Prepping your West Michigan Home for Winter Weather

With winter’s potential to deliver lake-effect snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and icy conditions, preparing your West Michigan home for the chilly weather is always a good idea. Proper preparation ensures not only your safety and comfort but also helps reduce energy use and can avoid costly repairs.

Whether you own real estate on Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, or in a coastal town like South Haven, Holland, or Grand Haven, here are some good ways to get ahead of the winter season

Seal up any leaks around windows and doors

Cold drafts can impact your heating bill and make your home uncomfortable. Here’s how to seal your home effectively:

Inspect Windows and Doors: Check for drafts around windows and doors. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps. For older windows, consider applying plastic window insulation kits.

Install Door Sweeps: Attach door sweeps to the bottom of exterior doors to prevent cold air from sneaking in.

Check Attic Insulation: Heat rises, so a poorly insulated attic can result in significant heat loss. Ensure your attic has adequate insulation to retain warmth.

Service Your Heating System

Your heating system is your lifeline during West Michigan winters. Regular maintenance is critical to keep it running efficiently.

Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up: Have a professional inspect and service your furnace before temperatures plummet. This ensures it’s working efficiently and safely.

Replace Filters: Dirty filters reduce airflow, making your heating system work harder. Replace or clean them every one to three months during winter.

Prepare for Heavy Snow

West Michigan can see some heavy snowfall a few times a year. Prepare your home and property to handle the snow load safely.

Inspect Your Roof: Snow accumulation can lead to roof damage or collapse. Inspect your roof for missing shingles, leaks, or weak spots. Consider installing a snow guard or roof heating cables to prevent ice dams.

Clean Gutters: Clogged gutters can cause ice dams, leading to water damage. Clear leaves and debris before the first snowfall.

Protect Your Plumbing

Frozen pipes are a common problem in freezing temperatures and can cause costly water damage.

Insulate Pipes: Wrap pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, and garages, with foam insulation or heat tape.

Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Drain and store garden hoses, and shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots to prevent freezing.

Let Faucets Drip: During extreme cold, let faucets trickle slightly to keep water flowing and reduce the risk of freezing.

Enhance Energy Efficiency

A few proactive steps can help you keep the heat in while also reducing energy use.

Use Heavy Curtains: Thick, insulated curtains on windows help retain heat during cold nights.

Reverse Ceiling Fans: Set ceiling fans to spin clockwise at a low speed to circulate warm air that rises to the ceiling.

Seal Ductwork: Leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of heated air. Seal any visible gaps with foil tape or mastic sealant.

Embrace the Season

Winter is also one of West Michigan’s most beautiful seasons and is always filled with great events and activities, such as holiday celebrations or winter sports. For a great way to spend an afternoon, throw on some cross-country skis or snow shoes and hit the trails in Holland State Park, Allegan State Game Area, or Saugatuck Dunes.

Back at home, wrap things up with hot apple cider or hot chocolate in front of the fireplace, and you’ll see why most of us love winter in West Michigan.