The official start of winter is only a few days away! That being said, now is a good time to ensure that your home is ready for the weather conditions coming our way. Here’s a list of tasks and check-ups you can do to ensure your home is ready for winter and to avoid any damage caused by Mother Nature. 

Inspect your roof and repair any loose shingles 

If your roof starts leaking in the Spring, it’s probably due to a hole in your roofing that you didn’t see before the first snow fell. Get on your roof and inspect it for any holes or loose shingles, if you can. If not, it’s worth calling a professional to check your roof. This way, you will have the peace of mind that water won’t be making itself into your home.

Turn off exterior faucets 

You won’t be using any of your exterior faucets during the winter, so make sure to turn them off! If you leave them on, the remaining water inside of the faucets can freeze and the force of this water inside pipes that aren’t expanding in size can cause a rupture. It can cause a flood inside of your home, which you don’t want. 

Seal window gaps and cracks in the wall

Is your heating bill astronomically high during the winter? While there are plenty of things you can do to lower that bill, one of the things you can do is ensure that all the gaps and cracks in your wall or close to your windows are filled. This way, cold air doesn’t make its way into your house and you can keep the warmth in your home.

Check your attic

Often, heat loss happens due to openings in our attic and poor isolation in this space. Take a few minutes to check out your attic and don’t be afraid to add some insulation here!

Clean your gutters

Clean gutters will allow for the melting snow to drain properly and not accumulate on your roof, which can cause potential water damage. If you didn’t already do so, make sure your gutters don’t have any remaining leaves left from the Fall season. 

Replace furnace filters

During the winter months, your furnace is working extra hard to keep your home warm. Before you enter the cold winter months, a good thing would be to replace the filters so the air is warmed up and distributed through your home is free of dust, mold, bacteria, dirt, or any allergens that can be tough on the lungs. 

Are there any other things you do every year to winterize your home? Share them with us!