Fall is officially upon us! Whether you like it or not, the weather will be turning colder soon, meaning it's time to get your home ready for the fast-approaching winter season. To keep your house warm, your energy bill in check, and prevent exterior damage from winter weather, here are five things you should do to prep your home for winter. Add these must-do items to your home improvement to-do list and start crossing them off while the weather still allows! 
#1. Check your roof for existing damage and debris.
If you have a shingled roof, it's important to check your roof for missing or damaged shingles that might lead to leakage from winter storms or melting snowpack. If you have a flat roof that's surfaced with asphalt or pebbles, make sure to sweep or blow off any leaves or pine needles that are sitting on top of the area -- this type of debris retains moisture and could lead to leaks. You can repair your roof on your own if you feel comfortable working one or two stories up and using a ladder. If not, leave it to the pros and hire a handyworker -- routine roof maintenance shouldn't cost you more than a couple hundred dollars.
#2. Seal leaks with storm windows and storm doors.
No one likes chilly drafts blowing through their windows and doors, or worse -- water leakage. Replace your screens with storm windows and consider swapping out or adding a new storm door to all high-traffic entry points in your home. Our Andersen Storm Doors come with both a tempered glass pane and an insect screen that can be easily swapped out, depending upon the season. Check out these top-quality storm by Andersen by clicking here.
#3. Clean out your furnace before you switch it on.
Sediment build up in furnace systems over the course of a year can be a fire hazard to your home. In addition, a dirty furnace system doesn't run as efficiently as a clear and clean one. Before you turn your furnace on in the winter, get it cleaned and inspected by a professional during autumn. When you have your furnace running throughout the winter, change your filter regularly. This ensures that your furnace is working as efficiently as possible, decreasing excess air flow and increasing heat output. 
#4. Tune up your front door to seal in the warmth.
In addition to adding storm doors and windows to your home to help prevent leaks, don't forget to replace or add new weather stripping to your door to help seal in heat. Our new Door Tune-Up Kits offer the perfect all-in-one solution for sealing your door from the outside elements. With both a door sweep and a door seal component, this kit is all you need, making this item an easy check off your to-do list! Check out our new Door Tune-Up Kits by clicking here.
#5. Turn off exterior faucets.
Have you ever dealt with the hassle of a burst pipe, due to frozen excess water in your pipes? If you have, you know the importance of turning off your exterior faucets in the autumn. If you haven't, consider yourself warned. Disconnect all your garden hoses before the end of the season and let your faucets drain out excess water. Also, if you have a below ground irrigation system for your lawn, don't forget to have it professionally drained. Typically, your lawn care company will do this for you for under $200.
If prepping your home for winter feels daunting, don't worry! Our team of installation professionals has you covered. Click below to learn more about how our pros can help you winterize your home with just a few durable, winter-proof products from Zabitat.
