The weather may not be too chilly yet, but cold temperatures are on the way. In addition to pulling out your favorite sweater and digging out those snow shovels, there are a few ways you can prepare your home for colder weather.
Start with your pipes
Water expands when it freezes, and can lead to cracked or burst pipes. There are a few things you can do to prevent this:
1. Drain all outdoor faucets and sprinklers and turn off the water supply to these items.
2. Disconnect, drain and store hoses.
3. Cover outdoor faucets with special insulators.
4. Insulate pipes in unheated areas of the home.
5. Check to make sure you know where your water shutoff valve is and that it is working.
Next, HVAC maintenance
You want to make sure everything is in working order before you have to turn the heater on. Basic steps include:
• Cleaning or replacing the filter
• Turning the heat on to see that the blower is working
• Ensuring that your thermostat is reading accurately
You can do these yourself or have an HVAC repair company come and check everything for you. Keep in mind that if something is wrong, you’ll get a better deal on repairs during the off season rather than waiting for temperatures to drop.
Move on to the gutters
Just as with your pipes, water can freeze in your gutters and cause damage. Clean your gutters thoroughly to prevent water buildup, and keep up with it as the Autumn leaves fall. This prevents strain on the drainage system and the parts of the house that support it.
Finally, check your seals
The seals around your doors and windows are vital to maintaining the temperature within your home. The older they are, the more they degrade. Check the seals to see if there are any spots where the caulking and weather stripping are visibly damaged or missing and in need of repair. On a cool or windy day, check the seals for any drafts and repair those spots as well.
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