November has arrived, and here in the Fraser Valley, that usually means plenty of rain, cooler nights, and the reminder that winter isn’t far behind.
Before temperatures really start to drop, spend a little time around the house taking care of a few simple jobs. You don’t need to tackle a major renovation. Often, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference when it comes to keeping your home warm and avoiding problems later.
Here are five good places to start.
1. Find Those Drafts
If you can feel cold air coming in around a window or exterior door, don’t ignore it. Check the weather stripping and look for small gaps around the frame.
New weather stripping, a door sweep, or some fresh caulking can often make a noticeable difference. Window film is another simple option for windows that tend to feel particularly cold during the winter.
2. Check Your Insulation
Heat rises, making the attic one of the first places to check if your home is difficult to keep warm.
Take a look at the insulation in your attic and crawlspace, particularly if you live in an older home. Roll or blown-in insulation may help improve areas that don’t have enough coverage.
Not sure what you need? Knowing your measurements and where the insulation is going will make it much easier to choose the right product and R-value.
3. Don’t Forget the Pipes
A frozen pipe is one winter surprise nobody wants.
Pay extra attention to pipes in garages, crawlspaces, and other areas that don’t receive much heat. Foam pipe sleeves are an inexpensive way to add protection. In particularly cold areas, the right pipe heating cable may also be worth considering.
And don’t forget the basics: disconnect garden hoses and make sure outdoor faucets are ready for freezing temperatures.
4. Give Your Heating System a Hand
Before your heating system starts working overtime, check the furnace or air filter. A dirty filter can restrict airflow, so replacing it regularly is a simple job that’s easy to stay on top of.
A programmable thermostat can also help you manage the temperature throughout the day. Even something as simple as insulated curtains can help keep some of that warmth inside on colder nights.
5. Get Ready Before the First Snowfall
We’ve all seen it happen: the first snowfall arrives, and suddenly everyone realizes they need a snow shovel.
Take a few minutes now to check what you already have. Make sure your snow shovel is still in good shape and pick up ice melt or other winter supplies before you actually need them.
It’s also a good time to put away outdoor tools, equipment, and anything else that shouldn’t be left exposed through the winter.
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Getting your home ready for winter doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A roll of weather stripping, some caulking, pipe insulation, or a new furnace filter can go a long way.
And if you’re not sure what you need, take a photo of the problem and a few measurements with you when you ask for advice. Sometimes the hardest part of a home repair is simply figuring out where to start.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
