Winterizing your home can be intimidating, especially if you’re a new homeowner. You don’t have to spend a ton of money or completely renovate your home to make it safer and more efficient when temperatures drop. You’ll just need to inspect your home for some specific issues and learn how to handle them before the worst-case scenario occurs. If you want to save money on home maintenance, you’ll want to prepare your home for winter with some quick DIY solutions.
Add Some DIY Pipe Insulation
In older home plumbing systems, frozen pipes are a major concern when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing (under 32°F, but more likely to occur under 20°F). If there are any exposed pipes visible in your home (check basements, garages, or crawlspaces, especially), you can add some quick insulation that can reduce the chances of a burst pipe in the winter. Foam pipe insulation wraps around pipes easily to retain heat better, reducing the chances of a freeze. On extremely cold nights, you may even want to open your cabinets underneath the sink to allow warmer air from your home to circulate near the pipes.
Seal Weather Drafts or Leaks
Many homes, particularly older ones, have insufficient insulation. When your home isn’t insulated properly, it loses heat quickly in the winter, making living spaces cold and uncomfortable. Your heating system will have trouble keeping up, which can cost you hundreds of extra dollars per month in heating costs. You can use spray foam insulation to seal gaps in your home’s foundation, attics, walls, or around windows and doors. Foam works well as it can adhere to many cracks where traditional insulating materials are less effective. You can also purchase weatherstripping tape to keep temperatures more easily regulated. Adhesive weatherstripping works excellently in areas like doors to keep them weatherproofed and functional. Door draft stoppers are very useful, especially if you can see daylight leaking through at the bottom or top. These solutions are affordable and don’t require a full home renovation.
Inspect the Heating
Your heating system will need routine inspections to ensure it is functioning properly. Issues in the heating system can cost you a lot of money with your utility bills, and some problems can even be dangerous. Routine maintenance on any type of heating system will keep it running longer and more efficiently. Filter changes, furnace cleaning, and clearing vents are some of the many important tasks to keep most systems running properly. Check for local repair companies; they may offer some decent discounts in the fall to prepare homes for winter temperatures.
Prepare for Snow Removal
If you live in an area that gets regular snow, you may want to invest in snow removal equipment. Buildup on lawns, roofs, and other home surfaces can cause excess wear and tear. Buildup on your plants and trees can even cause them to die. Snow and ice are major fall hazards, causing harm to your family. There are many options for quick and easy snow removal. You can hire snow removers, but this will typically cost the most money over time, especially if your area sees a lot of snow. If you have a large property, investing in a snow plow wheelbarrow attachment, a snow pusher for compact tractors, or a snowblower can help you remove snow from large surfaces without excess strain. These come with an upfront investment, but over time will pay for themselves versus hiring professionals. For smaller driveways, a snow shovel can do the trick if you’ve got the physical power to use it.
Clean the Gutters
Fall and winter seasons typically clog gutters faster than other seasons, due to the loss of deciduous tree leaves. When gutters get clogged in the winter, water backs up. Freezing temperatures will cause the water stuck in the gutters to freeze as well, leading to potential siding and roof damage. You’ll want to make sure your gutters are thoroughly cleaned out, ideally after most of the leaves surrounding your home have fallen. Gutter guards can help you reduce the chances of clogged gutters year-round.
Drain Hoses
If you have hoses connected to your outdoor water spigots, ensure they’re turned off and empty before temperatures drop to freezing levels. Frozen water in the pipes can not only cause damage to your hoses, but also to the pipes themselves. Water expands when it freezes, straining the plumbing system. It’s the same reason frozen pipes can burst easily. Draining your hoses completely ensures your plumbing—and hoses—stay protected in the winter. Consider placing your hoses in a shed or garage to protect their external materials from harsh temperatures as well.
Shelter Plants
Not all plants will survive winter temperatures. While you’ll need to leave deciduous plants outside, you can protect plants that prefer warmer weather by opting for a small greenhouse, covering them with thermal blankets, or bringing them indoors when the temperature gets too cold for survival. Consider protecting the more delicate plants on your property, especially when they’re in containers, as potted plants are more vulnerable to extreme weather.
Stock Up on Supplies
You’ll never know when a winter storm emergency can happen. Make sure you’re stocked up on road salt, emergency kits, snow removal tools, and non-perishable foods in case you need to take shelter from blizzards or heavy snow. If you or family members are vulnerable to the cold, you can also purchase a small generator to run a space heater, oven, or electric fireplace when the power goes out. Knowing what to do when a winter storm occurs can mitigate damage to your home and keep your household safe.
Conclusion
It’s never too early to prepare your home for winter. Keeping your home well-maintained, insulated, and cleaned can reduce issues stemming from extreme weather events and temperature drops. Insulation doesn’t just help you in the winter—it can also help keep summer temperatures regulated. Walk through your home to check for weather drafts or inconsistent temperatures; some door weatherstripping or gap sealing can make a major difference in your home’s comfort. Knowing how to remove excess snow can help protect your home’s structure, garden, and household from fall hazards. Most winter preparations are affordable and quick, making them accessible for most families.
