As a homeowner, you should know just how costly certain repairs and upkeep can be for your home. That’s why as each season rolls around, you should do your research and make the right changes to prepare your home for the season. The season with arguably the most preparation required is winter. With ice, sleet, snow, hail, and freezing temperatures, winter packs a punch in terms of potential weather damage. It’s pivotal that as a homeowner, you take the necessary steps to prepare your home for winter so that you can protect your home from damage and stay cozy and warm during the whole season.
1. Take care of all the extras on your property
Winter’s weather means the areas outside your home will be subject to Mother Nature’s whims. Keep all the “extras” — that is, any pools, patio furniture, or big pieces of equipment — safe from damage by taking the necessary steps. Make sure you cover your in-ground or above-ground pool so that snow doesn’t pile up during the season. It also helps to do a deep clean of your pool before the temperatures drop, and you may even want to consider pool renovations if your pool needs a real makeover.
You should also purchase and use covers for your patio furniture as well as any larger pieces of lawn equipment such as lawn mowers to protect them from snow and ice. This means that when you’re ready to use these items in the warmer spring months, they’ll be ready for you to enjoy.
2. Be up to date on your heater and air conditioner checkups
Another area of your home that will need attention before winter hits is your heating and cooling systems. Make sure you schedule a consultation with your local electrician or servicer so that they can do a full inspection and ensure that your heater will keep working all season long. You may also want to replace a few parts on your furnace and give the whole machine a deep cleaning to keep it in working condition.
3. Make sure all your detectors are in working condition
Winter is the season wherein you’re most likely to have a fire, because of many households using the furnace nonstop. Additionally, with all windows and doors and cracks sealed up to keep out the cold, the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a little greater. That is why it’s key that you test all the detectors in your home. Do a trial run of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure to change the batteries if they’re not in working condition.
4. Keep the warm in and the cool out
The No. 1 thing that your house provides for you during the winter is protection from the cold. Additionally, your home should be an oasis of warmth when you’re trying to escape the frigid temperatures outside. For this reason, you should consider all ways that you can keep the warmth in and the cold out. Consider grabbing a draft stopper or “door snake” from a homegoods store or making one yourself. You will also want to set a cozy mood indoors. You can get a nice portable or bluetooth speaker from The Store to play festive winter tunes all season long to keep the mood spirited.
5. Prepare yourself for snow removal
In many parts of the world, you will receive snow in the winter. You must prepare yourself for snow removal. Locate your snow blowers and shovels before it’s time to use them so you don’t spend time in a cold garage or shed searching for them. Additionally, stock up on ice melt so that you can clear paths, sidewalks, driveways, and other areas you frequent to cut down on accidents because of slippery ice.
