This guide outlines the often overlooked things you can do to properly prepare your home for the winter season.
It comes every year, but winter still manages to sneak up on householders. Fall starts with every intention of getting ahead of winter home maintenance. Then life gets in the way. Before homeowners know it, the New Year’s here, and they haven’t even run a pre-winter internet speed test, never mind upgrading those old, energy-inefficient windows.
Prepare your home for winter
With proper winter home maintenance, you can save up to $400 in energy costs annually, ensure a strong internet connection, and have a more comfortable, cozy home. The sooner you start making these changes, the better prepared you’ll be for those howling winter winds and dark, snowy nights!
Inspect and Protect the Exterior
Exterior winter home maintenance is best completed in the fall, or early enough into the winter season that you’re not working in colder temperatures or snowy, icy conditions. Moisture and cold from outside can impact your comfort and lower your home’s value, so make sure your home’s exterior provides the protection you need. Here are some exterior maintenance tasks you’ll want to complete early in the season:
Roof and Flashing
Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles, and inspect the flashing around all chimneys and vents. Loose or damaged shingles can create ice dams, so repair them before winter. If you’re uncomfortable with heights or your own DIY skills, hire a roofer for peace of mind.
Gutters and Downspouts
Check gutters and downspouts for signs of damage, and clean them so melting snow drains away from your home’s foundation. Fix loose gutter hangers and fascia damage, and consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating and causing ice dams and clogs.
Siding and Paint
Check your siding and exterior paint for gaps, cracked caulk, or peeling paint, all of which can let moisture into the home. Patch and touch up as needed to prevent moisture and wood rot.
Windows and Doors
Check the seals and weatherstripping around your doors and windows, and replace cracked caulk and worn strips. A candle test, where you light and blow out a candle to observe the smoke, can reveal possible drafts ( incense sticks work even better, as you don’t have to constantly relight the candle).
Maintaining your home’s exterior stops water intrusion, prevents wood rot and mold, and prevents heated air from escaping.
Reinforce Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors can significantly improve your energy efficiency, but even minor winter home maintenance can reduce your utility bills and increase your home’s value. Take the following steps:
Attic and Crawlspace Insulation
Check that your attic insulation has the recommended R-value for your climate, and top up or replace insulation as needed. Check the seal to the attic hatch and any framing gaps for signs of damage.
Windows
If you didn’t check your door and window seals during your exterior maintenance, do so now. You can use temporary window film for budget-conscious draft control, but if windows are aging, you should consider upgrades for long-term savings.
Plumbing and Heating Systems
A mid-winter furnace failure, burst pipe, or water heater failure is stressful, expensive, and can result in property damage. Lower your risk of these problems by keeping your plumbing and heating systems well-maintained.
Insulate Pipes
Installing foam sleeves and heat tape on plumbing pipes reduces the risk of frozen or burst pipes, especially in unheated areas such as unfinished basements, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.
Schedule a Furnace Service
Replace HVAC filters, clean heating vents, and schedule a professional inspection and service for your furnace or boiler. A pre-season check means less chance of emergency repairs over the winter.
Test Thermostats
Check your thermostat to ensure it’s accurate. If you use a smart thermostat, check if the thermostat app needs an update and that its alerts work. A reputable internet provider helps you monitor your home’s heating system while you’re away, so you can make adjustments remotely.
Pre-Winter Water Heater Maintenance
Prior to winter, drain a few gallons from your water heater to remove sediment, and test the pressure-relief valve. You can hire a plumber to perform these tasks if you’re unsure how to safely work with your heater. If you choose to maintain the water heater yourself, wear protective gloves, eye goggles, and clothing.
Safeguard Power and Connectivity
Extreme weather can disrupt power and internet services, so take steps to reduce the impact of service interruptions. These steps are essential for rural internet access, as remote locations often have to wait longer for power restoration.
Test Backup Power Sources
Test generators and portable power stations if you have them, and stock up on appropriate fuel and charger batteries. Replace the batteries in flashlights and keep them handy in case of power outages.
Check Your Wi-Fi
Run an internet speed test in your home and in outdoor areas where you use Wi-Fi. If you find any dead zones, reposition your router to a central, elevated location. Should dead zones persist, consider adding Mesh Nodes or Wi-Fi extenders to strengthen your wireless signal.
Consider Fiber Optic Internet
Extreme cold and weather can impact many types of internet service. Fiber-optic internet or fixed wireless internet are typically more reliable than copper-based or satellite connections, especially during periods of heavy rain or snowfall.
Fiber is also faster than other delivery methods, and provides the bandwidth needed to keep smart thermostats, security cameras, and remote work tools functioning through winter weather. If you still have questions like “What is Fiber Internet?” contact your current internet provider or check the linked guide here to learn more.
Router Maintenance
At the start of the winter season, update your router firmware and change the default passwords. Consider labelling your router and other equipment for quick restarts after power interruptions.
Focus on Interior Comfort
Small, inexpensive changes make your home feel cozier without turning up the heat. Try the following:
- Add thermal curtains and rugs to reduce heat loss and insulate rooms.
- Use draft stoppers, door snakes, and insulated thresholds to prevent cold air from entering the home.
- Use warm-tone lamps, dimmers, smart lights, and task lighting to create inviting, cozy spaces.
- Keep throws and extra blankets close to hand, and treat yourself to some snuggly sweaters or slippers.
Summary
Small those little changes are, they can significantly improve comfort and make your home much more welcoming. With a bit of preparation, you’ll be physically comfy and digitally ready for those long winter nights!
