If you have been reading our blog for the last few days you know that the arrival of fall and colder weather have me thinking about getting things ready for winter. I thought a lot about the things that needed to be done in the yard. There were quite a few. Then I moved on to thinking about my house. There are also lots of things to do to get the house ready for winter. It’s another big project that leaves me feeling a little dread.

Just like I said about the yard, getting my house ready for winter always seems like a HUGE task before I start. I dread it because it just doesn’t sound fun. Like so many other things, getting your house ready for winter seems much less complicated if you break it into smaller pieces. Looking at the parts individually make the big task seem doable and less daunting. I’ve made myself a list and it really helps. Here are the items on my get your house ready for winter list.

Windows
There are a couple of different things that can be done to get windows ready for winter. Check the windows and make sure they shut tightly and properly. If they don’t, make some adjustments so they do. This is one of those get your house ready for winter items that a quick internet search will help.
You can also add weather stripping and plastic sheeting to your windows for added insulation. We’ve done both with different windows over the years and have been happy with the results. The supplies for this are inexpensive and available at most big box and hardware stores.

Doors
The doors are a lot like the windows. Check the doors to make sure they shut and seal properly. If you do this during the say, look for gaps that let light in. Those same gaps will also let cold drafty air in. If you need to check at night use a flashlight. One person can shine the light on the cracks while another looks for light coming through on the other side. Again slight adjustments can be made to close the gaps. You can also change the weather stripping around the door or add more to what is there. Part of getting your house ready for winter is keeping all of the cold air out.

Furnace
Make sure your furnace is working and in good repair. Check the filters and change them if they are dirty. Dirty filters tax a furnace system and keep it from running at its best. Don’t be stuck in the cold later with a malfunctioning furnace.

Ice Melt/Shovels
Make sure you have these if you use them. Is there enough ice melt? Are the snow shovels in good repair? If you have a snow blower, is it working and ready to use? The first big storm of the season is not the time to run to the store for snow clearing supplies.

Fireplace
Does your fireplace work correctly? Does your chimney need to be cleaned out? Again, taking care of this get your house ready for winter task now will save you time and money later.

Pipes
If you have pipes that are prone to freezing, cover them now. Frozen pipes are a hazard and can wreck homes. Wrap pipes with insulation and avoid a mess later. Another important get your house ready for winter item with supplies available cheaply at most big box and hardware stores.

Have more tips? Let us know! We love to hear from you. Stay tuned for more blogs about getting ready for winter.