It's that time of year again! The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and cool and pumpkin spice everything is all over your grocery store. But before you break out the dishes for Thanksgiving dinner, it’s important to remember to create a safe and comfortable space for your holiday celebrations to happen. In other words, it’s time to prepare your home for winter. To help you do that, we’ve created this blog post to help you identify four things you should do before the cold sets in.
Check the Seals and Weather Stripping
Cold air can seep into your home via leaks in your windows’ weather stripping. You can prevent this heat loss by inspecting all of your windows. Check the seals and weather stripping on them, and if any of them have started to go bad, replace them. On a related note, if you have any broken windows or screen doors, be sure to replace those, too.
Take a Look at Your Heating and Air Conditioning System
To ensure that your heating and air conditioning systems are ready all year round, it’s good to inspect them at the change of the seasons. You’ll need to change filters, check the outdoor AC condenser and test the thermostats to start off with. If you’re not an expert, it’s also wise to talk to a heating and air conditioning contractor. These units require specialized knowledge to service and repair, so it’s typically better just to hire it out in the long run.
Prepare Your Fireplace
Inspecting your fireplace ensures that you can safely burn wood in it all winter long. Start your tasks by making sure that your chimney is clear of debris, including birds’ nests. The bricks around the chimney should be solid and not crumbling. Your fireplace’s damper must also open and close properly. Finally, make sure that the bricks and mortar around the mouth of the fireplace are solid and without cracks.
Do Due Diligence on Your Property
It’s easy to forget the grounds of our property once the cold weather settles in. Who wants to leave the house, after all? That’s why it’s important to check your property for things like troublesome tree branches or fallen leaves that could damage your roof or storm gutters.
Speaking of storm gutters, be sure to clear them out. Finally, check your roof to ensure that it’s solid. Any broken shingles or signs of curling or blistering should be fixed before the days turn cold.
The winter months are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to take care of any issues that could lead to bigger problems. If your home isn't ready for the cold weather ahead, you're going to have a rough few months trying to keep up with the weather-related problems you could encounter. To help save yourself some trouble this season, be sure to check off all the items on this to-do list. Once you do, you’ll be able to enjoy the winter and the coming holiday season without the worries and stress that come from having to do unexpected home repairs.
