Winter is a time of fun and celebration, but to many people, it’s also dangerous. Many accidents can occur due to frigid weather, such as slipping on ice or facing burst pipes. While those occurrences are tragic, in most cases, they are also preventable. As long as you know how to winterize your home, you’ll be able to ride out the season in joy, just as you should.

1. Check Your Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping lines most doors and windows and allows the air outside to stay there. Over time, this material can lose functionality or start to rot, leaving your home more exposed to the elements. Improper weatherstripping can account for nearly 40% of heating issues in the winter.

Check your doors and windows before winter sets in. If you notice weatherstripping is torn in any place, replace it immediately. Having functional material in place could stand between you and a hefty electricity bill.

2. Add Insulation to Your Attic

Your attic and basement might be the coldest places in your house. Because the temperature in your attic isn’t regulated like the rest of the house, it can only do so much to keep out the heat and cold in their respective seasons. 

Adding insulation can also protect your home against moisture that could seep in through the attic at any point in the year. Insulating this area protects your walls and home’s interior from massive damage.

3. Check on Your Roof

When the snow has fallen and ice is everywhere, you won’t be able to pinpoint any issues with your roof other than by sight. You should have your roof checked out before it becomes too slippery so professionals can still climb on it and look for weak spots or missing shingles.

If you have it in your budget, consider installing a “hundred-year roof,” which is durable enough to last through even the harshest of winter storms.You can replace shingles yourself, but make sure you avoid any hazards that could come from climbing up there in cold weather. When in doubt, rely on a professional.

4. Wrap Your Pipes

Pipes need insulation, too. You may let your faucets drip when the weather is below the freezing point, but your pipes might also need an extra boost to stay warm. Luckily, you can find pipe sleeves pretty easily and secure them with duct tape. 

 You want to make sure your pipes stay warm throughout the cold winter months, or they may burst and force you to pay for repairs. You’ll have to repair the burst pipe and deal with any water damage that happens as a result. When in doubt, wrap your pipes up to fight against the winter weather.

5. Switch Your Ceiling Fans

If your fan has multiple settings, consider switching the direction before the cooler temperatures set in. Most fans have two modes you can use depending on the temperature outside. The winter setting will enable your fan to rotate the opposite way, thereby pushing the warmer air down to the floor where you are instead of bringing it to the ceiling. This way, if you run your fan in the winter, it won’t be as cold as it could be in the summer.

Spend Your Winter Worry-Free

 If you winterize your home before the cold weather or drastic snowfalls set in, you won’t have much to worry about throughout the season. While others may be concerned about burst pipes or potential damage, you’ll have peace of mind because you already took care of the pressing matters.

Winterizing your home doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s an easy process that can be done in a weekend and save you so much time and money in the long run. You can take care of your household all winter by preparing for bad weather in advance.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison