Tips For Prepping Your Home For Winter

We’re incredibly lucky that we live in Wisconsin and get to experience the beauty of all four seasons. Fall this year has been unseasonably warm, which can make it easy to forget that winter is just around the corner. Unfortunately, the cold temperatures and piles of snow that are only a few months away can have brutal effects on your home if you don’t prepare properly. While it may seem like winter home damage is an inevitable problem in Wisconsin, there are many home winter tips and tricks you can follow to make sure your home is prepared, inside and out.

Outdoor Winter Home Tips:

Clean your gutters of leaves and other debris. You may also want to add extensions to divert melted snow or ice away from your home’s foundation.
Empty and disconnect any outdoor hoses. Store them in a dry place for use in the spring.
Shut off any outside water valves if possible to avoid water freezing in the pipes.
Have your roof checked for any leaks or weak points that could be triggered by heavy snowfall.

Indoor Winter Home Tips:

Make sure the furniture in your home isn’t blocking heating vents.
Weatherstrip doors and windows to avoid any cold air from getting in or heat getting out.
Get your furnace checked out to make sure all the filters are clean and in proper working order.
Turn your ceiling fans on reverse to help circulate warm air that rises to the ceiling. It will help keep your home warm and save you money on your heating bill.
Make sure your sump pump is in proper working order for when large snow melts happen.
Restock winter essentials in case of a blizzard. This should include flashlights, water, blankets, nonperishable foods, first aid kits and utility company phone numbers.

It may seem like a lot, but accomplishing all the home winter tips and tricks above will help you save money and have peace of mind all through the cold winter months. Unfortunately, we know accidents can happen and that’s why we’re always there to support you. If you have any questions about your home insurance coverage, give us a call. We’re always happy to help you protect your most valuable assets!

Sources:
https://www.nationwide.com/winter-weather.jsp
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/real-estate/T029-S001-12-ways-to-prepare-your-home-for-winter/index.html
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/5-essential-steps-to-get-your-home-ready-for-winter
http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/make-your-home-winter-ready