How to Winterize Your Home
Homeowners take pride in their homes. So, as winter approaches, we try to do everything we can to keep it and our family safe, sound and toasty. But with so many steps and checkboxes to tick off, how does one keep track?
At Van Dyke’s Restorers, we realize the importance of a happy, healthy home, which is why we have gathered this extensive list of winterization steps. Here is the ultimate guide on how to winterize your home to make it more efficient and safe.
Outside the Home
Since you want to beat the chillier days, winterize your home’s exterior first. Here’s what to address:
Survey the Roof
From snow to ice, the winter elements can add a lot of weight to the roof’s structure. So, before you find yourself with a leak in the attic, climb a ladder and give it a thorough inspection. Look for signs of wear like broken or curled shingles, replacing them as needed. Inspect the flashing as well for the same. If you have overgrown trees or shrubs that are brushing against the roof, be sure to trim these back to prevent damage to the gutters and shingles. Clear the roof of any debris, such as pine needles and leaves (or the wayward frisbee from summer games).
Be sure to survey the roof from the interior as well, searching for stains or signs of leaks in the attic and ceilings. While in the attic space, ensure it has proper ventilation to prevent mold and mildew growth. Lastly, consider investing in a snow roof rake or snow guards if you live in regions with heavy snowfall. Snow rakes, also called snow shovels, feature long light poles that can reach the roof as you stand at ground level.
Clear Out the Gutters
Once the snow begins to melt, you want to allow it to drain properly with clean and clear gutters. While you’re on the roof, unclog any gutters of leaves and items like the occasional bird nest. Completing this step will ensure the gutters will not clog and freeze, forming icicles and ice dams that can cause damage.
Install New Windows
The right windows can drastically reduce your energy. Install new windows with double-pane or triple-pane glass to prevent heat transfer. As long as your windows are not aluminum-framed, just about any frame material will do–wood/wood-clad, vinyl, fiberglass and composite. Make sure the window panes have proper glazing, like those of EnergyStar-rated windows. Add an interior low-E coating to keep out the heat during the summer months as well. Whether you choose to install new windows or not, consider adding window treatment hardware such as shudders and new secure latches.
Prepare for Snow
Now that you’ve prepared for snow on the roof, prepare for snow around the home and surrounding grounds, too. If you have a large driveway, consider a snowblower that can clear it in a matter of minutes. If not, get a winter workout with an old-fashioned snow shovel. However, you might want to purchase one of each type of snow shovel: pushing and lifting shovels. Lastly, make sure to keep on hand a bag or two of an ice-melter to remove ice buildup on the pathways. This will guarantee your family’s safety, as well as that of guests–and even the mailman!
Store Away Outdoor Equipment and Tools
Now that you’ve winterized your home’s actual brick and mortar exterior, take time to address the landscaping and yard areas. Look around the yard and clean up any outdoor equipment, tools and gardening supplies. Keep them in a nearby tool shed or organize them in the garage, out of colder temperatures that may cause damage such as rust or cracks. Here are a few quick steps to winterize your home’s backyard:
- Unscrew any garden hoses from spigots and drain them thoroughly. Next, wind them up on a hose guide or hang them in the garage or shed.
- Avoid the spring rush and tune lawnmowers, adding a gasoline stabilizer to any remaining fuel. In fact, add a stabilizer to any tool’s leftover fuel.
- Pull up potted annual plants and toss the soil, storing terracotta and plastic containers indoors or in the basement or shed.
- Protect more delicate shrubs with a frost fleece or light blanket and add insulation to the garden bed with a two-inch layer of mulch, leaves or straw.
- If you have any equipment that must stay outdoors, such as power pumps or generators, cover them with a heavy-duty tarp and secure it with rope or bungee cords. Wrap the equipment as tightly as possible and stake it down if you must to prevent wind from blowing snow up into the makeshift skirt.
Protect the Grill and Outdoor Patio Furniture
While you may not have to address this right away, especially if you live in warmer regions, it’s important to protect the grill and outdoor furniture. If you have a propane grill or outdoor heater, turn off the propane tank valve and disconnect the tank. Never, under any circumstances, should you store propane indoors. Leaving propane indoors is a fire hazard and extremely dangerous! They will be perfectly fine outdoors. Lastly, cover the grill to protect it from the elements.
Winterize your home’s outdoor furniture as well. Store more lightweight plastic furniture easily in the garage or shed. However, for heavier teak or wrought iron furniture, leave them outdoors and wrap them with durable, weather-resistant vinyl covers. Ideally, look for covers with grommets and drawstring cords to keep it tight and secure against strong winds. Also, while the furniture itself is fine, bring in any cushions.
Winterize Swimming Pools
If you have a swimming pool, it’s essential to winterize and properly protect. Ensure the water chemistry is correct and store any wall fitting, cleaners, skimmer baskets and ladders in the shed or cabana. Lower the water levels with a filter pump or a submersible pump and drain all the filters, pumps, chlorinators and heaters. Lastly, cover the pool, minimizing gaps so falling leaves and critters can’t fall through. Taking the extra steps to winterize your pool will guarantee a crack-free bottom and sides, allowing you to dive right in come summer!
