Many of the tasks involved in winterizing your home aren’t hard, but there is a lot to remember, and some jobs require a bit of technical know-how, even in the relatively mild climate of Alabama.
It’s a good idea to hire a professional like the experts at One Man & A Toolbox. That will prevent you from accidentally forgetting one of the many chores on your to-do list. Don’t spend all weekend mucking out gutters and caulking the trim around doors and windows, only to suffer a burst pipe or other emergency.
Still, if you want to go it alone, here’s a handy checklist.
Inside Chores
Check your heating and air equipment. At the very least, you may need to change your filters. If you have any concerns, it’s better to call a maintenance professional before the first cold snap of the year, when less-prepared people will cause a backlog for HVAC repair experts.
Set your fans to run clockwise so they push hot air down, helping you stay warm.
Clean your chimney so it’s safe and ready to use when the temperatures start to drop and you want a cozy fire. Make sure you’re stocked up on firewood, and keep it nice and dry so it’s ready to burn.
Now that you’re planning to tune up your heating system to set and stoke a roaring fire, it’s time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless and dangerous, so for your family’s safety, make sure yours is in good working order.
Outside Chores
Check for roof damage before the freezing rain and snow starts. Trim back tree branches so animals can’t hide out from the cold in your attic. Remember, if you hear skittering overhead, it probably isn’t Santa’s reindeer; it’s more likely a family of raccoons or other critters.
While you’ve got the ladder out, you can clean the gutters to prevent buildup of leaves and frozen water. Point the downspouts a few feet away from the house so water doesn’t freeze around your building’s foundation.
Speaking of water, decide when you’re shutting down the sprinklers and pool for the season. When it’s time, drain your irrigation system, prepare your pool for winter, and turn off exterior faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. The winter is a good time to schedule any pool repair, because those contractors start to book up once the mercury rises again.
Depending on your yard, fall can be a great time to lay the groundwork for a verdant lawn come spring. While you’re mulching leaves and stowing your mower, consider aerating the ground, overseeding, and applying a winter-ready fertilizer.
Energy Efficiency Chores
Time to seal everything. Check patios, driveways, and other exterior surfaces for cracks. Water that slips inside and freezes will cause cracks to widen, so those areas may need their own sealant.
Examine your doors and windows—if you can slide a nickel through the gap, it’s time to lay on some caulk. Remember, a little work in the fall will translate into lower energy bills once you start firing up the heating system.
In fact, if you’ve never had an energy audit, consider hiring an expert to make sure your home is well-insulated against the elements.