Winterizing Your Home in Warm Climates

Just because you live in a warm climate doesn’t mean you don’t have to get your home ready for winter. Even if you don’t expect temperatures to drop below freezing there are still things you should do to keep your home in tip-top condition. Making sure your home is prepared will help you save money, avoid costly repairs, and ensure that you can continue to enjoy your home in any season. To help you get ready, here are some great tips to help you winterize your warm-climate home.

Check the roof

Winter can bring with it more rain. So it’s important to check the condition of your roof. Clear debris such as branches and leaves off the roof. See if there are any low places where water can collect and cause leaks. Check the shingles, seals, and flashings for wear and replace any that are worn out.

Clean gutters

While you’re checking the roof it’s also time to clean the gutters. Gutters can clog when there is an excess of debris. This could cause them to overflow if there are heavy rains and damage the roof or siding.

Seal cracks and gaps

Check around doors and windows for cracks or gaps. These can cause air or water to leak in – or even give pests an easy entrance. Seal cracks and gaps with caulk, weatherstripping, or a foam filler.

Check your furnace

Switching from air conditioning to heat means it’s time to check your furnace to make sure it’s operating properly. Check to see if it turns on and that warm out blows out of the registers. Replace or clean filters. You may also decide to have a professional come in to service your HVAC system. This can help extend the life of your system.

Reverse ceiling fans

Did you know you can reverse the rotation of your ceiling fans? In the summer, you should have your ceiling fans rotate counter-clockwise to help warm air rise. In the winter, switch to clockwise so that the warm air is pushed back down into the room. There is usually a simple switch on the fan that changes the direction of rotation.

Prepare your fire pit

One of the joys of living in a warm climate is being able to enjoy the great outdoors most of the year. Fire pits help extend the time you can enjoy outside, so be sure yours is working correctly. Inspect your fire pit for damage and remove debris, ash, and soot. Have fuel on hand and an easy way to extinguish a fire should it get out of hand.

Get the yard ready

Finally, it’s time to put the garden to bed for winter. Trim trees and shrubs that are overgrown. Spread mulch around plants and trees to help regulate soil temperature, keep the ground moist, and curb the growth of weeds. Adjust your irrigation system as you most likely do not need to water as much in winter.

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