Winterizing a home is something that every Utah homeowner should do to prepare for the several months of cold, wet, windy, snowy, and winter weather that generally occurs from November to April, and sometimes as long as October to May! Whether you enjoy snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, or other activities, winter is best when you can enjoy it how you wish and then head back inside to be warm. The preparation that you take before winter sets in helps save money, prevents damage to your home and yard, avoids stress, and protects your important investment.
Here are 6 steps that every Utah homeowner should take to properly winterize their home.
1. Inspect the roof
For most people, roofs are often top of mind when considering the most crucial components of a home. Inspecting your roof is important so you have peace of mind knowing that your roof is ready for winter. Having a properly functioning roof ensures that you and your family will be protected from the snow, wind, freezing temperatures, debris, and other weather conditions. Roofs protect your home. Nobody wants to come home and find a collapsed, cracked, or leaking roof with its accompanying soaking wet walls, damaged furniture, or damaged floors.
2. Check the windows and doors
Doors and windows add to the mood, style, aesthetics, and the personality of your home. Doors and windows influence your home value. But they also keep the cold air out. Since we are talking about winterizing the home, that is our focus today. Sealing the windows and doors of your home ensures that cold air does not enter. If cold air enters your home, the temperature inside will be impacted significantly which will drive up your energy bill costing you money. Keep the cold air out of your home by thoroughly inspecting all the windows and doors.
3. Protect the pipes
Forgetting this step can cause pipes to break and a lot of issues. Don't forget this step. Drain the water from the sprinkler system and cut off the water supply. To be ready for spring and to avoid broken pipes, make sure to unplug any hoses from the faucets and store them somewhere secure.
4. Check the furnace
Have you ever walked outside in the winter and instantly felt the drastic temperature change? Have you ever experienced waking up to a cold, snowy Utah morning with no heat? The bottom line is that heat is important. It is a good idea to have a furnace tune-up when you winterize your home. This will keep the icicles from forming inside your house and will keep everyone happy. Every fall and early winter you can find coupons or sales on furnace tune-ups. In Utah the cost can vary between $70 and $200.
5. Clean the gutters
Why are gutters important? Are they important? Let's say your house didn't have them. What would happen to your home? The rain and snow would probably not be diverted from your roof but would remain on the roof. With time the roof would likely crack, leak, or even collapse. The gutters protect your roof, and your roof protects your home. So, make sure your home has gutters and that the gutters are working properly. If your roof doesn't have gutters, try to get them installed as soon as possible. Make sure the gutters are free of pinecones, dirt, leaves, or branches.
6. Prepare your yard
You had fun in your yard this summer. With the backyard dinners, the BBQ's, popsicles, and all that goes with a fun summer, it was a good one. But summer is over, and it's time to prepare for winter. Make sure to put away toys, bikes, chairs, tables, the grill, and anything else that can be damaged over the winter. In April, you don't want the surprise of discovering something valuable that you left outside. Also, make sure to trim any tree branches that could hit your house or damage property. Have a plan for who is going to shovel the snow if you don't live in an HOA community that includes snow removal. Have a shovel, rock salt, and an ice scraper on hand and understand your city regulations for street parking since many cities don't allow street parking during snowstorms.
Winterizing your home can save you money, stress, major home repair costs, and can ensure that your home and yard function great all winter long.