Preparing Your Home for Winter

by | Home Care, Home Insurance

As temperatures start to drop and threats of winter weather become real, you want to take the time to ensure you and your home are ready for the change in seasons. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the cold and snow that comes with Utah winters.

  • Inspect your furnace – now is the time to check for parts that need replaced and to replace or clean the filter instead of waiting until the furnace goes out and it’s frigid. Have a professional HAVC tech look at the furnace.
  • Switch the setting on your ceiling fans if you can. This allows the fans to circulate warm air and push it downward to reduce heating costs.

  • Check your attic for areas that need to be weatherized so you can prevent ice dams, which can cause roof damage.

  • Have your roof inspected. You can check for missing or damaged shingles or have a professional take a look and give you the lowdown.
  • Caulk around windows and doors to help prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from getting into your home.
  • Clean out gutters so that the water can run off the roof and away from your home. Also, add extensions to the downspouts to force water away from the foundation.
  • Disconnect all garden hoses and drain water out of the outdoor pipes to keep them from bursting.
  • Remove tree limbs and overgrown shrubs from around your home. This helps prevent damage to your home if there’s an ice storm.
  • Clean out the chimney or have it inspected before you light a fire. Even if you used it last winter, birds can build nests or other debris can get in your chimney, increasing the risk of fire.
  • Put insulation around your pipes before cold temperatures hit if they are near the outside walls. This help prevent freezing pipes which can burst and cause water damage throughout your home.

    • While you may be able to do some of these jobs on your own, you may also have to hire a professional for certain tasks. However, the expense is worth it because it can prevent other more serious problems in the future.

    When you’re preparing your home for winter, take the time to review your homeowners’ insurance. Make sure you have enough coverage and that nothing has changed. For instance, if you’ve added a swimming pool or trampoline, you may need to update coverage information. You can also shop around and get quotes to compare rates.

    Winter is the time when ice and snow storms come, which can damage your roof. Freezing temperatures can wreak their own havoc on your home. Be prepared for this season so you can hopefully prevent many of the catastrophes, which come with winter. And if the worst happens, make sure you are protected with the right homeowner’s insurance in Utah, so that repairs can be made quickly. When you plan ahead of time, you are better able to enjoy the fun that also comes with winter.