*This is a collaborative post*
Winter is already knocking, and residents in areas prone to the extreme cold should take precautions as soon as possible. You and your home must prepare for the upcoming winter months. From preparing your winter clothes to stocking your home with the essentials, you must be ready to welcome the winter weather. Even if you make all of these preparations, you may still face problems, but at least you will be mentally and physically prepared to face the cold, windy, and snowy days.
Each season has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. And, to face the extremes of cold winter weather, you must plan ahead of time and prepare your home.
Examine your home for leaks and drafts
Drafts and leaks that enter through cracks in walls, doors, and windows can prevent proper heating and raise energy bills. As a result, you must make certain that these gaps are filled. Use bubble wrap to seal up windows you won’t be using. Weather stripping can also be installed around the doors and windows. This is a minor and inexpensive technique that will greatly assist you in keeping your home warm even in harsh winter weather.
If your doors and windows are older and single-paned, they may not be as effective at keeping your home warm. You can even upgrade them to double or triple-pane windows and propper door insulation to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Check Your Home’s Drainage
The only thing worse than everything freezing is everything melting. When the snow and ice finally melt, your home may be at risk of flooding or water damage if the water cannot drain. Clearing out your gutters and downspouts is the best way to prepare your home for this winter issue. You should also inspect your property for areas where water could pool. Fill in any low spots around your house with loose soil.
Also, check the insulation of the walls and roof. You need to know that properly insulating walls and ceilings will prevent condensation. Condensation can be very dangerous because it can easily lead to mold or mildew.
Test Your Heating System
Test your heating system now so you’ll be ready when the temperature drops later. Most people only think about turning on their heating system when needed, which is when the cold weather arrives.
However, it pays to plan and test your heating system early in the year, usually late October. Doing so now will ensure that it is prepared for the first winter weather and avoid any potential headaches with emergency repairs.
Seasonal maintenance involves inspecting your heat pump yourself or having it checked by a professional. You can perform some seasonal maintenance tasks on your own. By testing your heating system before you need it, you can avoid the need for repairs when you need it the most.
Take care of your trees
Trees with dead branches are a potential danger all year, but they are especially dangerous when wet with freezing rain or snow. After a storm, the weight of the snow can cause limbs to snap or bring the entire tree down on your home or power lines. Have the tree’s health checked before it snows, and remove any dead limbs or those that could cause serious damage if they fell.
It is good to know that the best time to trim a tree is at the beginning of wintertime, around December when trees become dormant. You can learn how to prune a tree on your own. But keep in mind that large trees can be dangerous, so you’ll need assistance or a better hire professional.
Completing the winter home maintenance chores in this text will cover most of the basic problems you may face during the winter. And then it is time to relax knowing that winter is coming and that you are ready. Also, you can think about more energy-efficient things that you can do so your home becomes even cozier. Like adding some beautiful heavy curtains as extra insulation to your windows. Not only will that improve the comfort of your space, but it can also change the way a room looks.
