Your Home Winterizing Guide
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the oncoming winter. By getting your home ready now, you can not only avoid doing those pesky winterizing chores in the cold, but you’ll also prevent headaches and large bills down the road. If you haven’t started winterizing your home yet, follow the checklist below!
- Check the Heat: The first thing you’ll need to check is your heating system, and make sure everything’s running smoothly for the winter months. You can test your system by turning your thermostat to 80 degrees F. You should hear your furnace kick on and should feel warm air blowing within a few minutes.
- Check the Air Conditioner: Your air conditioner needs a little love before the winter as well. Make sure to clear debris away from the unit, and remember to cover it to protect it from falling leaves and heavy snow and ice.
- Check your Fireplace, Chimney, and Flue: Your wood burning fireplace and chimney are a major source of cold air in your home. Get your fireplace and chimney inspected before the cold weather hits to make sure everything is working properly.
- Protect your Pipes: Plumbing is especially susceptible to cold weather, and can easily freeze if not emptied or insulated properly. To avoid bursting pipes and plumbing bills, insulate your pipes for the winter months.
- Prepare your Windows & Doors: Air leaks around your doors and windows can drastically increase your heating bill. On a windy day, close all your windows and feel for any air leaks. This will allow you to find the spots you need to fill. When it comes to your doors, check for weatherstripping, which can most commonly be found on the bottom of doors. If a door in your home is without weatherstripping, you can replace it to ensure your home stays warm and free of air leaks.
- Check the Roof: Hire a professional to come out and inspect your roof for loose or damaged shingles, and have them replace them. You should also clean and clear your gutters to prevent costly damages over the winter.
- Remember the Sprinkler System: Make sure to have your sprinkler system winterized no later than October. Winterizing your sprinkler system will entail emptying your sprinklers of water, and blowing compressed air through them to make sure no blockages have been missed.
If you need any more assistance when it comes to winterizing your home this season, please feel free to visit our website at kelleyconstructioninc.com to learn more about how we can help prepare your home for winter!
