Winterize Your Home in 6 Easy Steps!

Old Man Winter is coming! And this is a good thing. Winter can be an enjoyable season of fires and cozy sweaters, snow sports and hot coco, hearth and home. Think good reads, stews and soups, Netflix binging, and hot toddies. 

For a worry-free winter (at least as far as house and garden maintenance goes), check out our list of home winterizing tasks you can undertake now for relaxing days ahead.

1. Keep cold air out and warm air in. Seal cracks and crevices. Caulk holes and openings to prevent cold air – and critters looking for a warm place to pass winter – out. Weatherstrip doors, windows, and window air conditioner units, or removed window units if you can. Install door sweeps or use draft guards. Add foam outlet protectors, and don’t forget to lower storm windows if you have combination storm and screen windows.

2. Protect your pipes. Frozen pipes are expensive – and messy – to repair. Keep water streams running in pipes to keep them warm. Turn off outdoor faucets and detach hoses. If kitchen and bathroom sink piping is on an exterior wall, open cupboards to expose pipes on nights when temperatures dip below zero to keep your pipes warm. 

3. Check your gutters. It’s important to keep your gutters clean to prevent water from pooling and forming ice dams. Clear away fallen leaves and other debris. If it is in your budget, install gutter guards. You’ll save yourself time in the future. 

4. Stock up on snow and ice supplies. Don’t wait until the first snowfall (too late!) to discover you need a new ice scraper for your car. Fall is a good time to service your snowblower. It’s also prime time to resurrect your snow shovel from the back of the shed and make sure it is in good condition. Purchase bags of ice melt and place by the entrance of your garage. Add stair treads to your front steps for extra traction. Or, if they are painted, consider giving them a fresh coat of anti-skid paint. It contains sand to help prevent slipping.  

5. Check your heating systems. Doing so will save you money and keep your home cozy. Have your furnace or boiler serviced and replace or clean furnace filters to improve efficiency. Animal nests and soot accumulation can impede airflow in your chimney, so have it inspected and cleaned, if necessary. Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly and replace old batteries with new ones. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat to adjust heat at night or when you are away during the day.

6. Bust a move in the lawn and garden. It’s time for one last flurry of outdoor chores before settling onto your couch for the duration. Store or cover patio furniture and cushions. Empty flower pots and store them in your shed or garage, out of the elements. If you have a fireplace or outdoor fire pit, stack firewood near your home’s back entrance for easy access. Water well before detaching and storing hoses. Turn off your sprinkler system if you have one. Mow your grass until it stops growing for a tidy lawn. Mulch to protect plants from freezing temperatures and protect roses with rose cones. If you have recently planted trees, wrap their trunks to prevent frost cracking.   

Let it snow! You’re ready!

 

* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.