As a general guideline, you should start winterizing your home in early October, however, the exact date of the cold season will depend on where you live. This will allow you plenty of time to complete it at your own pace if you choose to do it yourself. To get any essential work done before the weather gets bad, if you are hiring a professional, you will need to set up service appointments as soon as possible—you might even want to request them during the summer.
Read also: How Wide Should A Curtain Be
How To Winterize From Outside
Clean your gutters
Gutter cleaning is a necessary task to complete before winter arrives. Gutters are designed to divert water away from your home so that it doesn’t collect and leak inside. He suggests removing leaves, sticks, and other debris that has accumulated over the summer and fall months. (You’ll still need to give your gutters a thorough clean even if you have gutter guards.) Depending on how comfortable you are climbing a ladder or how high your gutters may be, it’s always safer to hire a professional or a handyman to complete this task.
Drain and shut off water sources
Inspecting every one of your external water sources is also a smart idea. To avoid freezing and damage, I advise disconnecting and storing garden hoses, draining and turning off outside water sources, and winterizing outdoor irrigation systems. When it becomes cold enough, properly draining and turning off outside water sources can lower the chance of pipes bursting. Furthermore, ensuring that your hoses are emptied and stored properly will extend their lifespan and maintain their functionality.
Replace your windows with energy-efficient ones
Houses often have a great number of windows, which makes them the main entry point for air leaks. This is particularly true for older windows, which are usually built of wood and have just one pane of glass. However, storm windows are an extra barrier that can save energy expenses, and some homes have them.
Older builder-grade window types or seal failure may be seen in more contemporary residences. During the winter, heat can be retained inside by upgrading to energy-efficient windows. [Energy-efficient windows] typically include two or three glass panes, and argon gas to increase energy efficiency, and are constructed of synthetic materials like vinyl.
Make sure your garage door is insulated
Insulating your garage door is something you should think about if you have one. Particularly if your garage is adjacent to your house, it can help you save money on gas and energy costs. An additional advantage of having an insulated garage is that it can free up room for a future home office or gym.
Air conditioners should be winterized
If you have window air conditioners, take them out and put them somewhere dry. Window units should be removed mostly because they will cause drafts. Since window units don’t have strong seals surrounding them, cold air can enter a room through the side flaps and the window unit itself, rapidly chilling the inside and making it difficult to keep a comfortable temperature.
In mid-to late-September, depending on the area, window units should be removed. While it might take two hands, this is something that homeowners should be able to perform themselves.
Examine your chimney and roof
You should get a professional inspection of your roof before the winter months arrive, as it shields everything underneath. You want a thorough roof inspection that includes determining the age of your roof, spotting any stains on the roof, and determining whether any materials are deteriorated or out-of-date, such as curling or buckling shingles. Architectural shingles are used on new roof replacements; flat, three-tab shingles may indicate that your roof is more recent or antiquated.
But you should think about more than just roof shingles. The roof system must be in good condition overall. Ice and water shields, drip edges, intake and ridge vents, and a vapour barrier made of breathable material rather than felt paper are all essential components of a good roof system.
Furthermore, he advises hiring experts to examine chimneys to look for any spots that require repointing or damaged masonry.
Keep the appropriate equipment and supplies on hand
The last piece of advice for winterization has to do with supplies. Ensure that you have everything you’ll need to survive the winter. You might be thinking, “I need to get some de-icing salt and another shovel someday.” To avoid having to deal with long lineups and empty shelves, you might think about stocking up on the things you need right away. Make sure you have the necessary supplies and tools to maintain the outside of your house before winter arrives. This entails stocking up on shovels, ice scrapers, snow roof rakes, soft bristle brushes, de-icing salt for roads and steps, and more.
Read also: How To Winterize Your Home From Inside