How To Winterize Your Home

Your home can be deeply affected by cold weather, so it’s important to make sure your property is well-maintained for the winter season. Below are some ideas on how to keep your home cozy and safe for the winter.

Watch That Thermostat

Make sure you’re using the right amount of heat, especially during the colder times of year. Turning down the heat when you’re away from home, either on vacation or whenever you leave the house, can help maintain your heating system and reduce costs.

Maintain Your Pipes

Freezing pipes can be a concern during wintertime. To avoid this, keep an eye on your pipes to make sure they are working properly. Further steps you can take include insulating your pipes or keeping water running through the pipes, even at a trickle.

Keep an Eye on Your Basement

To avoid problems like flooding from all the excess rain, keep an eye on your basement or any other lower level room. Extra steps that can help prevent flooding include keeping your rain gutters clean, extending rain gutter downspouts or installing a sump pump.

Change Furnace Filters

When furnaces are in constant use, such as during the colder seasons, it’s important to make sure they are working properly. Replacing or cleaning furnace filters at least once a month during the main heating season can make a huge difference.

Check The Exterior

Make sure the exterior of your house is well-maintained and ready for any cold weather surprises. This can include checking the sturdiness of the roof, sealing any exposed entry points or cracks and checking windows for any cracked glass or open gaps.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

Many traditional water heaters are automatically set to a certain temperature by installers. However, most homes don’t need that much steam. Lowering the temperature, even a little, can drastically reduce your heating costs.

 

Maintain The Driveway

If the winter weather turns to snow and ice, make sure you maintain your driveway and any outdoor walkways for safety. Remember to shovel the snow away and salt the pavement to remove the ice.