As the fall season slowly comes to end, this is the perfect time to prepare your home for the winter.

Like other seasons, the cold icy weather brings about new challenges and potential problems your house has to endure. How can you prepare your home for the new season?

 Here are a few simple steps to get you started.

 

 

 

 

CLEAR THE GUTTERS

During the winter, it’s easier for your gutters to get clogged up. Make sure to clear them of leaves, sticks, and even debris and pinecones. That way, melted snow will drain properly and won’t clog up your gutters.

Also, make sure to direct downspouts away from your foundation to prevent damage, flooding and basement leaks.

 

INSPECT INSULATION

Proper insulation helps your home become more energy efficient and maintain stable temperatures throughout the seasons. If your insulation is inefficient, your house is more likely to consume heating costs and even grow mold. Make sure your attic, walls, and crawl space are properly insulated before winter.

 

CHECK THE FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEY

During the rest of the year, your chimney and fireplace gathers dust, critters, and soot. If you light up an unclean fireplace, the debris and other clutter could catch fire.

Before using your fireplace, have a chimney sweep clean it. Make sure to check your chimney for cracks and fire hazards, such as leaves, bird nests, etc.

 

SEAL THE DOORS AND WINDOWS

When winter comes, the last thing you would want is for the cold to seep into the cracks. Check for leaks or cracks on your doors and windows and seal them properly before the weather gets cooler. You can also install weather stripping to help keep your house warm.

 

KEEP THE PIPES FROM FREEZING

There are a lot of easy ways to prevent your pipes from freezing. You can use electrical heating tape to keep your pipes warm, seal cracks near your piping, and insulate pipes near your windows, doors, and unheated rooms.

 

PREPARE WINTER EMERGENCY KIT

Lastly, make sure you stock up on emergency supplies, in case of snow storms, power outages, etc. Stock up on food, medical supplies, batteries, and anything you and your loved ones might need during an emergency. Here’s a helpful list you can consult.

As winter slowly approaches and the weather gets colder, it’s important to prepare your home for the challenges it’ll bring. With these simple tips, you can keep you and your loved ones safe and comfortable during the winter and enjoy the holidays.