Winter is fast approaching. And in no time, the weather will get chilly and snowy.
So we need to prepare ourselves for the cold weather with a few checks. Winter coat? Check. Gloves? Check. Your house? – Well, preparing your house for winter is a whole different story, with most homeowners considering it such a hassle.
The good news though is, getting your house winter-ready needn’t be that difficult or even expensive. You also don’t have to be a DIY expert to get it done. Here are some of the most important preparation tips you can follow to keep your home in tip-top condition throughout winter.
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Tips to make your home winter-ready
1.Clean the gutters
It might seem like one of the least glamorous chores to do in the fall, but hey, cleaning your gutters is one of the most important house projects you need to before snow starts to fall. Cleaning your gutters prevents ice dams which tend to form when snow pools refreeze at roof eaves and edges.If the enough care is not taken and ice dams are formed, it will be almost impossible to remove them without taking the help of a commercial snow removal company.
Look out for leaves, and debris and clear them from the gutters and downpipes. This prevents your gutters from clogging.
Can’t get on the ladder? Then hire someone to clean the gutters for you. Gutter cleaners can also help you fix any broken or leaking gutters.
2.Improve your heating system
Until they invent lightweight, freeze proof clothing to wear around our houses during the cold season, heating our homes, and the heating problems that accompany that, will continue to be the standard.
However, you can counter house heating problems by improving your heating system. Here are a few pointers to help you get your heating system in good condition for the season;
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Schedule a system tune-up before the cold season kicks in
Hiring a professional to work on your home heating system is very helpful. The technician will check your vents, thermostat, tighten loose connections, and lubricate any moving parts. They can also work on your air conditioner if you need it done.
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Clear out your exhaust vents
Check out your exhaust vents and chimneys to make sure they are not blocked. Blocked exhaust vents and chimneys can cause a fatal carbon monoxide build-up in your home.
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Change your heating systems air filter
A clogged air filter can force your system to work harder and eventually lead to a system shutdown. Check out for debris on your air filters, exhaust fan and the damper.
3.Keep the unwanted critters away
Well, humans aren’t the only ones who prefer staying indoors during the winter season. Bugs and other small creepy crawlers also prefer moving in during the winter season. So expect to have unwanted creepy guests invade your house this winter.
The first line of defense against the creepy crawlers is denying them the chance to get comfortable in your house. Here are a few pointers to help you do so;
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Sealing up any cracks on your walls
These cracks act as good entry points for insects in your house.
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Keep your house clean
A messy room makes an ideal hideout for bugs, rodents or other animals that find dark areas comfortable. Get rid of any debris and clutter lying around your house.
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Check on your trash cans
Always keep trash cans closed by having a tight seal. Also, ensure that you empty them regularly.
4.Keep an eye on your plumbing
Protecting your pipes and plumbing is important in ensuring that they don’t freeze during the cold weather. Pipes are particularly vulnerable to cold weather and lead to expensive repairs, when necessary care and maintenance practices are not taken.
Shutting down all outdoor piping or insulating the pipes will help you avoid pipe freezes and bursts during winter.
5.Check on your home insurance cover
Having your home covered for any potential damage during winter is really important. However, an insurer can refuse to compensate for a weather-related insurance claim if there is evidence that the house owner had not protected the house to a sufficient standard.
So it is important that you stay on top of your insurance cover by checking with the policy provider on the regulations and any possible circumstance that might lead to loss of compensation.
You might also want to take a look into your personal insurance policy to ensure it covers you from any winter-related injuries.
Final word,
Don’t allow winter preparations to take a backseat on your list of things to do this fall. We do recommend implementing the above tips to your effort in keeping your home winter-ready this fall.