Winter comes with mixed emotions for most people. It’s the time of the year when we take stock of our progress in the passing year while making our plans for the coming one. It is also the time for one of the most breath-taking transformations in nature: snow.

Winter can be a season of great fun for everyone in the family. But it can also be a time of never-ending emergencies in your home.

Novel Management explains that’s because freezing temperatures and winter storms can do massive damage to the structures of your building. Ice dams and icicles can stress the roof. Strong winds may loosen shingles. Tree branches can cause damage during storms, and frozen pipes may deny your home of water.

Yet these are just a few potential threats your home is exposed to during winter.

Like every homeowner, you want to avoid the financial and emotional toll of these kinds of problems. The good thing is it is possible to go through winter without dealing with serious home maintenance issues.

All it takes to keep your home safe during winter is some foresight and a little planning.

Critical steps to protect your home from the Chicago winter

Prepare your roof

Clear away all debris inside the gutters. Check the downspout for clogs. Ensure gutters have an adequate slope and there are no leaks or rust. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect the roof. Pay special attention to those parts of the roof where there is flashing. Remove any tree branches that are hanging over the roof.

Prepare your plumbing

Disconnect the garden hose and drain all the water before storing it inside the house. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets and open the faucets to drain them. Insulate water pipes in the basement and keep cupboards slightly open to let warm air circulate the pipes.

Prepare your chimney

Don’t wait until the first snow to Prepare your chimney. Get an expert to check the chimney; this is the best time to do your annual chimney inspection. Clear the clutter around the fireplace. Get someone to sweep the chimney. If there are any tree branches near the chimney, have them trimmed.

Prepare your doors and windows

Inspect the outsides and insides of doors and windows for missing caulk. Replace caulking that is old and brittle. To keep the cold out, inspect doors and window joints for cracks and consider weather-stripping them. Replace your summer curtains with heavy winter drapes. Remove window A/C units and, if possible, install storm windows.

Prepare the attic

If the attic is not insulated, you may want to add insulation to cut heating costs. If there is insulation already, check that it is in place and not damaged. Check the attic for cracks and holes where cold air can enter and overwork your HVAC. If you can, get an energy assessor to assess your insulation.

Prepare your furnace

If your furnace uses disposable filters, replace them every 1-3 months. But if it has an annual filter, there is no better time to replace it than just before winter. Have the furnace pipes cleaned to improve efficiency and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide build-up? Install a programmable thermostat to help you save energy.

Check the building envelope

Most of the energy losses in your home – as much as 35% – are due to small air leaks that can be fixed if you can find them. Sealing those leaks will improve the building envelope and prevent energy losses. Check your outer walls, windows, floors, and ceilings for cracks and openings; seal them to reduce heating costs.

Test smoke and CO2 detectors

More house fires are started by heat sources with open flames, such as lighters, candles, or matches, during winter than at any other time in the year. But the main reason why those fires are not discovered on time is because of non-functioning smoke and CO2 detectors. Check detectors and replace batteries, if necessary. Also, check that the fire extinguisher is working.

Winterize the basement and crawlspace

Snowmelt in winter and early spring can wreak havoc on your crawlspace or basement. If melting snow finds its way into these areas of the home, it will increase the risk of mold and mildew. Snowmelt can also result in basement flooding. To prevent these problems, winterize the basement or crawlspace by insulating it, protect your water pipes from cold air, close the air vents and ensure the sump pump is working. A proper water vapor barrier in the crawlspace will help you solve most of your moisture issues.

Lastly, you want to ensure the temperature setting for your water heater is between 120° and 140° Fahrenheit. You also want to have your thermostat settings at 68°F to 70°F.

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