by Callista Meyer

Created on: September 26, 2010

Now that Autumn is in the air, you start to notice drafts (cold air leaks) into your home and soon enough the snow will begin to fall. For homeowners anywhere there are some basic tips for preparing your home for the cold winter months ahead.

First off , you can close off any window drafts and door frame drafts using an insulating tape or caulking strips. You can also use plastic coverings on your windows to keep any extra cool air from coming in. This can be purchased at most any home renovation type store. Occasionally, cold air will also leak through outlets. These you can block by using foam undulations made specifically for them.  Your hot water heater can even be covered with an insulation letting less heat leak out and help you use less energy heating water.  Any exposed pipes should also be wrapped with an insulating material to prevent them from freezing. Outside taps should be drained and blocked to keep out drafts and prevent freezing.

Prepare your furnace and / or fireplace for winter air.  Assure you have a cap or screen on your chimney top to keep out pesky animals. Make sure your chimney is cleaned out properly to help prevent chimney fires from occurring and be sure to have your wood chipped and ready for the winter stored in a cool dry place away from the exterior of your home. Your furnace should be clear of any flammable materials close by and make sure have have a handy stash of filters. The filter should be changed about once a month.

Outside you may have a few things to fix up and/or check while its still warm enough to get out there. Check windows and doors for any cracks and fix immediatly. Use weather stripping around the outsides of your doors to prevent cold air leaking in and double check the caulking on your windows. Consider protecting your basement window wells with a sheet of plastic creating a guard preventing snow from filling them up. Install your storm windows or replace summer screens with glass replacements. Adding extra insulation to your attic will prevent hot air from going up and creating ice wells outside. Replace any worn out shingles or roofing materials that need to be fixed. Use your hose to clean out gutters of any debris.

Onto your storage shed where some equipment may need to be winter-ready. Drain gas from lawnmowers and service your snow blower. Make sure you have your shovels and rakes that you will need. Clean and store your summer equipment and buy a bag of sand/ salt for your walkways.

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