23 Ways to Get Your Home and Car Ready for Winter
23 Ways to Get Your Home and Car Ready for Winter
With temperatures plunging around the country, it’s essential to make sure that your home and car are ready to get you through the season safely. It’s hard to imagine that gathering around a warm, cozy fireplace scene could be a safety risk, but it absolutely can be. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. Those fires can easily be prevented with some maintenance. And home safety doesn’t stop there. Whether it’s a burst pipe or a broken heater, many home repairs can be avoided.
As for your car, you may be driving less this year, but that doesn’t mean your car should stay idle in your garage. Winterizing your vehicle is crucial for saving money in repairs and potential breakdowns. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that about 46 percent of crashes involving bad weather take place in the winter. So any due diligence you can do to keep yourself safe in the winter is definitely worth it.
While it’s important to keep your home and car in tip-top shape year-round, maintenance for the winter season can help you avoid major repairs down the road.
Do-it-yourself home inspection.
Take a walk around your property and make note of anything that could cause a problem this winter. “Make sure your gutters are clear, and look for missing, cracked, or damaged roof tiles, as well as missing caulk around your windows and doors, or new cracks in the foundation,” says Cristina Miguelez, a remodeling specialist at Fixr.com, a home remodeling information website.
Install a fresh furnace filter.
“While replacing the filter, spend a minute or so looking around the furnace to make sure you don't hear any strange noises, see any leaks, or any lights flashing that may indicate a problem,” says Bill Samuel, a general contractor and residential real estate developer with Blue Ladder Development. This will help ensure that your unit is operating at top efficiency. If you have humidifier pad installed in your furnace, you’ll want to replace a fresh pad and adjust the knob from off to about 40-50 percent humidity.
Clean your gutters and exterior drains.
“Leaves and debris from trees can slowly clog drains and gutters that may not be visible from the ground,” says Lewis Peters with Icethaw, an e-commerce company in the winter safety niche. “If left untreated, it can allow rainwater to pool, and eventually leak into the house. Double check all of the exterior gutters and drains to ensure that water can flow through them easily, especially if you leave near a tree.” If you’re in a particularly cold part of the country, the water could freeze and cause the gutters to break, leading to roof damage.
Service your boiler/hot water heater.
It’s recommended to do so every 12 months, but ideally right before the cold weather arrives. That ensures that any faults can be fixed or replacements can be made. “This reduces the chances of your boiler breaking down in the winter significantly, which is exactly when you need it the most,” says Peters. Also, consider adding an insulation blanket to the water heater. It can improve your heater’s efficiency and reduce standby heat loss.
Winterize your outdoor faucet.
Disconnect your hose, shut off the valve from the inside, then open the faucet outside. “This will drain it, so it won’t freeze and split the pipe,” says Miguelez. “If you leave hoses connected with water still in them, there’s no place for water from the faucet or the water line to drain,” says Russ Harlow of AdvantaClean, a national home restoration franchise. “The trapped water freezes and expands, creating a crack in the line inside the wall of your home, spewing water everywhere. For the faucets, you can buy an insulated cover or just wrap a towel, foam, or even newspaper around the faucet, cover in plastic and then tape to hold in place.”
Inspect your windows.
“If you have missing caulk around your windows, now is also the time to replace it,” says Miguelez. “Use a silicone caulk, and smooth it into the gaps to help stop air gap. Light a stick of incense on the next windy day, and put it on your window sill inside. If the smoke gutters, you still have an air gap. You can use plastic or storm windows to help solve this, or it may be time to invest in replacement windows.”
Set your thermostat correctly.
Most thermostats today have energy-saving functionality. “A good guideline for winter is to set it to about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) when you’re home and lower it (about 10-12 degrees Fahrenheit or 6-8 degrees Celsius) at night or when you’re away," says Anthony Carrino, celebrity home improvement expert and Trane Residential partner. "As great as programmable thermostats are, they only work if you use them properly. If you constantly adjust the temperature, you’ll end up spending more, not less, on your energy bill.” If you haven’t already, consider upgrading to a connected, smart home thermostat. “These next-gen thermostats do more than just keep your home warm and cozy all winter, which they do very well. They learn your patterns and automatically adjust the temperature for max efficiency and energy savings,” he says.
