How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

It’s that time of year again! Here in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region, we must be ready for anything. Even in December, we can have a mild weather day in the 70s sneak in and tease us, but for the most part, it’s time to get winter ready. You may have already broken out the parkas and boots. Perhaps you put new tires on your vehicle. What about your house? Let’s cover some home winterization tips that you can start working on now!

Furnace 

It’s time to have your local HVAC company perform an annual winter furnace tune-up and replace the furnace filter. Experts predict that Old Man Winter is going to really throw “white death” at us this year, so you want to ensure that your furnace is running at peak efficiency.

Windows and Doors

Because you now have your furnace running in an energy-efficient manner, make sure all of your money isn’t “going out the window” by sealing any drafty windows and doors. 

Gutters

Chances are those fall leaves are making quite a collection in your gutter. This should be addressed before severe winter weather hits, as this can lead to serious damage. Many homeowners neglect to realize that ice dams can easily form and wreak havoc on your home, both exteriorly and interiorly. This frozen bed of ice in your gutter can lead to wet insulation, mold growth in the attic, and even having the entire gutter tear away from the house! Those icicles may look pretty, but they are a cause for concern. Even if you have a gutter guard of some sort installed, you should still do an inspection and see if any action needs to be taken. 

Detectors

Make sure all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order, as spending more time indoors by the fireplace means it is time to make sure all safety measures are in place. 

Water Pipes

It is smart to insulate plumbing both inside and out. If you have exterior water spigots for garden hoses, make sure they are drained completely and turned off as a preventative measure. If you have a sprinkler system for your lawn, make sure these lines are completely drained as well. If you are leaving town for an extended period for holiday travel, turn off your water altogether and bleed the lines. Experts say to set the thermostat no lower than 50 degrees to prevent damage. 

With these simple home winterization tips, you can rest well knowing your house is winter-ready and enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind.