Wednesday, December 29, 2021

7 Ways To Protect Your Home From Damage This Winter

 The winter months can be difficult for homeowners in areas where the temperature drops below freezing. With ice, snow, and other natural occurrences like the wind to contend with, it's not too difficult to see how damage might happen. The good news is that there are some things you can do right now to help protect your property this winter.


First, protect your home from the cold weather with these quick tips:

-Install insulation in your attic and walls. This will help keep the heat inside your home.

-Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to prevent drafts.

-Put plastic over your windows to reduce the amount of cold air that enters your home.

-Hang heavy curtains or drapes on the south- and west-facing windows to insulate them from the sun's heat.

-Heating bills can be expensive, so consider installing a programmable thermostat that can save you money by automatically adjusting the temperature when you are not home.

-If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue is open when you are using it, and always use a screen to protect against sparks.

Prevent Water Damage To The Home

Water damage is one of the most common types of property damage to homes during the winter months. Water can get into your home in many ways, but here are some tips for keeping water away from your home's foundation and exterior walls:  Avoid using sprinklers on cold nights when frost forms along rooflines because it will likely refreeze later at night if temperatures drop below freezing again. This seeping process could cause ice dams that lead to leaks inside your house or cracks in its structure. Clear branches away from roofs so they don't fall off due to heavy snowfall or high winds. Branches may also break under the weight of thick ice accumulations found near gutter systems leading towards the ground.

Be Prepared For A Power Outage

In the event that your power is out for an extended period of time, you want to make sure you're prepared. In addition to having a well-stocked pantry and plenty of drinking water on hand, there are other essentials every household should have to deal with this type of situation.

Protect Your Windows And Doors Against The Cold

Another way to prevent damage to your home this winter is by protecting your windows and doors from the cold. Make sure that all of your windows and doors are properly sealed with caulk or weatherstripping, and consider installing storm windows or doors to keep the cold out. You can also install insulation around your doors and windows to further insulate them from the cold.

Clean Gutters And Downspouts

It's important to clean your gutters and downspouts regularly during the winter, as they can easily become clogged with snow and ice. If the water doesn't have a way to drain off your roof, it can cause damage to your home's eaves, gables, and siding. Be sure to use a ladder when cleaning your gutters, and take care not to stand on icy surfaces. If you are still unsure you can look up 5 Reasons To Clean Your Gutters for some motivation.

Shut Off Your Water Supply In Bad Weather

One of the most important things you can do to protect your home from water damage is to shut off your water supply when bad weather is expected. If a winter storm knocks out power or causes flooding in your area, shutting off the water will help prevent extensive damage to your home. Make sure you have a plan in place for how you will turn off the water in case of an emergency.

Insulate Your Pipes

If you live in a cold climate, it's important to properly insulate your pipes to avoid freezing and bursting. You can buy insulation kits at most hardware stores or call a plumber to have them installed. Burst pipes are one of the most common sources of water damage in homes, so it's essential to take the proper precautions.

Create A Waterproof Barrier

If you have a basement or crawlspace, it's important to take steps to create a waterproof barrier between the living space of your home and the ground below. This can be done by installing a drainage system and sealing all cracks and seams around the foundation of your house. If water does manage to get into your basement or crawlspace, it will at least be contained there rather than spreading throughout your home.


There are many things you can do to protect your home from damage this winter. Follow these tips, and you'll be able to rest easy knowing your home is safe from the cold weather.

14 comments:

  1. This is so timely, as we are currently experiencing the coldest weather in decades in my area. So many things that I have never had to take care of as a homeowner, because it never gets too far below freezing usually. Thank you so much for the tips!

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    1. It was 73 degrees here in NC the other day! I hope it warms up for you!

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  2. My apartment has been freezing cold lately despite us paying more and more for heat. I will try the plastic on the windows trick!

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    1. My mother in law told me that trick years ago and while it looks terrible it definitely WORKS!

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  3. Wow, there are so many things to consider when living in a wintry country. It is indeed important to know these things to prevent your house to worn out after some time.

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  4. These are great tips. Keeping the gutters and downspouts clean is a big one. People often forget that snow melts and then the gutters have to handle the water.

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  5. These are great tips. Winter presents its own set of unique challenges when it comes to home maintenance and prevention, and so many of us tend to overlook it.

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  6. This is such a helpful article! It's been a warmer winter than most, but I still think these tips are going to be very useful in the future. Especially protecting the water pipes. That's the worst that can happen!

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  7. We don’t have winter here in the Philippines, but I can see that there is a lot I preparation needed to be done. Thanks for such an informative list!

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  8. These are great tips. I bet some people forget to do this but it's so important to do to protect your home from damage.

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  9. Thankfully we don't really have "winter" here in Florida. I would be totally lost on what to do!

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  10. My home remains quite cold during winters. I think it needs insulated layer.

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  11. Our winters can be so cold. It is nice to have some tips to help make it a little easier.

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  12. This is really helpful to know for next winter. I like in England and we usually have bad winters. I will prepare myself for next time with these tips.

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