With Thanksgiving over and done with, it’s time to start prepping for the winter. Though winter prep for your family might mean pulling out the coats and sweaters and packing away your fall gear, getting your home ready is another task. In order to stay snug and safe in your humble abode this winter you’ll want to make sure your home’s structure and systems are intact. Below is a list of five things that you want to do to get ready for the cold months ahead:
- Get the Heating System Checked
If you haven’t done so by now, you really want to have your home system serviced. You don’t want to wait until the temperatures are freezing to find out that you don’t have sufficient heat in your home. Heating maintenance is important and pretty typical around this time of year. It can include an inspection, cleaning of the filters, and other routine tasks to ensure that your heating system is running as efficiently as possible.
- Clean the Gutters
The fall can make for really cluttered gutters. The leaves that fall from the trees as well as other debris can find its way into your gutters making it harder for rainwater to pass through. The trouble with clogged gutters is that this can lead to serious leaking issues in your roof or foundation issues which can cost you a serious amount of money. Grab a ladder and get to cleaning the gutters. If you’re not comfortable hopping on a ladder, contact a professional to handle the task for you.
- Have the Roof Inspected
The winter brings with it some pretty horrible weather. Snowfall, sleet, hail, and even rain can begin to weigh on the integrity of your roof. Therefore, you want to have a professional roofer come and inspect the roof. They can check for holes and cracks where water can get through, broken tiles, and other roofing issues that could cause costly issues for you this winter.
- Get the Chimney Cleaned
Do you enjoy being able to cuddle up with your family under a cozy fire? Well, if you’re going to enjoy that this season, you’re going to want to make sure that you have your chimney cleaned out. Dirt, debris, soot, and even animals could be caught up in the chimney and leaving it there could lead to a house fire. Hiring a chimney sweep or a roofer to take a look at it is ideal for your overall safety.
- Prepare the Garden
For those who love the idea of being able to garden, now is the time to get your garden ready for the winter. You’ll need to remove any weeds that might be present, label any of your fall bulbs before they’re covered in a blanket of snow, turn off your irrigation system so it doesn’t freeze, and remove any debris from around your garden.
Though it may seem a bit early to start prepping your home for the winter, one can never be too sure. Each of these tasks listed above will ensure that your home’s structure and integrity are intact to keep you safe and warm from the cold and snowy weather. Once you’ve tackled each of the things on this to do list, all that’s left to do is prep for the holidays and enjoy spending time with your family.
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I agree, it’s not too early. In fact, I think it’s THE perfect time to get prepared for winter. You don’t want to wait until it’s already cold to find out something like your heat needs serviced.
My friend just bought an older home in October. The home inspection missed an issue on their roof. She didn’t think it was a big deal, but I told her to see if a roofing contractor would even do a free consultation. She ignored me, and guess what I just saw on her Instagram? A giant square cut into the ceiling in their kitchen, bubbled paint, and a bucket on the counter. It’s seriously worth calling and asking – it might have saved the drywall over her kitchen!
These are all important items to address in order to keep your home in great shape. Thanks for sharing!
Your fourth tip was really helpful; I forgot to check my chimney last winter! It’s good that you included what could happen if you don’t check your chimney. I didn’t know that dirt and soot buildup could start a house fire, so I will be much more careful now. Of course I don’t really know how to clean the chimney myself, so I will probably have to call a service, anyway.
Yes, it’s really important to get our homes checked not just for the winter. Thank you for sharing these tips. They’re all helpful.