With winter well and truly arriving in Eastern Washington, many of us are spending more and more time indoors in hopes of staying warm and dry. During this transitionary time of year, it is crucial to prepare your home for the cold weather ahead. This is not only important for your own comfort, but a necessary step in protecting your home from the harsh conditions outside. As we huddle up indoors over hot cups of coffee, it can be easy to forget that our homes need our attention in order to stand through the winter unscathed. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your house for the coming months.
Check all window seals to make sure they are secure and weatherproof.
In the winter months, it’s important to check all of your window seals. This will ensure that your home is sealed up and safe from cold drafts that would otherwise slip through the cracks (literally). A quick checkup can help keep your house warm and cozy during the cold winter months and save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Check your furnace filter monthly and replace as needed.
The air that we breathe indoors is about two or three times more polluted than the air outdoors. Furnace filters are necessary to keep the air in your home clean and to improve your indoor air quality. It is a good idea to stock up on several filters so that swapping them out can be as painless a process as possible.
Clear out any leaves or debris that may have collected on the roof of your house.
When snow begins to fall in the Tri-Cities, whatever currently sits on your rooftop will be solidified there until the Spring. A quick cleaning of your roof today will go a long way in ensuring its cleanliness throughout the winter.
Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs during winter storms.
Branching off the maintenance of your roof, the importance of cleaning out your home’s gutters cannot be understated. When snow and freezing rain begin to fall regularly, you’ll be thankful you made the time to clear out your gutters, preventing clogs and breaks from taking place.
Get a tune up for any heating systems in the house, including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, gas stoves or space heaters.
It’s never a bad idea to regularly maintain your home’s heating systems, but you should pay special care on this front heading into Winter. Solving any heating problems now will save you the headache of scrambling to find a fix while your house freezes over inside. Repairs are always easier to make before the height of the season, so plan accordingly.
