6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Regardless of where you reside, winter is a season of cooler temperatures and occasionally severe weather, such as heavy snowfall and ice conditions. Whether you live in a region that cools off and gets sudden precipitation or where snow and below-freezing temperatures are forecast for months, it’s crucial to make sure your home is winterized.

Here are some quick fixes and updates you can perform to brighten up the winter and make your house feel more like a home.

1. Examine your doors and windows.

Make sure all cracks and gaps around the windows and doors are sealed to keep the heat inside. Your windows and doors’ weather-stripping should be inspected and updated as necessary. It’s crucial to check for drafts and caulk the building’s inside and exterior as needed in order to ensure that warm air stays inside and cold air stays outside.

To stop heat loss, storm windows can be placed over existing windows. If you can’t afford them, you can insulate your windows using plastic film. On sliding glass doors, heavy drapes can also aid in retaining heat.

Additionally, think about removing your window screens and storing them somewhere warm and dry throughout the winter. The screens are protected from the wind and cold by being put away (and wayward snowballs).

It’s advisable to schedule an appointment with professionals, like Levite Construction Co., as early as possible to secure a convenient time for the installation of new windows and doors.

2. Check the Roof

As the only barrier between you and the elements, your roof must be in good shape and capable of keeping you and your loved ones warm and secure during the winter. It may be more likely that your roof will resist any impending winter storms and keep your home warm and dry during the winter if you take precautionary actions before the winter weather arrives.

Roof inspections are essential. As you prepare for the winter, be sure to perform a complete assessment of these areas:

• Shingles
• Roof Flashing
• Valleys
• Asphalt Sealant
• Signs of Damage

It might be a good idea to have a professional roof inspector take a look at your roof to make sure everything is ready for the upcoming colder months.

3. Increase the heat

Everyone enjoys relaxing in front of a fire, correct? Prepare your fireplace during the winter to enjoy cozy evenings indoors. Have a professional check and clean your chimney and examine the heating systems before the first frost of the season. Vacuuming should be done as part of this procedure, including vents and other heating components. Inspect the filter in your furnace to see whether it needs to be replaced.

4. Maintain and Clean out Gutters

The gutter’s primary function is to direct rainwater into the downspout and away from the roof. But if it’s being blocked from doing that, it won’t be able to.

Additionally, water begins to build up if the gutter becomes clogged with debris like moss, leaves, or branches from a bird’s nest. Additionally, if you don’t remove those blockages before winter arrives, it will freeze. You may have a problem when your gutter’s frozen blockages start to melt, when it starts to drain down the side of your house, or when the paint on your walls starts to look faded. Therefore, be sure to clear your gutter before the temperature decreases to prevent it from happening.

5. Avoid Water Collapse

If the water inside the pipes isn’t properly drained, it could freeze, expand, and bust the pipes. Remove any remaining water from the faucets and shut off any external water sources first.

Close the main water valve before it gets below freezing if your house is more than ten or fifteen years old because it usually does not have frost-proof faucets.

Your pipes can be shielded from freezing temperatures all winter with pipe insulation. It’s crucial for the property’s hot and cold water pipelines, both inside and outside.

6. Prune Trees

You should also prune any surrounding trees as part of your roof’s winterization. Winter poses a serious threat to trees with branches that can reach your roof. The weight of the snow and ice that have collected on them throughout a winter storm can cause them to shatter, bringing debris tumbling down onto your roof. These branches won’t cause any issues in the winter if they are pruned or eliminated.

Hire a specialist if branches are close to or over your roof. To assist and assure safety, speak with an arborist.

Winterizing your home is worth the work if you want to keep it dry and comfortable while avoiding expensive repairs. As soon as you can, stock up on winter necessities like sand, salt, and snow shovels. Nothing will go to waste, and before you know it, you’ll be using them. With the knowledge that your home is prepared for the winter, you can unwind and enjoy the chilly weather.

Give us a call at 425-998-8958, or send us an email at info@leviteconstruction.com