Prepare Garden Ponds for the Cold
Winterizing a garden pond is a bit more complicated than a pool, especially if you have koi or plants. However, it’s still possible. First, turn off the pump and remove any features or parts that peek above the water surface. Next, remove any plants and cut the foliage to the root ball. For the fish, don’t worry! Even if the ice freezes over, they’ll be fine, so long as you keep a hole open to allow toxic gases to release and for oxygen to enter.
Inside the Home
Now that you have completed winterizing your home’s exterior, time to move indoors where it’s a bit toastier!
Insulate the Pipes
Wrap and insulate your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and keep them from freezing. This offers an extra advantage of preventing your hot water boiler from overworking itself, too. Plus–and you’ll love this!–you don’t have to wait so long for hot water to reach your shower. Wrap pipes in either foam rubber sleeves or wind an insulated wrap around it.
If you live in a region with severe temperature drops, you should also keep a steady trickle of water running in a few faucets, such as the laundry room utility sink. Wrapping the pipes and leaving a small stream can prevent pipes from bursting and creating a real homeowner headache.
Flush the Water Heater
Did you know that water heaters can collect sediment? Over time, particles and debris can settle in the bottom, resulting in less efficient heating. This is especially true if you live in a hard water area. To clear out this debris and have a more efficient water heater, flush the heater’s water through the drain valve.
Switch Ceiling Fans Clockwise
Ceiling fans have a two-setting switch that allows them to transition from summer to winter. In the summer, the counter-clockwise position pushes and captures hot air above, while the winter clockwise position pushes hot air toward the floor. Simply flip the fan’s switch to reduce your heating and make a more efficient home.
Caulk Any Gaps
Load a caulk gun and go around the house–inside and out!–searching for areas you can fill. Inspect siding, windows and doors. While you have the tool out, consider additional problem areas that may need caulking, such as holes created from pests and the bathroom tiles.
Utilize Window Insulation Film
Add window insulation film to drafty, leaky windows. While it’s not super-attractive, this insulation film can truly keep a room nice and toasty. Even if you use it in the basement areas or parts of the home that are not visited often, it can seriously reduce your energy bill.
Install Draft Guards or Weatherstrip Tapes
If you are not too keen on insulation film, there’s another solution. Locate any drafty areas around doors and windows and install draft guards or a weatherstrip tape. These handy leak-preventers can keep heat from escaping and reduce heating costs through winter. For a more affordable option, use a rolled towel.
Replace Air Filters
Make sure to change your air filters in your HVAC system regularly. Like the windows and doors, this step can drastically increase your home’s overall efficiency. Plus, replacing your air filters can improve the lifespan of your air conditioning and heating system.
Close Floor Vents
Speaking of your HVAC system, make sure to go around and close all your AC-discharging floor vents. Many homeowners overlook this simple step and heating can escape quite easily through each.
Pack Fiberglass Insulation
Another winterizing step you can take to improve efficacy is to pack in the fiberglass insulation. Create maximum heat retention for your home by packing insulation against doors or unfrequented rooms or spaces (like the basement). Make sure the attic floor is sufficiently insulated as well. You can also fill insulation around window AC units. Always play it safe with fiberglass insulation, wearing safety glasses, gloves and a mask if necessary as it can cause itchy eyes and difficulty breathing.
Release a Chimney Balloon
While many homeowners use the fireplace during the holiday season, others fly South where it’s just not necessary. In fact, you may live in the South, where a fireplace is rarely used. If either is the case for you, consider releasing a chimney balloon to keep drafts out.
Adjust the Thermostat
In terms of efficiency, remember to adjust your thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that for each degree lowered during winter months, you can save up to one percent on your energy bill. While you can do this manually, of course, it’s much easier to set a programmable thermostat that can lower the temp while you’re at work during the day and raise it again when you want to be cozier at home.
An even more advanced option would be to invest in a smart-home thermostat, such as a Nest, that can learn your family’s daily routines. And if you’re worrying what these newfangled thermostats might look like on the wall of your timeless period style home–don’t be! The Nest, in particular, has an understated, minimal style and is offered in classic finishes like brass and copper.
Test Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Another step to winterize your home is to test all the fire and carbon monoxide detectors. The National Fire Protection Association reports that most residential fires occur during the winter months due to electrical fires from heating and holiday decor and candles, to name a few things. For homeowners who need to break out the power generators during severe winter storms, a carbon monoxide detector is vital, too!
Ideally, you should be checking these devices monthly. However, there is no time like the present! Replace batteries as needed and check the lifespan, as some detectors last only seven to 10 years.
Hopefully, this thorough guide can help walk you through the steps to winterize your home–inside and out! Noticing your hardware might need some updating while preparing your home for the cold? We’re here to help! Browse our antique hardware components and make sure all your household items are ready for the winter.
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