How to winterize your home

Winter can be harsh on your home and cause damage, but there are many ways homeowners can protect their investments.

Age is a big factor in what needs to be done. Typically, older homes need more work.

It's not just homeowners in northern areas of the country who need to be concerned about the effects of ice, snow and cold, because southern regions can also experience freezing temperatures in the winter.

Following these steps will help prepare your home for the season ahead.

Before the first freeze, you want to ensure your plumbing is in good condition. Make sure your water heater is inspected, and if there are issues, take care of them before the winter.

"Clean out slow or clogged drains by flushing them with hot water and a plunger. If it’s not fixed easily with DIY remedies, call a professional," said Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo home insurance. which is based in San Jose, California.

If water freezes in a pipe, it could cause it to burst, break or leak. If you notice any issues in your plumbing, try to fix them to prevent a more serious problem from occurring.

"In order to protect your pipes to prevent freezing, wrap exposed pipes — especially in basements, crawl spaces, exterior walls — with pipe insulation," said Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company based in Lakeville, Minnesota. "Disconnect and drain outdoor faucets. In very cold weather, allow a trickle of water in vulnerable pipes."

Likewise, sprinkler systems can freeze, so those need to be cleared of water as well.

Steps to protect your pipes

• Regularly check under sinks and below appliances for water leaks or signs or corrosion.
• Flush your hot water heater if you haven’t already this year to minimize sediment buildup.
• Turn off the water and timer and drain your sprinklers with the manual, automatic or blowout method.
• Use the shut-off valve to turn off water and drain excess water from the hose.
• Disconnect and drain the hose.
• Check the hose and outdoor faucets for leaks.

As leaves start to fall, the gutter becomes clogged. You can install gutter guards to prevent major buildups, but clogs can still happen.

"To prevent ice dams and clogged gutters, remove leaves, sticks and debris from gutters and downspouts," said Shimek. "Clogged gutters can lead to ice dam formation, which lets water back up under roof edges and into your home."

Making repairs after damage has been done is costly and difficult under harsh conditions.

"In the winter, trapped water can freeze and expand," Klosterman said. "On top of paying $384 on average to repair your gutters, you can also deal with issues like mold, foundation damage or roof damage."

Steps to prevent damage

• Remove leaves and debris.
• Brush away any buildup.
• Position downspouts away from the home's foundation.
• Flush the gutters with a hose.
• Patch and seal holes or gaps.
• Install gutter guards.

Cracks can happen in the roof, foundation and siding of a home.

"When the first rains of the season come, the last thing you want to deal with in the winter is a leaky roof, since it protects your home from ice, wind, rain, hail and everything in between," Klosterman said. "When it’s damaged, water can enter, leading to mold and structural damage."

Likewise, gaps in the siding or cracks in the foundation can lead to deeper problems.

If you have a chimney, checking that before the winter is also important.

"A well-maintained roof and chimney can prevent leaks and even fire hazards," Shimey said. "Make sure to check for missing or damaged shingles, inspect the flashing around chimneys and vents and schedule a chimney cleaning if you use a fireplace."

Also take a look at outdoor porches and stoops to ensure they are not damaged and can withstand the winter weather.

Steps to prevent damage

• Check the roof for mold, loose shingles and signs of damage.
• Look for signs of damage to the siding such as small holes, cracks, chipped paint and discoloration.
• Apply paint, sealants or caulk over damage areas.
• Remove trees that overhang the home.
• Take in or cover outdoor furniture.
• Inspect supports on porches and decks for anything that’s loose, damaged or needs replacing.

Gaps in the windows and doors can let in cold air and moisture, which could cause problems and raise the cost to heat the home.

"It's important to check for gaps around your windows, doors and trim," Shimek said. If need be, recaulk or replace weatherstripping where needed to keep cold air out and warm air in."

Energy Star estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by adding insulation and air-sealing their homes, Klosterman said. "Sealing windows and doors can also prevent bugs, moisture and other bad weather from entering the house," she added.

Steps to seal doors and windows

• Inspect the doors and windows for cracks or gaps and feel for drafts coming through.
• Strip old caulking and apply fresh coats.
• Spray lubricants on locks to prevent sticking.

Heating homes can be expensive, but there are some hacks to bring down the cost.

"In order to improve air circulation in your home, reverse ceiling fans to run clockwise in winter," Shimey said. "This pushes warm air that rises back down into living spaces, reducing heating load."

Fall and winter is a good time to clean heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, systems.

"Before winter fully sets in, test your furnace or heat pump, change filters and clean vents to make sure your system works efficiently when you need it most," Shimey said.

If you have a fireplace and chimney, make sure those are clean and functional so they can be used to heat the home with a fire.

"If you are not using a fireplace, block drafts by installing insulation or a removable cover within the firebox or flue," Shimey said. "This can reduce heat loss and cut energy waste."

Checklist before heating home

• Switch ceiling fans to clockwise to circulate hot air.
• Clean HVAC system of dust, dirt and fur and replace filters.
• Clean fireplace and chimney and check for blockages.
• Fill in any crack in fireplace and chimney.

Create an entryway that is durable and welcoming. You can lay down a rubber mat near a door so boots and shoes can be removed as soon as you enter the home. This will help keep the rest of the home clean and prevent moisture-causing issues such as mold.

"Fall and winter weather can make carpets more damp and lead to mold," Klosterman said. "Proactively cleaning and protecting your carpet can help prevent weird home smells and an expensive replacement since carpets can cost $1 to $4 per square foot."

The entry can also be a good place to store space for heavy coats, umbrellas and other winter items. This can be a front door, side door, garage or mudroom.

Tricks to keeping messes contained

• Have a boot scraper or heavy rug outside to clean shoes before coming inside.
• Lay down a slip-proof mat inside and create a space to store heavy coats, shoes and umbrellas.
• Keep a towel handy to dry off pets.
• Clean the front door area often to prevent build up.
• Clean up any moisture on carpets.
• Keep an eye out for mold on carpets.