Homeowners across the United States should put their house in order ahead of the winter season. The last few winter seasons we have seen some of the most extreme weather conditions, including blizzards, which crippled daily life in many cities across the country. You can’t do much to protect your house when it is already freezing cold outside, so that makes fall the best time to prepare your home for the winter. 

Getting your house all dolled up to face single-digit temperature requires you to make some structural and mechanical shifts. The following checklist would help you get ready to brave the extreme weather conditions in the upcoming winter. 

Check the Heating System

Let’s first turn our attention to the most critical commodity of winter. Typically, most of heating systems last for 13 to 14 years, but the maintenance of a heating system can add more years in its lifespan. Before the temperature drops, make it a point to have your furnace scrutinized by a technician. Moreover, you can take the following measures to ensure the system’s lasting durability and cope with the ruthless temperature beforehand:

Replace the Air Filter: It is recommended that you change filters every four months. Though, you can replace them earlier if your house is situated at a dusty location and you are also fond of feathery pets. 

Check the Fuel Supply: Imagine you are in the midst of a freezing cold night and you run out of fuel. If you happen to own a fuel oil furnace, make sure the storage tank is always be topped off before winter turns up.

Look for Carbon Monoxide Leaks: The leakage of carbon monoxide is a potential safety hazard. The fuel furnaces are programmed to take care of the carbon monoxide which is produced when the fuel is burned. Although, due to the maintenance issue, the dangerous gas is leaked. If you have identified the leaks, call a technician for the quick fix.

Clean Heating Vents: As the months slip by, heating vents also get clogged. Run a cleanliness check on them before temperature trickles-down. 

Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters does not sound glamorous but you can’t skip it. Generally, in the winter gutters have to experience more water flow due to heavy snowstorms. If your gutters are jammed with dirt then water is likely to freeze there which is sure to damage your property. You will soon spot issues like cracked walkaways and water entering into your basement area.

Our top recommendations will help you to keep your gutters tidy during the winter season:

• Invite an expert for an in-depth inspection of your gutter. You never know fasteners inside your gutter might not be working properly. This could destabilize your house and the coming winter may come up with an economic drawback for you. It will be risky to apply your DIY skills here. Only an expert can provide a clear picture.

• Use heat tape to de-freeze the ice. Gutters have limited capacity to confront blockage issues. If ice hits your gutters at an overwhelming rate, there is every possibility that all your hard work to tidy up the gutters can go down the drain. Thus, installing de-freezer could be the best alternative. It makes the drainage smoother by melting the ice.

Take Care of Windows and Doors

The leakages in windows and doors would not be able to stop the cold air from entering your house. It would also escalate your heating bills because the heat does not last longer inside the house. The issue is more particular with old doors and windows. In order to avoid this issue, you can consider below-mentioned methods:  

• Fix Air Leaks: It does not take a specialist to detect them. The best way to do it is to close your doors on a windy day and feel the air from the holes, if any. Commonly, air leaks are spotted at the very edges of the window.  

• Check Out for the Door Sweep: If it has outlived its utility, change it without much ado. 

• Having Double-Hung Windows? Make sure the inner lock works properly. Breeze can sneak inside from the sashes which means your heating system will have to put an extra effort. Don’t think it accounts for much? Wait for your heating bill.  

• Caulking: It is one of the most anticipated issues with both doors and windows. Inspect for missing caulking. If applying caulk becomes unavoidable, don’t compromise on its quality.  

• Tape plastic on the windows: It will surely hijack the captivating look your windows once presented but this is a very effective way to keep your house warm.

If all these repairs sound too much for you, try calling a team of professional siding contractors in Colonial Heights.

Inspect the Chimney

If you are a fan of fire during the winter, you must have a chimney placed in your home. But you can’t use it after it is being abandoned for a considerable period of time. Chimney fires are responsible for a staggering 125 million dollars of property damage in the United States alone. The numbers reiterate how important it is to have your chimney inspected before using it.  

Here is how you can prevent ugly incidents by keeping the chimney up-to-date:

• Look out for leaks: Chimneys are accustomed to nurturing leaks after heavy rainstorms. Since the smallest of the leaks could be dangerous, prefer calling an expert before using it for the time after long. Untrained eyes can miss out potential risky areas. A qualified chimney sweep will also remove the nests which are built during summer and spring.

• Fireplace shield must be in good shape: Since it stops flames to come outside, the fireplace shield should be in good health. 

• Remove Obstructions Near Fireplace: Make sure to remove all the clutter close to the fireplace. Not only it reduces the risk of other stuff getting burned but more oxygen is able to flow in and fireplace efficiency is significantly improved. Besides, you won't be running out of your woodpile very often. 

Protect Your Plumbing

Perhaps no other feature of your house is as exposed to winter as pipes and other plumbing material. The repairs could be very costly. To be precise, a burst pipe can sweep away 5000 dollars, according to Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). 

Pipes have the tendency of expanding when they are frozen. In some cases, they even burst up. One way to avoid this damage is to allow your faucets to drip in cold weather. Read the following tips to winterize the pipes and faucets:

• Protecting your pipes with insulation would be a good idea. It includes pipes from the areas of your house which are more vulnerable to the weather, like exterior walls, attic, etc. Not to forget the basement area where 37 percent of incidents related to burst pipe occur.

• One of the most popular solutions to protect exterior faucets is insulated cover. Also, consider disconnecting garden faucets from the exterior or outside faucets.

Final Thoughts

Winter is indeed a challenging season for the homeowners. If it catches you unprepared, your house is quite likely to go through a lot of wear and tear. On top of that, some of the repairs might prove to be too expensive to handle for you. The best option would be to start prior preparations and enjoy your winters.

Author Bio: Barbara Raynott is a consultant and a writer. She often writes about lifestyle and Home Improvements. She likes to travel and explore new places.

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