How To Prep Your Home For A Rough 2019 Winter

With November underway, it’s likely that the end of fall into winter is going to have some rough weather this year. Cold temperatures and winter storms are likely, and some areas are already experiencing heavy amounts of snow and dropping temperatures. No matter what your weather looks like now, it’s important to prep your home for a difficult season ahead. Here are a few tips that you can use to keep your home safe during a cold winter.

Keep Critters Out

While most homeowners expect pests to be largely a spring and summer problem, they can also cause issues during the colder seasons as well. This is because certain types of pests, particularly rodents, look to take shelter in the warmest places they can find; often, this means your home. Wild rodents harbor and spread over 200 million human pathogens, so even if they’re cute, they shouldn’t be hiding from the cold in your house. Patch up any areas you find that could allow pests into your home before the coldest months hit. Also, be sure to call a pest removal expert to take care of any existing critters in your home, or you’ll be sure to find more come springtime.

Watch Out For Moisture

Moisture is bad for a home year-round, but it can be a bit more difficult to spot during the winter months. Don’t forget that snow counts as moisture as well – every massive winter storm has the potential of dumping large amounts of moisture around the foundation of your home. Be especially careful to protect areas of your home that aren’t as water-resistant, such as areas that are largely constructed from wood. More than 100,000 species of natural wood exist, but not all are quite as good at repelling moisture. If you’re not careful and too much moisture seeps into your home, it could cause long-term damage like mold, wood rot, and more. These are often incredibly expensive to repair, so it’s best to limit moisture from the start as much as possible. Manage your snow accumulation carefully to keep your home structurally safe.

Keep Heating Systems Ready

Nobody likes being caught in the cold, especially during the more difficult months of the year weather-wise. Before the first major snowfalls of the year hit, take the time to inspect and perform maintenance on your home’s furnace. Every furnace is different and will have different maintenance requirements, specifically older gas furnaces. Gas and oil supply 60% of the nation’s energy, and older furnaces might need a bit more work to be up to this winter’s weather.

Winter weather and snowstorms will be here before you know it, so it’s a good idea to get a head start now with these home tips. With the right preparation, you and your family will be able to get through this upcoming rough winter with ease. How do you get your home ready for cold weather every year? What tips would you recommend?