The Ultimate West Virginia Home Winter Checklist
Winter in West Virginia is beautiful, but it can also be brutal on your home. From Parkersburg to Clarksburg, when the temperatures start plummeting, small issues can quickly turn into expensive disasters.
Preparing your home now can save you from the stress of a burst pipe or a broken furnace in the middle of a freeze. At Grogg's Home Services, we want our neighbors to stay safe and warm this season. Use this checklist to protect your home and ensure your comfort all winter long.
1. Test Your Heating System Now
Don't wait until the first snowstorm to find out your furnace isn't working. Turn your thermostat to "heat" today and let it run for at least 30 minutes. Listen for strange banging or squealing noises, and check that warm air is flowing evenly from all vents.
If you smell a persistent burning odor, hear loud noises, or the system cycles on and off repeatedly, you may need a professional tune-up. Addressing these issues early can prevent a breakdown on the coldest night of the year. Schedule a Heating Repair or Tune-Up
2. Protect Your Plumbing from Freezing
Frozen pipes are one of the most damaging winter hazards. When water freezes, it expands, causing pipes to burst and flood your home. To prevent this:
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Remove Garden Hoses: Disconnect all hoses from outside spigots and store them away.
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Shut Off Exterior Water: If your home has a shut-off valve for outdoor faucets, turn it off and drain the excess water.
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Insulate Exposed Pipes: Check unheated areas like basements, crawlspaces, and garages. Wrap any exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves.
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Check Heat Tape: If you use heat tape on your pipes, plug it in now to ensure it is functional.
If you suspect you have a leak or need help winterizing your plumbing system, our team is here to help. Contact Our Local Plumbers
3. Seal Drafts and Check Your Windows
Cold drafts around your windows and doors force your heating system to work overtime, driving up your energy bills. Run your hand around the perimeter of your window frames. If you feel cold air coming through, apply fresh caulk or weather-stripping to seal the gaps.
If your windows are single-pane, damaged, or older than 15 years, you might be losing a significant amount of heat. Learn About Energy-Efficient Window Replacement
4. Inspect Your Attic Insulation
Heat rises, and without proper insulation, it will escape right through your roof. Take a look in your attic—if you can see the floor joists, you likely don't have enough insulation. Adding a fresh layer is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your home warmer and lower your heating costs. View Our Attic Insulation Services
5. Test Your Safety Detectors
Winter is the peak season for house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning due to the increased use of furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters.
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Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working.
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Replace the batteries in every unit.
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Check the expiration date. If a detector is older than five years, chances are you need to throw it away and install a new one.
Your safety is our priority. If you need hard-wired detectors installed or replaced, our team can ensure they are set up correctly. Learn More About Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
6. Close Foundation Vents
If your home has a crawlspace, remember to close the foundation vents for the season. This helps keep the air under your home warmer, which protects the pipes running through that space from freezing.
Stay Warm This Winter with Grogg's
This list is a great place to start, but if you encounter any issues while preparing your home, don't tackle them alone. Whether it's a furnace check-up or a plumbing concern, Grogg's Home Services has been the trusted name in West Virginia since 1970.
Contact Us Online or call us today to schedule your winter service!