Are the nights getting longer in your area? When walking outside, do you feel the urge to put something on? Unfortunately, this signals that winter is rapidly approaching. Low temperatures, ice storms, freezing snow, and a general chill in the air are what you may anticipate in the near future. Some people genuinely enjoy winter, but we won’t discuss them here.
Putting jokes aside, the winter season calls for a little more preparation than the others because it might inflict harm to exposed property. Additionally, you won’t enjoy yourself as much if you don’t winterize your house. To make sure your property is in top shape for winter, here’s how to prepare your house for the cold season and ensure all the safety, warmth, and comfort you can get:
Clean the gutters
It’s crucial to check your roof before winter arrives. Start by clearing up the dirt in your gutters and making sure the water can flow freely. While you’re up there, carefully inspect your roof for any damaged or crooked shingles. To avoid leaks and draughts, all shingles must be present, free of cracks, and appropriately positioned.
Seal the windows and doors
You must reevaluate your insulation if you want to ensure that you are warm and cozy in your home without turning up the thermostat. Pay close attention to any seams, holes, or cracks that could let a lot of your valuable heat escape. Fill in any gaps and cracks around windows, doors, pipes, outlets, and postal chutes to stop warm air from exiting and cold air from entering. Purchasing professional-grade acrylic latex caulk or foam sealant is your best bet. You can apply weather stripping to your windows and doors for additional protection to ensure that little heat escapes during the winter.
Inspect and protect the pipes
It is best to insulate any exposed pipes that are outside the home and could freeze during the winter. It is advisable to wrap your faucets in protective materials once it is below freezing and to leave them dripping slightly to prevent freezing and bursting once it is below freezing. It is crucial to inspect pipes and, if required, shield them from the cold, even in warmer climates like Australia. If you have any issues with your faucets, flushing or draining, it’s best to call an experienced plumber from Sydney to handle your problems before winter. Be proactive since plumbing repairs in the winter are significantly more difficult than those done in the summer.
Examine your heating system
Every year, preferably before they are utilized, all heating bodies must be repaired and tested. You’ll have enough time to address any concerns that your expert finds before the heating season begins. Your air filters need to be changed, and you should inspect your furnaces, boilers, and chimneys. In the winter, air filters should be changed every two months to avoid obstructed air movement and decreased system efficiency. You can also spend your money on a higher-quality alternative to a disposable filter, like a reusable electrostatic filter.
Check the smoke and CO detectors
Did you know that winter is the season when house fires are most prone to occur? Don’t take any chances with your malfunctioning smoke alarms; have them fixed right away. Check your detectors once a month throughout the winter and make sure the batteries are current. A carbon monoxide detector must be installed. Being confined indoors with hazardous gas can be extremely harmful, if not fatal.
Prevent injuries
Make sure your outside spaces are safe to use if you experience a lot of rain, snow, or ice during the winter. Start by repairing any concrete cracks, restoring broken steps, tightening the handrails, and cleaning your driveway, sidewalk, and walks. Purchase enough of deicing salt and have it nearby for use as a sprinkler on the patio, steps, and driveway as needed during the winter. Make sure your garage or carport provides the highest level of protection for your vehicles.
Get your lawn ready for winter
Although your garden will definitely suffer a little throughout the winter, if you provide the right care, your plants will be able to welcome spring without any harm. Spend a day trimming the trees and getting rid of any limbs that dangle dangerously close to your home or appear to be dead. Branches can collapse under the weight of snow, ice, and wind, harming your property or even putting people’s lives in danger.
If you winterize your home with all of the suggestions above, you can relax and wait for winter peacefully, knowing that your property is protected, your family is comfortable and your energy bills are low.
