Ask The County Agent: Making sure your home is ready for winter

Pictured above: Caulking around windows can prevent help keep the warm air in and cold air outside.

By OLIVIA HANDLEY, Coweta County FACS Agent

QUESTION: With colder weather on the way, what can I do now to make sure my home is ready for winter?

AGENT: As we get closer to the fall and winter seasons, it is a great time to start thinking about getting your home ready for the colder temps and winter weather. Taking time now to prepare your home can save time and money later by avoiding costly repairs. It will also help save on heating bills.

As we look at the potential issues, always remember some of these items should be left to professionals. Safety first!

• Clean out your gutters and remove any debris which will limit water flow and create ice dams. This can lead to water around the foundation or roof leaks. Also, check for rusty or failing gutters and repair as needed.

• Repair or apply weather stripping around doors and windows. You can also use expandable foam or caulk to prevent air flow if you have large openings. Place draft guards on the bottom of doors and apply window insulation film over windowpanes to keep heat from escaping.

• Check areas where pipes enter exterior walls and make sure holes are filled with insulation.

• Insulate water pipes in uninsulated areas of house that are exposed to outdoor temperatures. This includes basements, attics, and crawlspaces.

• Drip pipes during freezing temperatures and open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air around pipes to prevent freezing.

• Disconnect and drain water hoses from outside spigots and place an insulated faucet cover to to prevent water from freezing in hoses and pipes. This includes outdoor lawn sprinkler systems.

• If you have an older heating system, consider getting it professionally inspected to make sure it is running efficiently and properly. Change out filters as needed. Clean systems run more efficiently. They also improve air quality in our homes.

• If you have a wood burning unit or fireplace, have it serviced and inspected yearly by a professional to make sure there is not a buildup in the chimney which can cause a chimney fire. Also make sure carbon monoxide is being vented properly.

• Do not significantly lower the heat or turn it off completely to save money. This can cause pipes to freeze.

• Check batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace as needed.

• Never run generators or propane heaters in closed spaces, such as attics or garages. They also need to be run a safe distance from windows and doors. Carbon monoxide gas is easily pulled inside homes, and it can be fatal.

•  Prepare for winter storms by stocking up on extra canned goods, ready-to-eat meal items and batteries while out shopping. If you prepare an emergency stockpile slowly, it can be much more affordable.

With a little preparation and work, you and your home can be ready for any weather that may be coming this winter. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”- Benjamin Franklin.

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