15 Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter

With today (Dec 21st) being the official start of winter, the team at NP Dodge wants to help you make sure your home is ready for sub freezing temps and snowfall. With winter just starting, there’s still time to check off items on your to-do list. January is cited as Omaha’s coldest month, with an average high of approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows can dip into the mid-teens, which can be damaging to your home if you aren’t prepared! Here are our top 15 tips for preparing your home for a Midwest winter.

1. Clean Your Gutters

Before the first snowfall, grab the ladder and clear your gutters. Leftover autumn leaves and debris can cause ice dams to form, which are the product of melted snow that refreezes once the temps drop back down below 32. Gutters that are improperly positioned or angled can also lead to frozen dams, as water will accumulate in the low segments. Ideally, make sure your gutter downspouts are angled so they empty away from the sidewalks. If you notice that your gutters seem to fill up quickly, consider leaf guards to keep them clear for longer periods. Failing to clear gutters can lead to damaged shingles, leaking roofs, and water damage to your attic.

2. Wrap Your Pipes

Winterizing your pipes should make your to-do list before temperatures drop below 32 degrees. As water freezes, it can take up more space — which is what causes pipes to burst if they haven’t been insulated properly. Use heat tape or other insulating materials to protect your outdoor pipes after draining the faucet. When temps are projected to dip below freezing, homeowners may want to consider keeping a light stream of water running in their interior faucets. To further protect your plumbing and avoid expensive damage, you can leave your cabinet doors open so that warm air can surround the pipes.

3. Seal Those Pesky Cracks

If you’ve noticed cracks or openings around your doors and windows, you should caulk these before the freezing temps roll around. In the wintertime, it can be noticeable when the outdoor air is seeping into your otherwise cozy home. On a cooler evening, take the time to check windows and doors to see if you can feel any draftiness that you couldn’t otherwise see. If you feel a draft from your light switch and plug outlets, you can install light and plug outlet insulators. Even small gaps can lead to higher heating bills. Weather stripping can be used to protect against heat loss and is a straightforward DIY project. If you have an older home, keep in mind that they’re prone to becoming drafty as they settle over time.

4. Stock Up On Salt

Nobody enjoys shoveling snow off of sidewalks and driveways. However, this is part of homeownership for many people. To prevent slipping, keep some rock salt on hand to sprinkle on any outdoor steps and walkways. This makes it significantly easier to walk on otherwise slippery surfaces and can prevent an emergency trip to the hospital to repair a sprained ankle or broken bone. When using salt, the snow should be shoveled first and the deicing salt should be evenly spread on areas where people will be walking. Keep in mind that salt has the ability to alter the pH levels of soil and water, so stay mindful of using it in excess! Note that without a concrete seal, salt can eat away and damage concrete.

5. Check Your Heating System

As the temperature begins to drop, you’ll want your heating system to be in proper working order to keep your home comfortable. To ensure the functionality of your system, schedule any recommended service or maintenance to clear away any buildup and to make sure things are running efficiently. This checkup prevents you from having to scramble during a freeze because you can’t get the heat to kick on! Changing air filters, checking for leaks, testing pressure gauges, and inspecting valves are all part of a technician’s repertoire when it comes to giving your system the thumbs up for winter. If something is broken or leaking, a repair can prevent a potentially hazardous situation in the future.

6. Inspect Your Trees

Ice and snow can pile up on weakened or dead branches and cause them to fall off. To prevent damage to your roof, vehicles, or yard — make sure any damaged limbs are trimmed before the weather gets harsh. Dormant pruning not only helps to protect your home, but it can also rejuvenate weaker trees by removing dead and diseased wood. Pruning your trees during the spring and summer months can cause undue stress and may even stimulate new growth that will be unable to solidify before the temperatures drop. Depending on the varieties of trees you have, they may have different recommended pruning schedules. For instance, oak trees are best to prune between December and February in Omaha.

7. Repair Loose or Missing Shingles

If you’ve noticed that you have some loose, damaged, or missing shingles and you’ve been putting off the repair — get this task done before winter. A single cubic foot of snow can weigh upwards of 20 pounds, which puts significant pressure on your roof. Loose shingles are prone to shifting and missing shingles can allow water to leak into your home. Roofing jobs are best done in warmer temps, as many products rely on the warmth from the sun to activate their adhesive properties. Most roofers will agree that the ideal weather for a job is between 50 degrees and 80 degrees for the best results.

