While this November may be one of the warmest Novembers we’ve ever experienced, let’s not forget that a couple of inches of snow is just around the corner!

That being said, there are a few things you can do to prepare your home for the Winter season once that snow starts falling.

1. Inspect all windows and doors for leaks

The first thing you want to do is go around your house and make sure that all windows and doors are properly sealed. If they’re not, then water from the snowfall and cold air can make its way into your house. Failing to seal your doors and windows can cause you a lot of money in repairs due to water damage and a hike in your energy bill. 

2. Assess your roof

Heavy snowfall means lots of water accumulating on your roof. You want to make sure that you won’t have to climb a ladder to repair a spot on your roof during the cold and icy Winter months. Look out for any shingles that may need special attention. Also, look at the caulking around the chimney and your air vents while you’re at it. 

3. Pad exposed pipes in unheated areas

When it gets really cold, this can cause your pipes to freeze. And we all know how expensive that can be if those pipes end up bursting! An easy and inexpensive method to avoid this happening is to pad the exposed pipes, even the smallest ones. Look in your attic, basement, and crawl space for pipes that may need padding.

4. Clean Your Chimney

Your chimney can easily become the most dangerous thing in your house if you don’t take adequate safety precautions before firing it up for the first time in the winter season. We highly recommend you get your chimney and vents looked at by a professional to ensure they’re clean and good to use. This way, you’re keeping the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide build-up at the lowest it can be. 

5. Clean the gutters

As snow accumulates on your roof and water needs to be evacuated, your gutters must be cleaned before that first snowfall. This will ensure water can travel down and not cause any damage to your roof. 

While there are additional things you can do, these are the 5 biggest things we recommend you do to ensure safety in your home throughout the Winter as well as help save money on your energy bill.