris and clean them thoroughly.  It is a good idea to spray water into the gutters periodically or check them during a heavy rainfall for leaks and repair any problems that are found.  If the home has a crawl space and is not equipped with automatic vents it is a good idea to invest in some.  Otherwise close all the vents now to prevent low temperatures from freezing the water lines.  If the home is not under a pest control contract, purchase enough pest repellent to treat the perimeter of the home to block unwanted pests that will soon be seeking refuge from the cold.  Pay to have the heating system of the home inspected and serviced by trained professionals to prevent surprise outages that will literally leave you in the cold.  Purchase a bag of de-icer to spread on steps and walkways and be sure that there is a shovel with a flat face easily accessible.

Inside the home, check all of the vents for obstructions and verify that each one is open.  Blocking vents causes the heating system to work harder and waste energy trying to warm those areas.  A programmable thermostat is easy to install and relatively inexpensive compared to the savings that long-term use will provide and it will maintain the home at a comfortable temperature based on the time of day.  Wash some blankets and leave them folded in various rooms to encourage family and friends to cover themselves if the temperature is a little too low for their comfort.  If the home has an attic with an access door, insulate that opening to prevent heat from escaping into the attic.  Icy weather often brings power outages, so stock up on candles, flashlights, and batteries.  If there is a fireplace available, be sure to have the chimney thoroughly cleaned prior to using it and gather and store enough firewood to heat the home for a few days.  For areas where power outages are frequent, investigate the costs versus benefits of installing a gas-powered generator.

Purchase a supply of non-perishable foods including canned goods and some gallon jugs of purified water in case you find yourself unable to leave home for a few days due to snow and ice.  A battery-powered radio may be used to listen for important weather advisories in case the television or computer are inaccessible.  If anyone living in your home uses prescription medication or oxygen tanks that are crucial for their health, be prepared by keeping a little extra on-hand.  Collect board games and think of ways to entertain family and friends in case they wind up trapped indoors together.

With simple preparation, your home will pass the cold winter months with ease and might give you and your family an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of the season.