Get Ready For Winter With These Four Tips

As winter is starting to approach, it's time to prepare your home. The cold weather can cause a lot of damage if you aren't careful. Pipes can burst, and your HVAC system may stop working on the coldest day of the year. Luckily, there are many ways you can get ready for winter and reduce your risk of experiencing any complications. If you would like to know more, check out these four tips to get ready for winter.

1. Protect External Pipes From the Cold

As the temperature drops, pipes (especially external pipes) have an increased risk of freezing. This occurs when the trapped water in the pipe freezes. Since water expands when it freezes, it could cause the pipe to burst. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent pipes from freezing.

Start by insulating any exposed pipes, especially those in the attic, crawlspace, and basement. Since these areas are not always temperature controlled, they can become significantly cold in the winter, allowing the pipes to freeze. You should also use faucet covers on outdoor faucets. Alternatively, you could shut off the water to the drain and empty it. If there's no water inside the faucet, there's no way ice can form and expand.

2. Get Your HVAC System Serviced

Before winter hits, you should have your HVAC system serviced. Not only will this ensure the system keeps you warm during the cold months, but it helps keep the system more efficient, which reduces your energy bills.

An HVAC technician will check several parts of the system to ensure they are clean and undamaged. Any damaged pieces are replaced or repaired, and the system is cleaned to help with efficiency. Don't forget to occasionally have the ductwork cleaned and maintained too. Ducts can develop holes and horde dust/debris. This can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the system, but it can also affect your indoor air.

3. Check Your Sump Pump

Some homes rely on sump pumps to help relocate excess water. This is common on properties with poor drainage, hard soil, etc. They are often installed inside the basement or outside the home. For example, you may have a French drain that leads to the sump pump. The sump pump well holds the excess water while the pump pushes the water through various pipes and drains it toward the road or storm drain.

Even a little bit of standing water from poor drainage or sudden flooding can cause major damages. Naturally, water can lead to mold and wood rot, but it can also erode your landscaping, damage your home's foundation, attract pests, and harbor bacteria. If the standing water freezes, it also becomes a slipping hazard for those entering your property, for which you could get sued.

4. Have Your Water Heater Maintained

Finally, during those cold winter months, you'll want plenty of hot water, so make sure your water heater is well maintained. A repair technician can spot and repair any damaged parts, but they will also clean out the system to remove excess sediment that has been left behind. They may also adjust the temperature if your water seems too hot or too cold.

While checking your water heater, your technician may suggest putting in some insulation. Insulation around the pipes and the actual tank can help keep the water hotter while using less energy. Alternatively, newer models of water heaters may naturally have better-insulating properties. You could avoid the tank altogether by installing a tankless system.

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