How to Winterize Your Home

By the Mercury Team

As the temperature drops, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your home. What does winterizing a house mean? It just means preparing your home to handle the cold weather so you can prevent costly damage and reduce energy costs. In this blog, we’ll go over all the essential steps you need to take to get your home ready for winter.

Why Winterizing Your Home Is Essential

If you don’t take the time to winterize your home, you could face some serious issues. For instance, frozen pipes can burst and cause major water damage, while ice dams on your roof can lead to leaks and costly repairs. Even if you avoid any major damage, a drafty home can skyrocket your heating bills as your system works overtime to keep things warm.

When you winterize your home, you’re taking steps to prevent problems while investing in your home’s long-term health. In the long run, winterizing your home means peace of mind. You’ll rest easy knowing your house is safe, warm, and energy-efficient, no matter how cold it gets outside.

Your Home Winterization Checklist

Ready to start winterizing? Here’s your checklist to ensure you cover all the critical areas of your home:

Insulate Your Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most common (and expensive) problems homeowners face during the winter. When the temperature drops, water inside your pipes can freeze, expand, and eventually cause them to burst. The last thing you want is water damage ruining your home. The good news is that it’s easy to reduce this risk. Simply wrap your pipes with insulation — especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages.

Seal Windows and Doors

If you’ve ever felt a chilly draft coming through your windows or doors, you know how quickly it can cool down a room — and how it can send your heating bills soaring. To keep the cold out and the warmth in, take a little time to seal any gaps around your windows and doors. Use weatherstripping, caulk, or even draft stoppers to block those drafts.

Inspect and Clean Gutters

When your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, they can’t drain properly, and that’s when ice dams form. Ice dams can cause water to back up into your roof, leading to leaks and serious damage. Before winter arrives, grab a ladder and clean out your gutters so they can do their job. Also, consider installing gutter guards to help keep debris out and reduce the chances of future clogs. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, it’s worth hiring a professional to ensure everything is clear and ready for winter.

Winterizing Your Home’s Heating System

Your heating system works overtime in the winter, so make sure it’s in tip-top shape before the cold really hits. Here are a few steps to take:

Schedule an HVAC Inspection

You don’t want to have an HVAC breakdown in the throes of winter, so scheduling an inspection before winter hits to help prevent this from happening. A professional will check your furnace or heat pump, clean it up, and make sure it’s operating efficiently.

Change Furnace Filters

A dirty filter forces your furnace to work overtime, which means higher energy bills and less effective heating. If your home doesn’t feel quite as warm as it should, the filter could be to blame. Change your furnace filter every few months — especially before winter — to ensure proper airflow, keep your system running efficiently, and help maintain cleaner air in your home.

Test Your Thermostats and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Thermostats are like your heating system’s control center, so make sure they’re functioning properly. Test them to see if they’re reading and responding accurately to temperature changes. If your home feels colder than the thermostat says, it might be time to upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat.

Also, don’t forget to check your carbon monoxide detectors. Since your heating system will be working more during the winter, having functional detectors is key for your safety. Replace the batteries and test the alarms to make sure they’re ready to protect your family from this silent danger.

Outdoor Preparations to Winterize a Home

Preparing the exterior is just as important as keeping the inside cozy. Here are a few simple steps to help your home’s exterior withstand the cold months ahead:

Drain Garden Hoses and Shut Off Outdoor Faucets

Water left in hoses and outdoor faucets can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to burst, leading to messy and expensive repairs. Make sure to disconnect and drain your garden hoses, then shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucets. Frost-free spigots may be designed to handle the cold, but it’s still a good idea to drain any water left inside.

Check the Roof for Loose Shingles

Your roof takes the brunt of winter weather, so it’s worth giving it a quick inspection before the first snowfall. Look for any loose, damaged, or missing shingles that could allow water to seep in. If left unchecked, these small issues can lead to more serious problems like leaks or ice dams once the snow and ice start melting. If you spot any issues, get them fixed now to prevent bigger headaches later.

Store or Cover Outdoor Furniture

Winter weather can be harsh on patio furniture, so it’s best to store it away if possible. If you don’t have room to store it inside, invest in some good-quality covers to protect it from snow, ice, and moisture. 

Additional Tips for Winterizing a Home

Want to go the extra mile? Here are a few more ways to keep your home warm and safe:

• Install storm windows or plastic window insulation kits: Adding a layer of protection over your windows can help trap heat inside.
• Use draft stoppers for doors: A simple draft stopper at the bottom of your doors can make a noticeable difference in keeping cold air out.
• Add extra insulation: Check your attic and crawl spaces to see if additional insulation would help maintain a consistent indoor temperature.

Conclusion

Winter can be tough on homes, but with some preparation, you can prevent damage and stay comfortable all season long. Having the right homeowners insurance can also provide you with peace of mind, knowing you’re covered if anything goes wrong during the colder months. If you’re in the market for a new policy, Mercury offers cheap homeowners insurance without compromising quality. 

Contact us today for a fast, free quote!