Vacuum refrigerator coils.
Break out the vacuum cleaner and brush attachment at least once a year to clean dust and hair from the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator and the condenser coils. “Depending on the refrigerator model, the coils can be located behind the vent cover on the front of the unit or in the back,” says Mike Bidwell, President and CEO of Neighborly, a franchisor of home service brands. “Cleaning the coils improves airflow to the condenser to boost refrigerator efficiency by about 3 to 5 percent. If you have indoor pets that shed, twice a year cleaning is recommended for your cleaning routine.”
Clean and inspect your basement.
“Checking for moisture in the winter is important due to snow accumulation in many parts of the U.S.,” says Bidwell. “If your basement has leak issues, this can be made worse by the melting snow.” Look for cracks or gaps in walls, floors, windows and foundations that water and air can come through. You should check seal cracks as well as window wells. Unaddressed air leaks in the basement can cause your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a room temperature. You can use epoxy on foundation cracks and masonry sealer indoors.
Descale your showerhead.
A clogged showerhead impacts your water pressure, which results in a less-efficient shower that can cause you to run out of hot water quicker (not fun in the winter!). “Use a sturdy plastic bag large enough to fit over the showerhead,” says Bidwell. “Place the bag around the showerhead and fill it with white or apple cider vinegar while holding it in place. Allow the head to soak in the vinegar for at least 12 hours. If it’s brass, gold or nickel-coated showerheads, be sure to only soak for 30 minutes. After the showerhead has soaked, remove the bag and pour the vinegar down the drain. Turn on the shower and run hot water through the head to remove any loose mineral deposits. Use a toothpick and an old toothbrush to scrub the water ports and knock off any stuck-on buildup.
Insulate your pipes.
“The last thing you want during the winter is for the temperatures to drop so low that your pipes freeze and burst,” says Jordan Collins, a home appliance and home remodeling expert for Two Lions 11. “Insulating your pipes will prevent this and will also help reduce heating losses.” Pipes in the garage, attic, basement and outside are more susceptible to freezing, so you’ll want to consider insulated sleeves around the exposed pipes.
Maintain your radiator.
Your radiators also call for attention during the winter months. “They require bleeding if you notice that their temperature is extremely low towards the top parts and hot at the bottom,” says Collins. “To bleed them, turn off the radiator and use your radiator key to turn the valve. Turn counterclockwise until you register a hissing sound, which is the air escaping. Retighten the valve by turning the key clockwise. Reactivate your heating system and inspect the pressure by monitoring the gauge on your boiler.”
Keep pests out.
Cold temperatures means mice, rats, birds, raccoons, and stinkbugs could be trying to take shelter in your home. Take the time to pest-proof your home by sealing up any potential entryways. “Mice and rats will build a nest out of your insulation, chew through wires creating fire hazards, and litter your home,” says Wesley Wheeler, a pest control professional. Birds can make a nest in your attic, while raccoons carry roundworms. Make sure to store food items properly and take the garbage out regularly to avoid pests.
Clean out your chimney/heating stove.
If you’re a homeowner who relies on heat from fireplaces, wood stoves and furnaces, this is the time to do some maintenance. “A clean chimney means a safer, more efficient fireplace and home heating appliance,” says Marty Basher, home improvement expert with Modular Closets. “Residue from creosote and soot stick to the flue and masonry inside the chimney with each burning fire. When the creosote gets too thick, the heat and burning embers from the fire is often all that it takes to spark a fire in the chimney.” Professional cleaners recommend cleaning chimneys at least once a year, typically before colder months.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“With winter comes an increased risk of house fires,” says Basher. “Cackling flames in fireplaces and lit scented holiday candles pose a threat if left unattended or if an accident occurs. Replace batteries and upgrade devices past their expiration date.” During the winter months, reduced ventilation in the home can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide level build-up in your home, so you'll want to be sure your device is functioning properly.
Prepare your garden and patio.
