How To Get Your Home Ready For Winter

Winter can be a special and magical season, but it is also one which can take its toll particularly if you live somewhere that gets particularly cold. Taking steps to get your home ready for the winter months should help you to stay warm and comfortable whenever you are at home even in the middle of winter. You certainly do not want to be freezing sat at home when the weather turns so taking action before winter arrives is a smart idea for any homeowner. Read on to find out the best ways to get your home prepared for the harsh winter months.

Get Your Heating & Air System Checked

You certainly won’t want the central heating to break down in the middle of winter so it is a good idea to get your heating and air system checked by a professional or to maintain it yourself (such as changing the filters). This should keep the system up and running to the required standard so that you can stay warm and comfortable at all times.

Get Insulation

If you have not already, insulating the home is an excellent idea because it can help to keep the warmth in and the cold out while reducing your energy bills. This can be at a cost but you will recoup this in the amount of money that you save, plus it is environmentally friendly which is important in the current climate.

Clear The Gutters & Drains

Autumn can leave debris in its wake which can clog up the drains and gutters - leading to leaks and water damage. It is for this reason that you need to spend time clearing the drains and gutters just before winter starts.

Clean The Chimney

If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your home then you will certainly want to use this throughout the winter, as it is a superb way to heat the home and make it warm and cosy. Before you use the fireplace, however, you will need to have the chimney and vents cleaned and inspected by a professional. This will allow for safe fires without a buildup of carbon monoxide in the home.

Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Following on from this, you should test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on a regular basis, but always before winter as this is the season when most fires occur because people are using the furnace and fireplace the most.

Seal Any Leaks

Heat loss can occur through even a tiny leak in the windows or doors so make sure that you carefully inspect the property and have any leaks sealed. A good way to identify draughts is to move a lit candle slowly in front of surfaces and to look out for a flicker of the flame which would indicate a leak.

Pad Exposed Pipes

Pipes can get cold during the winter especially ones which are exposed in unheated areas. You certainly do not want to have to deal with a frozen or burst pipe in the middle of winter but you can easily avoid this by using a foam pad (known as lagging) which will provide protection.

Inspect The Roof

The roof can take a battering in winter but this is, arguably, the most important feature of the home. You should inspect the roof before winter arrives and look out for loose, damaged or missing shingles as well as any damage to the chimney. Any work that needs doing should be carried out by a professional and you can easily find the right person for the job by looking online for things such as "roofing contractors near me". This will ensure the roof is in a good condition before the weather turns.

Trim Back Bushes & Trees

Overgrown bushes and trees can wreak havoc when the wind picks up so you will want to trim these back so that they do not cause any damage to the house or issues with the power.

Drain & Turn Off Outside Faucets

Outside faucets are completely exposed to the elements in winter and any undrained water can freeze which could cause the pipe to burst and create all kinds of trouble. Drain the water out of the line and turn off the faucet so that it is not a risk.

These tips will help you to get your home prepared for the winter months. Winter can be a difficult season and you need to make sure that your home is ready for the harsh conditions so that you can stay warm, comfortable and safe throughout the season.