Get Your Home Ready Before it Gets Cold

Though it may be hard to accept, we are now in the throes of Michigan’s winter season. With the snow comes ice skating, winter walks, hot chocolate and…. winterizing your home. 

2022 is a great time to start working on the tasks necessary to make your Eastbrook Home ready for the winter. Some of those tasks can protect your home from damage due to moisture or snow, while others can help keep family and friends safe while they come and go.

No matter which of these tasks you add to your list, they will all help to keep your home cozy and warm through the chilly winter months.

Gutters

Clean out your gutters to keep water from collecting and freezing. Leaves and debris can clog off drains causing water to collect and potentially freeze. If your gutters can’t channel the rain and snowmelt properly, the run-off could possibly wash away soil and damage landscaping.

The weight of the ice can also put excessive strain on the gutters, which can damage mounting hardware and may eventually cause them to break loose. Frozen gutters can also create ice dams, which force built-up water to seep under shingles and into the home.

Walkways and Driveways

Check all of your outside pathways for trouble spots, especially since ice and snow can make small problems into big headaches. Look for cracks and gaps where water can collect and freeze. Clear away loose debris, gravel, and fallen branches as well to

With visitors coming and going in the dark, it’s also a good idea to trim back tree branches and shrubs away to prevent tripping or possible eye injuries. Consider installing solar lights to mark the way for your family and friends too.

Dry up the Water

Make sure to drain and put away any hoses, sprinkler systems, and external faucets before the first freeze. Once the cold weather hits, it could be too late to prevent serious damage from broken pipes or fittings.

Fix up the Furnace

Inspect your vents to ensure nothing is blocking them, and to ensure they are open throughout the house. Also, check and change the furnace filter as needed to keep air moving efficiently through your home. If it hasn’t been done in a few years, have a professional inspect your furnace for wear and tear.

It’s a very good idea to test your furnace before it’s cold enough to really need it. Turn up the heat to verify that the thermostat functions properly. While you’re firing up the furnace for the first time, test your home’s carbon monoxide and smoke detectors too.

Have a look at your Humidifier

During the winter months, it is very important to keep the humidity in your home at the right level. the lack of moisture in your home’s air can cause flooring, trim, and other wood to dry out and even crack.

If the air is too humid, condensation can form on the inside of windows until it runs down and pools on the sill or floor where it can damage finishes and even warp the wood. Although many flooring manufacturers recommend a humidity level of 40 percent to protect the materials, as temperatures outside drop condensation can quickly form on the inside of your windows.

Adjust your thermostat according to your homeowner’s manual to prevent damage inside your home. As the weather gets colder, be sure to adjust your humidity levels down. In extreme cold, you may need to drop all the way down to 10 percent, but 35 is a good place to start.

Dig up Drafts

Eastbrook Homes are built using modern construction techniques and materials that eliminate cracks and leaks which can drive up your heating costs. Our commitment to energy efficiency means the warm air stays inside all winter and outside all summer.

However, it’s a good idea to inspect for leaks such as windows that are not fully closed before the cold weather hits. Seal up the house to stay warm and dry.

Extra Efforts

There are plenty of other tasks to perform once the temperatures start dropping, such as reversing the spin of ceiling fans and covering new trees and bushes. Stock up on pet safe ice melter to make walkways safe for guests too.

Preparing your home for the winter doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Get started while it’s still warm and be ready to greet the snowfall with a smile.