Prepping Your House for the Winter
PNW falls and winters are wet and cold, so winterizing your home is key to keeping it in great shape for years to come. Here are the top 6 things you should do to get your home ready for those chilly months:
Service Your Furnace & Fireplace
Make sure your furnace gets serviced annually, especially before the cold sets in. The last thing you want is for your furnace to quit on you during a freezing week! Heat is essential for protecting your home’s mechanics. Without it, things can freeze, break, and turn into a much bigger problem.
As for your fireplace, servicing it is crucial to ensure everything is working safely. You’ll want to check that the pilot light is functioning properly and that the seal around the fireplace is intact, preventing any potential carbon monoxide (CO) leaks into your home. Safety first! (Yes, this happened to me once.
Clean Your Gutters
Clearing debris from your gutters is a must, especially in the PNW. With all the rain we get, clogged gutters can cause water to overflow into your soffits or siding, leading to major damage. Keeping those channels clear helps water drain properly and protects your home.
Check Door & Window Seals
Inspect the seals on your doors and windows. If you feel cold air sneaking in, it’s time to replace them! Sealing up those gaps will keep your furnace from overworking and save you money on heating costs.
Cover Hose Bibs & Crawlspace Vents
When the wind chill drops below freezing, exposed pipes are at risk of bursting. Protect your hose bibs and cover crawlspace vents to avoid costly damage to your pipes. A little preparation now can prevent a big headache later.
Trim Trees Back
With our winter windstorms and heavy snow, overhanging branches can be dangerous. Trimming them away from your home will help prevent large branches from breaking and damaging your roof or siding.
Winterize Your Lawn
Don’t forget about your lawn! Applying winter fertilizer will help your grass stay healthy through the cold months, feeding the roots and setting it up for a strong start when spring arrives.
Stay ahead of the season by tackling these winterizing tasks, and your home will be ready to handle whatever the PNW weather throws at it!
Need recommendations for maintenance help? Reach out, I have someone for every job listed above.
