If you live in the Ohio Valley, cold winter weather is inevitable. During winter, more time is spent indoors due to the cold and freezing temperatures. Before the snow hits hard and brutal winds blow our direction, it’s best to prepare your home for the winter. Preparing in advance can help avoid damage caused by melting snow which can puddle and cause leaks. Maintaining your home during the winter may require some special treatment, but in a day or two, it can be prepared for winter. Here are some important things you want to do to prepare your home for those upcoming frigid months.

Seal the windows

In order to avoid entry of cold, seal the windows with plastic. Before you begin you will want to check the window for leaks. You can do this by lighting a match and tracing the outline of your window frame looking at the flame to be blown out or moved by wind coming through. Once you locate leaks apply caulk to the area to easily seal the cracks in your windows.

After your windows are sealed, purchase the plastic for sealing which comes in a kit that includes tape and instructions. The only tool you may need is a hairdryer to shrink the plastic, making a tight layer of protection. This will prevent loss of heat from your home which will help the cost of heating. Kits to seal your outlets and light switches are also helpful.

Clear out the gutters

This may sound like a spring cleaning maintenance tip, but you can prevent problems by cleaning out your gutters in the winter. When your gutters are clogged, they will trap rain water that can even freeze resulting in leaks into your house. If you still have a buildup of leaves you haven’t cleaned out yet, remove anything that is in the gutters and get rid of all obstructions that may have formed in your gutters.

Check heating system

The last thing you want is for your heating system to go out in the coldest months of the year. To avoid being caught by surprise, check your heating system and ensure it is working well. If you don’t know what to look, always consult a professional HVAC company for you can call an expert who can spot any issues you may have.

If you have a fireplace, a lot of your time at home may be spent sitting around and listening to it crackle. But, before you start it up for the first time you want to ensure the fireplace is safe by inspecting it. Remove all ashes that may have been deposited and ensure the chimney has no cracks. Look for evidence of birds or animals that may have gotten in and other debris that may need to be removed.

Schedule a weekend project that will help return the benefits of comfort and savings, leaving you to enjoy winter without worrying about emergency winter maintenance. For more information on how to create a more energy efficient home that will help you save money on your utility bills not only in the winter, but year-round, click here and we will get back with you shortly.