As the world turns its back on those warm summer days, homeowners like you are scrambling to make sure that they have everything ready to confront the oncoming cold. From blankets and coats to sealed windows and gas heaters, there are quite a few things that are necessary when good old winter comes a-calling. For newcomers to the area or people who have found themselves as homeowners for the first time, there are a few very important things to keep on your list.
Outside Considerations
Depending on the type of home you have, you may also need to winterize your yard and the things in it. For example, those lucky homeowners who own a bit of earth covered in grass, it is important to fertilize the ground once more before everything freezes and gets covered in snow. This will help the lawn to grow much better when spring comes.
If you have any outdoor tools, machinery, or even decorations in your yard, you may need to bring them inside, cover them with weatherproof material, or even do more to make sure that everything will be in working order once winter blows over. For example, if you have an air conditioning unit that is placed outside your home, you will need to make sure it is appropriately serviced and well-covered before the snow comes.
Keeping Winter Out
Going inside the home, you may want to check some other things to make sure that winter stays out of your home. Walls, windows, and doors that are well insulated and sealed will not only help to keep things warm, but also save you on your utility bill, as the furnace will be working to keep the heat inside the home. If your home is old and you are unsure as to the state of these items, get some professional help to make sure that everything is just how it should be.
One great item that many homeowners love in the wintertime is a small heater, powered by natural gas, this is especially important to have in times of extreme cold, winter projects that must be done in the garage, etc. It can be used almost anywhere, and some models can produce enough heat to fill an entire floor. Before winter begins, however, it will be very important for you to check on the state of your heater, to make sure that any needed gas heater parts are replaced well before they become a necessity in your life.
Up on the Rooftop
Well before the coldest of days, it is a good idea to check to see how your roof is doing. Check the flashing to make sure it is secure, and replace any shingles or tiles that seem to be worn. This will help to minimize the possibility of damages due to water on the roof, or even pests that are looking for a warm place to wait out a storm. Also, clear any debris from the gutters or drain pipes on the roof, to ensure that all runoff will be safely directed to where it needs to go.
By taking the time to do these few things, you could save yourself quite a bit of worry, and possibly even potential damage. Confront winter with confidence this year.
This article was written by Dave Johnson.
I love the white-ness of winter, but I’m not a HUGE fan of the freezing cold! Thanks for the great tips (:
Winter is not my favorite time of the year. I do like snow fall but when it is over it is a major pain. Thanks for the tips.
Good advice! I live somewhere where there is snow on the ground 6 months out of the year, so these are definitely good tips to keep in mind before winter starts!
I need to focus my attention to keeping winter out. It is certainly trying to come in my home….and I need to stop it and the cold breezes!
Winter is so much more copable when you are properly prepared for it. It also saves you money to insulate & block all places where cold air enters your home. But it seems I am never really ready to face OLD MAN WINTER!!!