Sadly, watching Hallmark movies is not enough to prepare for the holiday season. There’s a lot you need to do to protect your home from the ravages of Old Man Winter.
Even though it takes some effort, all of these steps will help you avoid expensive repairs after the snow melts. Here are six ways homeowners can prepare for winter.
Feed Your Lawn
It may seem like the grass is already dormant, but its roots are still active. Fertilize your grass to promote deep, healthy root growth.
Fertilizers make the grass more resistant to drought and disease. Fertilizing in fall helps the grass turn green faster when spring comes.
You can find the right fertilizer in home improvement centers and garden stores. Search for a formula that’s made specifically for fall application.
Drain Outside Faucets and Water Lines
If you fail to do so, you risk having a costly mess on your hands. Water expands when it freezes, which can result in cracks all over. Exterior faucets, underground irrigation lines, and all outside water lines are at risk of freezing.
For starters, turn off the water lines inside your home. Check the main plumbing line. The shutoff valves should be around there. Make sure they’re closed all the way.
To drain the water, open the spigots. You’ll need a pro for irrigation lines. To make sure the water isn’t leaking, check the faucets occasionally. If it is, you’ll need to replace the shutoff valves.
Make sure there are no cracks in your water tank. If your hot water tank is over ten years old, you may need to replace it.
Eliminate Air Leaks
Your doors and windows are a good place to start. If you find any gaps, you can seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. If it doesn’t do the trick, consider replacing your doors and windows.
Even though it costs much more than weatherstripping, it’s a much more cost-efficient solution in the long run. If you go with Energy Star labeled windows, you may save a lot of money on energy bills.
The best way to look for air leaks is by taking a walk around the house. If there are wires, ducts, and pipes sticking through the siding, you’ll need to seal them.
Even small gaps can cause a lot of warm air to escape the house. So, make sure to caulk and seal.
Take Care of Vents, Ducts, and Hoses
The “lungs” of your home can cause a lot of trouble if they are not properly taken care of. The U.S. Fire Department receives 2,900 dryer fire reports every year.
Such accidents happen because people neglect to clean their dryers. To prevent that from happening to you, check the vent and exhaust on your dryer regularly and empty or replace the dryer hose.
During winter, homeowners rely heavily on their HVAC systems to provide them warmth but fail to take the proper precautions. Ducts are especially dangerous. They provide a place where fire can smolder.
It’s very likely your ducts and vents are full of dust, no matter how clean your house is. The dust collected is a fire hazard. Most people around the world rely on insulation to protect their ducts and keep the air warm.
But, duct insulation is not enough to keep your ducts safe in case something goes wrong. Make sure your ducts are cleaned and configured correctly. You’ll make your home safer and keep energy costs lower.
Clean the Gutters
One of the ways homeowners can prepare for winter is to clean the gutters. Once all the leaves are down, grab a ladder and get to it. Clogged gutters can cause many water problems inside the house. Overflowing gutters can leak water into the basement.
Keeping the debris away may not always solve the problem. In that case, you can attach extensions over the downspouts. It’s an inexpensive solution, so it pays off to be safe. It’s important to get the water as far away from the house as you can.
Reverse the Ceiling Fan
According to Energy Star, you can cut heating costs with a flip of a switch. Switch the ceiling fan to the clockwise direction. That way, the fan will push the warm air downward.
Since the fan will circulate warm air, you can turn down the thermostat a bit. Even if your ceiling fan doesn’t come with such a switch, hiring an expert to install one is a viable solution.
Finally, these simple ways homeowners can prepare for winter will allow you to provide comfort for your family. Here’re other ways to boost your dear family’s wintertime comfort levels.
