House Prepping Advice: Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

The fall is the perfect time of year to begin prepping your home for cooler months ahead. Before you know it, the crisp breeze, beautifully colored trees, and average temperatures of the fall will be exchanged for shorter days, freezing temperatures, and snow. You can get ahead of the cold weather and the impact it will have on your home by completing a few home improvement tasks.

1.  Get an Energy Audit

During the winter you’ll want to keep as much warm air in the home as you can. However, air has a way of slipping out of cracks and holes in the home. To find out where you might be losing the most energy, hire an electrician to conduct an energy audit. With devices that allow them to inspect energy consumption in the household, they can tell you where the most energy is being consumed so you can make the repairs which can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

2.  Clean the Gutters

Leaves falling during autumn can have a significant impact on your gutter system. As the leaves get clogged in the gutter, the rainwaters and snow aren’t able to properly drain away from the home. This can lead to foundation issues later. Unfortunately, foundation repairs don't come cheap so cleaning the gutters could save you hundreds.  If you’re afraid to get on a ladder yourself, hire professional roofers to clean them for you.

3.  Clean and Repair the Chimney

If you’re fortunate enough to have a fireplace then you’ll want to take advantage of it this winter. The best way to do this is to have the chimney cleaned. Dirt, debris, and soot can build up in the chimney causing it to be less efficient. You can easily locate reputable, fully licensed, BBB accredited contractors to complete chimney cleaning and repair services on a periodic basis. For example, someone living in Connecticut might search for a company that does chimney cleaning and chimney repair in Connecticut.

4.  Get the Roof Inspected

Your roof will undergo a lot of stress during the winter. The weighted amounts of snow can cause weak areas of your roof to cave in leading to damage and leaks. Leaks can give way to interior property damage and mold growth which can cost hundreds to repair. To prevent this from happening, it is ideal to have your roof inspected and repaired if necessary. Have a roofer check for holes, cracks, and existing leaks that need to be addressed.

5.  Get the Boiler and Furnace Serviced

Rather than wait until the temperatures drop to freezing to figure out that your heating system isn’t working properly it is best to have your broiler and furnace serviced in the fall. An annual service contract with an HVAC company will ensure that your heating system is working properly is worth it. If your furnace or broiler are getting old. Getting a new, more efficient one could save you money on your energy bill.

6.  Contact a Tree Company

If you have trees in your yard you need to have them looked at before winter. As winter storms are known for heavy winds and inches of snow, trees often weaken and fall causing serious property damage. The best way to avoid this chaos is to hire a tree company. An arborist, for instance, can walk around the property to point out trees that are dead or have limbs hanging that could be dangerous.

7.  Protect the Plumbing

Exposed pipes can be susceptible to freezing when temperatures drop. To minimize the chances of this happening in your home it is best to install extra insulation around exposed pipes. This provides extra warmth should temperatures drop below freezing.

8.  Make Sure You’re Ready for Emergencies

During the winter it can be common for power outages and major snow storms to keep individuals trapped in the house for a while. Therefore, a great way to prepare your home and everyone in it for the winter, it is best to be prepared for such emergencies. Placing flashlights and batteries in every room, making sure you have canned goods, bottled water and blankets are all beneficial.

You’ve decided that owning a home was right for you, as it is your investment, it is imperative that you take these extra steps to prepare for the winter. The winter is notorious for bringing disastrous weather and horrible damage to properties. Each of these prepping tips will minimize the chances of it happening to you and save you thousands of dollars in the process.