Winter weather is no joke. Here’s what an expert does to prepare his home

Don’t miss Freezing winter weather Spoil the comfortable season. Pipe bursts, chimney fires, and HVAC system malfunctions can occur during cold snaps and winter storms, which can often result in serious damage with corresponding repair costs.

Although it is a year-round problem, it is important to prepare your home before a major snow storm occurs. As temperatures drop All over the United States Heavy snowfall is expected in most parts of the country, and now is the perfect time to prepare your home to withstand all types of winter weather.

To help you outfit your home or apartment, I consulted TJ Lurie, HVAC expert and president of Pen Pro Surffor essential winter home safety tips for a comprehensive guide to help you inspect and prepare any home for winter.

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1. Winterize your HVAC system

Except in extreme circumstances, most winter-related problems don’t usually appear without warning.

We tend to think of HVAC systems mostly as the machines we use to control the indoor climate, like heaters and air conditioners. However, your HVAC system also requires vents, doors, windows, and insulation to function properly.

Unusual sights, sounds and smells in your HVAC equipment are some of the clearest signs that maintenance is needed. For example, Lowry says rattling and noise can mean deeper problems with your system.

If your heating system doesn’t show any of the above signs, Lowry suggests looking for drafts and uneven heating in your home. These often indicate that your system is not working efficiently. Although you can detect drafts without Thermal cameraIt is a useful tool for finding places where cold air enters your home.

Winter HVAC tasks for everyone (including renters):

For homeowners and landlords:

• Replace your furnace filter before running oven For this season.
• Clean fireplaces, chimneys, chimneys and wood stoves before use.
• While you can seal Unused fireplaces and chimneys To improve heat retention, remember to open them if you change your mind in the middle of winter.
• Remodel, repair or replace weatherization around doors and windows as needed.
• Cover your air conditioner.
• Check attic insulation and replace old exterior doors.

2. Winterize your pipes and plumbing

Frozen pipes can burst, leading to costly floods and dangerous mold.

Cracked and leaking pipes may seem obvious, but some leaks are so small that you can’t see them at a glance. In these cases, it is necessary to look for mineral buildup and corrosion in exposed pipes – this sometimes indicates a minor leak.

Sweaty pipes—those with condensation on the outside—are another thing to watch out for. This could be a sign of excess moisture in your home, providing a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Winter plumbing tasks for everyone (including renters):

• Remove and drain garden hoses.
• Prove Leak detection devices In high-risk areas.

For homeowners and landlords:

3. Prepare electrical wires and cords for the winter

Checking surge protectors is as easy as pressing the “Test” button to see if the power is off.

Be aware of two common problems with your home’s electrical system: damaged wiring and overflowing outlets. As with other areas of your home, preventing fire risks is sensible all year round.

Although tearing up drywall is a step too far to find damaged wiring, it’s always a good idea to inspect exposed wiring, including cords, power strips, extension cords, and string lights. In addition to visible cracks and missing prongs, look for wires that lose power when bent at a certain angle. This often means there is a broken wire inside.

Overloaded outlets pose a fire hazard, especially when used with Space heaters. Remember that space heaters and extension cords (and power strips) Don’t agreeSo plan to keep an open outlet on the wall outlet where you can plug the heater. You may need to move other devices to a different outlet or power strip. Likewise, keep clutter away from your fireplaces.

behind Space heater safetyYou should also avoid daisy-chained surge protectors and extension cords – such as connecting additional power strips to a central power strip. This is not only a fire hazard but also a tripping hazard. It’s better to invest in one large power strip with the ports and protection you need than to try to make your own from a bunch of smaller, cheaper strips.

Winter electrical tasks for everyone (including renters):

• The perimeter of the space heater is clear And ensuring direct access to a Dedicated wall outlet.
• Use electrical tape to repair minor wire damage – as long as the internal insulation is intact.
• Use appropriately sized power strips and surge protectors.
• Replace frayed wires and surge protectors.
• Check the lights, fuses, and wires for the string lights.

For homeowners and landlords:

• Replace worn and loose wall outlets.
• Check external electrical outlets to ensure they have adequate seals.
• Trim trees near your home and power lines.

Other winter tasks

Functional fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, is essential to any winterization checklist.

Some winter weather safety tips don’t fit neatly into the HVAC, plumbing, or electrical categories but are important considerations to keep your home free of potential hazards.

Other pre-winter essentials for everyone (including renters):

For homeowners and landlords:

4. Plan for emergencies with a bug out bag

Every winter safety strategy should as well Calculate potential emergencies. The best way to do this is to compile a Bug bag For power outages at home, but you can also use it as a tool Car emergency kit.

Lowry suggests keeping your propane heater portable and stored outside the home whenever possible. You may need to open windows for good ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, even if it affects heating efficiency.

It is also possible to set up Temporary emergency heaters – Consider placing heat sources near flammable objects and surfaces. Not only is a backup heater convenient, but the heat can help delay pipe freezing during a winter storm.

Lowry says to pack “a bag full of practical items: flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, bottled water, and three days’ worth of nonperishable food per person. Also keep a charged power bank on hand in case you need to charge important items, like a phone, in case of an emergency.” Likewise, you can invest in… Portable generator or Portable power station.

A winter weather preparedness list and emergency kit are essential for staying safe in cold temperatures, even in the event of a power outage.

When to get a professional inspection

An HVAC technician appointment is a reliable way to prepare your home for the winter season.

Lowry recommends that most homeowners schedule a seasonal maintenance inspection at least once a year. “Professionals can often catch small problems before they become a bigger problem and save the homeowner from having to spend a lot of money on a more serious problem,” he points out.

Even if you don’t opt ​​for a comprehensive maintenance package, professionals are generally the best choice for chimney cleaning. Although some HVAC services offer chimney cleaning and inspection, you may need to find a chimney sweep instead. You can also get a home energy audit from most utility companies to find ways to increase heating efficiency in the winter.

If you’re a renter, the responsibility for inspecting and maintaining your home usually falls to the landlord, although they sometimes delegate simpler tasks to tenants. Never schedule exterior inspections or maintenance without your property owner’s permission. (There may already be a maintenance team at work.) For example, my property manager is staffing a new maintenance team Furnace filterssends winter safety tips and has a maintenance request form.

Regardless, everyone can save a little money with three DIY steps: inspection, seasonal maintenance, and emergency preparation. Start by taking the time to inspect your home for warning signs of your HVAC, plumbing, electrical and structural systems.