As colder weather prepares to settle in for the season, making sure your home is ready for the winter is important. Maintaining your home for all types of weather can ensure the safety and efficiency of your home. Here are some tips for cold weather maintenance for homeowners.

Check Your Pipes
As water freezes, it can expand and cause pipes to crack or break. Keeping your faucets on a steady slow drip can keep ice from building up and bursting your pipes. Drain, disconnect, and cover outdoor hoses and faucets and protect any unheated areas of the home with added insulation. Take note of where your water shutoff valve is located, in case of emergency.

Change Your Furnace Filter
Change your furnace filter at the start of each season or every 2-4 months. Over time, filters can become less efficient depending on the amount of dust or any pets in the home.

Set Your Thermostat
Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature overnight and while you’re away can save you money and energy. Smart thermostats are easy to use and can help to maintain a schedule.

Turn On Your Ceiling Fans
While ceiling fans are more frequently used in the summer, using them in the winter can also help to warm a space. Depending on the direction of your blades, a ceiling fan can be used to push air around a room. Set your fans to run at a low speed in a clockwise direction to push warmer air down and create better air flow.

Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams can be detrimental to your roofing and if left untreated can cause leaks and water damage within your home. Ice dams are created when heats escapes from the roof and causes any melted snow to flow to your roof’s edge and refreeze, without anywhere to drain upon remelting. Ensuring your gutters and downspouts are not clogged can help to keep water flowing to avoid ice buildup.

Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney
A toasty, warm fire can be the best antidote to the bitter winter cold, but making sure your fireplace and chimney are in safe and working order before using is an absolute must. Hiring a professional chimney sweep to clean out any soot or other debris can avoid any fire hazards. To keep cold air from entering your home, keep your flue closed when your fireplace is not in use. Installing glass fireplace doors can also help to keep warm air in and cold air out.

Seal Doors and Windows
Make sure your home is devoid of any gaps or spacings around doors, windows, and openings. Older doors and windows may be single-paned or uninsulated, which can create drafts or other issues. If you’re interested in upgrading the energy efficiency of your home, consider storm windows and doors, double or triple-paned windows, and insulated exterior and garage doors.

Beware of Blackouts
Colder weather can often bring power outages. Putting together an emergency kit can help to combat the cold and keep your family safe and warm. Consider a working, ready-to-use fire extinguisher, alternative heating source such as a generator, sand, ice melt, shovel, candles, blankets, and any communication devices such as a radio or phone. Plan with your family to develop your own emergency kit to best fit your needs.

Stay warm!