8. Test Out Your Smoke Detectors

During the winter months, residential fires become more common. December, January, and February are the peak months for heating-related fires. Space heaters are one of the main culprits of these fires, accounting for nearly a third of them. Protect your family by running tests on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ideally, these systems should be checked quarterly to ensure they kick in when they’re needed most. Referred to as the “invisible killer,” carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless — which means you need to be able to rely on your detector. Dead batteries can make all the difference, so keep an extra pack on hand for when they need to be replaced.

9. Store Your Hoses

Disconnecting your outdoor hoses is an important step in the process of winterizing your home. Left connected to an outdoor faucet, this exposure to the elements can cause the water left inside the hose to freeze once temps drop below 32 degrees. Outdoor spigots can burst and this can lead to an expensive repair bill. Avoid the bill all together by removing hoses and storing them in the garage until springtime rolls back around. Those planning on traveling during the winter should take extra care to remove their hoses. 

10. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan’s Rotation

You may have heard that you should run your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction during the winter. Is there any truth to this claim? Well, the updraft created by the clockwise motion forces the warm air down. Heat rises, after all. This can help the room feel warmer without forcing you to run the heat for a longer period of time, which can give your HVAC system a welcome break. There is generally a switch on the fan itself, near the pull string or cord. Depending on the model of fan you have, the location may differ. During the summer, remember to switch the fan back to the counterclockwise direction so that you can cool off.

11. Don’t Forget About Your Deck

For homes that have a wooden deck, extra protection measures are needed to ensure that your home addition is prepared for the winter. Snow accumulation and wet weather aren’t conducive to the lifespan of the wood. Remove any leaves, debris, and furniture before applying a coating of sealant. A high-quality sealant will fill in cracks and act as a shield against moisture, preventing it from permeating the wood and causing it to rot. Several layers of polyurethane can effectively make your deck waterproof. Using a tarp to cover your deck during periods of heavier snowfall is a good tip for those who haven’t sealed their deck recently. Once spring rolls back around, you’ll appreciate that your deck looks as good as new!

12. Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Not only are programmable thermostats convenient, they can also save you money. According to energy.gov, setting your thermostat to approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re home can save you energy during the winter months. Allowing the smart device to follow a set schedule for your heating and cooling can reduce your home’s overall energy consumption. As a bonus, you even have the ability to alter the temp while you’re away from home. With a little bit of trial and error, you can create a personalized schedule that ensures your home is comfortable and that you have more money in your pocket. Keep in mind that programmable thermostats are not recommended for those with heat pumps.

13. Have an Emergency Kit Handy

Nobody enjoys a power outage, especially during the cold winter months. Building an emergency kit with a power bank, LED flashlight, filtered water, and a first aid kit can help you prepare for the unexpected. Keeping these supplies readily available in a coat closet or an accessible drawer can provide peace of mind for you and your family this winter. Non-perishable food, blankets, and batteries are also recommended components to your kit. Winter driving in areas with potentially icy conditions requires a great deal of care and Midwesterners often keep an emergency kit in their car as well. Jumper cables, roadside flares, an ice scraper, and food and water can boost your safety on the road.

14. Service Your Snowblower 

If you’re physically unable to shovel snow or you simply want to save your back from the arduous task, you may want to consider investing in a snowblower. If you already have one collecting dust in the garage, now is the time to get it ready. Check the engine oil in the machine and inspect the belts and the spark plug to ensure the blower is ready to clear your walkways in record time. If there’s remaining fuel in the gas tank, replace it with fresh fuel. In a well-ventilated area, start the snowblower up periodically to keep it operating smoothly.

15. Check the Attic/Crawl Space

Make sure your attic is adequately prepared for snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Things to check off the list in doing so include, inspecting your insulation and repairing any damage you observe. Sealing up any wall or roof leaks to prevent cold air infiltration. Stocking up on maintenance items like pest control, sealant, and cleaning supplies. You’ll be much more equipped to maintain your attic throughout the entire winter season if you’re well-prepared before the first snowflakes fall.

Be Prepared This Winter

While the winter months are a time of festivities and new beginnings, they can also be dangerous for those who don’t take steps to winterize their home. NP Dodge wants our community to remain safe this season, which means taking precautionary measures to ensure that your home and family are ready to tackle ice, snow, and everything else a Midwest winter may throw at you. As a homeowner, what other helpful winter tips can you share with your local community members?