Winter is Coming! Is Your Home Ready?

By Kristin Doucet | 2 minute read

As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, now is the perfect time to ensure your house is ready for the colder elements. To help you get started, we’ve put together 10 things you can do now to make your home winter-ready.

1. Replace furnace filters

Replacing furnace filters monthly helps keep dust particles from entering the heated air and helps your furnace run efficiently. Make sure you have working carbon-monoxide detectors as older furnaces can form cracks that can leak poisonous gas into your home.

2. Protect your pipes

It’s not uncommon to have a pipe burst when trapped water freezes and ruptures it. While a burst pipe can be expensive, it is preventable. Pipe insulation can be wrapped around pipes along exterior walls in the basement or uninsulated areas. Also, be sure to drain outdoor faucets.

3. Deal with drafty rooms

Drafts impact the comfort of your home and raise your heating bills. Check for drafts by placing a lit candle around windows and doors. If the flame flickers, you’ve got a draft. You can use caulking, storm windows, weather stripping and plastic-window-insulation kits to keep drafts out.

4. Get your roof inspected

A roof inspection will tell you if your shingles are intact. Loose or damaged shingles can shift under snow, causing leaks. Clean and inspect eavestroughs, too, so they can handle melting snow. This prevents gutters from getting backed up come springtime.

5. Cut down dead branches

Trees with dead branches that hang over your home can damage your property if they snap under the weight of snow or ice. If you can’t safely remove the dead branches yourself, call a tree service to assess the health of your trees.

6. Prevent slipping hazards

Stock up on sand or salt well before the snow starts falling. Consider applying treads or using a floor coating, such as epoxy, on slippery surfaces like stairs. Check that downspouts are not draining onto walkways to prevent water from freezing on them.

7. Plan for snow removal

Whether you plan to use a snow removal service or do it yourself with a snowblower, now’s the time to formulate a plan. Getting quotes from at least three different services can take several weeks, and if you plan to invest in a snowblower, it’s a good idea to start shopping now.

8. Keep critters out

Rodents like to seek refuge indoors when the temperatures drop. Inspect your home for places where they can gain entry, such as holes around pipes, vents and cables. Caulking these areas or stuffing openings with steel wool can help keep critters out.

9. Clear off your patio or deck

Put away or cover outdoor furniture with a protective all-weather cover.  Bring planters, hoses, and lawn-maintenance equipment inside for the winter.

10. Clean your fireplace and chimney 

If you’re using a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the fireplace and chimney are safe to use. You can do this by clearing out debris and cleaning out the soot and anything else that may have made its way into the chimney during the warmer months. Ensuring the chimney is well-ventilated will reduce the chance of chimney fires and smoke inhalation.