Winter 25-26
Ready for Winter? A Guide to Winterizing Your Home in South Central Indiana
Getting your home ready for winter in South Central Indiana is a smart move. With the freezing temps and icy weather we get around here, a little preparation can save you a lot of headaches and money. Here’s a casual guide to getting your place cozy and protected for the cold months ahead.
Step 1: Tackle the Plumbing
First up, let’s talk pipes. Frozen pipes are a nightmare, and they’re super easy to prevent.
Drain Those Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect all your hoses from the outdoor spigots. Go find the shut-off valve for the outdoor water line (it's usually in the basement or near the main water meter) and turn it off. Then, open the spigots outside to let any leftover water drain out. You can even grab some foam covers from the hardware store to put over them for extra protection.
Insulate Any Exposed Pipes: If you have pipes running through a cold spot like a crawl space or an unheated garage, wrap them up. You can use foam insulation sleeves—they’re cheap and easy to slide on.
Don't Forget Sprinklers: If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, you need to get all the water out of those lines. This usually requires a professional with an air compressor, so it's a good idea to schedule that service.
Step 2: Check Your Heating System
Your furnace is your best friend in the winter. Make sure it's ready for action.
Get a Tune-Up: Schedule a professional to come out and give your furnace a check-up before you really need it. They’ll clean it and make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.
Change the Filter: This is a simple one, but it makes a huge difference. A clean filter helps your furnace work better and can even lower your heating bill.
Flip Your Fans: Believe it or not, your ceiling fans can help keep you warm. Reverse them so they spin clockwise. This pushes the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the room.
Test Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms: If you have a gas furnace, please check your carbon monoxide detectors. Press the test button to make sure they're working, and change the batteries if needed. It's a small step that could save a life.
Step 3: Seal Up Your Home
Think of your home like a thermos—you want to keep all that good heat inside.
Plug Those Leaks: Walk around your house and check all your windows and doors for drafts. Use new weather stripping on doors and caulk around windows to seal any gaps. You can also get a plastic film kit for older windows to create an extra layer of insulation.
Beef Up the Insulation: Check your attic, especially. If you don't have enough insulation up there, a lot of heat is just escaping through the roof. This can also cause something called ice dams, which can lead to serious water damage.
Seal the Ducts: If you have exposed ductwork in your basement, make sure all the joints are sealed with special tape to keep your warm air from leaking out.
Step 4: A Little Exterior Maintenance
Don't forget the outside of the house! A little work now can prevent big problems later.
Clean the Gutters: Make sure your gutters are free of leaves and other gunk. If they get clogged, water can freeze and back up, leading to those nasty ice dams on your roof.
Check the Roof: Do a quick visual check for any loose or missing shingles. It's much easier and safer to fix them now than in the middle of a snowstorm.
Trim Those Trees: If you have any tree branches hanging over your house or power lines, trim them back. Heavy snow and ice can make them brittle and cause them to snap.
Taking care of these things now means you can relax and enjoy a cozy, worry-free winter. It's all about working smarter, not harder!
