How Can I Prepare My Home for Winter?

This Checklist is the Perfect Guide to Use When Preparing Your Home for Winter

The Kansas City winter weather is right around the corner. The dog days of summer are quickly in the rear view mirror. As we gear up for the freezing temperatures, snowy days, and dreary weather, let's make sure we give our homes the TLC and attention they need to make it through another brutally cold winter. As a homeowner in Kansas City, you may be asking... "How Can I Prepare My Home for Winter?"  We've got you covered. Check out the following tips on ways to winterize your home before winter hits.

Your home is likely one of your biggest investments, so it's imperative to take care of it. Like anything else, your home needs attention. It's more expensive, and frankly harder, to repair something after it breaks than to just perform the preventative care for longevity.

#1: Check Your Home's Heating and AC System

You know the day that you literally switch from AC to heat... the day that the house is that uncomfortable temperature and you finally have to make the switch. Well, your heating system hasn't probably had any activity for months, so it may be a tune up.

According to an article on Forbes.com, 10 HVAC Maintenance and Tune Up Tips Every Homeowner Should Know, the important of your HVAC system is huge. Not only does it impact your home's efficiency, but that trickles down to your finances, energy bills, and comfortability. This article outlines the following tips to consider:

1. Schedule Professional HVAC Preventative Maintenance
2. Change Filters
3. Perform a Visual Inspection of the Unit
4. Eliminate Cutter Around the Unit
5. Keep the Unit Clean and Clear
6. Regulate Your Home Temperature
7. Change Your Thermostat Batteries
8. Maintain the Carbon Monoxide Detector
9. Monitor Energy Bills
10. Consider Total Replacement

Each of the above can be described in greater detail here: https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/hvac/hvac-maintenance-tips/

RELATED: Have you considered a home ventilation system? Check out some benefits here.

#2: Seal any Cracks/Openings

Take a walk around your home and keep an eye out for any cracks, openings, or gaps in the foundation or concrete. You can have different issues, including wall cracks that can be sealed; foundation cracks that can be repaired and sealed; or concrete voids that need polyurethane foam and dirt.

#3: Evaluate your yard

After the next rain, throw on your rain boots and walk around the yard. Look at everything from the foundation to the puddles in the middle of the backyard. How does your drainage look? Is your dirt sloping away from your home, naturally allowing the water to flow away from the home? Do you have any new landscaping that may cause issues to your drainage?

If there are aspects of your home's drainage and foundation water that may concern you, reach out to a professional. You may need a French Drain, sump pump, or foundation grading. Companies like PierMagic Foundation Specialists are locally owned and operated, available for free assessments.

RELATED: Landscaping Tips with Your Home's Foundation in Mind

#4: Gutters/Downspouts

Downspout extensions are basically installed at the end of your home's gutters, aimed at carrying away the rain water safety to a ground at a safer distance from the foundation. Gutters are the avenues that capture the water off of the roof, and shed it off away from the home. When looking at downspout extensions, a homeowner may ask... how can they help? There are many reasons, including proper drainage, foundation protection, basement moisture prevention, preserve landscaping, and preventing basement flooding.

#5: Chimney, Fireplaces, and Fire Pits

It's no surprise that the winter brings the cold weather, which is ideal for those cozy fires. Now is the ideal time to get on the books with a chimney sweep company to clean your fireplace and get it inspected. As the temperatures outside cool off, the temperatures inside should warm up. If you are still feeling cold weather seeping into your home, or if your feet are freezing, you may benefit from a vapor barrier and crawl space encapsulation.

#6: Prepare Your Garage for Snow and Ice

Your home's garage is gearing up for some winter drudge, including the freeze and thaw cycle that can cause slippery spots in your garage. Snow salt can really damage your home's concrete. There are other options to consider for the floor of your garage. Concrete floor coatings, traditionally referred to as epoxy, can offer a slip-resistant formula with 100+ color combinations. Your garage doesn't have to be the "catch all" for your snow toys, lawn mower, storage bins, and tools. It can transform into a more user-friendly space to catch a game, host a family gathering, or even boost your home's resale value.

We hope this article, How Can I Prepare My Home for Winter?, provided some insight into easy ways to prepare your home of the upcoming months. If you have any foundation, waterproofing, concrete lifting/leveling, drainage, or floor coatings questions, reach out to our team. 816-765-4800 or fill out the quote form here.