Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Because the first hard freeze is a terrible time to discover what you forgot.

Kansas weather keeps us guessing, but a little preparation now can help keep your home comfortable and avoid costly repairs when temperatures plunge. Our Stephens agents have a few reminders worth adding to your fall to-do list.

Start with the water. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off exterior spigots from inside if possible. Chad Frickey recommends adding inexpensive insulated faucet covers, too. “Easy, cheap way to help the fight against pipes freezing and causing damage!” he says. Michelle Roberts-Freeman also reminds homeowners to check door and window weatherstripping before the hard freeze hits.

Give your home a quick checkup. Replace your furnace filter, protect exposed pipes, clear leaves from gutters and drains, and make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Don’t forget to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before the furnace and fireplace get more use.

Think beyond the basics. Shelley Ezell suggests looking at unfinished basement walls, where added insulation may help reduce heat loss. Lauren Ballard also recommends checking for chimney leaks, sealing gaps where critters might sneak inside, and clearing walkways of leaves and debris before snow and ice arrive.

And take Jill Ballew’s advice: get your furnace serviced if you haven’t already, and keep ice melt on hand. You’ll appreciate having it before the driveway becomes an ice rink!

One last thing: Find your main water shutoff now, not when a pipe bursts. A few simple jobs before winter sets in can save a whole lot of trouble later.