Autumn is here! Now is the best time to get your home ready for falling leaves and colder weather. The mild temperatures right now make for great prep time! It is better to tackle this list now before your schedule fills up and the weather gets nasty. Let’s prepare your house for winter!
Weatherize your windows and doors.
You can watch the money pour out of broken seals and cracks when you look at your energy bill. Ignoring these problems can be expensive. We have a handy trick to reveal whether cold air is seeping in! Check of all the windows and doors that you suspect need sealed by using a candle. If it flickers, you have a draft!
Caulk around all visible cracks. Make appointments with glass companies now for broken seals before their schedule fills up. Keep in mind that if the glass is intact, they may be able to repair the seal without replacing the glass. That will save you money. Mark a day on your calendar to swap out the screens for storm windows if needed. This is one of the more pertinent items to prepare your house for winter.
Prepare your yard.
Leaves and rain will be falling, sometimes in abundance. Make sure your downspouts are clear and water is directed away from the property. Aerate and fertilize your lawn to prevent winter damage and spring weeds. Plant bulbs for spring. Trim back foliage that looks like it could be troublesome in a storm. You don’t want a dead tree branch falling on your car or roof. Organize and clean out your shed. And most exciting… get the firewood ready for bonfire season!
Get your thermostat, furnace, and fireplace ready.
This would be an optimal time to buy a programmable thermostat. You’ll save money and time by having it work automatically. It’s also nice to change settings from your devices without even being home.
Check furnace filters and address any concerns before it gets cold. Have a professional inspect your fireplace, especially if it is wood burning. Test your carbon monoxide alarm.
Inspect your roof and siding.
Get up on your roof and note any damaged or missing shingles. Check the flashing around your chimney. Do a visual inspection of the siding. If it looks like it needs cleaning, hire a professional or rent a power washer. Same with chipping exterior paint. Never get up on your roof if you are afraid to. There are tons of roofing companies that will give you a free inspection. Hire one that you trust.
Stock up on essentials.
We often are so focused on getting our homes prepped, we forget about other preparedness essentials. It’s not really a “prepare your house for winter” item, BUT it’s one we should all be doing this season. Bad weather is much more prominent when the weather is changing and winter weather doesn’t play around. It might be difficult to get to the store at some point. Here’s a substantial list to keep handy of things to have stockpiled.
Ready your plumbing.
When a cold snap happens, your pipes will be put to the test. Note vulnerable pipes and insulate them. Heat tape works great to keep them from freezing! Make sure you know how to turn off the water valve for the entire house. Drain all water from outside faucets, sprinkler systems, and hoses.
Bottom Line on How to Prepare Your House for Winter
Have you prepared a winter preparation checklist?
These are just a few things you can do to prepare your house for winter. There are more extensive lists and your prep will depend on your situation. Spending the time to address this now will free up your schedule later, so you can enjoy all the bonfires, apple-picking, football, leaf turning and pumpkin patch strolling until your heart is content!
Have you started your fall cleaning?
Just like in the Spring, Fall is a great time to do a deep clean before the weather turns, and the cold Ohio winter temperatures bring everyone indoors. Think of all that time you’ll spend indoors and before holiday parties. You’ll want your house to be super clean! Schedule Olmec Reflections to take care of your deep floor cleaning today!