Ready or not, here winter comes! Autumn is in full swing and before you know it, the snow will begin to fall. Right now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months. If you are unsure of where to begin with winter home maintenance, look no further. We have taken the time to create a checklist for you to consider when thinking about your home winter prep:
Check your heating system
How well do you maintain your heating and cooling system? The typical lifespan of these systems can range anywhere from 10 to 20 years. The life of your heating and AC unit relies on how well your systems are maintained. A great way to prolong the life of your heating system is to replace the filters before the weather gets too cold. This would also be a great time to have an HVAC contractor check your heater to ensure it will run properly all winter. While annual HVAC checks are not required, they are recommended as a resourceful way to stay updated on the life of your system.
Insulate
Insulating your home plays an important role in keeping your house warm for the winter season. This is because insulation acts as a barrier to keep the cold air outside and reduces its ability to be able to find a way inside. If your home is able to resist the cold air outside and keep the heated air in, this will also benefit you financially. Since your HVAC system will not have to work as hard, or frequently, to keep the temperature in your house regulated, you will see a decrease in the cost of your energy bill. This will not only benefit you for winter but will be useful for summer when you want to keep your home cool during the hot months.
Clean your gutters
Gutters are often neglected when it comes to winter home prep. It is common for leaves, pine needles, and other debris to get stuck in your gutters throughout the fall. Clogged gutters are a recipe for disaster as they can cause water to back up and flood out, which damages the exterior of your house. This will cause your exterior to deteriorate quickly, creating all kinds of problems that you will not want to deal with. Save yourself the headache (and money!) by cleaning out those gutters.
Prepare for your snow removal plans
Have a game plan ready for snow removal. By the time the first snow hits, the last thing you will want to worry about is not being prepared with the right equipment. Make sure you are stocked up with your winter tools and snow removal essentials.
We know you will be prepared, but if you do find yourself caught in the snow without a way to escape, give us a call! We are happy to provide snow removal services. We offer hand shoveling for roofs, decks patios, and pathways, as well as snowblower and bobcat work for sidewalks, driveways, and roads.
Caulk around windows and doors
Caulking is a waterproof filler that is used to seal cracks and gaps. Doors and windows are a sneaky spots that the outside air likes to creep in, but you can beat it before it has a chance by sealing up any trouble spots. A good rule of thumb for this is that if the gap is bigger than the width of a nickel, it needs to be sealed with caulk.
Turn off exterior pipes and faucets
Make sure all of your exterior pipes and faucets are shut off. Most faucets are exposed and unprotected outside, which makes them vulnerable to freezing. This can cause splits, and leaking, and could lead to further damage that you will not want to deal with, especially in cold weather. It is beneficial to make sure that the pipes are completely drained and turned off ahead of time before the temperature outside drops too low.
By the time you get through this checklist, you will be able to relax with a hot cocoa, knowing that you are more prepared for this winter.
But don’t forget…if it gets deep, we will dig you out!