Winter is approaching and it’s time to prepare your home for the cold weather. You may think it’s unnecessary or too early to think about it, but trust us: it’s far better to prepare too early than too late, and make sure your home is in tip-top shape to face our harsh winters. If you’re not sure where to start, or what needs your attention, read on. We’ve put together a to-do list and step-by-step instructions that will help you protect your home from the vagaries of the weather.
How to prepare your home for cold weather
Preparing your home for the colder months is essential for many reasons. First of all, you’ll be preventing potential damage to your property, and helping to preserve its value. Many professionals in the field of home staging can attest to this. Even if you do your best and mitigate the damage as quickly as possible, it’s likely to have an impact on the value of your home.
Here’s how to minimize the effects of cold weather on your property.
Check that the heating system is working properly
A properly functioning heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is essential, especially if you plan to sell your property or keep it as an income property. Most HVAC systems are built to last 10 to 12 years. However, with regular and proper maintenance, they can easily last up to 20 years. Before the cold sets in, you should at least change the furnace filters.
The best thing to do is to hire a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning specialist to carry out a thorough inspection. It’s better to have a potential problem repaired while the temperature is still moderately cold than to wait and freeze in the house during the January cold snap.
If you have radiators, be sure to bleed them before the cold weather arrives. There could be air pockets in them, preventing hot water from circulating. Fortunately, this operation is very simple – just turn the valve until you hear a hissing sound. Once water starts to come out, simply close the valve again.
Declutter
Preparing your home for the coldest season of the year can be a good excuse to declutter. Sort through your belongings, putting aside what you no longer need and keeping the items you’ll be using over the next few months. It’s especially important to do this if you’re short of storage space in the house. Renting storage space outside the house can also be a good solution.
Storage units are perfect for keeping seasonal items or those you don’t use regularly, such as suitcases or camping equipment. But you need to make sure
Check the exterior too
It’s also essential to check the exterior of the house. First, assess the drainage of your property by visually inspecting the soil surrounding the foundation, and check that the soil has not settled. If you find that portions of the soil have sunk, fill in these areas with soil. If there’s a lot of water around the foundation, this can be a serious problem, especially when the ground freezes in winter.
Next, check the gutters. Once the leaves have been removed, clean them thoroughly. Clogged eavestroughs can cause a number of problems, including water infiltration.
Decks,driveways andwalkways will also need protection during the winter months. If they’re made of concrete, apply a concrete sealer from time to time. If you notice cracks in the concrete, repair them before applying the sealer. This will prevent water from seeping in during the winter and aggravating the problem. If your driveway is made of asphalt, sealing is also a good idea. You can hire professionals or do the job yourself.
Take care of the plumbing
In winter, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach -32ºC, and when this happens, the risk of pipes freezing is very real. Worse still, pressure can build up and cause pipes to crack or burst.
Such a phenomenon can cause considerable damage, and repairing it will be as complex as it is costly. You can easily
Keeping your plumbing in good condition is essential for many reasons. For example, if you’re planning to list your property with a view to selling it, dealing with potential plumbing problems is one of the first things you should do.
Be prepared for power outages
Although power failures are less frequent these days, they can still happen. The consequences are far greater in cold weather , so it’s essential to be well prepared. After all, no one likes to find themselves in the dark, looking for matches and candles without remembering where they are…
The best solution is to have an easily accessible emergency kit. That way, you won’t have to worry if something happens. Here’s what your kit should contain:
- A quality wind-up flashlight
- Power supply for recharging phones and other devices
- Long-lasting snacks
- A few extra packs of batteries
- Bottled water
- Warm blankets
- A battery-powered radio
In conclusion
We hope we’ve been able to help you prepare your home for the cold weather. If you’re well prepared, you’ll be able to enjoy winter and a cup of tea in the warmth, without worrying about anything or having any unpleasant surprises to spoil your moments of relaxation.