As winter is approaching, it’s time to prepare your home for cold weather. You might feel it’s not necessary or too early to think about it but trust us – it’s always better to start sooner and ensure your home is in great shape before the harsh weather strikes. If you are unsure where to start or what to pay attention to, continue reading. We’ve prepared a list of things you should do and detailed instructions that will help you protect your home from any weather conditions.
Ways to prepare your home for cold weather
Preparing your home for colder months is essential for many reasons. Not only will you ensure your home is safe from potential damage, but you will also protect its value. Many professional home stagers can confirm this fact. Even if you do your best and mitigate the damage as quickly as possible, it will still have an impact on your home’s value.
Here are the ways to minimize the impact of the cold weather on your home.
Make sure your heating is working properly
Working HVAC systems are essential, especially if you plan to sell your property or keep it as an income property. Most HVACs are built to last between 10 to 12 years. However, if they are maintained regularly and properly, they can survive for up to 20 years. Before the cold weather starts, the very least you can do is change the filters.
The best thing to do is to hire an HVAC contractor to inspect everything closely. It’s much better to have a potential problem fixed while the temperatures are still moderate than having to freeze until your heating is fixed in the middle of January.
In case you have radiators, make sure to bleed them before the weather gets cold. They could have air trapped in them, which could prevent warm water from circulating. Luckily, this is very easy to do – simply turn the valve until you hear a hissing sound. Once water starts to come out, you can close the valve.
Declutter
Preparing your home for the colder part of the year can be an excuse to declutter. Sort your things, toss what you no longer need and keep the stuff you will be using during the next several months. Decluttering is especially important if you lack storage space in your home. But there is a solution for that, too – consider renting a storage unit.
Storage units are perfect for keeping seasonal items or stuff you don’t regularly use, such as luggage or camping equipment. However, you need to make sure your unit is prepared, too. It’s not difficult to make it pest-free and safe for your belongings. By keeping it clean, not storing perishables, and adequately packing your stuff, you can rest peacefully knowing your things are protected and ready to be used whenever you need them.
Pay attention to the exterior
What goes on outside your home is also essential. First, inspect drainage by checking the soil around your foundation and making sure it hasn’t settled. If you do find low spots, fill them in with soil. If there is a lot of water around the foundation, it can cause a significant issue, especially if the soil freezes during winter.
Next, check your gutters. Once the leaves are off the trees, make sure to thoroughly clean them. If you don’t, they could cause water to run down your home.
Your patio, driveway, or walkway will need protection during colder months, too. If they are made of concrete, make sure to occasionally apply a concrete sealer. In case you find any cracks, fill them before applying the sealer. This way, you’ll prevent water from coming in and freezing over winter. If you have an asphalt driveway, make sure to reseal it, too. You can either hire professionals or do it on your own.
Take care of your pipes
During winter, it’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop below 32 degrees and cause your pipes to freeze. But what can happen next is even worse – the pressure can build up and cause the pipes to crack and bust.
This can cause enormous damage, which is difficult and expensive to fix. You can easily prevent this from happening with pipe insulation. If you are not comfortable with doing this by yourself, you can always hire professionals to help.
Keeping your plumbing in good condition is vital for many reasons. For example, if you plan on listing your property, fixing potential plumbing issues is one of the things to do before selling your home.
Prepare for a potential power outage
Even though power outages are not so common these days, they can still happen. As they have a much more significant impact during colder months, it’s essential to be prepared. After all, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re rummaging in pitch dark looking for candles.
A good idea is to have an emergency bag somewhere handy. This way, you won’t have to worry if anything happens. Here is what you should consider packing:
- A quality wind-up torch
- A power pack so you can charge your phones and other devices
- Snacks that can last long
- Extra pack of batteries just
- Several bottles of water
- Warm blankets
- A battery-powered radio
- A battery-powered radio
The bottom line
We hope we were able to help you prepare your home for cold weather. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the winter and sip your warm tea without having to worry about anything surprising you and ruining your peaceful day.