Now that autumn has arrived, it is important to make your home ready for cold weather or winter storms. Snow, ice, & wind may do significant damage to your house, therefore staying warm and comfortable through severely cooler temperatures or winter storms could be tricky. Winter storms bring freezing temperatures, communication outages, power outages, slippery roadways and can cause wreak devastation. However, there is really no reason for them to entirely unsettle your life and jeopardize your well-being. Planning ahead in advance and with the help of some professional home renovation ideas to prepare your home ready for winter storms, you and your family will be safe, warm, and healthy. Start preparing your home for a harsh winter storm to keep yourself & your loved ones safe.

With cold weather on the way, it’s important to spend a few days preparing your home for winter to avoid any hassle during winter storms. Making preparations for winter does not seem necessary or maybe top of mind at this time of year, but beginning now will help you ensure that your house is in good form for the winter. If your neighborhood endures hard winters, make a strategy for protecting your home now so you can relax when the first unexpected freeze arrives. To get you started, here is a list of some tips shared by our home renovation professional to help you prepare your home for the cold and snow.

Remove Any Broken or Potentially Dangerous Tree Branches Near Your Home.

Following a winter storm, the accumulation of ice and snow may put additional strain on tree branches, causing them to snap. It might result in power outages, roof damage, or even injury in certain situations. Keep an eye on the trees and branches surrounding your property throughout the year and call a professional to examine the condition and remove as needed.

Examine for Leaks

In the winter, you should make your house a fortress. You don’t want either of your vital warmth to escape outside, nor would you like the cold weather to get in your home. You may engage a home renovation professional to perform an energy audit on your house to assist you in figuring out where your home’s leaking places are. It’s an outstanding possibility if you wouldn’t have the time or willingness to go on your home’s rooftop.

Windows

One of the most important home renovations to do for preparing your home for winter storms is to replace screen windows with storm windows. Look around your windows to ensure they are correctly closed throughout this procedure. Hold a lighted match or lighter a few inches away from the window screen to help find tiny holes. Move the flame about, keeping it a reasonable distance from objects and textiles, and wait for it to dance. There seems to be movement of air at that location if the flame moves. Caulk can be used to seal an all-around frame, or a plastic window insulation kit can be used to cover a full window.

Doors

If you are planning a home renovation for the winter, then storm doors should be used instead of screen doors. Check the seals one more throughout this procedure. If you could somehow see any lighting surrounding your doors, you have such a big opening for warm air to leave. Even if there is no light, you should inspect the rubbery weather stripping surrounding the door. It’s not doing its function if it’s cracking or hard. Fitting fresh climate stripping equipment is a fast way to ensure that your home doors are accurately closed or sealed.

Ducts and Roof

Seals on ductwork might become loose over time. Examine your ductwork to verify that it is not leaking heat into the ceiling that can allow ice to evaporate & refreeze on your rooftop, resulting in ice dams. Before winter arrives, it’s a smart option to examine your rooftop for the winter weather. Climb up (or at the very least, use a high ladder) and inspect the shingles. Replace any that are damaged or missing.

Check Heating Systems

Furnace: Have your heating system examined by a professional before it becomes too chilly. The first freezing day of winter is not the moment to discover that your heater is broken. Before beginning any winter season, you must check that the furnace is operational, safe to operate & energy-efficient. You don’t want to switch on the furnace on the first chilly day to find it’s broken. It is vital to know that many things might go wrong with your furnace during the warmer months.

Water Heater: The end of the fall season is an excellent time to empty your water heater. It is best to empty your water heater at least one time in a year, therefore if you have not completed it yet, take care you do this previously you discover yourself with just very cold water in your home. The best option is to have three distinct types of illumination in the guest bathroom.

Chimney: If you’ve had a chimney, keep in mind to clean it (or have it properly dusted) prior to starting the winter fires. Eliminating extra dirt and the birds and animals that have established their homes in chimneys over the years will aid in the prevention of fires & smoke damage. Inspect the dampers as well to ensure it is still in excellent condition. Hot air will be able to run away via the chimneys if it is twisted or deformed.

Reverse Ceiling Fans: Home renovation before the winter season is the best time to turn your ceiling fans. Placing them in reverse can assist blow down heated air that might otherwise be trapped towards the ceiling, allowing you to reduce the temperature by a degree or two.

Prepare The Outdoors

Gutters: Check to see if your gutters are prepared to handle the winter rains. Remove any fallen leaves and debris that has accumulated in the gutters. Inspect they are fixed firmly to the rooftop and, if necessary, repair them. Also, ensure that the drain line from your gutters is long enough to move winter rainfall and melting snow away from the foundation of your home.

Water Lines: Turn off any external water lines or insulate the pipes to prevent bursts. If you have a sprinkler, drain the lines to ensure that no water remains in the pipes & causes harm to the underground lines.

Tools: Prepare to leave the house by ensuring that all of your winter tools are in good working order. Begin snow blower, inspect shovels & load up on salt or deicers. Having everything in its proper location and ready to go can help you get a head start on digging out of a major blizzard.

Prepare Your Emergency Supplies

Pantry: It’s usually a good idea to maintain extra food supplies in your pantry during the winter if a large storm stops you from traveling to the shop. Boxed and canned goods are the best since they require no power to keep and have a long shelf life. If you fill your cupboard with enough pasta, canned fruits, veggies, rice, beans, soups and bottled water, you will be prepared if the large one strikes your city.

Lights: If a winter storm knocks out your power, have flashlights and candles on hand to illuminate your home. Keep flashlights in each room and educate your children on finding them if they need to see them in the dark.

Heat: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have an ample supply of wood on hand if the electricity goes out. If you live in an area where power outages are common, you may want to consider purchasing a generator to power your furnace for a few hours each day during power outages. An ample supply of blankets and comforters helps you stay warm in the freezing nights of winter.

Detectors: Winter brings a rise in the number of house fires & combustible gas leakage. Replace the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors and inspect them whenever winter arrives to keep you and your family safe.

Wrap-Up

Snow and winter weather might be enjoyable, but blizzards and severely cold weather can do significant damage to your home. All of the tips shared by our home renovation specialists on this list are critical to do before the snow begins to fall. These valuable tips can educate and assist you in adequately preparing your home for severe winter weather.

Furthermore, if you don’t have the time to complete them all, engage a reputable home renovation specialist to assist you in achieving a few chores on your to-do list. Begin as soon as the leaves begin to change color so that your home is ready for the cold, severe weather.

You may contact homednb, where we have trustworthy and competent home remodeling professionals to assist you in preparing your home for a winter storm before, during, and after it occurs. So, schedule a consultation to discuss your project, and let us prepare your home for freezing weather risks with our skilled remodeling services!