| By Guest Blogger Carrie Spencer |
| Winterizing a home is one of those tasks that few people enjoy. It’s not so much the work but the departure of the warmer months that makes folks dread it. However, making sure all the right steps are taken, both inside and out, can save money and reduce the time it takes to transition items back into use during the warmer months. Here are a few considerations to prepare your residence for colder weather, whether you are a homeowner, renter, or caretaker. |
| Outside |
| It’s important to shield the home against winter weather. Keep in mind that while completing these tasks can become increasingly difficult as it gets colder, embracing the colder winter season and spending time outdoors can give your mood a boost. |
| Tidy the yard. In addition to mulching leaves, getting in that final mow, fertilizing, and cutting back plants. It’s also important to cut down any dead tree limbs since they have the potential to come down on a fence, deck, or other structure, or possibly even the house in the event of a severe winter storm. |
| Store outdoor items. This includes lawn and patio furniture, grills, garden hoses, tools, and any toys, balls, or other fitness equipment that might be left in the yard. Disconnecting garden hoses from the spigot is really important to avoid the possibility of having the spigot freeze and rupture. Depending on your climate, covering your grill and furniture may suffice, but storing it along with any tools and outside toys in a garage or shed will increase its longevity. |
| Prep water features. If you have a koi pond, fountain, swimming pool, or hot tub, you likely already know the hazards of not properly winterizing these items. Koi can live through the winter months in a pond as long as there is air circulating, but fountains should be drained and stored to avoid potential damage. To save water, consider purchasing a cover for your pool or hot tub rather than draining it. Always use proper pool supplies to treat the water before you cover it for winter and return it to use in summer. |
| Maintain outdoor structures. If your yard is fenced, or you have a porch or deck, inspect and perform structural maintenance on these items. Save painting and aesthetic issues for the warmer months, but freezing and thawing cycles throughout the winter can exacerbate structural issues. |
| Add home security features. Before it gets too cold, now is a good time to focus on home security. Incorporating features such as smart cameras, smart locks, and smart lights can protect your home so you can sleep easier at night. |
| Inside |
| While many of these items can be done after the cold arrives, taking care of them early reduces the potential costs. The following indoor maintenance suggestions are for the ones that pose the greatest risk to the home itself and should not be neglected. |
| Inspect and replace seals. Drafty doors and windows are winter budget busters. To ensure warm air isn’t escaping, it is important to inspect the seals around your doors and windows. Don’t forget to take a look at your outlets as well. Those on exterior walls in particular can let in a lot of cold air. Use foam sheets to seal up any that may be a problem. It is also a good idea to consider putting plastic on windows and to close off rooms that are not being used. |
| Maintain heat sources. Furnaces, fireplaces, and wood stoves should all be maintained annually by a licensed professional. Failing to properly maintain these items not only increases the risk of being without heat during the coldest part of the year, but it increases the risk of fire. If temperatures fall below freezing in your area, you are also at increased risk of frozen or ruptured pipes inside your home. |
| Test detectors and extinguishers. Every home should have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and at least two fire extinguishers. Replace batteries and test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors need to be replaced regularly as well, and each home should have one in the kitchen and near the furnace, fireplace, or woodstove.
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| These are all relatively simple tasks that most homeowners can tackle themselves. Consider hiring a professional to maintain heat sources and for removing large limbs from trees if needed. Making a proper effort to winterize your home will ensure no major maintenance is required mid-winter or in the spring.
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| Photo Credit: Pexels.com
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