Winterize Your Home

Even without Game of Thrones on the air, we all know it to be true: winter is coming to the Seattle area. And with it comes plenty of cold weather, rain, snow, and ice. As a homeowner, that means it’s time to turn on the heat and grab some firewood, but there’s another task that’s equally important before the first snowfall: winterizing your home. It’s a big task, and it’s easy to forget some of the many things you need to do to winterize, so I’ve put together a list of everything you need to do to keep your home winter-ready.

Leaks: Replace worn weather stripping and caulk. Replace old windows or install plastic window seal. Attach draft stoppers to doors. Hire a contractor to perform blower test to find leaks. Install foam gaskets behind wall switch plates. Close fireplace damper when not in use. Close crawlspace vents in summer and winter.

Heating: Hire professionals to clean, check system. Replace air filters monthly. Use a setback thermostat. In winter, set ceiling fans to blow upward.

Insulation: Check for adequate insulation— floor, wall, and ceiling.

Outside: Trim trees. Clean gutters. Install chimney screen to block leaves. Keep snow, ice away from garage door. Check condition of steps and rails. Drain gasoline from lawn mowers.

Photo by Tracy Adams on Unsplash