Without a doubt, taking the time to winterize your home will save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs and ward off potential problems with frozen pipes, water damage, and even rodent infestation. Whether you do these items yourself or hire a professional or two, it’s essential to complete this process every year. Most contractors agree the sooner you start your efforts, the better.
Here is a checklist to complete your outside and inside winterization tasks.
Tools and Items Needed to Winterize your Home
- Step and Extension Ladder
- Door Sweeps
- Faucet Covers
- Furnace Filters
- Caulk Gun and Caulk
- Window Film
Outside Winterization Checklist
- Remove all hoses from your faucets. Drain and store them in your garage or shed.
- Cover outdoor faucets with a Styrofoam or insulated cover.
- Stop your sprinkler system. Cut off the water and drain. Turn off the sprinkler timer if you have one.
- Inspect your roof. Look for holes, mold, or loose shingles. Fix the holes, remove mold, and replace shingles.
- Clean gutters.
- Trim trees if they are within two feet of your roof or windows.
- Bring potted plants inside.
- Bring patio furniture inside or cover it with a weatherproof cover.
- If your deck is wooden, apply a fresh coat of sealant.
- Remove screens and replace them with storm windows and doors. Even if you don’t have storm windows, your windows will remain much cleaner, and you will extend the life of your screens when you complete this task.
Inside Winterization Checklist
- Hire an HVAC professional to check and maintain your furnace.
- Install a smart programmable thermostat that you can change the temperature from an app on your phone.
- Change your filter and have a few filters on-hand if your filter needs to be replaced monthly. Clean air filters can reduce your energy bills by as much as 15 percent.
- Inspect all doors and windows. If drafty, seal and cover all holes with durable caulk or weatherstripping. In addition, consider applying window film to older or drafty windows. Door sweeps, installed at the bottom of outdoor doors, keep drafts out as well.
- Look for cracks in your walls and around windows and doors. Seal them with caulk.
- Hire a professional to clean your fireplace(s). If you have frequent wood-burning fires, creosote can build up within the chimney and start a fire within the neck of the chimney. In addition, a professional can check your chimney caps and determine if your brickwork requires repair.
- Inspect your attic. Replace any damaged or missing insulation. Look at the vents and make sure they are unobstructed.
- Replace batteries in smoke detectors and check the date of your carbon monoxide detector—usually, they only last ten years. However, the instructions that come with the unit will give you an estimated lifetime of the product.
Need Home Insurance?
Your home is often the greatest asset you have. It’s essential to protect it from winter hazards, including blizzards, ice storms, or harsh conditions. We want you to have all the insurance protection you need! Please give us a call at 330-753-8700 to discuss your options!
