As winter approaches, you’ll want to do everything possible to get your home ready for the cold season. The following tips can help you prepare your home for the winter the right way so that you hopefully won’t have to deal with some of the problems that can occur with homes during the colder months.

Check The Edges Of Doors And Windows

Openings around your doors and windows can let in cold drafts during the winter months that make the inside of your home chillier and raise your heating bill. The caulking material around your windows may be worn and chipped, and re-caulking these areas can help seal the edges of your windows better. Weather seals can be placed along the bottoms of doors to stop drafts from entering your home. Adhesive foam insulation tape can also be placed around doors and windows for an even tighter seal.

Shut Off Outdoor Water Faucets And Hose Bibs

Your home likely has at least one outdoor faucet, and you should shut off the water to any outdoor faucets or hose bibs. If you don’t shut off the water, any leftover water that’s inside the faucets, hose bibs, or pipes could freeze during the winter and ruin these fixtures. A pipe to an outdoor faucet or hose bib might even burst and cause substantial water damage if freezing and thawing cause a break in the pipe. Each faucet or hose bib may have its own shut-off valve or the main valve to your outdoor water sources may be found in your basement or another part of your home. Before shutting off the water, you should drain any water that might still be inside a faucet or hose bib.

Wrap Pipes In Insulation Materials

You can also prevent pipe bursts and water damage when temperatures drop to or below freezing levels by wrapping pipes in insulation materials. Pipes that are in heated areas of your home may not need to be wrapped, but you should definitely consider wrapping pipes that are located in the basement, attic, and other areas of your home that get colder. Automatic heat tape is the only material that should be used to wrap plastic pipes, but other suitable insulation materials may be used to wrap different pipes. It's best to check for any pipe leaks before wrapping your pipes. You should wrap your pipes before a cold snap is expected to occur so that they stay well-protected from the frigid temperatures.

Schedule An HVAC Inspection

Your HVAC inspection will likely run more efficiently and be able to supply enough heat throughout your home if you have your system inspected and updated before winter. Whether you have a standard HVAC unit or a modernMitsubishi ductless system, HVAC contractors can check for problems and perform any repairs or updates to make your system work better throughout the cold months. The HVAC service professionals can also clean your system so that dirty air won’t circulate throughout your home when your system is in use.

Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Serviced

If your home has a fireplace and chimney, it’s a good idea to have them inspected prior to the cold months. An inspector can be hired to check the inside of the chimney for any blockages that could cause smoke and harmful toxins to back up into your home when you’re burning a fire. Your chimney and fireplace may also need to be cleaned to remove soot and other debris. The damper and fireplace brick can additionally be checked for problems.

Check The Condition Of Your Insulation Materials

The insulation materials that are used to line walls in your home to help control indoor temperatures better may be old or damaged and need replacing. Condensation or water leaks may have ruined some of the material, or pests might have taken some of the material to use for nesting. Insulation materials are often placed along attic and basement walls as well as in ceilings and floors. If you have trouble locating all the insulation materials, you can hire a professional to do an inspection for you.

Your home will have a better chance of making it through the winter months unscathed if you do everything possible to prepare it properly for the cold season. If you need help with any of the preparation work, professionals can be hired to lend a hand.

Guest Contributor: Miranda Spears