There is something magical about waking up on a winter morning and seeing the fresh, falling snow cover the ground. With a warm cup of coffee in hand you can enjoy the picturesque view from the comfort of your couch or enjoy a good snowball fight with the kids. However, winter weather can be downright nasty which could in turn affect your home if you're not prepared. Here are some simple ways to prep your home for winter before the first snow fall, so you can enjoy the season rather than worry about it.
1. Wrap your pipes
Low digit temperatures can wreak havoc on your water pipes. Check around your home for outdoor water pipes and for any interior pipes located on exterior walls or in unheated spaces. To prevent them from freezing, or worse, bursting, set aside some time to insulate them.
Tools needed: insulation tubes, electrical tape, or heat cable in case you live in area that typically has more intense winter weather.
2. Seal your windows
Cold air can make their way into your home via doors and windows. If you feel a draft coming in through your windows, an affordable way to prevent the cold from coming in is to seal them. Sealing them can help prevent raising the thermostat which can help with your heating costs over the winter months.
Tools needed: There are full window insulation kits available for purchase. You can also use plastic sheeting or bubble wrap to seal up the inside of your windows. Depending on which product you buy, a hair dryer or double-sided tape can be used to keep the insulation in place.
3. Take inventory
We've all been there. You wake up after a heavy snow fall only to realize you can't clear off your stairs or driveway because your shovel from last year is broken. Before winter strikes, make sure you have at least one bag of rock salt on hand and a good shovel. If you happen to own a snow blower, give it a thorough check to see if anything is damaged, if any parts needs changed, and fill it up with fresh gas and oil.
Tools needed: cash in that Home Depot gift card for these essential winter tools:
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a bag or two of rock salt or ice melt
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a durable shovel
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a roof rake - this handy tool can help lessen the risk of issues associated with heavy snow on your roof or gutters.
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a snow brush and ice scraper combo
4. Schedule a furnace inspection
Nothing is worse than having your furnace break down on a below freezing day. Contact your local Heating and Cooling company to schedule an inspection once a year. The HVAC technician will typically check the controls, connections, test components, and change the filter. For less than $100, it's well worth the price considering a whole new furnace can run you anywhere between $3,000 - $6,000.
Tools needed: a phone to contact a reliable HVAC expert. Check Google reviews of businesses or visit sites like Home Advisor to see what people are saying.
5. Clean out your gutters
A bunch of debris such as leaves, and sticks are filling up your gutters. Where is all the water from the roof going to go when snow starts to melt? Protect your home from unnecessary (and costly) water damage when you take the time to clean your gutters over a weekend.
Tools needed: a ladder, work gloves, a bucket to catch debris, and a hose to flush out the gutter after you remove the larger pieces of debris.
Additionally, you can always hire a gutter cleaning service. You can find deals on Groupon in which you can save up to 50% off the gutter cleaning service depending on the size of your home.
In short, you can safeguard many aspects of your home in preparation for the winter season. Save yourself from costly repairs that always seem to happen at the most inopportune times when you accomplish these few tasks over a weekend or two.