While you and your family are begging to button up your winter coats and welcoming the first cool winds of the season, your home should be going through a similar process. Getting your house ready for the throes of winter is important. Your home is your first layer of protection from the cold and elements of the season.
Here are a few things you can do to get your home ready for winter:
Check Your Gutters
Your gutters should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. It’s especially important to do this before the ice and snow of the winter begin. The extra weight from frozen runoff can pull your gutters away from your homes and cause mold and leaks. Give your roofline a good once-over before marking it off your winter checklist.
Protect Your Pipes
It might not be as important in the southern part of the United States as in other portions, but insulating your pipes can protect you from a lot of heartaches. When residents in southern states don’t take the necessary winter precautions it can lead to catastrophic and systemic failure–and can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. If your home has exposed water pipes, be sure those are well insulated.
Sealing And Insulation
Making sure that any gaps around your windows or doors are sealed can help lower heating costs. Also, adding insulation to any walls that might need it will help keep your family warm throughout the winter. There are a host of insulation options for attics if you are looking to add some thermal protection there!
Keep It Cozy
You’ll save on heating costs if you can maintain a steady temperature. Try setting your thermostat to 65 degrees. If you’re well insulated, this should keep you and your family nice and warm.
Test Your Detectors
Since you’ll be using your heater or furnace, it’s best to ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Make sure that you have sufficient warning systems in place and replace any batteries that might have been drained during the summer.