Winter can be the toughest season for unprepared homeowners. If you don’t brace your home for frigid temperatures, you risk monumental damage. Providing your home with appropriate heating will not only keep you comfortable but also protect your home from plumbing disasters such as burst pipes.
Don’t feel overwhelmed if you need to prepare your home for winter. A-Absolute has cold weather tips for homeowners that can help you survive the winter months. Keep reading to learn how to get your house ready for winter.
Prepare Your Home for Winter
To prepare your home for winter, you have to focus on both the interior and exterior. Your plumbing and HVAC systems need to be in good condition; otherwise, you’ll end up needing emergency repairs. In addition, you should take a few steps to clean up the outside of your home and yard.
Below are a few expert tips for getting your house ready for winter.
Protect Indoor Pipes
Your piping system needs insulation when cold weather sets in. Bitter cold temperatures can cause the pipes to crack and burst, leaving you with significant water damage and in need of pipe leak repairs. Covering your pipes with an insulating material keeps them from bursting.
Insulate Attic or Crawl Space
It’s not just your pipes that benefit from insulation. If you have an attic or crawl space, it could be responsible for increasing your energy costs. Your heat can rise up to these spaces and slip through any cracks.
This not only forces your heating system to work harder but also makes the remainder of your home cooler. Adding insulation to this part of the home will keep you comfortable in the long run and save you money each month.
Furnace Maintenance 
You rely on your furnace to keep you warm and cozy once the temperature drops. Scheduling maintenance for your heating systems is an excellent way to get your house ready for winter. Experts recommend having an HVAC technician inspect your furnace during the fall before you turn on your heater for the first time each season.
During tune-up service, technicians will clean various components of the furnace and inspect it for damage. Any minor issues that appear at this time will undergo swift repairs. Furnace maintenance not only ensures you have reliable heat all winter, but it can extend the life of your heating system.
Repair Shingles
Heavy snowfall or ice on your roof can lead to leaks and structural damage. Loose or missing shingles can escalate the problem. Have a contractor replace any missing shingles and repair faulty ones before winter weather sets in.
Clean Gutters
Get your house ready for winter by clearing your gutters of leaves and debris. Gutter cleaning is one of the best winter maintenance tips because it makes it easier for snowmelt to flow off of your roof and away from your home. Doing this each year protects your roof and siding from water damage.
Repair Patio
Does your patio or walkway have loose pavers? Now is the time to repair them so they remain secure. Winter’s cycle of freezing and thawing the ground can exacerbate this issue and cause the paver to worsen.
A trusted contractor can reset the stone in the ground before the first freeze and make your patio smooth and even.
Remove Hazardous Tree Limbs
Dead tree limbs are extremely brittle and can easily snap when snow or freezing rain falls. These branches can damage your property if you don’t cut them before harsh weather arrives. Remove any low-hanging or dead branches so they don’t fall on your roof.
Drain Water Sources 
Your outdoor plumbing can impact your indoor plumbing. Get your house ready for winter by draining garden hoses, sprinklers, and other outdoor water sources. You’ll want to shut off the water supply to those outdoor lines and drain all water inside each source otherwise they could freeze and burst your pipes inside.
Mark Garden Beds and Pathways
Don’t damage your yard by clearing snow in every direction. Place clear markers along the edges of your driveway, garden beds, walkways, and more.
Get Ready for Winter
Bracing for cold temperatures requires more than just pulling your winter jacket out of the closet. With these winter home tips, you can get your house ready for winter weather and avoid major disasters with your heating and plumbing systems. Count on A-Absolute Plumbing and Heating to prepare your house for the winter season.
Book our plumbing, heating, or other home services today. You can also call us at 908-325-9807 to request emergency service.