18 Things to Do Around Your Home Before Winter

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

You'll thank yourself if you complete these fall chores before winter hits.

What chores should you be doing around your home before the cold weather of winter hits? To make it simple, we’ve put together a list so you can completely prepare your home for the winter.

Pre-Winter Chores To Do This Fall

1. Clean your heating source. Whether this is a gas stove, fire place, or your furnace - call your serviceman for their yearly inspection and cleaning. This will help prevent any furnace puffback, chimney fires, and keep your home safe and warm all winter. 
2. Clean up your garden. If you have any perennial plants, now is the time to cut them back for next year. Prune your plants and any weeds. Then, put down your mulch for the winter.
3. Get the spring garden ready. If you like to plant perennials or tend to a vegetable garden, get going before the ground is too cold. 
4. Put away lawn furniture. When it’s clear you won’t be spending much time outside anymore, bring the lawn furniture into your garage or shed so it stays nice and preserved for next year. 
5. Setup or repair fences. You don’t want to wait until the ground is frozen solid to install or repair a fence. 
6. Put up stakes. If you have your driveway plowed, put up stakes at the entrance of the driveway and anywhere a plow may hit when it’s covered in snow. Most people don’t like when the plow demolishes their mailbox.
7. Test outdoor lighting. Check if any bulbs are out and replace them. 
8. Clean out gutters. Make sure there’s no debris, leaves or branches blocking a clear flow of water. 
9. Seal windows and doors. Use weather-stripping tape to help prevent cold drafts and save on heating costs. 
10. Winterize your hose. Once you’re done with the hose, be sure to completely drain it, detach it from the source pipe, and shut off the valve from inside the home to prevent any freeing or bursting. 
11. Gather your firewood. You’ll want to have all your firewood stacked and ready before it’s cold out.
12. Double check your generator. If a blizzard comes through and knocks out power - you want to be prepared. Make sure that it is working properly and that you have fuel safely stored away. 
13. Switch out for your winter tools. Rather than having the lawn mower at the front of your shed or garage, move snow shovels, sand, salt, or your snow blower to the front so you’re ready for the first snow. 
14. Get the car ready. Dig out your snow brush and extra shovel to keep in the car. 
15. Prep your front entryway or mudroom. You’ll want wet, muddy boots to have a place when winter weather comes around, along for a space for puffy winter jackets. 
16. Put down rugs and hang drapes. This can make your home feel cozier during the winter and will help keep heat inside your living space. 
17. Clean the oven. If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, it will likely smoke and stink when you turn it to self clean. Do this before it gets too cold so you can open up the windows when doing it. 
18. Make sure the attic is properly insulated. This ensures that heat stays in your living space and prevents a warm roof that leads to ice dams.