Getting Your House Ready for Winter

Time to Winterize the House

Winter is here, and with it comes the chance for severe weather. This means more risk for your home’s exterior and introduces other property damage risks. Use the following tips to ensure your home gets through the winter season unscathed.

• Keep the roof clean, including the gutters. Built-up clumps of leaves can block water from flowing through the gutters.
  • Consider trimming tree branches that extend over the house to minimize the collection of branches and leaves on the roof.
• Make sure the attic is insulated to prevent ice dams, which can occur when snow melts and then refreezes on a roof due to poor attic insulation.
  • Remove snow from the edges of the roof to further prevent ice dams.
• Have a professional perform an inspection on the furnace before it is used constantly throughout the day.
  • Don’t forget to change the filter! It should be changed monthly, or as needed, during the winter.
• Insulate water pipes to prevent frozen pipes from bursting.
• Add caulk to drafty windows, and consider purchasing a plastic window insulator kit to prevent further draftiness.
• Have the chimney cleaned to decrease the fire risk.
  • You should also clean wood stoves for this reason.

Lower Winter Costs

Budgeting money for the holidays is always important, but many people often forget about the increased energy costs associated with winter until they get hit with the bill. Use the following recommendations to keep your costs in check this year.

• Cover drafty windows with heavy-duty, clear plastic sheets, or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames.
• Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, in gaps around recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and in unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
• Maintain a regular service schedule for your heating systems. Replace filters once a month or as needed.
• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Turning it back 10 degrees at night or before leaving your home can save around 10 percent of your heating bills.
• Finally, use LED holiday light strings to save on the price of seasonal decorations.