“Unless you’re a year round BBQ aficionado, clean up the grill, as it could be of interest to outdoor critters who are wintering nearby,” says Basher. Don’t forget to clean all of the tools that go with it. Also, get out your smaller garden tools and clean/sharpen them before you put them away so that they’re ready for planting in the spring.
Preventing damage from road salt.
Road salt can ruin your car, so be sure to wash and wax your car. But car care doesn’t stop there. “Car owners often forget two key areas when they winterize their vehicles: the rocker panels and door jambs,” says Jeff Brown, product and sales manager at Griot's Garage. “Quick and easy wax jobs at car washes usually don’t thoroughly address these sensitive areas, especially when it comes to waxing. Putting in some elbow grease to wax vulnerable rocker panels and door jambs will protect your car investment for the long term.”
Give the interior some TLC.
Winter is also hard on car interiors. “The cold, dry air of winter also tends to pull out the moisture from your leather and vinyl,” says Rob Mobberley with Performance Motorcare Products Ltd. “Therefore, it’s also important to treat the interior prior to the onset of freezing temperatures.” Once daytime temperatures dip to near freezing, leather and vinyl will not gain a lot of benefit from the application of conditioners. Mobberley recommends taking care of this when the weather is milder.
Check your battery and lights.
“Winter temperatures cause a car’s electrical system to work harder, particularly with the increased power demands of heating systems, defrosters and windshield wipers,” says Steve Sargent of Mr. Transmission/Milex. Cold temperatures can also reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your battery is nearing the end of its life, it’s a good idea to replace it before you’re left stuck in the cold. Also, keep an eye on battery cables and clamps. They should be checked regularly for fraying or corrosion. “Battery acid corrosion appears as a white, powdery substance,” says Sargent. “Clean them with baking soda, water and a toothbrush.” Also, make sure your lights work. “You may not require headlights for most of the summer, so it can be difficult to realize when light bulbs go bad,” says Peters.
Mind your tires.
If you notice any uneven tread on your tires, you may want to get them replaced or repaired so that your tires are ready for winter. Depending on your local climate, consider investing in snow tires. “No matter what kind of tires you use on your car, the tread depth should be at least 3mm along the entire way around to allow ice and snow to be packed in so you can maintain sufficient contact with the road,” says Peters. Snow tires wear out quicker than your regular tires, so make sure you revert back at the end of the season. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure regularly, as it affects fuel economy. They start to deflate once temperatures fall below 32 degrees. Low tire pressure reduces the tread and traction, which can lead to sliding on ice.
Stock up on winter windshield wiper fluid.
“Windshield wiper fluid can freeze during cold weather unless you use fluid designed for cold temperatures,” says Melanie Musson, an automotive and insurance specialist with CarInsuranceComparison.com. “When snow-covered roads start melting, your windshield will get extremely dirty from the spray of other vehicle tires. The dirty spray can obstruct your view and lead to dangerous conditions if you can’t clear your windshield because your wiper fluid is frozen.”
Inspect your other fluids.
You’ll want to keep your antifreeze/coolant mix at the appropriate levels to prevent the engine from freezing and reduce corrosion. “A 50/50 mix will keep fluids from freezing at temperatures as low as -34 degrees,” says Sargent. The next time you change your oil, consider using a lighter grade in the winter months if you live in a cold climate. Cold temperatures make motor oil thicker and creates unwanted friction in the engine. Finally, keep your gas tank at least half full in the winter. “This will decrease the chances of moisture from condensation freezing and blocking the flow of gas in the fuel lines,” he says.
Pack a winter bag.
Depending on where you live, the roads can be treacherous in the winter during a heavy snowfall. “In the event of an accident, it can also take longer for emergency services to get to you, so keeping a small winter bag in the trunk of your car can help save lives,” says Peters. You should include things like jumper cables, a flashlight, ice scraper, snow brush, warm hat, gloves, bottled water, dry food snacks and a cell phone charger. It won’t fit in the bag, but it’s also a good idea to have a bag of salt, sand or kitty litter in your trunk in case you need better traction on ice.
Dealing with these maintenance tasks upfront can help keep you safe through the cold winter season.