The cold wind now blows with chills running frequently down spines as the sun sets. The days are getting shorter and nights are getting longer. The signs are all there, the trees all bare, the greens fading to brown and the kids wearing sweaters. The winters are just around the corner and like everything else, your house needs preparation as well for the night is dark and quite cold.

Following the Chinese philosophy of catering to both the internal and external, this blog will have the same categories.

External preparation

The external preparations are necessary to protect the interior as per an ancient saying. Following are the things you should do before the winter sets in.

The Cracks

The winter will soon set in and the rain will lower the temperature even more. This might be the only time when it is warm and sunny enough to repair driveways and sidewalk cracks. The water that will seep through the cracks in your concrete and asphalt driveways will weaken the soil below and may create potholes.

The Gutters

The unpleasantness that comes along this job always pushes it down the to-do list, but it is one of the most crucial things. The leaves that fall during the autumn can dam water. This can hinder the flow of the water, which can freeze in the winters, creating sewerage and pipe-burst problems.

The Roof

The cracks or damaged shingles in your roof can lead to leakage problems, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof. If your roof is flat and has an asphalt surface, a good method to prevent moisture from getting in is to rake or blow off fallen leaves and pine needles over the surface.

The Outdoor Plumbing

Faucets and sprinkler systems retain water. The freezing weather to come can turn the retained water to ice and this expansion can cause a pipe burst. Therefore, it is highly advised that you drain those faucets before they drain your pockets.

Internal Preparation

With the exterior balanced, we travel inwards to prepare for the spreading cold.

The Windows

The fireplace has been trying to warm your room but somehow the cold is creeping in. You hear the sound of wind creeping in and it takes you to your windows, but they are closed. How does the air pass? The casing is loose and you are now cold. You need to check all of your windows and vents and re-caulk around the casings so the cold air cannot creep in.

The Obstructions

As the daylight grows shorter, the wise bring out their woollen artillery. Their fight is aided by heavy curtains and throws. The rugs are out to shield the people within the cold floors. The curtains retain the warm air and aid greatly in this uphill battle against nature.

The Light

The dark of the night has always been remedied by the light of the sun. It has been so since the old times and it is still the same. Therefore, clean your blinds and your windows. Let the sun illuminate your rooms. To accentuate natural light, remove your blinds during the day so the cold of the night can be thawed. When the sun sets, the corners of your house where darkness prevails can also be illuminated with lamps, and remember to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs so you don’t exhaust yourself because this is just the beginning of the fight and we have a long way to go.

The Safety

This is the gravest of all, the one which requires the utmost attention, the safety. This is what will help you the most in your struggle against the cold and aid your survival greatly. Be sure to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. Replace the old batteries of those monitors with new ones which can catch even the silent killer, “carbon monoxide.” Create a retreat plan in case of a fire and ready your emergency rations. Compile objects of utility to make your emergency kit. Also, remember to have an alternate power source in case of any winter power outages.

With all these, you have balanced your interior and exterior and are ready to repel any attack of the cold from the comfort of your blankets and hoodies.

If you have any queries or want to share any thoughts, let us know in the comment section below. We surely will raise it in the council to provide you with the knowledge you seek.