10 Things Homeowners Forget When Preparing for Winter

Think your home is prepared for winter weather? We hope you are! Oaks Construction has prepared a list of 10 things homeowners tend to neglect or forget about when getting ready for wind chills. Read on and find out if your home is ready for the cold weather!

Clean Out the Gutters

You may have cleaned out your gutters in the fall, but it’s worth checking if more leaves and debris are clogging them before winter hits. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams. When snow begins to melt off of your roof, the water needs somewhere to go. If it cannot freely stream through your gutters, the water may freeze and cause an ice dam. Ice dams can cause leaks and damage to roofs, walls, insulation, and more.

Unhook Garden Hoses

After fall cleanup, did you unhook your garden hoses? Leaving them attached to the faucet can result in frozen water pipes that can burst and damage your home.

Test Your Sump Pump

In the spring, melting snow and rain will saturate the ground. Your sump pump needs to be in good working order to avoid basement flooding. Test your sump pump during the winter to make sure it’s ready to handle the water this spring.

Fix Drafts

Do you notice drafts around your windows or doors? Make sure they all have the appropriate weather stripping to prevent condensation from forming. Condensation can lead to mold and mildew in the home, and proper weather stripping will keep your energy bills more manageable during the colder months.

Clean Your Chimney

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have a professional clean and check your chimney before you build a fire this season. This will ensure there is no creosote buildup or birds’ nests that could become a fire hazard.

Discourage Pests

Do an exterior check of your home’s foundation to look for holes and fix them. Mice, rats, squirrels, and other small pests will be looking for warmth soon!

Seal Driveway Cracks

When driveway cracks are left unsealed, water fills them. The water freezes in the cold and expands the cracks, leaving your driveway even more damaged.

Change the Furnace Filter

You want your furnace at its peak performance when it’s cold outside. You should change your furnace filter regularly, according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Trim Trees

Heavy snow, ice, and wind can cause dead or split tree branches to fall during the winter. These limbs can fall on your home and cause major damage. Trim back any branches that look like they won’t make it through a wintery storm.

Keep Snow Away From Vents

During the winter, periodically check your furnace vents to make sure they are unobstructed by snow. If snow or ice blocks the vent, your furnace may go out. This is a safety mechanism to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. When clearing snow away from the vent, use your hands so you don’t damage the vent pipe.

Is your home winter ready? Do you need new windows or doors to keep the winter chills at bay? Call 585.247.OAKS to speak with a representative from Oaks Construction today!