Preparing Your Home for Winter

It might seem a little early to be talking about Winter, but when it comes to preparing your home for the cold season, it’s best to consider those updates now. Being able to prep and update your home while it’s still nice out will make the job a lot easier, not to mention it won’t send chills up your spine. Plus, you’ll have a little more time to prepare financially for any of those updates before the cold weather hits.

Winterizing your home looks different for everyone. If this is your first Winter in your home there may be a number of projects on your list. It may be your 25^th Winter in your home, and you could be looking to upgrade to energy and money-saving items on your lists like ductwork or windows.

In addition to bigger upgrades, it’s good to remember that regular maintenance and Winter prep of your home now is a great way to make sure you’re not spending big bucks later on repairs or upgrades.

If you’re in it for the savings there are three areas you’ll want to consider.

1. Seal the leaks. Drafts can cost you a lot in energy bills over time so consider sealing windows and replacing weather stripping to keep drafts to a minimum. If you know of any construction that goes through an exterior wall, be sure to use caulking and weather-stripping around to securely seal the leaking points. You may even want to look into upgrading your windows if they’re older.

2. Once you’re sure nothing leaks out, it’s time to heat things up. If your home has a fireplace you plan on using in lieu of other heating, be sure the chimney has been inspected and cleaned by a professional before the first frost. Also, it never hurts to have a professional perform routine maintenance on your furnace before Winter arrives. One of the first places to look when talking heat is your furnace air filter. Most air filters should be replaced annually, at a minimum, if not more often, depending on the type of filter you use. A common practice these days is to install an eco-friendly smart thermostat that you can set to a cooler temperature while you’re away versus when your home and want to be warmed up.

3. Ready the pipes. Don’t forget to disconnect hoses from the outdoor that way nothing is freezing and causing damage to your piping. Be prepared for the worst, so if you do have a pipe burst, make sure that anyone in your family can turn off the water at the source.

Maintaining the ‘usual’ things around your home before Winter helps ensure no damage during the cold season. Consider doing regular winterizing maintenance to the following before the first frost:

1. Cleaning out your gutters helps minimize any overflowing or damage that occurs when snow and/or water freezes. Cleaning gutters can also help to curtail potential foundation damage if there is overflow dripping down your home’s exterior.
2. Check your trees. Before all of the leaves fall, make sure all of your trees are still alive and healthy, especially ones that could fall on your home or a neighbor’s home if they’re starting to rot. Fall isn’t the best time to trim your trees, however, it’s a good idea to trim any branches from rubbing up against your home before Winter.
3. Cover your patio furniture to help protect it from the elements, which will help it last longer. Make sure it’s a dry day when you cover it so that moisture isn’t trapped (which is the whole purpose of covering it).
4. Apply a Fall yard treatment that will help to preserve your lawn and save you money in the Spring season.

Every season that we experience can pose different hazards and risks to your home. It’s important to invest the time and energy into preserving your home, as for many, it’s the greatest single investment we will make in our lifetimes. Not keeping up with routine maintenance can add a lot of financial headaches and strains in the future, so take care of the little things now to keep your home in tip-top shape! If you need some extra cash to help take care of your home, consider CSE for a Personal or Home Equity loan or even a Visa Credit Card.