Another winter is coming fast, and so is the damaging ice, snow and wind that comes along with it. While we would rather put off thinking about winter as long as possible, the time to winterize your home is when the leaves begin to fall – not the snow.
To properly prepare your home for the cold weather, we have outlined some tips to help save you time, money and energy this season:
Examine your roof – Inspect for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak during winter’s storms or from melting snow.
Clean out the gutters – Remove leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can also help prevent ice dams.
Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations. Use caulking to seal around any wall openings, preventing cold air and moisture from entering your home. Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors to prevent warm air from leaking out and cold air from blowing in.
Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.
Prepare your fireplace – Make sure your fireplace (or any heating appliance burning gas, oil, wood or coal), chimney and vents are clean and in good condition. This will prevent chimney fires and prevent carbon monoxide from creeping into your home.
Thanks for reading–
