Things To Do Before Leaving Your Home This Winter

Winter is coming, and it’s time to prepare your home for the cold weather. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your home is safe and comfortable for you and your family:

Check Your Furnace

Ensure your furnace is in good working order and you have plenty of fuel. To keep your furnace running efficiently and safely, you should regularly check the air filter and replace it as needed, clean the furnace vents and burners, and have the furnace inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician annually.

If you have a gas furnace, have it inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician.

A professional can identify potential problems and ensure the furnace is operating efficiently.
A clean furnace will burn more efficiently and produce less emissions.

Here are some additional tips for keeping your furnace in good working order:

Keep the furnace area clear of debris and obstructions.
Do not overload the electrical circuit that powers the stove.
If you experience any problems with the stove, call a qualified technician immediately.

Inspect Your Chimney

A chimney inspection and cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance. A qualified chimney sweeper will be able to identify any potential problems with your chimney, such as cracks, leaks, or blockages. They will also be able to remove creosote buildup. This flammable substance can build up in vents and increase fire risk.

It should be done at least once a year, mainly if you use your fireplace often. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you may need to have your chimney cleaned more often, depending on how often you use it.

Weatherproof Your Home

Ensure all your windows and doors are tight to keep drafts out. It will help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. You can use weatherstripping or caulk to seal around the edges of your windows and doors. If you have old, drafty windows or doors, consider installing storm windows or doors. Storm windows are a great way to add an extra insulation layer and help keep the drafts out.

Insulate Your Home

If your home is well insulated, you will retain heat quickly in the winter. Adding insulation can help keep your home warmer and reduce energy bills.

Many different types of insulation are available so that you can choose the style best suited for your home. Some of the most common types of insulation include:

Fiberglass insulation: This is a type of insulation that is made from tiny glass fibers. It is a good choice for most homes and relatively affordable.
Spray foam insulation: This is a type of insulation that is sprayed onto the walls of your home. It is a good choice for homes with difficult-to-reach areas and effectively prevents heat loss.
Rock wool insulation: This is a type of insulation that is made from small pieces of rock. It is very durable and a good choice for homes in cold climates.

When adding insulation to your home, it is essential to ensure you install it correctly. If the insulation is not installed properly, it will not prevent heat loss.

You can also save energy by sealing air leaks around your windows and doors. Air leaks let warm air escape from your home in the winter and cold air enter your home in the summer. You can seal air leaks with caulk or weatherstripping.

Adding insulation and sealing air leaks can make your home more energy efficient and save money on your energy bills.

Check Your Water Pipes

To prevent your water pipes from freezing, ensure they are adequately insulated. If you have any exposed pipes, wrap them with insulation or heat tape.

If you have pipes in an unheated area, such as a basement or crawl space, insulate them with fiberglass or foam pipe insulation. You can also use heat tape to keep pipes warm. Heat tape is a self-regulating electric heating tape that is wrapped around pipes.

It will automatically turn on when the temperature drops below a certain point and off when it rises above. Ensure that the heat tape is rated for the temperature range in your area. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing heat tape.

Tiffany Homan, the house maintenance expert from RentalPropertyCalculator, said, “Do not wrap heat tape around valves or other metal fittings, as this could damage them. If you have any questions about how to insulate your water pipes, contact a qualified plumber.”

Clear your gutters

Ensure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris so they can drain properly. This will help to prevent ice dams from forming, which can damage your roof.

Ice dams form when snow melts on your roof and then refreezes at the edge of your roof, where it meets the gutter. This can cause water to back up under your shingles and into your home, causing damage to your walls, ceilings, and flooring.

You can help prevent ice dams from forming by clearing your gutters of leaves and debris regularly. This will allow water to drain away from your roof more easily, preventing it from freezing and building up at the roof’s edge.

You should also ensure your gutters are correctly installed and sloped so water flows away from your home. If your gutters are not installed correctly, they may not be able to drain water away from your roof effectively, which can increase your risk of ice dams.

Suppose you live in an area where ice dams are a common problem. In that case, consider installing a heated gutter system. A heated gutter system uses electric or solar-powered heating elements to keep your gutters from freezing. This can help prevent ice dams from forming and keep your gutters clear of snow and ice.

Make a plan

Have a plan for what you will do if you lose power or if a winter storm damages your home. Make sure you have a working flashlight and plenty of batteries. Stock up on non-perishable food and water.

Keep your phone charged with a backup plan, such as a portable charger or solar-powered battery. If you have a fireplace, ensure it is properly maintained and has a working chimney. Also, if you have a generator, ensure it is adequately maintained and you know how to use it safely.

If you lose power, stay inside and keep warm. If you must go outside, dress in layers and wear warm, waterproof shoes. Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. If a winter storm damages your home, call your insurance company immediately. Following these tips can help ensure your home is safe and comfortable for you and your family this winter.

Additional Tips:

If you have pets, ensure they have a warm place to stay in the winter.
Keep an eye on older people and those with disabilities, who may be more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather.
Be prepared for winter driving conditions. Slow down, drive carefully, and be aware of the possibility of black ice.
If you must travel during a winter storm, give yourself plenty of time and allow for delays.
Stay safe and warm this winter!

Conclusion

Following these tips can help ensure your home is safe and comfortable for you and your family this winter. So, take some time before you leave for the holidays to ensure your home is winterized and ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way.