How To Prepare Your Home For Winter

What are the MOST important steps you can take to prepare your home for winter? We’ve got you covered in this Week’s #TheoryThursday! Here is how to prepare your home for winter.

Tip #1 – Clean your Gutters

This is extremely important if you want to keep your home nice and dry during the winter. So many basements are flooded every year because of clogged gutters. If you can’t get on a ladder yourself, hire someone to do it for you. Wait until all the leaves have fallen, then take care of it once so that your gutters are clear all winter.

Tip #2 – Hire a chimney sweep

If you haven’t had your chimneys cleaned in a while, it’s probably time. We recommend cleaning your chimney once a year.

Tip #3 – Get your furnace and boiler inspected

Instead of begging for someone to come out to your house when your boiler blows on a freezing January night, sign a contract now with a reputable heating company. Many oil and propane suppliers are happy to bring you on board with an annual service contract. Trust us – it’s worth it.

Tip #4 – Turn off Exterior Faucets

Undrained water in pipes can freeze, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets. If you don’t have frost-proof faucets (homes more than ten to 15 years old typically do not), twist the shut-off valve inside your home.

Tip #5 – Be Prepared for an Emergency

Blackouts and snow-ins can be fun, but they can also be dangerous. Take a moment to prepare yourself and your family for such emergencies. Having the following items ready will ensure that your family is safe and sound.

1. Flashlights

2. Bottled water

3. Nonperishable food items

4. Extra Blankets

5. Phone numbers for your utility companies

6. Battery backups to protect your computer and other important electronic equipment

7. First-aid kit

8. If you have an emergency generator, make sure you have gasoline stored and available to fuel it.