As the weather turns, it’s important to properly prepare and “winterize” your home before winter is in full swing. Similarly, as the use of your heating system increases, it’s important to know just exactly how to winterize your home to ensure you’re ready. We’ll touch on the most important things you should prepare to protect your home from the dangers of winter.  

You might have heard the term “Winterization” before but what does it actually mean? Simply enough, “winterization” is the process of preparing your home for the winter! Winterizing your home isn’t scary when you have the right tools and tips. The ultimate goal of winterizing your home is to make improvements to your abode to ensure your space stays warm, safe, and so you can avoid rising energy costs during the colder months. Winterizing your home can also prevent potential damage to your home’s structure and systems, saving you from costly repairs in the future. Some common areas of the home that may require winterization include windows, doors, roofs, gutters, pipes, and heating systems. 

The best time to winterize your home is in the late summer or early fall before the temperature drops significantly and consistently. Trust us, you don’t want to be out in the dead of winter fixing holes in your roof! This will give you enough time to complete all necessary tasks and make any repairs needed. It’s important not to wait until the last minute, as some tasks may require professional services. 

When winterizing your home, you should start your process in stages. Start by inspecting the exterior of your home. Look for cracks and gaps in windows, walls, and doors. Next, prepare your yard for the change in seasons like winterizing your sprinklers, lawn, and trees. Lastly, head inside to check your insulation, windows, and heating systems to ensure you’re not surprised by higher energy bills. For a more in-depth look at what to take care of before winter comes, keep reading! 

Gutters filled with leaves, debris, and other build-up can become clogged and cause water to back up onto your roof or leak into your home. This in turn can lead to water damage and mold growth within the interior of your home. This can lead to a weakening of your home’s structure and might lead to future repairs. Neglecting to clean your gutters can lead to the accumulation of ice and snow within them, and in cold temperatures, this can result in the freezing of water, potentially causing damage. The best time to clean your gutters is in the late fall right before temperatures drop consistently.  

Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to check for leaks! After removing debris, flush the gutters with water again to check for proper flow and leaks. Fix any leaks with sealant or replace damaged sections. 

Before winter comes, it’s important to ensure that you protect your pipes from freezing and bursting in the winter. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and puts pressure on the walls of the pipes; this is what causes pipes to burst. This can lead to extensive water damage in your home and costly repairs. But how do you know if your pipes have burst? Check for signs of standing water or leaking water, unusual sounds, colors or smells from water sources, and lower water pressure. 

The best way to prevent your pipes from bursting is to insulate your pipes in unheated or exposed areas such as attics, basements, and crawl spaces. In the same way, be sure to drain your pipes and seal any gaps that you see when you inspect them as you winterize your home. Lastly, it’s recommended that you keep your house’s temperature to at least 50 degrees to keep your pipes from bursting and freezing. 

Pro-Tip: Install a smart thermostat! Some smart thermostats have a feature that monitors and adjusts the temperatures in uninhabited rooms, so you don’t have to worry about it! 

Checking your chimney is an essential part of winterizing your home. The last thing you want during the colder months is for your fireplace to become a safety hazard. A professional chimney sweep can remove any creosote buildup from your chimney, which can be highly flammable and cause a chimney fire; they can also check for any structural issues or cracks. As an added note, a clean chimney is a great way to warm up and kick off the winter season in a cozy way!  

Pro-Tip: Remove ashes and debris from the fireplace or stove's firebox! Dispose of the ashes in a metal container and store them away from flammable materials. 

When compiling your home winterization checklist, be sure not to miss sealing your doors and windows! By caulking or weatherstripping any cracks or gaps, you can prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping your home. This will not only keep you more comfortable but also save you on heating costs. It's a simple and cost-effective way to make your home more energy efficient. Don't forget to check the seals and for cracks around doors and windows on the inside of your home as well, as these can also contribute to drafts and heat loss. 

Pro-Tip: Consider adding film over windows for added insulation and heat absorption! 

Prepare Your Outdoor Space 

Winterizing your outdoor space is just as important as preparing the interior of your home for the colder months. This includes storing or covering any outdoor furniture and decorations to protect them from the elements. If you have a patio or deck, consider sealing it to prevent damage from snow and ice. Lastly, don’t forget to winterize your lawn for the chilly season. You can easily prepare your lawn by raking leaves, mowing your lawn to a short length to prevent your lawn from matting, and add winterizing fertilizer with a high potassium content to strengthen the grass and promote root growth. 

If you have a pool, don’t leave your pool uncovered all winter. This can lead to a harder pool cleaning up as you prepare it for the following summer. Leaving your pool uncovered can also be a safety hazard. So be sure to winterize your pool by adding necessary chemicals, lowering the water level of your pool, and adding a pool shock treatment to kill any remaining bacteria and contaminants in the water. 

Pro-Tip: Prune and cut back tree branches! Removing dead, damaged, or weak branches helps prevent them from falling under the weight of snow or ice which can be a hazard to people and property. 

Properly preparing your roof and attic is crucial for winterizing your home. Start by scheduling a roof inspection to check for any damage or missing shingles that could lead to leaks during heavy snowfall. You should also make sure you check for adequate insulation to prevent heat loss. Seal any gaps or cracks in the attic's floor, walls, or ceiling to prevent warm air from escaping into the attic. Pay close attention to areas around electrical boxes, plumbing, and chimneys. 

Pro-Tip: In regions prone to ice storms, consider installing an ice and water shield to prevent water from seeping under roof shingles for extra protection. 

• Service your heating system 
• Install fresh batteries and test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors 
• Replace or clean your HVAC system's filters 
• Prepare an emergency kit 

• Install storm windows and doors 
• Flush your water heater to remove sediment and improve its efficiency 
• Ensure you have the necessary snow shovels, a snow blower, or ice melt to maintain clear pathways and driveways 
• Buy driveway salt  

Preparing and winterizing your home is an essential step to ensure your safety, comfort, and energy efficiency during the colder months. With these simple steps, you can protect your home from potential damage and reduce energy costs to ensure a well-rounded approach to winter readiness! 

Santanna Energy Services is a supplier of renewable energy solutions in the United States, providing services to Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. We provide a wide range of energy services and products to meet the needs of both residential and small business customers. Our mission is to provide innovative and cost-effective energy solutions that will help our customers achieve their energy goals. With over 35 years of experience, we are committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees.