Now that fall is officially upon us, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. There’s nothing like a good winter storm to chill you to the bone, and you want to be able to come home to a nice toasty house. Before Jack Frost comes to call on your home, it’s a good idea to take the time to prepare your house for the weather to come while the temperatures outside aren’t nearly as frightful. In today’s post, we will give you a few tips on how to prepare your home to make sure that it will keep you nice and warm and be able to withstand the harsh winter weather.

One way that you can prepare your home for winter and make it easier to do your spring cleaning when the weather finally warms up again is to clean your windows. Instead of letting all of the dirt and grime build up on your windows, the experts at Sparkling Windows in Voorhees are more than happy to provide you with clean windows that will allow you to marvel at the winter wonderland outside of your cozy abode. Learn more about our services and call today to schedule your appointment for clean windows!

Seal Leaks

Homes most commonly lose heat during the winter through leaks in the doors, windows, and walls. You may not have thought much about the small gap between your back door and the floor during the summer, but when the cold temperatures start to emerge, you’re going to want to keep as much heat indoors as possible. Start to prepare your home for winter by walking through and trying to spot any areas that may need to be sealed. Pay close attention to your windows and doors, as even the most minor of cracks can help your warm air escape. Once you patch up all of the leaks, you can rest assured knowing that you did your part in keeping your home warm and more energy efficient.

Clean Your Gutters

We all love to look out the window and see beautiful icicles hanging from our roof. While these beautiful ice formations may look pretty from afar, they can actually wreak havoc on your roof. In order to prevent icicles from forming, it’s a good idea to clean out your gutters before the weather gets too cold. The gutters on your home can easily become clogged with leaves, dirt, and other debris. Once it starts to snow, all of the debris in your gutters can cause problems for the flow of water as snow melts and refreezes, resulting in icicles. This can add a lot of weight and cause damage to both your roof and your gutters.

Close the Damper

If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with a fireplace, then there’s a good chance that you will spend more than a few nights curled up enjoying the crackle and warmth of the fire. Before you use your fireplace, you need to open the damper to allow the smoke to escape through the chimney. Most people remember to open the damper before they use their fire, but very few remember to close it once the fireplace has cooled. If you want to keep your home toasty warm and avoid excess heat from escaping, a good habit to form is closing the damper to your fireplace once the fire has burned down and the structure has cooled.

Perform Outdoor Maintenance

You never know when the first storm is going to hit, so you want to be prepared. If you have a large yard or a garden, you will need to make sure that you prepare them for the winter months. Complete yard maintenance, such as raking and mowing the lawn, as well as pruning any plants and covering your garden beds with leaves to help trap heat and protect your plants. Maintaining your lawn and garden before you get a big storm will make it easier for you to clean them up when spring finally arrives.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans in your home, there’s a good chance that you aren’t utilizing its full potential. When most people think of ceiling fans, they think of using it too cool you off during the summer, but did you know that a ceiling fan can also help keep your home warm during the winter? On most ceiling fans there is a small switch towards the base that allows you to switch the direction that the fan blades spin. During the winter months, you want the blades to spin clockwise, as it draws the warm air from the ceiling and sends it towards the floor.

Wash Your Windows

Washing your windows in the fall may seem pointless, especially with the winter storms, but cleaning your windows can give you a fresh start and even make it easier to clean them in the spring. If it’s been a while since you’ve washed your windows, giving them a thorough cleaning this fall can help you find areas that you need to repair in order to seal up any leaks, or provide you with a fresh canvas from which to hang decorations. With Sparkling Windows in Voorhees, cleaning your windows is easy. Browse our website to learn more and call to speak to one of our professional window cleaners today!