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It’s never too early to start preparing for winter.
After all, winter is just around the corner, with plenty of regions in the United States already seeing colder temperatures. Now is the time to get your home ready for icy temperatures and inclement weather.
Preparation is best done while the weather is still mild. It can make all the difference when the cold weather arrives, and inclement weather hits.
Checking your home’s heating system is incredibly important. For around $80 to $100, you can have a technician inspect your furnace or heat pump. This will ensure the system is clean and in good repair, and that it’s working at its manufacturer-rated efficiency.
It’s best to do this now, before it gets too cold. It means not being 200th in line for repairs after temps have already dropped below freezing!
Inspect any weather stripping, caulking around windows and doors, and check for gaps both indoors and outdoors. Make repairs as necessary to keep the cold air out of your home.
No one likes to clean the gutters, but now is the time. You don’t want to be out there in winter temps, and it’ll be nearly impossible if the gunk in your gutters has frozen over. Making sure your gutters are free of leaves and other debris is a really important step.
If your gutters aren’t clean, water can back up against the house, damaging roofing, siding, and wood trim — plus, it could cause leaks and ice dams.
While you’re out there cleaning the gutters, it’s a good time to check your roof, as well. Look for any damaged, loose, or missing shingles that could become leaks during winter storms or melting snow. Remove any fallen leaves, branches, or pine needles, because these will hold moisture. Don’t forget to check and repair the flashing seals around vet stacks or chimneys, too.
If you have a working fireplace, chances are you like to build a cozy fire to keep warm in the winter. Now’s the time to call a chimney sweep to ensure your chimney, liner, and vents are clean and in good repair. This can prevent dangers, like carbon monoxide from coming into your home, or even chimney fires.
Have a communications plan, and an emergency kit stocked with items like water, nonperishable food, flashlights, a first aid kit, and extra medications.
Finally, go ahead and purchase snow and ice removal supplies now. If you wait until a snowstorm hits, stores might already be sold out of shovels and salt, or you could already be snowed in.
