How to Prepare Your House for Winter

Preparing a home for the winter requires exterior and interior work that can done without spending a fortune.

Homes that have any exterior plumbing fixtures should take several steps to properly winterize the installations. In-ground swimming pools should be drained to a level below the exposed supply pipes. Water filters, heaters, pumps and other similar equipment should be disconnected and drained. Similarly, the plumbing in a sprinkler system must be turned off to prevent freezing within the supply lines.

Be sure to clean gutters and rooftops before cool temperatures arrive in the winter. Leaves and debris can rot and then freeze if they are not removed in time. A chimney cleaning also makes sense in preparation of the winter. Power washing the exterior siding of a home removes any living microorganisms that might cause damage if stay on the surfaces for months.

Removing any vegetation that is sensitive to cold temperatures is a way to a garden. It might be necessary to extract all remains of plants that only bloom during the spring and summer seasons. Soil aeration could also help prevent saturation of the ground if heavy precipitation comes down during the winter.

Inside the house, there are several steps to take make sure that everybody stays warm during the winter. Windows and doors should be checked for any openings that could cause drafts. Weather strips that are made of rubber or foam are effective at sealing any small cracks that might leak air. It is a good idea to have the furnace inspected before cold temperatures arrive in the winter. A simple problem with the blower motor can be detected and prevent any future costly repairs. It’s also a good idea to clean out the ducts and vents so that warm air doesn’t flow with unpleasant odors and dust into rooms.

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