Winterizing Your Home
Tips for protecting your home and your possessions in the winter

The time to winterize your home is before the cold weather sets in. Performing a few simple steps around the house can save you time, money and stress later on. Here are a few helpful tips.

Exterior Hoses & Pipes

Be sure to close the interior shut-off valve of any exterior water faucets and then from the exterior faucet itself to fully drain it. Disconnect any hoses and drain out any remaining water. Insulate exterior faucets and pipes to help prevent freezing.

Weather Stripping

Inspect all windows and doors for air leaks. Add insulation as needed.

Storm Doors & Windows

If you have single-paned windows and doors, you may want to either install storm windows or replace them with double-paned windows and doors to minimize heat loss.

Insulation

It is estimated that as much as 45% of a home’s heat loss is through the attic. Check attic, walls and floors for adequate insulation. For attics, look for an R-value of 45 on the label and for walls, about an R-18.

Furnace

Have your furnace checked by a professional at the start of each heating season. This is important not only for energy conservation, but to ensure that gas and oil fired systems are not creating dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Be sure you have carbon monoxide detectors near the furnace and near sleeping quarters.

Chimneys

Check your wood burning fireplaces and stove chimneys often for any build up of creosote — a tar-like substance that hardens into a charcoal that can cause a chimney fire. Have a professional clean the chimney as needed to remove creosote and inspect the condition of the chimney.

Gutters

Clean gutters of debris and leaves to prevent water damage from water back up and ice build up. This should be done at least on an annual basis, particularly just after autumn, but before the first winter storm.

Christmas Trees

If your family has a Christmas tree, be sure you start off right by purchasing a fresh one that will last in your home’s drier environment. Be sure to trim a few inches off the trunk bottom and keep it well watered. Do not let the water pan run dry. Do not overload the lights plugged into a single electric outlet and never place the tree near a fireplace or woodstove. Do not place lit candles on the tree.

Pool Care

Follow manufacturers’ recommendations on pH level and chlorine and water level for winter. Make sure all electrical support equipment is disconnected and any slides or diving boards are stored away in a clean dry place. Be sure to keep the security fence and gate around the pool locked at all times the pool is not in use.

Kerosene Heaters

Kerosene heaters should not be used and should be removed from the premises entirely. If a space heater is needed, use only an enclosed heating element heater with an approval label from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Note: These tips are designed to help you assess the safety and maintenance of your home and property, and to offer some precautions. Application of any or all of these suggestions may not prevent damage or protect you, or your property from harm. Your knowledge of the situation, use of your common sense and compliance with local and state codes should direct your course of action. These recommendations may or may not have any relationship to your insurance coverage.