As the frosty chill enters the air, you may need some home maintenance to help prepare for the winter weather. Look no further for our simple checklist for winterizing your home this season.

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Heating System

It’s no secret that heating is essential to your home in the winter months. Before harsh conditions hit, it’s necessary to check your heating system. To do a proper check, follow these four easy steps:

• Do a test run by setting your furnace to 80 degrees and wait for it to kick on, feel for warm air, and then return the thermostat to the usual setting.
• Replace your furnace air filter
• Inspect and clean your heating vents
• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to a clockwise pattern to help circulate warm air

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Inspect Fireplace & Chimney

Next up on our checklist for winterizing your home is to inspect your fireplace and chimney. This is a notorious place for cool air leaking into the house, and it’s also a typical time you may want to light a toasty fire. Follow these steps to inspect your home fireplace:

• Clear obstructions, including bird or animal nests
• Ensure the damper can open and close fully
• Check the draft by lighting a piece of paper with the damper open; if smoke goes up the chimney, you’re good to go; but if it does not, you should call a professional to fix the issue.
• Inspect the firebrick in the fireplace. If you notice any issues, call a professional to make the fix.

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Winter-Ready Water Pipes

Our next item on your winterizing checklist should be to get your water pipes winter and freeze-ready. Accomplish this step by following these easy tasks:

• Insulate exposed pipes in a crawlspace, attic, or other uninsulated areas of your home
• Drain water and add an insulated cover to your exterior faucets or sillcocks

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Seal Air Leaks

Another culprit of winter chill is air leaks around windows and doors. This allows cool drafts to come into your home, which is unpleasant and hurts energy efficiency. Follow these steps for sealing air leaks in your home:

• Inspect outside window molding and caulk any leaks
• Inspect window tracks for debris that may be causing an air leak
• Add extra caulk around windows or try a plastic film that can temporarily seal the window
• Inspect weatherstripping around your doors and replace it if necessary
• Check for air leaks around doors and use rope caulk where needed

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Exterior Winterization

Our final step for winterizing your home for colder months is to do some exterior tasks to ensure your home is secure and ready for a freeze. 

• Cover patio furniture or bring it inside a covered space like your garage
• Drain your lawn mower and other seasonal power tools of gasoline
• Clean and store garden tools and your grill
• Remove debris from gutters
• Cut back any perennial plants to ensure effortless regrowth in the spring

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