How to Prep Your House for Winter: The Ultimate Guide
Oct 29, 2024Wondering how to prep your house for winter? We've got tips on how to winterize your home inside and out!
As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, preparing your home for winter is essential. A little maintenance now can ensure your home stays cozy and safe all season long – and save you from costly repairs in the spring. In this guide, we’ll cover four key areas of how to prep your house for winter so your home is ready for anything the winter months may throw your way. From essential fall maintenance to prepping for holiday guests, these tips have you covered.
Why Prepare Your Home for Winter?
Winterizing your home is key to staying safe, warm, and efficient all season long. By taking steps now – like adding insulation, sealing drafts, and tuning up your heating system – you can prevent common issues like frozen pipes, heat loss, and costly energy bills.
Prepping for winter doesn’t just protect your home’s structure but also boosts comfort and lowers energy usage, helping your heating system work smarter, not harder. A little maintenance will let keep your family and guests comfortable this winter, and help you catch small problems before they turn into big, expensive repairs.
But getting your home ready for winter can be a big undertaking. Below we’ve listed several tasks for you to consider, and grouped them conveniently so you can prepare your home for winter in a way that makes sense to you.
Fall Maintenance to Prepare Your Home for Winter
Fall is the perfect time to button up your home’s defenses against the elements before the weather gets bad. Completing these maintenance to-dos in the fall will help ward off drafts, prevent damage, and ensure your home stays warm and efficient all winter.
Be sure to call a professional for any task that needs special expertise.
Read More: Winter Maintenance: When to DIY or Call a Pro
- Seal gaps and cracks to prevent drafts: Cold winter drafts can creep in from tiny cracks around doors and windows. Sealing these with caulk or weatherstripping keeps the cold outside and heat inside.
- Call for a furnace tune-up: Make sure your heating system is prepared for winter as well. Schedule a professional tune-up in the fall so you have time for repairs before the cold weather sets in.
- Check your roof and clear gutters and downspouts: Inspect for and repair any damaged or missing shingles, then clear leaves and debris from gutters to prevent ice dams in the winter.
- Inspect your chimney: Fire risks increase during the winter. If you use your fireplace regularly in the winter, schedule a chimney sweep to remove creosote and keep your home safe from chimney fire.
More Outdoor Tasks to Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Winterizing your home’s exterior should be a priority to get your home ready for winter. These tasks will help keep your outdoor areas safe and functional through the colder months.
- Inspect your windows for cracks or damage: Broken frames or cracks in window glass can let in cold air, driving up energy costs. Repair or replace damaged windows sooner than later so you don’t go all winter with drafty windows.
Read more: 1-Question Quiz: See if it’s Time to Replace Your Windows
- Store outdoor furniture: After all the fall bonfires, protect your outdoor furniture from winter weather by cleaning it and storing it in a dry place.
- Schedule winter tree trimming: Winter is an ideal time for pruning while trees are dormant. Cut back overhanging branches that could snap under heavy snow and damage your home or power lines.
- Protect outdoor pipes: Be sure to disconnect garden hoses before winter sets in, and Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and bursting.
- Repair uneven walkways and driveways: Fixing cracks or uneven surfaces now can make shoveling easier this winter, and reducing trip-and-slip hazards.
Indoor Steps to Winterize Your Home
Winterizing the inside of your home ensures your comfort and safety all season long. Focus on these easy indoor tasks to stay warm and worry-free.
- Check fire extinguishers and change smoke detector batteries: Safety first! Replace batteries in smoke detectors and confirm your fire extinguishers are in working order.
- Clear areas around your windows: Ensure holiday decorations, furniture, and other items are kept out of the way of windows. In case of an emergency, a window may be your best escape route, so keep a clear path.
- Smart thermostat calibration: Calibrate your thermostat for accurate temperature control to save energy and stay comfortable.
- Update insulation: Add or replace insulation in attics or basements to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- Prepare an emergency kit: Stock up on essentials like flashlights, batteries, blankets, and bottled water, just in case of a winter storm.
Don't Forget: Prepare Your Home for Winter Guests!
Hosting family and friends over the winter holidays? These to-dos will help keep you organized, prepared, and ready to enjoy a festive season with guests:
- Inspect your bathrooms for mold, leaks, and broken tile before guests arrive.
- Ensure your have enough linens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and towels) for overnight guests.
- Deep-clean the fridge and freezer to make room for holiday cooking and baking, and stock up on to-go containers for leftovers.
- Ensure guest room windows are in good shape and won’t let in drafts that will make guests uncomfortable.
- Place a new welcome mat, update your lighting, and place seasonal decorations to make your entryway extra inviting.
Get Your Home Ready for Winter with Help from Improveit
Winter-proofing your home might take a little effort, but it pays off in comfort, safety, and energy savings throughout the season. But what happens if those winter prep tasks are bigger than you can handle? Give Improveit a call!
Whether it’s replacing your old, drafty windows, updating your bathroom for family and guests, or giving your kitchen a makeover before you host a feast, we can help. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your needs with an on-staff designer.
From small clean-up tasks to big home improvements, you can enjoy a worry-free winter and be ready for anything. Use the links throughout this article for more information, or call Improveit at 855-637-2999 to learn more.
