Preparing your home for winter.

Winter weather can be harsh, so it’s important to prepare your home for the cold months ahead. By taking some simple steps, you can help to keep your home warm and energy-efficient, and prevent costly repairs down the road.

Exterior

• Clean your gutters and downspouts. This will help to prevent water from backing up and causing damage to your roof and foundation.
• Inspect your roof and repair any loose or missing shingles.
• Trim tree branches away from your home. This will help to prevent branches from falling on your home during a winter storm.
• Protect your outdoor faucets. You can do this by installing frost-proof faucets or by covering your faucets with insulated covers.
• Disconnect your garden hoses. This will help to prevent water from freezing in the hoses and damaging them.
• SAFETY ITEM Furnace Exhaust.  Check around furnace exhaust area on the exterior and ensure there is a clear path for the exhaust when the snow starts piling up.
• SAFETY ITEM Dryer Exhaust. Clean Dryer vests inside and out. Ensure the area on the exterior is free of obstructions. As it snows this area will likely begin the shrink.
• SAFETY ITEM Chimney Sweep. If you have / use a wood, oil, or gas fireplace / stove you should have the chimney/venting cleaned and inspected yearly to prevent/reduce the chance of a chimney fires and prevent carbon monoxide from creeping into your home.
• Store your patio furniture and other outdoor items in a protected location. This will help to prevent them from being damaged by the cold weather.
• Drain the fuel from small engines not in use over the winter (Mowers, Weed Trimmers, Gas powered blowers, Chain Saws and more)

Interior

• Insulate your attic and crawl space. This will help to keep your home warm and reduce your energy bills.
• Seal air leaks around windows and doors. Drafts can let in cold air and make your home more difficult to heat.
• SAFETY ITEM Tune up your heating system. Have a qualified technician inspect and clean your heating system before the start of winter. This will help to ensure that it is operating efficiently and safely.
• SAFETY ITEM Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Make sure that the batteries are fresh and that the alarms are working properly.
• Prepare for power outages. Keep a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit on hand in case of a power outage. You may also want to consider investing in a generator.

Additional tips

• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. This will help to circulate warm air and make your home feel warmer. Fans should blow “UP” in the winter to force the warm air down into the living area.
• Use rugs and carpets on your floors. This will help to keep your feet warm and reduce heat loss.
• Close your curtains and drapes at night to help insulate your home.
• Set your thermostat to a lower temperature when you’re asleep or away from home. This can save you a significant amount of money on your energy bills.

By following these tips, you can help to prepare your home for winter weather and keep your family safe and comfortable.

If you have any questions, call us. We love talking to our customers.