It’s not too late to ensure that your home, from outside in has been poked, prodded, and provided for when it comes to winter care. Below are some steps you can take that will your home more comfortable, energy efficient and save money; you may even prevent damage caused by colder temperatures and weather conditions. Any materials that may be needed can be easily found at your local hardware.

Maximize your Heating Efficiency

Making sure that your home’s HVAC system is at its optimal is one key thing you can do this season. Getting a heating tune-up can result in reducing your heating costs and having everything run efficiently during the coldest time of the year. In order to check that you’re not inadvertently wasting energy, inspect for cracks in obvious places like around all windows and doors as well as gaps in the brickwork, stucco, siding and even the foundation of your home. You can find these air leaks by making a flag from tissue on a toothpick or by lighting a stick of incense around windows and doors or switch plates on outside walls. If air is coming in, the flag would wave or the smoke would be dispersed. The next step is filling in these holes with temporary caulking that would be removed once the weather is warmer.  For the exterior of the house you will need weather stripping, caulk and foam. Adding more insulation – which can get compacted over time – in the attic and crawlspace are other ways to prevent heat from escaping.  Adding storm windows over your existing windows can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent. Implementing a programmable thermostat that is set to a reasonable temperature can also help save energy.

Winter Garden Care

Winter hardy plants should be planted in areas that are not under the eaves of your house as come snow fall, that and ice will settle on them. Soaking plant beds before the ground freezes helps the soil retain its moisture underground, which is especially important for evergreen type plants. Laying down a 2-3 inch layer of mulch – pine bark or needles or wood chips – will also maintain the soil’s moisture by reducing water loss, as well as prevent alternate freezing and thawing of the soil (that can damage short-rooted plants). It also keeps the soil temperature warmer so that roots can grow deeper during the winter. If laying mulch around trees, leave a good amount of space, several inches, to prevent rodents from feeding on the bark.  Weak branches should also be removed, however, if pruning was done during late summer, it might have spurred new new growth and this could lessen the nutrient reserves of your plants necessary during winter hibernation.

Protect Your Plumbing

In addition to sealing up your home from cold air leaks, cleaning out gutters, and wrapping up outdoor plants, homeowners should consider winter care for the plumbing system. Taking a few precautionary measures before cold weather sets in just might save you from dealing with a messy and costly water pipe break. Shut off outside water supplies like the tap in your backyard or if an irrigation system if you have one. Make sure water is drained from the lines and also drain disconnected garden hoses then store those in the shed, garage, or basement. If there are valves in your basement that supply water to the garden faucets, these too should be shut off and drained by unscrewing the little cap on the side of the valve. Leftover water can freeze and cause pipes to break.

Should a problem arise, knowing where your main water shut off valve is located – typically next to the water meter at the front of the home or in the furnace room – could be crucial. To stop the flow of water into the home, this would need to be switched off. If you and your family plans to be away for a longer period of time during the winter, consider turning off the main valve and having a professional drain your system to prevent freezing of the pipes should the furnace unexpectedly stop working. Another preventative measure is having pipes and valves in unheated areas wrapped with heat tape, or covered with pipe insulation.

Taking a few uncomplicated steps in preventative measures this winter can safeguard your house and garden from damage caused by prolonged freezing temperatures. Making your home more energy efficient and avoiding potential incurred costs will save money as well as give ease of mind, making the worst of winter that much more endurable.

With Files from: Naturalawn of America, Waterworks Plumbing, and Service Experts