Prepare Your New Jersey Home for Winter: An Essential Checklist
As colder months approach New Jersey, taking proactive steps to prepare your home is crucial. This prevents costly damage and keeps you comfortable. Winter brings unique challenges, from burst pipes to ice dams. Therefore, use this essential checklist to keep your home safe and warm:
HVAC & Plumbing Preparedness
- HVAC System Tune-Up: Schedule a professional inspection for your furnace or heating system. This ensures efficient operation, which in turn reduces energy costs and prevents breakdowns during the coldest days.
- Insulate Pipes: Exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages are highly likely to freeze and burst. Insulate them with foam pipe insulation or layers of newspaper and plastic. On extremely cold nights, moreover, consider letting faucets drip slightly.
- Drain Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler Systems: Turn off the water supply to all exterior faucets and drain them completely. Furthermore, for in-ground sprinkler systems, have them professionally “blown out” to remove all water and prevent freezing and bursting lines.
Exterior Home Protection
- Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Clear out all leaves, debris, and clogs from your gutters and downspouts. Blocked gutters can lead to ice dams, which force water under your roof shingles, causing leaks and significant interior damage. Consequently, ensure downspouts direct water at least several feet away from your foundation.
- Inspect and Seal Windows and Doors: Check for drafts around windows and doors. Apply new caulk or weatherstripping where needed to prevent heat loss and keep cold air out. This action greatly improves energy efficiency and reduces your heating bills.
- Trim Trees and Shrubs: Remove any dead or overhanging branches that could fall on your roof or power lines during heavy snow or ice storms. This is a common cause of wind-related damage claims in New Jersey.
- Inspect Your Roof: Look for any loose, missing, or damaged shingles that could allow water to penetrate during winter storms. Address these repairs before the heavy snow and ice arrive.
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: With increased use of heating systems, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires rises. Therefore, test all detectors and replace batteries. Also, consider having fire extinguishers readily available.
- Prepare for Power Outages: Have an emergency kit ready with flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, and blankets. Moreover, consider a backup generator if power outages are frequent in your area.
Pest Prevention
- Seal Entry Points for Pests: As temperatures drop, rodents and other pests seek warmth indoors. Seal any cracks or openings in your foundation, around pipes, and in the attic to prevent unwelcome guests.