Well, Get Ready for Cold Weather with Basic Checklists for Homeowners

For the Mid Atlantic states, it won’t be long before cold weather, the increasing pace of holiday activities, and the need to winterize your home systems.  

As a homeowner, what do you really need do to prepare your home and your family for the colder weather?  

Maintenance is a year round effort and in-the-know homeowners are always vigilant to maintain their home to avoid unpleasant surprises.  (The expression “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t apply.) Rather, savvy homeowners know better that the “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Here is your simple to-do list to get your residence ready for cold weather and eventual freezes.

Basic Homeowner To-Dos

1. Turn off all outside water so that pipes don’t freeze.  
2. Bring in items that don’t tolerate the harsher winter weather, including garden hoses.
3. Secure and patio/deck furniture remaining outside to ensure neither Fall storms nor March winds will send them flying, doing damage to themselves and other structures.
4. Reinforce exterior caulking. Caulk doesn’t last forever, and it’s a key item that maintains the structural integrity of the house (all that is behind the caulking).
5. Clear debris and insure good air flow underneath your outdoor heating/blower units, clear debris and insure good air flow underneath. They will perform more efficiently, saving you money. Accessibility is also important when failures occur.
6. Check all doors for their fittings to the frame. Inspect all insulation around doors and windows for leaks; install or replace insulation that is no longer doing the job.

Kick Your Readiness into High Gear With Inspections

1. Inspect your furnace and hot water heater with a professional and minimize its failure. You’ll likely need them every day.
2. For those really savvy homeowners, inspect your water well with a certified inspector. Like the other items, your family will need water each and every day. Have a well professional thoroughly check the entire well system, inside and out, for optimum performance and the best information on reliability. SCHEDULE YOUR WELL INSPECTION for only $69.99 – Call today!
3. Inspect the fireplace and chimney by using a professional inspector. Both wood burning and gas can cost big money and major disruption if you don’t maintain them.
4. Inspect your attic insulation. This is a major source of heat loss, check the amount and positioning of your attic insulation for optimal heating performance.
5. Inspect the roof and exterior chimney parts with a professional roofer. Cold weather degrades the quality and shortens the life of these items. Programmatic maintenance is less costly in the long run.

BONUS! Be Ready for Anything With WelGard Protection

Put WelGard® Protection on your well.  For less than the cost of a cup of coffee per day, you have the security and peace of mind that you will get 1 call FAST response to any water emergencies. GET STARTED WITH WELGARD PROTECTION.

When it comes to your physical well-being, a periodic check-up by your doctor makes sense, and getting that flu shot can avert negative situations.  Much like that peace of mind for yourself, these home maintenance suggestions should provide peace of mind to protect your largest investment – your home – and keep you comfortable and your home systems (including well water supply) secure.

For more FAQ about taking care of your home systems and residential well, visit our FAQ page on our website and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. It’s Well Worth It.

The Well Worth It Blog is all about residential wells, why we love them, and how to keep yours healthy and flowing clean, drinkable water for you and your family.