How do I prepare my home for fall & winter weather?
The change of seasons signals the need to ready your space for winter. From protecting your home’s structure to ensuring it stays cozy, here’s a list of the most important areas of your home to weatherproof before the chill sets in.
#1 - Disconnect Hoses
Prevent frozen water from expanding and bursting pipes by disconnecting all hoses from hose bibs (also referred to as spigots). After disconnecting hoses, drain them and store them away. Close the water valve inside your home that serves the exterior hose bib, then open the hose bib to release any remaining water, then close the hose bib. For added protection, consider using insulated covers to shield hose bibs from freezing temperatures.
#2 - Winterize Sprinkler System
Start by shutting off the water supply and drain the system completely using a drain valve or compressed air. Insulate above-ground components, like backflow preventers and valves, to protect them from freezing. This will prevent costly damage and ensures your sprinkler lines are ready for spring.
#3 - Secure Windows & Doors
Drafty windows and doors can make your home chilly and drive up energy bills. Use a waterproof sealant to fill in cracks and apply weatherstripping for extra protection against cold air. It is best to address this area of your home at least once per year. Locating air leaks and securing them can actually lower your heating bills and save you money in the long run.
#4 - Clean Gutters & Roof
Your gutters play a key role in directing thousands of gallons of rainwater off of your roof and away from your home each year. As you can imagine, this means they endure a little wear and tear and might be due for some minor maintenance. Most importantly, moss and debris can cause roof leaks and clogged gutters which lead to interior flooding and exterior damage if not removed. Now is a great time to perform a gutter and roof check.
#5 - Heating and Fireplace
Both your heating system and fireplace go through months of regular use followed by months of dormancy within a given year. A lot can build up during the off time. The best way to ensure safety and conserve energy (and money spent on your energy bill) is to bring in a professional to inspect and clean. This should include draining your water heater of any sediment buildup, replacing air filters on furnaces, testing system performance, sweeping your chimney of soot and creosote accumulation, and checking your damper for an airtight seal.
#6 - Smoke Detectors
One of the quickest, most impactful, maintenance checks you can do this fall is check your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly for the safety of you and your loved ones. All you have to do is look for the power indicator light to make sure it is on and press the test button to see if an alarm sounds. If neither is working, it is time to replace the batteries.
#7 - Plumbing
Pipes freezing and bursting does no good for anyone. This fall maintenance step is crucial for preventing issues like this during the colder months of the year. You can start by locating and closing your indoor water valves to prevent freezing of outdoor faucets. From there we suggest you drain your garden hoses, disconnect from spigots, and turn off all outdoor faucets. Lastly, you’ll want to move inside to inspect visible pipes and ensure they’re properly insulated.
#8 - Landscaping
Fun fact: the soil outside your home actually expands and contracts depending on the climate and time of year. Soil shrinks in summer months due to dryer, hotter weather. In the winter months your soil will begin to expand, meaning the roots on your grass will grow deeper. This makes it an ideal time to fertilize and reseed your lawn. You may also want to prune shrubs to encourage healthy growth and trim trees that are close to power lines to avoid damage caused by heavy snow and ice in the winter.
If you’re looking to take your preventative steps even further, you may choose to bring in your outdoor furniture, check your concrete driveway for cracks, or have your foundation inspected. We wish you and your home a safe and enjoyable transition into the fall and winter seasons!
