Six Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter in Maryland

 Six Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter in Maryland

It’s been all over my Facebook feed that this winter is going to be a rough one. Last winter we were lucky with temperatures not dropping till after the holidays. Winter is fastly approaching and homeowners need to be prepared. These six steps will help you prepare your home for winter.

Photo by Todd Parks via Flickr.com

Check Your Plumbing

When temperatures drop, old plumbing can freeze and burst, resulting in unforeseen expenses. Check all the plumbing in and around your home to ensure it can survive a deep freeze. You can start by making sure you don’t have any leaks, turning off your sprinkler system if you have one, and checking outdoor pipes. If you’re not a do it yourself, hire a professional like Custom Mechanical to make sure your plumbing is ready for winter.

Trim Trees

Heavy snow on tree limbs often leads to power outages and other damages. Do a perimeter check of all the trees on your property to see if they need to be trimmed in preparation for winter. Cut branches that hang over power lines and vulnerable structures. Hire a tree cutting service if you’re not comfortable doing it on your own.

Stock Up on Batteries

When winterizing your home, it’s also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, flashlights, and other items that require them. Change the batteries in the items that need new ones. Stock up on batteries when you catch them on sale in case of emergencies and loss of power during snowstorms.

Clean Gutters and Check Roof

Photo by Todd Parks via Flickr.com

Once the temperatures start to drop and all the leaves have fallen off the trees, clean out your gutters to ensure it drains properly during the winter. When snow starts to melt, clogged gutters can lead to leaks and flooding in your home. Hire a company to check your roof for leaks or damage that could cause problems through winter. Heavy snow on the roof can cause ice dams which can cause water damage to your home.

Check for Cold Spots

Cold air seeping into your home can run up your electric bills. Check around the doorways for cold air, and replace stripping if you feel any air coming into your home. Check windows for drafts using a lit candle. You’ll know there’s a leak if the flame flickers. Fix leaks with caulking or weather strips. If your home is older, consider having an HVAC specialist come out and check for interior and exterior insulation problems that could be costing you money.

Check On Your Furnace & Fireplace

Have your furnace cleaned each year during autumn to prevent sediment build-up that could be a potential fire hazard. Once you’re done checking the furnace, replace the filters in your home for increased efficiency. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure to clean it often during the winter. Keep your damper closed unless you have a fire burning to prevent heat loss and drafts in your house.

These are just a few tips to get you ready for winter. I would also suggest making sure you have good shovels and a good supply of snow salt just in case of snowstorms.