The Winter-Ready Home

Winter is here, snow has fallen, and you're wondering if you have made your home winter ready. Even if you haven't, the good news is that you may still prepare for the next couple of months to come. Let's face it, the winters here can be quite brutal, and to be caught unprepared can have detrimental effects on your home. Subzero temperatures, icy conditions, and a whole lot of snow can quickly damage your home in the most costly of ways. By taking charge now, you can prevent some costly repairs to your home. Here's a winter survival guide that may prove useful when you're readying your home this season.

Foundation protection

Snow can be deadly for your home's foundation. When the snow begins to thaw, it will begin to run down into the cracks of your home, and flooding may become a real issue. Shoveling the snow around the edges of your home will be the best way to prevent any future problems. The same policy goes for your roof and gutters. The snow accumulation may become a concern once that snow begins to build; it can damage your shingles or penetrate the foundation. Pay special attention that the vents into your home are not being iced over. In addition to damaging your roof, it will prevent proper air flow into the house, and put pressure on your heating system. Use a brush or shovel to remove the ice before moisture problems in the wooden structure ensues. 

Furnace service

Having an efficient working furnace is crucial to surviving the winter season. Routine service will help ensure that it is working at maximum capacity all year round. Some maintenance you could do yourself is replace the filter every three months. These filters collect air-borne debris and allergens, meaning the furnace has to work twice as hard to produce the same level of output. If you have an older thermostat, consider replacing it with a programmable one to save money on heating costs.

Inspect windows and doors

Heat retention will be one of your main priorities during the cold season. In order to prevent leakage, make sure all your doors and windows are sealed. Check for caulk and drafts both inside and out. Where you find leaks in the pane, apply weather-stripping, and replace where it's necessary.

Outside maintenance

In addition to make sure that the inside of your home is prepared, the exterior should get just as much attention to prevent expensive repairs. Make sure that all faucets in the yard are turned off and drained. Otherwise, the water will likely freeze and cause pipes to burst. Trim any trees and bushes away from the house and power lines to decrease property damage and power problems. If you have any exposed pipes, try to cover them as best you can to prevent freezing.