6 Tips for Preparing Your Home For the New England Winter

websitebuilder • February 24, 2020

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

Homeowners across the Northeast, another winter is about to begin and it is time to prepare your properties. Heavy rain, strong winds and snowstorms can cause stress to a house leading to serious and costly issues. Whether you are looking to sell your home in the near future or just protect your investment from Mother Nature the following steps will ensure that you and your property remain in great shape.

1. Clean Your Gutters

Fall in New England certainly is picturesque but all those leaves can create trouble for your home’s gutters. Clogged gutters leave snow and rain with nowhere to go and they can damage your home’s roof, siding, soffit, and other areas.
For many houses cleaning the gutters is an easy DIY project that requires just a ladder and a few hours of your time. If you do not feel confident to perform this task yourself or your house is too tall hire a professional. Pricing typically ranges $100-200 for the average home and it is a good peace of mind.

2. Service Your Heating System

The last thing you want is to end up with a broken heating system during sub freezing temperatures. Not only it is a very uncomfortable situation it can also create repair bills beyond imagination. Be proactive and arrange a tune-up for your service system as soon as possible. Most professionals are extremely busy during the season and it may take some time until they can get to you.
A good service should include: Inspection of the unit and pipes, testing of all safety systems to ensure functionality, check for leaks, replace oil filter (if you have an oil system), system cleaning and nozzle replacement. It is recommended to service your heating system annually.

3. Inspect The Roof

Now is the best time to check your roof and make sure it is ready to tackle another winter. If you have access to the roof great, if not, a pair of binoculars will do the trick. If you are not sure what you are looking for there are several videos and tips available on the web and most professionals do free or at least low cost estimates. Remember it is a lot easier (and cheaper) to repair a roof when there is no snow and ice on it.

If necessary, hire a handyman to repair a few shingles or a roofer for larger sections. This would also be a great time to inspect the chimney as well.

4. Seal The Leaks

Cold air entering your home while hot air is escaping means high utility bills. Check all doorways, walls and windows for any leaks. A simple visual and feel inspection should point out issues. If you have curtains around your windows look for movement when it is windy or raining.
Apply exterior or interior caulk, replace or add weather-strips, even enhance the performance of your windows with one of those window insulator kits. If you are financially capable why not upgrade your windows and doors.

5. Winterize Your Pipes

Plumbing is especially susceptible to cold weather and freezing. A very simple task which requires only a few minutes of your time is to shut off supply to exterior faucets and then “run them dry”. Undrained water in pipes can freeze, expand and cause pipes to burst.
If you have pipes running through an unheated garage or basement go the extra step and insulate them. Pipe insulation is extremely cheap and requires no special skills or tools. Remove, drain and store any hoses you may have left around the yard as well.

6. Prepare Your Winter Equipment

Do not wait for the first snowflakes to check if your snowblower starts or to look for your shovel. Inspect and test your snowblower machine, it is recommended to have a professional service it once a year (you can also DIY if you have some experience). If you do not have one and you live in an area where you may need it, but it now. Do not wait for the time you are going to need it to purchase it. You might find yourself in the shoes of many and get stuck without one. Be prepared!
Replace cracked or rusty shovels, those are usually the first to go from the shelves when the snowstorms arrive. Make sure you have a healthy supply of ice-melt. Book professionals now for snow removal. Prices increase while availability disappears in the middle of the winter.

These are 6 quick tips that will help you and your home through the winter months. There are several other steps that you can take but this is a great baseline. Get in the habit of making a checklist as things happen and follow it every year. Make sure you have emergency contacts accessible and updated for anything that may come up and enjoy your winter.

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