Winter is the time of holidays, so there are more events, irregular work schedules, and traveling. Preparing your home for winter ensures you have more time to plan for your holiday and less time worrying about fixing your home. A well-prepped home reduces unnecessary expenses associated with unexpected home repairs. Therefore, inspecting your home to ensure it is ready for winter is a wise thing to do. Below are ways to improve your home before winter.
1. Check Your Heating System
During the winter, your heating system is the most needed equipment to provide warmth from the chilly temperatures. Therefore, ensure that your heater is serviced by a professional and is in a perfect state before winter. You can tell when your heating system needs fixing due to issues like producing strange noise and smell, low heat, and higher heating bills than usual. Old heating systems have a higher chance of breaking down, and the best solution is to replace them with new ones. You can buy a new furnace or any other heating system you prefer a few weeks before winter to ensure that your home stays warm and cozy during the winter season.
2. Secure Your Home Garden
You may have worked hard to ensure your flowers and plants look healthy and beautiful, and it is not right for them to die during winter simply because you did not protect them. Insulating the soil with mulch will help secure the roots of your flowers and plants, as extreme cold temperatures can ruin them. Adding mulch before winter kicks in protects your plants from withering and dying. By covering your plants and flowers, you are assured of recovering them after winter, and you do not have to plant others.
3. Ensure Your Gutters Are in Perfect Condition
Inspecting your gutters will help you know if they need any fixing or replacement. You can first clean the dirt and dust off your gutters because filled gutters allow water to overflow on your porch and sidewalks of your house. Stagnant water on your porch can bring mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. On the other hand, rusty and cracked gutters can lead to leaking, which brings mold and cause rotting of the foundation and basement of your house. To fix damaged gutters, go to a hardware store and purchase water-resistant sealers to seal or patch them. Since damaged gutters can cause extreme ruin to the exterior of your house, ensure that they are fully functional before the winter season.
4. Cover Your Pipes
Among the many disadvantages of winter weather is that it can cause pipes in your home to burst, especially if they are located along exterior walls or unheated areas like the attic. As water freezes due to cold temperatures, it expands, filling more volume, which creates pressure inside the pipes and eventual rupture. Insulating or covering the pipes will help to prevent bursting, which can cause severe damage to your home. Some common methods to cover or insulate your pipes include using insulation tape, pipe sleeves, pipe wraps, or insulating unheated areas. Whatever method you choose, consult with a professional before starting the project to ensure that the installation is done correctly and without any risks.
5. Renovate Your Roof
Many homeowners overlook the potential benefits of roof renovation, but there are many reasons why it is essential to consider a roof replacement or renovation before the cold season arrives. The most obvious reason to renovate your roof is to protect your home from potential damage from weather conditions, such as rain and snow. If your roof leaks, it might lead to mold and mildew growth, which might threaten your and your family’s health. A properly maintained roof can reduce energy bills by improving air circulation and insulation. In addition, a new or renovated roof can add years of life to your home’s structural components. Some signs that your roof needs attention include visible light beams on the inside, sagging roof lines, damaged shingles, granules in the gutter, and water infiltration.
Making sure your home is safe for winter enables you to enjoy and spend more time having fun with your family and friends. A comfortable home brings in the holiday mood and better memories. Also, during the holiday, businesses operate only for a few hours, and you may not have access to a professional when you need them. Therefore, fix and repair what is broken and upgrade where necessary before winter.
