Winter is coming! But first, fall.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Gorgeous shades of red and orange, cooler mornings, pumpkin spice everything, it’s delightful. Nothing’s nicer than spending an evening around a fire pit with friends.
Winter, however, is something else. If you’re a homeowner in Michigan, you know that winter here can get intense. Preparing your home months in advance will make it easier to weather the cold, and eliminate any scary surprises.
Follow this list of helpful tips to prepare your home for the coming months.
Take Care of Your Lawn
You probably know that plants die in the winter and lawns get dry and scratchy. To prevent that, you can saturate your lawn with fertilizer. This will help it green up faster once spring comes.
Clean your gutters to prevent damaging your foundation. When gutters are clogged, water can runoff and directly damage the sides of your home and the foundation.
It’s also important to empty all your lawn equipment of fuel, including lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Leaving unused gas in your equipment can damage it.
Prepare for Freezing Temperatures
In the past, winter in Michigan has been ranked as the 2nd worst winter in the country. It gets very cold very quickly, so stocking up on winter clothing, snow shovels, antifreeze, and other must-have winter essentials is a great idea.
There are a number of other steps you should take to ensure you weather the winter as comfortably as possible.
Protect Your Pipes
It’s not uncommon for pipes to freeze in Michigan Winter. If the temperature drops below freezing, or you’re leaving town for a few days during the winter, leave your taps drizzling slightly. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate.
Energy Efficiency
Michigan winters are freezing, so you’ll want to make sure your HVAC system is in tip-top shape to keep you warm. Have your HVAC serviced professionally in the fall, and then be sure to change your filters every month.
If your home is not equipped with double-paned windows, install storm windows to ensure that heat stays in.
Clean Your Fireplace
Imagine it; it’s a dreary, cold day. You light a fire in the fireplace, ready to get cozy, and your home begins to fill with black smoke. To prevent this, clean your fireplace in the fall, before you use it.
It may be worthwhile to hire a professional chimney-cleaner, who will also make sure your chimney is not blocked with debris or animal nests.
Love Where You Live
Winters in Michigan might be cold, but we still love living here. If you’re interested in calling Michigan home, please reach out to us! We have in-depth area information and comprehensive resources about Plymouth, Canton, Northville, and Novi.
