The snow is already flying in some areas of the country. If you’ve been putting off outdoor maintenance to get your home ready for winter, time is not on your side. Instead of putting it off any longer, get it on your weekend to-do list.
Winterizing your home, especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme cold, snow, and ice during the winter, is necessary to make sure that your home weathers the literal storm.
Keep reading to learn more about how to get your home ready for the winter.
- Clean Your Gutters
If you have a lot of trees around your property, there’s a good chance that your gutters are full of leaves and other debris. It’s necessary to clean your gutters so they work efficiently, but it’s even more important in the winter. If your gutters aren’t cleaned, the leaves and other items trapped in them could freeze, causing heavy gutters that could collapse in the winter.
If you don’t have a ladder tall enough or don’t feel comfortable climbing that high, hire a gutter cleaning service. They can have your gutters cleaned out in a few hours.
- Clean Your Chimney
If you haven’t used your fireplace since last winter, it’s time to make sure it’s cleaned and ready to go. Don’t put your home at risk of a fire due to a faulty or dirty chimney. This task might be better left to a professional chimney sweep if you have a lot of damage or soot in your chimney.
- Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating pipes, especially those in unheated basements and near doors and windows, can help prevent them from freezing or bursting. It can also help cut down on the loss of heating energy, especially if you have a boiler.
- Trim Trees and Clear the Yard
This website has great information on how to prune your trees and get them ready for the winter. Make sure that your trees are ready for the winter by trimming them and removing any branches too close to your home. Clean up any leaves and debris in your yard, deadhead any flowers or plants that need it, and make sure your irrigation system is also winterized.
- Protect Outdoor Furniture and Air Conditioner Units
Bring in any outdoor furniture or play equipment that you can. The things you can’t bring in should be covered with tarps or canvas covers to protect them from the elements. Use a heavy tarp and bungee cords to cover your air conditioning unit. This will prevent any snow or ice from building up and damaging it.
- Check Windows and Doors for Air Leaks
Check for air leaks around your windows and doors. You don’t want to waste money heating your home if the warm air is escaping. If there are any cracks in your caulking or weatherstripping, replace it.
Take this time to install any storm doors or windows you have as well.
- Inspect the Roof
Before it starts snowing, check your roof for any loose shingles or other damaged areas. Get these areas fixed as soon as possible so you don’t experience any leaks due to melting snow or ice.
Get Your Home Ready for Winter With These Outdoor Maintenance Tips
Before it gets too cold, you need to make sure your home is ready for the winter. Use our outdoor maintenance tips to protect your home from damage due to a lack of preparation.
Did you find this article useful? Be sure to explore some of our others and come back to learn more about getting your home ready for the spring and summer.