And before we knew it, fall was ending and winter was approaching – and fast! Most don’t know it, but homeowners should really be spending some time winterizing their home in preparation. Taking several hours to do so will really help save some money and ensure that no large repairs are necessary throughout the colder months. So check out our list of must do’s before it’s too late!
- Clean your gutters.
One of the easiest things you can do is check and clean out your gutters. During the fall months, the combination of leaves and rainfall can cause some major buildup that must be cleaned out. If debris is left in your gutters, you run a high risk of those gutters being clogged and even freezing over when the temperature gets low enough.
Check out some of our products for cleaning and enhancing your gutters.
- Check your pipes.
When water freezes, it expands and during winter, your house will tend to expand due to colder temps and water in the pipes. So when your pipe is frozen and freezes the water within, the water-turned-ice expands causing your pipes to expand. Then, when you run a faucet connected to that pipe, the water pressure increases and too much water pressure can – and likely will – rupture the pipe. - Block the cold.
Take a gander at all your doors and windows. Even the tiniest cracks can cause major drafts in the winter. Grab some caulk and cover any crack you find. You can also buy window or door draft stoppers that slide under your window and help keep the cold air out.
Shop our selection of caulk and draft stoppers.
- Change your thermostat.
It might be a good idea to update your thermostat to a programmable one if it’s in your budget. This is the perfect, cost-effective way to maintain the temperature in your home. Programmable thermostats can save homeowners anywhere from “10-30% on their heating and cooling bills” (Norbord). Programmable thermostats can be found for anywhere from $20-$150 depending on the brand and technology features. And while it is possible to install them yourself, unless you’re an experienced DIYer, we suggest hiring a professional.
Check out our variety of programmable thermostats. - Protect your plants.
Don’t forget about your plant babies! Most plants aren’t built for year-round weather conditions. Bring any plants or trees inside before the first frost or before temperatures hit anywhere below 45 degrees (University of Vermont).
- Check your furnace filter.
A super simple way to make your furnace more efficient (and in turn, save some money!) is to make sure your furnace filter is clean and fresh. Dirty filters make your furnace work harder and make that bill shoot up. It’s good practice to replace filters at least every three months anyway.
Shop our selection of furnace filters. - Check your roof.
Snow, ice, wintery mixes and heavy wind can be hard on a roof. And it’s much easier and cheaper to make sure your roof is up to par rather than waiting until it needs to be repaired. When you’re inspecting the roof, check for any broken or missing shingles or anything that looks alarming and clear the roof of leaves and other debris. If something looks off, call a professional to have them give you a consultation. Most roofers offer free initial consultations so take advantage of that!
There are lots of ways to winterize your home but these should get you started. Do some additional research and ask your local Buchheit Project Expert for any additional assistance ensuring your home is ready to take on the cold temps of the winter months.
