Winter is almost here. If you haven’t started winterizing your home yet, you’d better get going.
Winterizing your home before the season begins can prevent costly repairs later on. If you’re not sure what you need to do to winterize your home, don’t worry. Follow the checklist below and your home will be ready for winter in no time.
- Start outdoors. Focus on outdoor projects first before it gets too cold. Start by clearing debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent them from leaking or sagging. You should also inspect your roof and replace any worn shingles. Once you’ve finished reviewing your home, inspect your landscaping and trim any branches hanging near electric wires before they become a problem. Also drain your lawn mower and stock up on ice melt or sand, too. Finally, invest in a snow rake. Snow accumulation on your roof that exceeds 20 to 25 pounds per square foot can be dangerous.
- Make sure your heating systems are ready. Have a certified HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean your ducts. If your home has a fireplace, have the chimney professionally cleaned and keep firewood stored in a dry, easily accessible place where you can get it on the coldest days.
- Make sure your detectors are ready. Increased use of heat in your home creates a fire risk. Put new batteries in your smoke detectors, then test them. You should do the same for your carbon monoxide detectors. Installing a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace is also a good idea.
- What’s your emergency plan? A colossal winter storm can create problems for any household. That’s why it’s important to plan for emergencies. Create an emergency kit and stock up on extra food – including pet food – and bottled water.
In addition to protecting your home, you’re also probably looking to save on energy costs. Learn how to do that in the next post.
Read the full story from Erie Insurance: “Winterizing Your Home Checklist“
