Winter is coming (no, we aren’t talking about Game of Thrones), and it’s best to winterize your home to ensure that it’s ready for the cold nights. But that’s often easier said than done. There’s often a lot to check off the winterizing list that it can often be all too easy to forget certain important things.
Without proper winterizing, your home could be severely damaged by ice, snow, and the cold weather – and honestly, nobody wants that. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips in this guide to help you ensure that your home is effectively winterized and ready for the cold nights.
Trim Overgrown Tree Branches
Overgrown tree limbs or branches that are too close to your roof, siding, or window can cause damage to your property, especially during a winter storm. This can lead to water flooding and other damages that cost a bundle to repair. To avoid this, it is best to trim off any tree branch that is close to your home and make sure that they are at least three or more feet away from your home.
Get A Pellet Stove
If you want to keep your home warm and cozy during winter without spending a fortune, you should invest in a pellet stove. Pellet stoves are a cleaner and more eco-friendly option, and the fact that they are very easy on the pocket makes them a go-to for many homeowners during winter. Finding a pellet stove shouldn’t be a hassle as there are several brands on the market. If you are overwhelmed by the choices, you should check out the best Pellet Stove reviews to know what to look out for when choosing a pellet stove. These will give you a good idea of what to look out for when choosing your pellet stove.
Check Your Fireplace
You are going to be using your fireplace a lot during winter, so it is best to ensure that it is in excellent condition before the first draft of snow. You can visually inspect both the inside and outside of your chimney to help you spot any potential issues. On the outside, you should check to make sure that the chimney cap is in excellent condition, there are no tree limbs close to the chimney, there are no missing or crumbling parts of the chimney, there is no debris or bird nest, and so on. On the inside, you want to make sure that there are no combustible objects or materials in the flue, the flue damper works properly, and so on. You can do this inspection yourself or consult a professional inspector.
On the other hand, if you use a gas fireplace, you don’t need to put in as much work since gas fireplaces require less maintenance. However, it is still a good idea to check your gas fireplace and ensure that everything is in order. You might want to check the glass doors for latch or crack issues and check if the gas logs are properly positioned. You should also make sure that the igniter works and there are no clogged burner holes. If you notice any issue, it is best to get it repaired as soon as possible.
Inspect Your Roof
The last thing you want is to find out that you have a leaky roof during winter – it’s every homeowner’s nightmare. This is why it is crucial to check out your roof for any potential issues or damages. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can inspect the roof yourself; however, if you are not comfortable with heights, you might want to hire a professional roof inspector to get the job done. This will probably cost you a little, but it is a worthy investment.
Clear Out Downspouts And Gutters
Most people often ignore clearing out downspouts and gutters until it is too late. Clogged drains or downspouts can cause ice dams and severely damage your home’s foundation, and these often cost a fortune to repair. The best thing to do is to ensure that your rain gutters and downspouts are always cleared out, especially before winter, ensure that gunk, leaves, and twigs are removed and that the gutters are in excellent condition. Also, ensure that you regularly inspect your downspouts and rain gutters and replace or repair any fraying or damaged materials.
While you may not be thinking about how to prepare your house for winter right now, it is still a good move to start winterizing your house now, especially if you want your home to be cold-proof during winter. These helpful tips will help you get your house prepared and effectively winterized without fuss.
