“Winter is coming,” is not just a Game of Thrones tagline. Preparing for the arrival of winter is an annual rite for many of us who don’t live in a tropical climate. Cold temperatures have huge impacts on our lives and our routines. Are you ready? Most of us are not!
Preparing for winter is not just about getting out your winter clothing. What about your home? What about your vehicle? And what about your health?
Let’s work through the list.
Preparing your home for winter
On the home front, there are a number of tasks you can perform right now to ensure your home weathers the winter well. It’s not just the cold to take into consideration. You also have to plan for winter snowfalls.
Home Exterior
Let’s start with the exterior of your home. Before it gets too cold, you need to get up on the roof. You want to check for any missing or loose or damaged shingles and replace them. While you’re up there, examine the flashing around the chimney, any skylights, and the venting pipes.
And don’t put away that ladder just yet. It’s critical to clean out your rain gutters and repair any damage to the fixtures. Water and ice build-up in the gutters can cause damage to the roof and the foundation of your home. It could even contribute to basement flooding.
Back on the ground
You also need to tidy up your yard. You’ve raked those dead leaves already, right? And, if you have a pool, then you’ve already prepared it for the winter. Don’t forget to attend to the trees on your lot. You want to be especially attentive to overhanging tree branches and have those trimmed. Heavy snow and ice could cause them to break and that could mean further property damage. Or worse, personal injury!
What about your garden? You might want to consider digging up the flower bulbs and storing them somewhere cool and dry over the winter.
And now to your exterior water systems. If that’s just a garden hose for you then you simply need to drain all the water, store the hose, and turn off that outdoor valve. If you have a sprinkler system then the same concept applies – drain the system and shut-off those valves.
You’re almost finished with the exterior. You still need to set up your garage/shed for the winter. You’ll want to store your lawnmower and bring the snowblower or shovels to the forefront. But you also need to stock up on sand or salt for your driveway and sidewalks/pathways.
And, lastly, you want to avoid any other creatures seeking warmth to make a home in your shed or garage. So, ensure the structure is stable and plug any holes right now.
Home Interior
You’ve completed all your inspections on the exterior of your home. Congratulations! Now you can move indoors where it’s warmer.
The biggest culprits for heat escaping a home are through the windows and doors. It not only makes for a chillier home but it’s also costly! So, your first task is repairing any weather stripping or caulking around the doors and windows. There are many tools you can find at the hardware store to assist you with this task. But you can also go low-tech and use a candle to find drafts.
Along the same lines, you want to ensure you have the proper level of insulation. Again, check around the windows and doors but also inspect your attic and the basement. Now examine your water pipes. You want to pay particular attention to the pipes that are closest to the exterior walls. You should consider adding insulation to these pipes as well. Just be certain the grade of insulation matches the purpose well. For example, if they’re hot water pipes.
In the basement
Many people ask about the hot water heater. Years ago, this was definitely something you would want to insulate. But these days, you need to check the heater specifications. Some hot water heaters are now pre-insulated and should NOT have additional insulation. You also would not want to add insulation to tankless water heaters. Read the specifications for the unit to decide which is best for your situation.
And now, the money-maker (and I don’t mean making money for you). Your heating/cooling system is a critical component of your home. It’s also very expensive so you want to ensure it’s running at peak efficiency. I strongly urge you to consider a maintenance service call before winter sets in. You want that peace of mind. And while the service is being performed, have someone show you how to change the air filter for regular maintenance. You might also want to consider a programmable thermostat. This can save a lot of money!
You’re on the home stretch now. Explore your ventilation systems for any obstructions. That means the chimney is clear and you’ve cleaned out the external laundry vent (this one is often forgotten). While you’re at it, add a carbon monoxide detector.
There – your home is now ready for winter. Outstanding! But there’s more to worry about than just your home.
Preparing your vehicle for winter
Just like your home, your vehicle needs some extra attention before the cold weather hits. So, let’s jump right in.
Do you need a tune-up before winter? Well, you definitely want to at least have a little inspection done. You could do this yourself or let a professional handle it. Either way, you’ll want to check the fluids. That’s coolant/antifreeze in your radiator, windshield washer fluid, and oil. Windshield washer fluid has different formulations for cold temperatures so be certain to choose that. Similarly, oil has different “weights.” For example, you would not use the same oil in the Sonoran Desert as you would use in the Yukon. So double check.
Tires are another big deal for your car. They are the only part of the vehicle in contact with the ground and traction is vital during the winter. Depending upon the severity of the weather in your region you’ll want to consider switching to true winter tires.
And save yourself some frustration and have your battery tested. Another step closer to peace of mind during winter driving.
Vehicle supplies
There are a few things you should ALWAYS be carrying in your car year-round: first-aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, tire pump, emergency flares, and booster cables. These supplies can cover most emergencies and keep you safe.
For the winter months, you need to up your game. In addition to the basic supplies, you should now add a windshield scraper and a shovel. And depending upon where you live you might also consider a bag of sand or cat litter and tire chains.
If you travel any distances during the winter or live in a more rural area then you also need to consider an emergency kit. First and foremost, this should include a portable phone charger (that is fully charged). Then you can supplement the kit with hand warmers, blankets or sleeping bags, matches, food and water, and plastic/zip-lock bags (for sanitation/elimination if stranded).
Power outages
You’ve winterized your home and your vehicle is ready to handle the season. But what if the power goes out? If you live in a larger urban area then this may not be a frequent occurrence for you. In smaller communities and rural areas, this is much more common. If you don’t have a backup generator to run your home power needs then you need to be preparing for winter emergencies.
You can purchase home survival kits already packaged for you or you can create your own. If you’re looking for the basics then you’ll want to consider food and water, flashlights with batteries, and a portable phone charger (again, it needs to be fully charged already). That’s sufficient for most people and you can last for a few days if necessary.
You might also want to consider having a small stash of cash around. Even when the power returns there may be inconsistent network coverage. That would make your debit and credit cards useless. Also, you just might want to have some board games, physical books, or jigsaw puzzles handy. This could prove particularly useful if you have small children.
Personal preparation for winter
Don’t forget to look after yourself during the winter! Maybe you think that’s not a big concern but 20% of people in the USA suffer from some form of winter depression. That’s a large number.
How to combat winter? First and foremost, get your gear in order. That means winter clothing. Get out your sweaters, winter coats and parkas, insulated winter boots, knit hats/toques and scarves, and your gloves or mittens. If you’re uncomfortable when outside then you’ll be less likely to venture outside. And that can contribute to seasonal depression.
You might also want to consider getting a flu shot. The people strongly urged to receive the flu shot are health care professionals, teachers, people with chronic illnesses, and the elderly. Health care professionals and teachers have more exposure to those with immature or suppressed immune systems. While those with chronic illnesses and the elderly have a higher risk of severe complications if they contract the flu. The choice is yours but it’s something to consider.
Winter is well-known for being a dryer season. As a result, you may need to think about additional skin moisturizer, quality chapstick, and how you’ll combat static cling. And you could also consider switching up your bed linens. In the summer, cotton or satin sheets are crisp and cool. But in the winter, you might appreciate flannel sheets and extra blankets.
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Summary
There is a great deal more that could be said of winter but this article is about preparing BEFORE winter arrives. I’ve covered both the exterior and interior of your home. Paying particular attention to keeping you warm and saving you money. I’ve outlined tasks to help you get your car ready for the colder temperatures and keep you safe. You’ve received some tips to deal with power outages. And, finally, I’ve provided some recommendations for your personal health and welfare.
Winter will land upon us whether we like it or not. I hope these tips have helped you begin preparing for winter before it lands on your doorstep!
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