As the cold weather approaches in Michiana, preparing your home for the winter months is essential to prevent potential damage and maintain comfort. With another frigid winter predicted, it's more important than ever to take steps to protect your home from freezing temperatures. Here are five essential tips for winterizing your Michiana new home.

1. Prepare Your Heating System

Your heating system is going to be working overtime during the winter, so it's crucial to ensure it’s functioning properly:

• Set your humidifier to winter mode: This helps maintain the right humidity levels in your home, preventing dry air that can cause discomfort.
• Change your furnace filter: A clean filter allows your furnace to work efficiently and circulate warm air effectively.
• Check your thermostat batteries: Make sure your thermostat is set to "Heat" and "Auto," and adjust the temperature to a higher setting than the current temperature in your home.

These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your home warm and energy-efficient during the cold months.

2. Keep Your Garage Doors Closed

Your garage door is a major source of cold air entry. Keeping it closed, especially during freezing temperatures, helps maintain warmth inside your home and protects pipes that run through the garage from freezing. Also, don’t forget to:

• Lubricate the garage door to ensure it operates smoothly in colder weather.

By minimizing drafts and keeping your garage warmer, you'll reduce the risk of frozen pipes and help keep heating costs in check.

3. Clean Your Gutters and Winterize Outdoor Systems

Ensuring proper drainage around your home is key to avoiding ice dams and water damage:

• Clean your gutters: This prevents blockages that can cause water to freeze and form ice dams on your roof, which could lead to leaks or roof damage.
• Remove hoses from outdoor spigots: Detach all garden hoses to prevent freezing in the hose bib, which can cause pipes to burst.
• Winterize your irrigation system: Drain your sprinkler lines and turn off your irrigation system to avoid frozen pipes and potential damage.

Outdoor maintenance is often overlooked but is crucial for avoiding costly repairs during winter.

4. Take Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can lead to serious flooding if they burst when thawing. To prevent this, take precautions when the temperature drops:

• Keep your home heated to at least 65°F, even if you're away.
• Keep faucets dripping slowly during extremely cold temperatures to maintain water flow and reduce the chance of pipes freezing.
• Open cabinet and closet doors to expose pipes to warm air and prevent freezing.

If you suspect a frozen pipe, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve immediately to prevent flooding when it thaws.

5. Plan for Extended Time Away

If you plan to be away from your home for an extended period during the winter, take extra precautions to avoid any surprises when you return:

• Shut off the water supply at the meter and drain the pipes by opening faucets and flushing toilets, or hire a plumber to flush the water out.
• Keep the heat on in your home, setting it to at least 65°F to prevent freezing pipes while you're away.

Even when you're not home, it's essential to maintain a warm enough environment to protect your plumbing and other systems from the cold.

Stay Safe This Winter

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your new Michiana home is well-protected from the challenges of winter weather. Preparing now can save you from expensive repairs later, giving you peace of mind during the cold months ahead.