Before snow starts to fall and frost clings to the grass, you need prepare your home for the winter season. This process is known as winterizing the house. While some parts of winterizing the house are relatively straightforward, other tasks may take a bit longer or may even require professional help to ensure they are done correctly.
Learn more about how to winterize a house to prevent issues and damage.
Drain the Sprinkler System
Cold weather can cause the sprinkler system to freeze, crack, and even burst, so you need to winterize the sprinkler system.
- Turn off the water to the sprinkler system, and shut off the automatic timer, if applicable.
- Drain the system, which can be done manually by locating and opening the sprinkler valves one at a time. You can make this process a bit faster by lifting the sprinkler heads to release more water. Once the water is drained, close the valves.
- Some sprinkler systems may be designed for automatic draining, so all you need to do is loosen a sprinkler head to let air in and push out any trapped water. Once the pressure falls below a certain threshold, the water will drain automatically.
- Blow-out draining is another method which uses compressed air to force excess water out of the sprinkler system. Consult the owner's manual before attempting this method for instructions that are specific to your system and to avoid damage.
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Close and Drain the Outdoor Faucets
Outdoor faucets and any hoses, spray nozzles, or other accessories should be drained before the winter season to avoid leaks, freezing, cracking, or bursting. Disconnect hoses, spray nozzles, and other accessories from the faucets found on the outside of the home, and drain any water that may remain before storing them safely in a shed, garage, or basement.
Next, locate the isolation valves for the outdoor faucets. Typically, each outdoor faucet will have its own isolation valve located just inside. Close the valves to stop water from flowing to the outdoor faucets, then go outside an open each of the faucets to drain any remaining water. Close the faucets.
Bring Plants Indoors
As the temperature outside begins to dip below 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk to your plants and small flowering trees increases. You should prepare a place indoors where these plants will be able to get the sunlight they need to thrive over the course of the winter. Start bringing in the potted plants and trees to avoid losing any of them to the first cold snap or frost.
Cover or Store Outdoor Furniture and Appliances
Some patio furniture is designed to be left outdoors during the winter season, so you won't need to worry about moving these items. Simply put a protective cover over top to help prevent damage from snow and ice. However, most outdoor furniture and appliances are better off stored in a safe place, away from the icy weather conditions, such as a shed, garage, crawl space, or basement.
Take some time to store your outdoor furniture and appliances in an appropriate location before the first snow of the season. Have a second person help out when it comes to moving larger objects, like a grill or patio table.
Clean the Gutters and Downspouts
During winter, small clogs in gutters and downspouts can begin to accumulate ice until an ice dam blocks blocks off the flow of water entirely. When this happens, rain and melt water can damage the roof, seep into the attic, flood the ground around the home, and leak through the foundation.
The added weight of the ice may pull the gutter system off the home, so before it gets too cold outside, get out the ladder and clean the gutters and downspouts to prepare for the winter season.
Check and Repair Exterior Steps and Handrails
Walkways, paths, and patio steps can get very slippery during winter weather, so you should inspect and repair the exterior steps and handrails before winter. Check for any loose fittings, weak boards, or other problems, like a broken step or a wobbly handrail, and fix them if needed.
Test and Prepare Snow Removal Tools
Before the first snowfall, check the condition of your shovels and make sure they are in an easy-to-access spot, like behind the front door or on the front step. If you have a snowblower, test to make sure that it's in good working order and that it has enough gas to handle the dumping of snow. You should also check to make sure you have enough salt and sand and other de-icing agents.
Trim Trees and Clean Up the Yard
Dead or weakened tree branches can become a hazard during tempestuous winter weather, so you should trim the trees and remove any limbs that may pose a problem. Keep in mind that evergreen tree branches will accumulate snow and could weaken or break due to the excess weight.
Cleaning up the yard helps to ensure there aren't any tripping hazards that are concealed by the first snowfall.
Add Insulation to the Attic, Crawlspace, and Pipes
It's important to install adequate insulation for the attic, crawlspace, and any water lines before winter. However, this isn't a task that needs to be done every year.
While adding insulation to the attic and crawlspace, inspect these areas for any issues, such as gaps or cracks that should be sealed with caulking to prevent a loss of heat. These simple repairs help to improve the overall efficiency of the home, so your heating bills are more manageable.
Seal Cracks Around the Windows and Doors
Check the windows and doors throughout the home to see if there are any gaps or cracks where heat may be escaping. Heat loss through these areas can increase the cost of heating the home in the winter, reducing the overall efficiency of the house.
Apply caulking to seal any gaps or cracks around the windows and doors. You may also want to have weatherstripping and door sweeps installed on any exterior doors to keep drafts out.
Inspect and Repair the Roof
Before winter, head up to the roof to inspect it for any issues, like damaged shingles, clogged valleys, or damaged flashing. If there is any damage, repair the roof or have a professional roofer make the repairs as soon as possible.
You should also take time to clear any leaves, pine needles, or other debris from the roof, as well as cut back overhanging tree branches and investing in a snow roof rake to help keep the roof clear of snow. You may also want to consider installing snow guards and roof heating cable to protect against ice dam formation.
Prepare Emergency Winter Supplies
No matter how well prepared the home, winter storms may leave you stranded for a few days before road conditions are safe again. You should stock up on extra food, water, and emergency supplies so that each person and pet in the home has enough to last at least three days or more. This should include:
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
- Extra pet food
- Batteries
- First aid kit
- De-icing supplies
- Generator fuel
- Firewood
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Heating systems that burn fuel to produce heat, like a gas furnace or a gas water heater, can leak carbon monoxide into the home, so it's essential that you test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure these safety devices are working properly.
Make sure to replace the batteries at least once a year. If you are leaving the home unoccupied, consider investing in smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so you can check on the home from an app on your phone.
Service the HVAC System
Before winter, you should inspect your HVAC system, replace the air filter, and make any necessary repairs. Depending on your level of experience and the scope of any repairs, it may be best to schedule a service call with an HVAC professional.
Clean the Chimney
You should have your chimney cleaned about once a year to remove any creosote and soot buildup. Hire a professional chimney sweep to make sure the chimney is clear so you can build fires safely all winter season.
FAQ
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Generally, you should start the winterizing process when temperatures are consistently below 50 degrees Fahrenheit because once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a risk of the pipes and other plumbing fixtures leaking, cracking, or even bursting due to the expansion of the water.
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The time it takes to winterize a house depends on the experience level of the DIYer, as well as the size and state of the home. Typically, you can expect to spend a day or two working to prepare the home for the winter season. Some tasks, like closing the outdoor faucet, will take a few minutes, while others, like cleaning the gutter system, can take several hours.
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Opening the windows and doors as wide as possible for about 10 minutes twice a day is all you need to do to improve the indoor air quality of the home this winter. You may also consider investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter to trap dust, dirt, hair, allergens, and other contaminants.