Whether you are closing up your beach house after Labor Day or getting your primary residence ready for the cold season, winterization is an important process that homeowners should not neglect for their property.
The purpose of winterizing a home is to avoid higher energy costs and any damage caused by cold weather and snow. Here’s how to winterize your home properly to weather the season.
- Insulate: Ensure your home is properly insulated and sealed. You can add insulation to your attic to help keep your home warm and energy efficient. You can also insulate pipes in unheated areas, like attics, basements, and garages, that could freeze.
- Check your roof: Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles and replace them if needed. A leaky roof can cause significant damage during the winter.
- Clean gutters: Clogged gutters can cause damage to your siding and trim, or create ice dams on your roof.
- Sweep your chimney: A yearly chimney sweep can increase your fuel efficiency and protect your home from fire risk.
- Reverse ceiling fans: Use a switch to change the direction of your ceiling fan blades to create an updraft and circulate heat down.
- Change furnace filters: Change your furnace’s air filter every two months during the winter. A dirty filter can reduce your furnace’s efficiency.
- Winterize pipes and hoses: Cover outdoor pipes and winterize sprinklers and hoses.
- Winterize plants and landscaping: Take care of your plants and landscaping.
