As experienced realtors and lake homeowners who know first-hand how cold weather can take a toll on lake houses, we decided to put together a winter home maintenance checklist. Taking steps to winterize your space can prevent avoidable damage caused by frigid temperatures, blustery winds, snow, and ice, and it’ll work wonders in keeping energy costs down.
Here’s how to maintain a safe, energy-efficient, and cozy home when Jack Frost rolls around!
1. Check the Roof for Damage
Don’t wait until winter hits to repair your roof! This is one of the most crucial ways to winterize your home before the season, as it can be difficult, and even impossible, to perform repairs when the roof is covered in snow and ice.
Even if you don’t notice any visible damage, you may want to hire a professional roofer to do a complete inspection and make repairs if needed. Experts recommend having your roof inspected at least once a year, so this is the perfect opportunity to take care of it.
2. Clear the Gutters
While you’re inspecting the roof, be sure to check the gutters for debris. Gutters allow rain and snow to drain off the roof. If they’re clogged, the moisture can seep into your indoor spaces and cause major roof damage.
3. Clear the Chimney
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, you’ll want to winterize your home by making sure that the chimney is clear. A clogged chimney is a fire hazard, and you could end up with a smoky home. Cleaning a chimney can be difficult, so you may want to hire a professional if you’re not confident in your ability to handle it yourself.
If you don’t plan on using your fireplace, you could use a chimney balloon to prevent cold drafts from entering.
4. Inspect the Attic for Leaks
Attics are notorious for letting cold air in, so don’t overlook this essential step on your winter home maintenance checklist. Fill any gaps, cracks, or holes with insulation or caulk.
5. Apply Weatherstripping to Windows and Doors
One of the most effective ways to winterize your home is to install weatherstripping on leaky windows and doors. This simple step can drastically reduce the amount of cold air entering and hot air leaving, keeping your home comfortable and preventing your heating bill from skyrocketing.
6. Use Outdoor Heaters and Fire Pits
While you’re probably not going to spend as much time outside, you can still enjoy your winter wonderland with outdoor patio fire pits and heaters. They’ll keep your patio area comfortable so you can keep up your lifestyle—grilling with friends and family, sipping a hot cup of coffee under the morning sun, and enjoying a good book with the serene soundtrack of nature.
7. Protect Your Outdoor Furnishings
As you winterize your home, make sure your outdoor items are protected from the elements. For example, you may want to put your boating equipment and lake water toys in outdoor storage solutions like a shed or lockbox. You may also need to cover or store items that could get damaged by harsh weather, such as your grill, mosquito zappers, and lighting.
While some contemporary outdoor furniture is weatherproof, you may want to store or cover them just to be safe, as the weatherproofing may not be strong enough to hold up to severe winter conditions.
8. Be Wary of Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can burst, causing potentially catastrophic damage. Don’t overlook this critical step on your winter home maintenance checklist. It’s especially important that you winterize your home plumbing if you plan on traveling—you don’t want to come home to a flooded indoor area!
Insulating exposed pipes is an effective way to prevent freezing. Maintain a temperature of at least 55° F at all times. If you’re worried about a pipe freezing on especially cold days and nights, you can leave the faucet dripping.
If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, you may want to drain your pipes. Typically, you’ll need to turn off your water supply, open the taps, and turn off the pump’s power.
9. Stock Up on Emergency Supplies
As you winterize your home, remember that unforeseen situations can occur, even if you plan ahead. Now is the time to make sure you have essential lake house accessories, such as flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, tools, power strips, and a generator.
10. Make Your Interior Space Extra Cozy
Take the opportunity to make your indoor area a comfy nest where you’ll be happy hunkering down. Plush lake house bedding will keep you warm at night. Cozy lake house furniture makes the living room a welcoming haven where you can catch up on some TV shows or socialize with loved ones. Hanging lake house wall art makes your house feel like a home.
Prepare for Winter Today
It’s never too early to winterize your home. We carry a curated collection of products that are perfect for lakeside living, including essentials for your winter home maintenance checklist. Our inventory is carefully curated by expert realtors and lake homeowners who have weathered many winters. We only carry products we would use ourselves, so shop with confidence.
Don’t let cold weather put a damper on your waterfront paradise. Start preparing today so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Shop winter essentials now, and enjoy easy online ordering and quick USA shipping to your door.
