So, Halloween and the time change are behind us. That can only mean one thing. Those weird 85 degree days in October will not be around for some time. In fact, if the Farmer’s Almanac and the weather forecasters are right, we are going to be in for a snowy and cold winter. Remember the January through March of 2015? I shoveled snow and spread salt too many times. While there is nothing any of us can do to change the weather, we can get prepared for what Mother Nature may throw at us. Home winterization is an important part of reducing the possibility of things going wrong at the worst possible time.
One of the easiest ways for you to prepare your home for winter is to clean the gutters and downspouts. This will reduce the possibility of an ice dam if we get too much snow. Be sure to close any vents you may have in your house, like the one that handles the whole house fan in your attic. Change the filters on your furnace so that it functions at its highest efficiency. Be sure to disconnect any garden hoses and shut the water off to any exterior faucets. Do you need a snow shovel? Buy it now while the supply lasts.
Want to do slightly more on the winter prep? Have your heater serviced by a professional. Have a contractor check for and repair any damaged shingles. Have that same contractor check electrical outlets to see if there is a gap where warm air can escape, or worse yet, cold air can get in and cause a draft. Be sure to check the flue on your fireplace or gas stove.
Now, those things go a long way toward reducing issues for the house, but what about the occupants of the house? Buy some extra canned soup, tuna, and pasta. Get a couple of extra gallons of water and put a loaf of bread in your freezer. You may not be able to get out to the supermarket right away and having a stockpile of non-perishable food will make sure no one goes to bed hungry. If you don’t use these items during the winter, donate them to the local food shelter when spring breaks.