Get your home ready for winter

As the days get shorter and the weather turns chilly, it’s time to prepare your home for the winter months ahead.

Consider these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to help ensure your home is ready before winter weather strikes.

⏩ Seal Leaks Around Windows and Doors

If replacing window screens with storm windows and installing a storm door on your house isn’t realistic, you can keep your home warmer and increase energy efficiency by applying caulk to seal any gaps you find around window and door moldings and help keep heat from escaping. If any pipes or ducts travel through an exterior wall of your home, you can also use caulking and weatherstripping to help block potential entry points for cold air.

⏩ Prep the Plumbing

Undrained water in pipes can freeze, both indoors and out, which can cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting hoses and shutting off exterior faucets, draining any water that remains in them and storing hoses indoors to prevent cracks. Drain any other pipes, valves or inground sprinklers that may be exposed to the elements and, for an extra layer of protection, wrap water spigots with covers to prevent damage. ⏩ Get Your Furnace Checked

To keep your furnace from failing when you need it most, get it inspected by a professional before you need to rely on it to heat your home in the dead of winter. Regular tuneups can prolong your furnace’s life, help prevent carbon monoxide leaks and ensure your unit is working at maximum efficiency.

⏩ Examine Decks and Patios

Your patios, sidewalks, driveways and decks need occasional maintenance as well, and giving them a onceover before colder weather hits can help ensure they’re prepared to stand up to the elements. Repairing any broken joints or cracks in stonework and applying sealer can prevent melted snow from getting in and freezing, which can create bigger problems. The same principles hold true for decks and wooden handrails. Though typically made from treated or rotresistant wood, they are subject to splintering, decay or insect damage and may need to be stained and sealed periodically. Of course, if replacement is necessary, it’s best to complete the project before inclement weather hits.