As winter approaches, homeowners have a lot to think about. The onset of the holiday season is always a nice idea, but the truth of getting ready for winter is a little less fun. You need to take care of your house if you want it to protect you from the freezing cold that’s sure to come. We’ve compiled a household to-do checklist before winter so that you can know just what you need to do before the first snowfall.
Weatherproof Doors and Windows
The cracks between the walls of your house and its windows and doors can cause a lot of problems in the wintertime. This is where cold air can seep in and cause your HVAC system to use a lot more energy to warm your house back up. A few pieces of weather-stripping or a little bit of caulk on these open seams can save you a lot of discomfort and money on your heating bill.
Inspect the Fireplace
Everyone loves getting cozy next to a fire—unless that fireplace hasn’t been properly cleaned all year. This doesn’t just prevent your fireplace from working as it should; it’s also quite dangerous. A clogged fireplace can allow noxious fumes to gather in your house and even lead to a larger fire. Make sure you get an expert to come and check your chimney as well as clean it.
Prepare Your Lawn
There’s a lot to do to keep your lawn healthy before and throughout the winter. You’ll want to make sure you aerate your lawn before the snow comes as well as remove all the dead leaves. These can create a layer of foliage that will choke out your grass if you don’t rake them up.
Turn Off Outside Water
Unless you want to deal with a burst pipe during the coldest time of the year, you’re going to want to turn off and clear out any water lines that lead outside. Whether you do this yourself or hire a professional is up to you; just make sure it’s done before the pipes have a chance to freeze over and burst.
Inspect the Roof and Clean the Gutters
Your home’s first defense against the snow and water of winter is your roof. Give it a once-over before the chill sets in to make sure there aren’t any broken shingles or other damages. While you’re up there, clean all those dead leaves out of your gutters so that the water has somewhere to go once the snow starts to melt.
This winter household to-do checklist should prepare you for whatever Mother Nature tries to send your way. A little forethought goes a long way when it comes to preparing for winter, so be vigilant about these things, and you’ll make it out just fine.
