Getting Your Home Ready for Winter: 10 Tips for Homeowners
As leaves change color and temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to prepare your home for winter. A little seasonal maintenance can help prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and keep your household comfortable throughout the colder months.
From checking your heating system to protecting outdoor plumbing, these 10 steps can help you get your home ready before freezing temperatures arrive.
1. Check Your Furnace and Air Filter
Test your heating system before you need it regularly. Turn on your furnace to make sure it is working properly, and check the air filter for dirt and buildup. Replacing a clogged filter can help your system operate more efficiently. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s winterizing guide provides additional home heating maintenance recommendations.
2. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets before freezing weather arrives. If your home has shutoff valves for exterior faucets, follow the recommended winterization steps and drain the remaining water from the lines. Water left in pipes can freeze, expand, and cause damage.
3. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Clear leaves, twigs, and other debris from gutters and downspouts so rainwater and melting snow can drain properly. Blocked drainage can contribute to water damage around your home’s foundation and increase the risk of ice dams forming along the roof.
4. Inspect Your Roof and Chimney
Look for damaged or missing shingles and other potential roofing problems before winter storms arrive. If your home has a chimney, have it inspected and cleaned as recommended before using a fireplace or wood-burning appliance. Contact a qualified professional if repairs or additional inspections are needed. The CDC’s winter storm preparation guide provides more information about roof maintenance and chimney inspections.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are functioning properly. Replace batteries as needed and check the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing the units themselves. Working alarms are especially important during colder months when heating equipment and fireplaces may be used more frequently. Review the EPA’s winter weather and indoor air quality recommendations for additional safety information.
6. Prepare Fireplaces and Additional Heating Equipment
If you use a fireplace or wood-burning stove, make sure it has been properly inspected and cleaned before use. Check supplemental heating equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and follow all safety precautions when using portable heaters. Never operate fuel-burning heaters in ways that are not approved for indoor use. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s winter heating safety guidance explains how to reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks.
7. Check Windows for Drafts
Inspect the edges of windows for gaps that allow cold air inside. Weatherstripping, caulk, and window insulation products can help seal openings and reduce heat loss. Addressing drafts can make rooms more comfortable and may help lower heating costs. The CDC’s winter home weatherproofing recommendations include additional ways to prepare your home.
8. Seal Other Areas Where Heat Escapes
Windows aren’t the only places where warm air can escape. Check exterior doors, door thresholds, attic insulation, and openings around vents and utility lines. Repairing gaps and improving insulation where needed can help your home retain heat throughout the winter. For more weatherproofing ideas, see the CDC’s guide to preparing your home for a winter storm.
9. Prepare Your Irrigation System
Winterize your irrigation system before freezing temperatures arrive. Follow the system manufacturer’s instructions or consult an irrigation professional to ensure the system is properly drained and protected. Taking this step can help prevent frozen pipes, damaged components, and expensive repairs.
10. Gather Winter Emergency Supplies
Winter storms can cause power outages, hazardous roads, and temporary interruptions to everyday routines. Keep essential supplies available, including nonperishable food, drinking water, flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, a first-aid kit, and portable phone chargers. A manual can opener and a plan for keeping your household safe during an outage can also be helpful.
The CDC’s winter storm preparation guide includes recommendations for emergency planning, food and water supplies, and preparing your home before severe weather arrives.
Prepare Now for a Safer Winter
Small maintenance tasks can become expensive problems when left unaddressed. Taking time to inspect your home, seal drafts, protect plumbing, and organize emergency supplies can help you avoid preventable damage and stay comfortable through the winter season.
For Eagle Mountain residents, preparing before the first hard freeze is a simple way to protect your home and your household. Stay safe and stay warm this winter!