The winter season is almost upon us, and now is the perfect time to get your home ready. No matter where you live or what type of home you own, the winter season can be a tough one. Taking the time to prepare your home now can save you a lot of time, trouble and money later.
Here are 10 simple tips to get your home winter-ready.
- Have your furnace inspected. Now is the time to make sure your furnace is ready for winter, so schedule a thorough inspection of your heating system before the weather turns cold and dangerous.
- Check your roof for missing shingles. A single missing shingle could mean a serious roof leak once the ice and snow start accumulating. Don’t wait to make sure your roof is ready for winter storms.
- Clean your gutters. When the weather gets cold, you will probably not feel like climbing a ladder and checking your gutters. Use the nice weather you have left to make sure your gutters are free of leaves and debris – they could cause ice damming and other problems later on.
- Put your ceiling fans on a winter footing. Many ceiling fans have a switch for summer and winter modes, and now is the time to make the change. Check under the blades and around the motor housing for a small switch and make sure it is set to winter mode – your heating bill will thank you.
- Seal your windows and doors. Wait until a windy day, then walk around your house and feel for drafts and air leaks. Sealing those leaky spots now will save you a lot of money this winter.
- Disconnect the hoses. Leaving a hose attached to an outdoor faucet could be an expensive mistake, costing you hundreds of dollars in plumbing repairs. Make sure all hoses are disconnected before the first freeze, and be sure to drain the hoses before putting them away for the winter.
- Mulch those fallen leaves. The last days of autumn are the perfect time to put your lawn to bed. Mulching your fallen leaves is good for the lawn.
- Make sure your sump pump is working. You probably don’t think much about your sump pump, at least until you need it. Test your sump pump now, before a sudden storm leaves your basement flooded.
- Clean your chimney. If your home has a fireplace, fall is the perfect time to hire a chimney sweep and give it a good cleaning. You do not want to wait until winter to discover a problem with your fireplace.
- Stock your pantry. You never know when a sudden blizzard and the resulting icy roads will leave you stranded inside your home. Make sure you have at least three days worth of food, water and other essentials before the storm hits. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have some extra holiday treats in the cupboard!
Most importantly, seek help when you need it. Not sure who to call? Download the Bill Parnaby Team App for a comprehensive list of reputable trades and services available right at your fingertips.
