Are you wondering how to prepare home for winter? Once the weather turns colder outside, there are several things you can do to keep your home and property protected, including your water pipes and helping to keep your utility bills down.
How To Prepare Your Home for Winter
Here are some things you can do to winterize home fixtures.
Inspect your Gutters
The best way to prevent ice from forming on your roof is to clean your gutters out. Additionally, you should consider installing guards on your gutters and insulating your attic if you have one. You should have proper airflow in your attic, but it should always be at least 10 degrees hotter than the outside temp.
Close Up Cracks
Any openings in the foundation of your home, around windows, AC units, or doors should be sealed or caulked. This will keep cold drafts out of your home. If you are looking for more ways to keep heat from escaping your home, you can install weather stripping.
Check Heating System
Your entire heating system in your home should be checked before winter approaches. This includes the boilers, chimneys, and furnace system. These things should be checked and serviced at least once each year to ensure they are working properly and to prevent the accumulation of debris.
Prevent Falls
The best way to prevent falls on your property is to keep it free of snow and ice. Keep some salt nearby for deicing your property. You can pour salt down on your driveway, sidewalks, and even the steps if you have any leading to your front door.
Check Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working order. Fires in residences happen much more during the winter. Every month you should make sure that they are working correctly, and batteries are replaced if needed.
Maintain Comfortable Temperature
Your thermostat should be set at a comfortable temperature. About 65 degrees is ideal, but many homeowners prefer it to be warmer. Either way, before setting your thermostat, make sure that your home is properly insulated, otherwise, heat can easily slip away, leaving you with high energy bills. If possible, consider installing a programmable thermostat in your home to keep your energy costs stable.
Disconnect Hoses
If you have hoses attached to your home, it is time to store them away for the winter. Before storing them, drain them and make sure the valves are all turned off. If you are leaving your home for the winter months and traveling someplace warm, be sure that you shut your water off and drain your plumbing system to prevent having frozen pipes when you return.
Have an Emergency Pressure Release Valve Installed
You should probably consider having an emergency pressure release valve installed in your plumbing system to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Frozen pipes occur from an increase in pressure. These valves can actually stop your pipes from cracking. Additionally, learn the location of the water shut-off valve in the event of an emergency.
