How to Prepare Your House for Winter

Winter is coming! This means that the air will get colder, snow will fall from the sky, and icicles will form on your house. But you don’t have to let winter take over without a fight. There are plenty of ways to prepare for winter before it even arrives so that you can keep your home warm air, and cozy this season.

Easy Winter Preparation Checklist for Your Home

Winterizing a house is not a pleasant task; now is a good time to begin winterizing the house in advance. Systematic inspections of your home’s HVAC equipment and critical structural and mechanical systems are part of a successful winterization. Keep track of these items before the snow flies so you can enjoy them in comfort.

Remove Sediment From Your Water Heater or Expect Its Life to Be Cut Short

A frustrated homeowner called a plumber because the water was coming out of the faucet. The plumber asked if the water was hot or cold. The plumber then said it might be because of sediment collecting on top of the tank.

This creates heat spots in propane-fueled heaters, damaging the tanks. This will lead to an earlier failure of the heater. Sometimes water heaters are drained to reduce their power usage and make them last longer. For example, they might be drained every six months or so.

Check for High Water Pressure or Wreckage Fixtures and Appliances

A technician helped to replace the water softener, but the first one had already ruptured. The beads were small because it was zeolite. The installer didn’t seem to care about why it burst, but the assistant did investigate a couple of things. They tested how much pressure there was and found 109 pounds per square inch (psi).

The problem was caused by a 20-year-old pressure reducer valve. When the valve was installed, the pressure dropped to around 80 lb. Sometimes a building will have a water reducer valve installed near the main water shut-off valve. The government decides if they put one in or not. Water going up to high temperatures can damage pipes, fittings, and appliances.

Check the Roof

After a winter storm, you will not find out a roof leak. Roof Inspection helps to spot problems. If you are scared of heights, have no worries because you can inspect your roof from the ground with binoculars or telescopes. You can quickly fix some problems yourself. But if not, get an experienced professional to do it for you. The price is between $199-$296 for a typical inspection of your roof.

Winterize the Sprinkler System

Sprinklers are not important parts of your house when it is winter. When your lawn services do this in the winter, they should make sure to drain and winterize all of the sprinkler systems before November. Winterizing sprinklers is easy on one’s own:

1. Stop the water from coming out of them by turning off at both spigots (or valves).
2. Remove the pipes and then blow out all of the water in them with a hose or other equipment.
3. Remove any pipes that have been removed from their original location so there won’t be any trapped water inside to freeze and crack plastic lines.

Maintain Window Weep Holes

Many sliding windows have holes on the inside. There are usually holes on the bottom of the frame. The water that gets into these channels can flood your house if it is filled with something that prevents drainage. You can clean them by filling them with water and spraying it out until all the dirt is gone.

Insulate Windows

In the winter, drafts can make your home colder. This can cost more money to heat and cool the home. The Department of Energy has found that a reduced draft could reduce heating and cooling bills by as much as 20 per year. A good way to increase the living area is to protect insulated windows.

Inspect Your Fireplace

If you want to ensure that your fireplace is safe, inspect it. Contact a professional chimney or fireplace technician if you find any damage or a fire. Heating costs inspection between $79 and $500, depending on the type of inspection.

Clear Out Gutters and Downspouts

If your gutters or guttering are full of leaves and other things, it will cause the rain to go into the house. This will make water damage to your property and can even be costly. If you have left, clean them out of the gutters. Ensure that they are secured to the roof so that water does not leak out. Replace any worn or destroyed parts by ensuring all hangers are in place correctly.

Improve Insulation

Major improvements to insulation are not quick things to do. If you need more insulation, good work needs to ensure that the best possible insulation is installed inside your house. Some places are easy enough for you to block off so that the winter weather will not damage them.

Trim Tree Branches

The snowstorm made it hard to keep the evil spirits away from the big pine tree. Overhanging branches on trees can lead to water entering your home. You should try to keep trees 3 feet away from your house.

Inspect the Fireplace, Chimney, and Flue

Although people often ignore the prospect of a wood-fired fireplace in warm weather, they can cause problems in cold weather. Before it gets cold, a chimney and a fireplace need to be cleaned.

Seal Doors and Windows

The air leaks in your window or door will increase your heating bill. Put something on the shirt and pants that touch the air leaks. That way, you don’t get cold drafts coming in.

Winterize the Cold Air Conditioning System

A common adage that is often neglected is the importance of a condenser unit, which produces heat during the summer and needs to be maintained. Always check your air filter; it’s worth noting as winter approaches.

Winterize Water Pipes

If a vent pipe breaks, water will come out, and it can cause damage to your home. It may cost a lot of money when the pipes are exposed during the winter.

Winterize the Heating System

The heating system is an important thing in a house. It’s important because it’s cold during the winter. The tasks that you can do will help before it gets cold.

For more tips about preparing your house for winter, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing a House for Winter

How Do You Winterize a House When You Leave?

If you plan on staying at your house for the whole winter months, you need to shut off the water. You should also drain the water, so it doesn’t freeze. You should insulate pipes and reduce heat, so they don’t leak. Then remove anything inside that will spoil due to cold, including trash.

How Do I Prepare My House for Winter and Fall?

Plant tulips in the spring. They will bloom and look pretty. Clean your gutters and install a gutter cover to prevent water damage. Clean up outside HVAC systems and stop them from being blocked to save energy.

How Do I Prepare My House for Freezing?

To prepare your house for the cold, you can do a few things. You should stop letting in cold air and keep the heating system on. You can also fix any problems with your water pipes or faucets. Cover your Patio furniture if necessary, and one last thing you can do is clean your chimney. Maintain a level mind and avoid becoming overly worried at this time of year.