The changing of the seasons represents both tangible and intangible change. For one, that’s one season down, which makes it closer to the end of the year. But the physical changes also manifest in ways that you need to address.
And with the cold season here, if you still haven’t prepared your home for the cold weather, then it’s best to do it as soon as possible. It’s not just about calling a professional to check leaks or cracks but also many other things around the house. Suppose you’re not getting the right amount of heat the way you want. That might mean there’s something wrong with your heating system. If that’s the case, you’ll also need to get a professional heating company to repair your heater.
Don’t try to put off these fixes until spring or summer. Even if you think you can wait out the weather, you probably can’t, especially in cold climates where pipes freeze. The best time you fix this stuff is now while there’s still some warmth in the house. If you don’t know where to start (it can be overwhelming, after all), here’s a quick guide to help you out.
Sort Out Garden Hoses and Outside Water Sources
Water can get trapped inside when you leave your garden hose connected to an outside faucet. And you know that when water gets trapped somewhere during the cold season, it can freeze and destroy the container. Sometimes, when pipes, fixtures, and hoses are kept with water inside, it can ruin your whole pipeline because of the ice, leading to expensive repairs. Use frost-proof faucets if possible, and turn off the water supply as winter-proofing measures to keep your system safe.
Inspect the Gutters of Your Home
Heavy rain isn’t the only thing that can damage your gutter—heavy snowfall can too. But even if you live in an area without heavy snowfall, it’s still important to check your gutters. Clean them and remove any debris or dirt that it collected. During the cold season, the moisture that most of this debris collects can freeze up and increase in weight, resulting in damages to your gutter. These can clog your gutter, make it overflow, and result in irreparable damage, requiring you to replace them entirely.
Prepare Your Pressure Washer for Winter
If you regularly use a power washer to clean your yard, you might want to take care of that as well. Before you put it away, check to see whether you’ve drained all the water from the pump. Then remove all the houses and spray some antifreeze into the receptacle or pump. It’s best to keep your pressure washer in a room at an even temperature, which would help if your garage is well insulated. This will ensure that you can still use your power washer when spring comes.
Protect Batteries from Seasonal Storage Damage
Car batteries are another thing to be concerned about, especially if you won’t be using your car all that much throughout the winter. Before you put away your vehicle for the colder months, make sure it has a full charge. Keep an eye on the battery gauge if the need arises to jump-start your vehicle. Car batteries typically need to be changed around every two months to keep them in the best condition.
Make Sure Your Sump Pump Is Still Working
It is essential to check whether your sump pump is still working fine as it protects your property from condensation and floods. Leaving it unchecked can result in you waking up one day to see your basement flooded and the foundations of your home severely damaged. If your sump pump stops working, pinpoint why it is not functioning. Suppose there’s a problem with the electricity supply or other external causes. In that case, you may need to call in a professional who has the knowledge required to diagnose the problem and fix it.
Don’t Forget Your Attic Vents
During the winter, it’s better to keep your roof vents exposed and not covered. Roof ventilation aids in keeping temperatures stable during the winter. Closing attic vents can cause the attic to become overly dry and warm, fostering the growth of mold, mildew, and even vermin. Consider installing attic fans to help circulate air and prevent unwanted moisture build-up. Attic vents are typically installed in the ceiling joist area or attic rafters near the ridgeline. However, you may also be able to install an entire vent opening on the roof deck.
There are a lot of protective measures you should take when doing winter house maintenance to protect your property from the harsh winter elements. The ones mentioned here aren’t everything, but these are among the most common and most important ones.
