Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter
With the winter months right around the corner, it’s fairly obvious that you should start preparing your home for winter right now. But if you’re a new homeowner or are inexperienced with winter home preparations, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a shortlist of home prep to-dos that will keep you and your family warm and cozy all winter long.
Tune-Up the Heating System
The key to a fully functioning heating system in the winter is to prepare ahead of time. Inspect your heating system in the fall or earlier to see if you’re in danger of heating issues anytime soon. If your heating system is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing it. Have an HVAC specialist inspect your heating system to make a determination.
If your HVAC system is in good working order, then you simply need to replace the filters and continue to monitor the system throughout the winter. The last thing anyone in central PA wants in the dead of the cold season is their heating system failing.
Drain and Cover Birdbaths and Fountains
If you have any birdbaths or fountains in your yard, make sure you drain and cover them. When temperatures get below freezing, any remaining water will freeze. And when water freezes, it expands, which can cause structural damage to birdbaths and fountains if the water has seeped into any cracks or crevices.
You should also cover any birdbaths or fountains during the winter to prevent damage from snowfall and freezing rain.
Inspect Roof
Inspecting your roof is an essential step in getting your home ready for winter. Even the slightest bit of roof damage can cause leaks when the snow comes down.
Before it gets bitterly cold, make sure you check your roof for missing, loose, or damaged shingles. Check the flashing seals around chimneys and vents as well. If you’re not confident about doing this on your own, have a professional handyman perform the inspections and any repairs.
Clean the Gutters
Cleaning your gutters before winter is important because clogged gutters can cause water to back up and overflow. This scenario puts the exterior of your home at risk for damage, so you’ll want to get those autumn leaves out of there ASAP. If you live in an area with lots of trees, you may need to clean your gutters more than once before winter.
Divert Water and Repair Downspouts
During the winter, you’ll need to make sure your downspouts are fully functional. If you see any leaks or potential for them to happen, it’s time for a new downspout. You’ll also need to divert water at least 3 to 4 feet away from your home’s foundation by adding an extension piece to your downspouts to prevent water and ice from damaging your home.
Think All Season Gutters for Central PA Roofing and Gutters
If you need a hand getting your home ready for winter, contact us right away. Our team of experts has been repairing roofs and gutters in Central PA for over 13 years and would love to help you out as well!