Must-Dos Before Winter Comes

Whether you live in a temperate climate or expect heavy snowfall and blizzards during winter, preparing your home for the upcoming cold months is essential and should become a yearly routine. Your winter checklist depends on where you live and what weather conditions the winter will likely throw at you.

The best way to prepare for winter is by starting well before the first cold snap hits. By then, some tasks have been left too late and could cost you plenty of money. Therefore, when daily temperatures begin dropping, get going and prepare for the coming chill. Here are some must-dos you should tackle before the winter arrives:

snow covered trees

Check your heating system

You will not be the only homeowner to discover that your heating system is not functioning once the first cold front arrives. Leaving this vital chore until it is too late can have dire consequences. Unfortunately, it happens to many people, and heating companies are fully booked, meaning that you will have to wait your turn to get it fixed. Check all your heating appliances, including radiators, before it is too late. It might also be time to consider updating your heating system and how you intend to keep your home warm this winter. Many consumers are turning to electric radiators from BestElectricRadiators, Technotherm, and Herschel Select. BestElectricRadiators boasts a significant range of oil-filled electric radiators in various sizes and styles. Some of the advantages of oil-filled electric radiators are that they retain heat longer and distribute it more evenly than their dry counterparts.

Maintaining or upgrading your heating system is essential for keeping it running efficiently, offering you optimal heat while minimizing expenses. Many homeowners dread the winter as it means higher electric bills. However, the cost spike is less significant when using modern, energy-efficient heating systems and appliances.

Repair your roof

Winter can have a depleting effect on your roofโ€™s health. The extreme temperatures exert pressure on your structures. And even the newly installed roofing can turn into a withered shell when left unchecked. The thermal expansion and retraction may cause your roofing to break or flex and can quickly escalate to more serious issues. For instance, snow can seep into your roofing during the colder months, freeze and melt and allow moisture into your roof interior. Therefore, it will be helpful to hire professional roofers to assess and repair your roofing before winter.

Unpack your winter woolies

If you have limited closet space, you might unpack clothes for one season at a time, storing the rest in trunks or containers. There is nothing more frustrating than being caught out by the first cold snap and having to dig around looking for warm clothes. Get your winter woolies out well in advance, so you can launder and iron them if necessary.

This is also an ideal opportunity to set aside clothes you no longer intend to wear and donate them to local organizations. The demand for old winter clothes spikes when the cold months set in, with many less fortunate individuals unable to buy their own. Keep a few cooler clothes out for Indian Summer conditions, where the warmer weather might persist longer.

Gear your garden up for winter

Autumn brings with it the most magnificent views as leaves on the trees change colors. However, they cause considerable inconvenience for homeowners who need to rake and pick them up. Do not leave this task too long as it will soon seem insurmountable. Remember to clear out your gutters to remove leaves and debris before the first winter storms hit.

Heavy snow and severe storms often cause trees to uproot, damaging homes and electricity connections. Keep trees trimmed away from your house, and do not allow them to grow too tall as this could cause them to topple.

Pack away outdoor furniture

Your outdoor furniture was not designed with freezing temperatures in mind. Leaving it exposed to extremely cold temperatures could cause it significant harm, meaning more frequent purchases to replace it.

The best thing to do is pack your garden furniture away indoors, such as in your basement or garage. If space is a problem, install some wall and ceiling hooks that allow you to suspend chairs and tables from them. Alternatively, buy weatherproof covers to protect them until spring returns.

Insulate your home

Any cracks or gaps in your houseโ€™s structure allow hot air to escape and cold air to seep in. Do a thorough inspection from top to bottom to make sure this will not occur. Start on the roof and work down.

Look for cracked, broken, or missing roof tiles and shingles and replace them. Check for gaps between window and door frames and a houseโ€™s building materials. Seal them by recaulking or using weatherstripping tape. A self-adhesive transparent film placed on the inside of your windows acts as an insulator preventing heat loss through the glass.

Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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