Preparing your home for winter isn’t just throwing an blanket on the bed. Don’t be caught off-guard. It could wide up costing you a pretty penny. Here are some essential Fall and Winter home preparation tips you may want to follow.
Outside Home Preparation Essentials
Clean Those Gutters (Even If You Hate It)
Y’all, I cannot stress this enough – clean gutters are your first line of defense against winter damage. Last weekend, I spent three hours up on that ladder pulling out what felt like an entire forest worth of leaves. Pro tip: invest in some quality gutter guards. They’ve been a total game-changer for me, cutting my cleaning time in half.
Check Your Roof (Before Snow Makes It Impossible) You can even hire someone!
Check for:
Missing or damaged shingles
Loose flashing around chimneys and vents
Any signs of previous water damage
Sagging areas that could collect snow
To fix them now could only cost you $200 dollars for some loose shingles as appose to a $3000 dollar bill after winter.
Indoor Preparation That'll Save Your Sanity
Seal Those Sneaky Draft Sources
The drafts! They’re like invisible money thieves. Last winter, you need to get into full-on detective mode with an infrared thermometer (you can get them at Home Depot for $23). Found air leaks in places I never suspected:
Around electrical outlets on exterior walls
That one window in my office that always felt “off”
The mail slot (who knew?)
Behind the dryer vent
HVAC Love (Because Nobody Likes Emergency Repairs)
Changing filters every 2-3 months (mark it in your phone calendar!)
Getting professional maintenance in early fall
Testing the system before you actually need it
Checking all vents for blockages
Specific Winter-Proofing Tasks That Make a Difference
Pipe Protection Protocol
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas (garage, basement, crawl spaces)
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines there
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors during cold snaps
Let faucets drip when temperatures drop below 20°F
Energy Efficiency Updates
Switched to a programmable thermostat ($70 but worth every penny)
Added an extra layer of attic insulation (R-value matters, folks!)
Installed thermal curtains in main living areas
Reversed ceiling fans to push warm air down
Conclusion
Look, winter prep might seem like a pain, but it’s way better than dealing with emergencies when it’s freezing outside. Take if form Leggett and Sons Painting. Focus on these key areas:
Exterior maintenance (gutters, roof, sealing)
Interior comfort (drafts, HVAC, insulation)
Protection systems (pipes, windows, doors)
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – especially when that cure involves calling an emergency plumber at 2 AM in December!
Here are some sites you can visit for more information in your State/City:
Energy.gov: Home Weatherization Tips
EPA.gov: Home Sealing Guidelines
FEMA.gov: Winter Storm Preparation
For all you interior and exterior painting needs call leggett and sons painting. “We Paint So You Don’t Have To”.