
1. Seal your home
Give
your home a quick run-through, checking for drafts. You can do this by holding
a lit candle near the following areas:
- Windows
- Doors
- Vents and fans
- Plumbing areas
- Air conditioners
- Mail chutes
- Electrical and gas lines
If
the candle flickers, you’ve got a draft.
Seal
up all holes and reinforce existing points of entry with weather stripping. You
can also caulk windows and doors to make sure they’re truly sealed against the
cold.
2.
Clean your gutters
If
your gutters are clogged with sodden leaves, they can freeze up and block the
drainage, allowing melting ice and snow to slowly seep into your roof and cause
excessive damage.
3.
Invest in a roof rake
Michiganders
see lots of snow each winter, which means your roof can be sitting under
several feet of snow for weeks at a time. All of that snow can cause your roof
to collapse. Invest in a roof rake that will help you clear the snow off your
roof when it really starts piling up.
4.
Reverse your ceiling fans
Flick
the reverse switch on your ceiling fans to make the blades spin in a clockwise
direction instead of counterclockwise. This way, the fans will produce an
updraft to push the rising hot air downward.
5.
Prune your trees
Check
all trees near your home’s facade for low-hanging or loose branches. Prune them
so they don’t end up cracking from heavy snow or wind and causing damage to
your home.
6.
Take inventory of your emergency supplies
Because
of Michigan’s tendency to have an annual Snowpocalypse, it’s always a good idea
to take inventory of your emergency supplies before they’re needed. Stock up on
water, canned food, batteries, flashlights and storm lanterns. You may also
want to invest in an external charger for some juice when the lights go out.
7.
Turn off external faucets
Unscrew
your garden hose from the spigot and drain your sprinkler system to prevent any
freezing. You may need to call in a professional in order to do this properly.
8.
Protect your pipes from freezing
Prevent
burst pipes, and avoid costly repairs, with these simple steps:
- Keep your heat on even
when you’re not home so that your pipes don’t freeze and burst.
- Allow your faucets to
drip during severe cold snaps.
- Wrap any exposed piping
and hose bibs to prevent freezing.
Your
Turn: What’s
on your checklist this fall as you prepare your home for winter? Share it with
us in the comments!
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