Winterizing Your Home: Your Comprehensive Home Maintenance Guide

The clocks have turned back, the holidays are on the horizon, and that means that the cold– and more than likely snow– is well on its way to the DMV. As the winter months approach, it is time for homeowners to shift their focus from campfires and cool autumn nights to preparing their homes for the winter weather ahead. A well-maintained home not only ensures a cozy and comfortable environment, but being proactive will help protect your investment, likely saving you thousands in potential home repairs. 

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for winterizing your home. Feel free to look back to past blogs that delve into each task in more detail, but this should provide a great checklist to follow: 

1. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters: As the leaves change their vibrant colors and eventually fall, they typically land in your gutters and drainage system. The first step to properly winterize your home is to clear out everything lodged in your drains. Leaves, twigs, and other debris accumulate in the fall, and this can cause water damage if not addressed. Clean gutters ensure water from snowfall and other precipitation drains properly, preventing ice dams from forming. 

2. Inspect Your Roof: Grab your ladder, cue up the YouTube video to do it yourself, or call out your favorite local professional because it’s time to inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles thoroughly. Checking and addressing these issues before winter weather can prevent leaks and water damage often caused by heavy rain, sleet, or snow. Again, there’s no shame in paying a local, trusted professional or friend to take this one off your list if you’re uncomfortable getting up there and inspecting your roof alone.

3. Seal or Caulk Your Gaps and Cracks: Inspect all the windows and doors in your house for gaps and cracks that let cold air seep in and warm air escape your home. You can use various weatherstripping materials, like foam or rubber, or caulk the cracks to improve the energy efficiency of your house and keep it warm this winter. This is somewhat time-consuming, but a few hours one weekend devoted to this task could save you hundreds on your electric or gas bills– whatever your means of heating your home.

4. Service Your HVAC System: A $75-$150 basic inspection and maintenance service call could save you thousands. Schedule a tune-up before the temperatures drop, and your system has to kick it into high gear. This ensures your system runs efficiently and will reduce the risk of an unexpected breakdown when temperatures become frigid.

   
   

   
   

5. Inspect Your Attic & Check for Proper Insulation and Pests: If your home has an attic, get in there and check your insulation. Inspect the insulation in your attic and walls, and add more if necessary. Adequate insulation helps keep your home warm and factors into the energy efficiency of your home as well. Proper attic ventilation is also essential for preventing ice dams in winter by maintaining a consistent temperature on your roof. Ensure all vents are clear of debris and that your existing insulation or any that you added is not blocking airflow. As a bonus, you’ll likely see evidence of unwanted house guests, as small rodents like to make your house their home when those temperatures start trending downward. If you see droppings, you likely have cracks or gaps that need to be sealed as well, and a call to your pest control company may be warranted. 

6. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: No matter the season, safety is always a top priority for home maintenance. Testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work correctly may save your life. Replace your batteries if needed, and consider upgrading your system to smart detectors for added convenience and safety if your budget allows. 

7. Winterize and Shut Off Outdoor Water: If you have outdoor sprinkler systems, hoses, and more, they could freeze during the winter. Disconnect and drain all garden hoses and shut off your water supply to those outdoor faucets. If you have an advanced sprinkler system, call your local professional to blow out the lines to prevent winter damage. 

8. Service Your Chimney and Fireplace: If your home has a fireplace or two, hire a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect it before use. If you’ve kept up on this practice, you could also complete this task. Proper ventilation reduces the risk of chimney fires. It’s also an excellent time to ensure your stock of firewood is ready to burn and schedule any necessary wood deliveries. 

9. Protect or Store Outdoor Furniture & Equipment: Store or cover outdoor furniture and equipment to protect it from harsh winter weather. If storage space is at a premium, consider investing in weatherproof covers to shield your furniture and equipment from snow and ice. Smaller items like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers should be appropriately cleaned and put away for winter, ensuring they’re in excellent condition when you need them again come spring.

10. Inspect and Clean the Dryer Vent: One of the easiest but often forgotten ways to prevent household fires is cleaning your dryer vent. Lint buildup in the vent is a huge fire hazard. Not only will a thorough vent cleaning reduce this risk, but it will also ensure more efficient operation. 

11. Reverse All Ceiling Fans: This one is quick and easy if you have a typical ceiling fan. Most fans have a switch that changes the direction of the blades. During winter, you should set each fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This direction reversal will help distribute warm air more evenly throughout your home. 

12. Prepare for Power Outages: Again, it’s always best to be prepared. Winter storms often lead to power outages. You can easily prepare for this scenario with a winter storm kit. An emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, and any necessary medications could prevent a disastrous outcome. If you don't already, it’s also a great idea to have another winter kit in your car in case of a breakdown due to winter weather. Don’t forget to add that ice scraper to your car, too!

By addressing these potential issues and completing the tasks above, you’ll be ready to face winter and hopefully enjoy the season stress-free. Call us if you have any specific concerns or need a recommendation for a local professional. We’ll be more than happy to share our favorite experts or connect you with someone.