Getting Your Home Ready For Winter in No Time Flat

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Geting your home ready for winter doesn't have to be a big chore.  Many people don't take the proper precautions necessary to make sure that their homes are protected when the cold weather hits. Instead of worrying that winter will wreak havoc on your home, focus on enjoying a warm fireplace and a hot cup of cocoa. Here are some tips to get you started on making sure that your home is ready for those upcoming cold temperatures.

Winterizing your house includes items on the interior and exterior, so it's important to walk around and look for potential issues before the cold temperatures set in.

Inspect all windows to make sure that they are shut tightly and locked.

Look around your patio doors, windows, entry way and garage thresholds to make certain that they are sealed properly.

Check your fireplace to be sure that the pilot light is turned on.  You should also clean the backside of the glass with an ammonia free nonflammable cleaner like Windex.  In addition, carefully remove any webbing or dust from the logs and fireplace area.

You should check your furnace filter on a monthly basis to see if it needs to be replaced.  Make sure to insert your filter with the arrow pointing in line towards the furnace.

In the third year of homeownership, you should have your furnace inspected by an authorized Lennox dealer.

Carbon monoxide leaks can be a deadly problem resulting from improper maintenance of the heating system, so make sure to get it serviced on a regular basis or if you have any questions about the safety of your unit.

As you go into the winter months, make sure that your furnace has a good, working Buss fuse labeled S15.  If not, always make sure to have an extra one on hand.

An easy thing to miss is not having your furnace in the "on" position. If it still isn't working, refer to your warranty manual for trouble shooting solutions.

On the outside of your home, make sure to check your downspout extensions.  Make certain that they are in place about 2 to 3 feet away from the home to divert water.  They should always be placed in the down position.  If they're damaged, you can get a replacement one from your local hardware store.  These are very easy to replace.

If you have a sump pump, there is a discharge pipe outside.  Many people remove it for mowing.  Make sure that it is securely fastened and check throughout the winter.

You have a high-efficiency furnace with an exhaust port outside.  Before using your furnace for the first time of the season, make certain to visually inspect the port to see if there are any insect nests inside. Do not install covers over these because it can obstruct the exhaust and fresh air intakes of the furnace. It is a good idea to clear away drifted snow because that could cause system blockage.

In your yard, you will want to purchase a good winterizer so that your grass gets nutrients during those cold winter months.  It should come back greener in the spring.  Also check your landscaping and trim overgrown vegetation as needed.

Make sure to stain or seal your deck.  Wait one full season after moving in.  In spring or summer, or even early fall, seal it.  This will preserve your deck to make it last longer.

Take a look at your driveway to see if any cracks need to be caulked or sealed before weather drops below 50 degrees. Most caulking you can buy at the market needs application temperatures of 50 degrees or higher.

As you can see, these are several things that need to be done in order to make sure that your property is ready for the cold temperatures of winter.  If you follow this checklist, you will take care of anything that may go wrong when the temperatures dip down to the freezing mark.