5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s time to make sure your home is ready to handle the cold and weather to come! Here are 5 tips to get your home prepared for the winter season.

Trim Tree Branches

As the wind and storms pick up over the winter on the Oregon Coast, it’s important to ensure that you don’t have any loose or overhanging tree branches or limbs close to your roof or windows that can fall on your property.

Fireplace and Chimney Inspection

Complete a thorough visual inspection of your fireplace inside the home and ensure it’s in good shape! You should ensure that the flue damper opens, closes, and seals properly so that when it’s not in use you don’t experience drafts. You should also ensure there are no animal nests or objects inside the flue. On the outside of your home, an inspection should include that the chimney cap is there and in good condition, and there are no bird nests or debris buildup. If it’s been a few years since you’ve had your chimney cleaned, contact a professional chimney sweep and consider making this part of your yearly routine.

Roof, Gutters, and Downspouts

Clogged gutters or downspouts can cause damage to your home’s foundation, which can lead to very expensive repairs. Before winter arrives, be sure to clean your gutters to remove twigs and leaves. Be sure to check that the downspout brackets are secure and that the gutters aren’t trapping water. You should replace any damaged gutters before the winter rainfall. Contact a professional to inspect your roof for missing, damaged, or warped shingles and replace them as necessary to avoid any roof leaks.

Window and Doors

An easy way to reduce your winter heating bill is to minimize air drafts with simple weather stripping. You should inspect the outside moldings and repair any damaged or missing caulking with a high-quality exterior caulk to seal any gaps you find. Inspect the outside moldings of the door frames and add new exterior-grade caulking if necessary. Check the weatherstripping around the doors including the door sweep which is attached at the bottom of the door. If you feel airflow coming in, use rope caulk where it’s needed to seal the gaps.

Outdoor Lighting

As the days get shorter, and it gets darker you should ensure that there is sufficient lighting outside the home. Walk the perimeter of your property and check all of your outdoor lighting to be sure it’s functioning. Proper lighting ensures safety.