Prepare For Winter with these Cold Weather Home Tips

When temperatures start to dip, a few cold-weather home tips can make all the difference — But we’re not talking about putting up holiday decorations here.

The reality is that this season can take a significant toll on your home, and some simple maintenance can help you stay cozy, avoid costly repairs, and keep things running smoothly until spring.

Top Cold Weather Home Tips

To protect one of your largest investments, your home cold weather preparation to-do list should include a few things (as are relevant to your home):

• Servicing your furnace
• Sealing any drafts
• Rotating ceiling fan blades
• Giving the roof and gutters a check up
• Blowing out your sprinklers

Here’s how to get started tackling each task.

1. Service Your Furnace

Why Is Servicing My Furnace Important?

Your furnace requires regular maintenance, but was likely pushed to the wayside at the first sign of warmer weather. You’ll want to ensure it’s in good working order well before you really need it this season. That’s why this is one of our top cold-weather home tips.

How Can I Get Started Servicing My Furnace?

To give your furnace a refresh:

1. Be sure to cut the electrical power and fuel supply before working on the furnace.
2. Clean the combustion chamber with a wire brush and a vacuum.
3. Check the exhaust for any holes or other damage. Patch any small holes with foil tape and replace areas with more significant damage.
4. Replace the air filter. Take note of the filter type to determine when you’ll need to change it again. Be sure to change it at least once a year, but the ideal frequency may vary based on your family’s usage and even whether there are pets in the home. Whatever frequency you determine, add a reminder on the family calendar or on your phone while it’s top of mind.
5. Test that the furnace is functioning as intended.
6. Remove all floor registers and vacuum air ducts before putting the shop vac away.
7. Celebrate a bit, because you just checked one of the most critical cold-weather home tips off your list!

2. Seal Any Drafts

Why Is Sealing Drafts in My Home Important?

Unfortunately, even the most efficient furnace is no match for a drafty home. That’s why staying warm this winter also requires sealing up any drafty areas.

How Can I Get Started Sealing Drafts?

Check your exterior windows and doors, attic hatches, wiring holes, plumbing vents, recessed lights, and chimneys, which are among the most common locations for air leaks.

If you do find any drafts, simply apply some weather stripping or caulking in a color that best matches your home’s features for max functionality with a seamless appearance.

And, with that, you’ve completed another one of our top cold-weather home tips!

3. Rotate Ceiling Fan Blades

Why Is Rotating Ceiling Fan Blades Important?

Heat rises! That’s why the top floors of your home are often warmer than, say, the basement. And, when fans rotate clockwise, the wind-chill effect is minimized, and warm air is pushed downward. This subtly makes you feel warmer without too much additional energy consumed.

This blend of simplicity and impact makes rotating ceiling fan blades one of the easiest cold-weather home tips to enact.

How Can I Get Started?

Turn on your ceiling fan and note the direction of rotation. If counterclockwise, reverse the fan’s motor (there’s usually a switch on the side of the motor housing). This is also a great time to clean the fan blades, ensuring that the warmer air that is being circulated is free from dirt and debris.

4. Give the Roof and Gutters a Check Up

Why Is Checking My Roof and Gutters Important?

A strong, healthy roof boosts energy efficiency, improves curb appeal, and, of course, is the main thing separating your family from the cold winter weather. An old or damaged roof, on the other hand, can cause leaks, stains, and extensive, costly damage.

The gutters are similarly important. Rain gutters direct dangerous levels of water away from the foundation of your home, preventing mold, mildew, and water damage. In the winter, heavy snow and ice can collect in your gutters, eventually causing them to sag or break.

How Can I Get Started Checking My Roof and Gutters?

Before temperatures drop too low, evaluate your roof and gutter system. Clear debris, replace any missing shingles, and clean your gutters thoroughly.

5. Blow Out Your Sprinklers

We’ve reached the last of our cold-weather home tips! And this one’s important.

Why Is Blowing Out Your Sprinklers Important?

When temperatures drop, any water left in your lines will freeze and expand. This can cause cracked pipes, burst fittings, damaged valves, and even ruined backflow preventers. All of this is far more complicated (and quite a bit more expensive) than simply blowing out your sprinklers.

How Can I Get Started Winterizing My Sprinkler System?

You can choose to hire a pro or DIY this task:

1. Turn off the water. Depending on the age of the home and local building codes, your master shut-off valve may be located in a closet, basement, utility room, shed, or even outside your home. Once found, turn the valve clockwise to halt the flow of water. The valve should turn by hand, but if it’s stuck, carefully use a pair of pliers.
2. If your system has a backflow preventer – a mechanism to ensure contaminated water doesn’t flow back into the home – ensure the backflow valve is tightly shut. The backflow preventer may be located behind your water meter or affixed to your home’s exterior.
3. Rent or purchase an air compressor. With many homeowners eager to blow out their sprinkler systems before it’s too late, air compressors can be hard to find this time of year. Reserve one early or consider investing, so you’ll be set for years to come.
4. Connect the air compressor hose to the threaded outlet drain valve located near your backflow preventer. You may also need to purchase an adapter to successfully connect the hose.
5. Ensure the compressor shows no more than 80 pounds per square inch of pressure on the gauge. Turn the valve to the zone furthest from you and observe the air pressure pushing the water out of each sprinkler head. Once the mist turns to air, you’re clear to move to the next zone. Depending on the size of the compressor, you may need to repeat each zone more than once.
6. Once the system is completely blown out, disconnect the hose, unplug your system’s timer, and remove the batteries.
7. Pat yourself on the back. Your sprinkler system is ready for winter, and you’ve completed all our top cold-weather home tips!

Key Takeaways

• A little prep goes a long way. Tackling a few simple chores now can prevent costly, winter-related repairs later.
• Service your furnace early to make sure it’s clean, efficient, and ready to work when you need it most.
• Seal any drafts around windows, doors, and other openings to keep warm air in and energy bills down.
• Rotate ceiling fans clockwise to gently push warm air downward and make rooms feel more comfortable.
• Inspect your roof and gutters to prevent leaks, ice dams, and structural damage caused by winter weather.

Blow out your sprinklers to avoid frozen pipes, cracked fittings, and expensive irrigation repairs.

Wrapping Up: Prepare for Winter With a Few Cold-Weather Home Tips

A little elbow grease now can save you a lot of hassle once the temperatures really drop.

By simply checking your furnace, sealing drafts, rotating fan blades, inspecting your roof and gutters, and blowing out your sprinklers, you’ll set your home up for a warm, worry-free winter.

Tackle these tasks early, and you can settle in and enjoy the season knowing your home is truly ready for whatever the cold may bring.