Winter is coming, and with it comes the last-minute projects your home needs to be ready for the changing of the seasons. No matter where you live, winter is likely to bring at least some changes to weather conditions, so getting the outdoor projects done and preparing your house is always a good idea. The projects given here are not an all-encompassing list, but some of the most important to make sure that your home is ready to survive the winter months as effectively and damage-resistant as possible.
Insulate Your Home
First of all, you want to make sure that your home will be warm enough for you and your family throughout the winter months. One of the biggest causes of cold drafts and insufficient heating in your home is a lack of proper insulation. In many homes the most important but often neglected areas for insulation are in the attic and around windows and doors. These areas are highly susceptible to losing heat and letting in drafts, so it is essential that you take the time to insulate them appropriately. If there’s a particularly cold wall or area of your house, have that checked out as well.
Fix HVAC Issues
You depend on your HVAC to provide you with the heat you need for the winter, so now is the time to make sure it is in good working order. This means taking care of regular maintenance like changing out your HVAC filters every three months or so. It is also a good idea to make sure that you have an HVAC inspection done before winter each year. This can help you to catch problems if there are any and take care of them before winter actually hits and your house suddenly is freezing. After your inspection you can decide whether you can take care of problems yourself or an expert needs to fix an issue.
Fix Roof Leaks
A leaky roof is never fun, but it is especially awful during the winter months. Make sure that your roof is always in top condition before winter begins so that you don’t have to deal with the drama of freezing winter leaks. Getting a roof inspection can help you to identify the problem areas so you can fix them or replace your roof if it is necessary. The more you do to make sure your roof is in good condition, the better it will be for your home throughout the winter. If you let leaks stay throughout the winter months they can actually grow and become bigger problems during the spring.
Repair Driveway Damage
Having a damaged driveway is never good for your car, but things can get worse during the winter. This is mostly because in the winter months, water can get into the cracks in your driveway and expand as it freezes. This causes the existing cracks to grow, leading to further damage. In addition to repairing the damage you want to make sure that your driveway has the protection it needs to make it through the winter without further damage. Asphalt paving must be sealcoated or else it will sustain damage during temperature changes. When you repair and protect your driveway it will be in great shape for the winter.
Decrease the Likelihood of Ice Dams
Ice is a big problem in the winter, and it can lead to major issues for your home. It’s important that you take action early, before winter begins, to prevent ice dams from being able to form in the first place. For the most part, this means clearing out your gutters so that there isn’t space for water to sit and turn into ice. Ice can damage your gutters, your roof, and even the interior of your home. Take steps to clear your gutters and check up on them throughout the winter.
Care for Your Pipes
In the winter, it is pretty common for pipes to burst and cause serious plumbing and flooding issues for your home. That’s why it is important to inspect them before winter truly hits. In most cases this simply means making sure all your pipes are properly insulated, especially pipes on the outside of your home. You also want to turn off your water for your outdoor spigots so the water won’t expand and explode your pipes when temperatures drop too much.
Get New Window Coverings
In the winter, if you want to stay warm and still keep your energy bills low, a smart tactic is to take advantage of the light and heat that the sun brings. This means keeping your windows uncovered while the sun is bright and then covering them when the sun goes down. Having thick and heavy window coverings can make your life so much easier since that protection can prevent heat from leaching out of your home and wasting energy.
Don’t Forget Your Garage
Though it’s not a living space, your garage should be prepared for winter as well. Keep your garage well stocked with supplies to take care of snow and get rid of ice on your driveway, as well as have tools for needed fixes. If you get your garage ready for the season, it will help you to handle the winter without any major issues. Be careful about storing any liquids in your garage, as they may freeze and burst on the coldest days of the season. Also make sure you don’t keep your garage open too often or have large cracks, as garages are often the targets for pests looking for warmer shelter as the weather turns.
No matter how you feel about winter, it’s important to make sure that your home is ready for the season. It can take preparation and work to make this happen, but will ensure you can focus on the joy and fun of the holidays instead of repairs and issues. Get started now so your home will be ready for whatever winter brings!
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