How to Protect Your Home During Colorado Winters

The winters in Colorado can be harsh and unpredictable, so it is important to make sure that your home is prepared for any kind of weather that may occur. 

Here is everything you need to know to help keep your home protected during winter. 

Before a Storm

When you hear that there is a winter storm coming, you’ll want to make sure that you are prepared before the storm hits. 

In the event of a large snowstorm, you’ll want to: 

• Make a trip to the store for groceries and any other supplies you need
• Get out a first aid kit and re-stock it if needed 
• Make sure shovels are inside (in your garage) where you can easily access them 
• If you have a snowblower, fill it up with gas and make sure it runs 
• Cover up hot tubs or spas and put tarps over them if necessary to keep the cover from freezing 

It is also a good idea to make sure that you have sand, gravel, de-icer – whichever you prefer – and keep it inside so that it doesn’t get covered with snow and ice. This is important so that you can create a safe walkway in and out of your home. 

Clean Out Air Ducts & Filters

Air ducts and furnace filters are likely to get clogged with debris and dust, which causes allergy-causing particles to stay recirculating through the air in your home. 

Winter and cold weather causes people to catch colds more frequently than warmer months, so everything that you can do to reduce the chances of illness is important. 

You should clean out and/or replace filters every year if necessary, although many people forget this tip! 

Insulate Water Pipes

If you haven’t already, making sure that your water pipes have the proper insulation is an important task! Pipes can freeze and crack from the water expanding, which can cause leaks and burst lines. 

This is a costly and time-consuming repair, so be sure to make sure external pipes are empty and properly insulated. Pipe insulation is relatively cheap, and will save you thousands of dollars in repairs if you don’t insulate them. 

Check Cracks and Entryways

One of the biggest reasons why homes have trouble staying warm in the winter is because there are gaps where the warm air is able to escape. 

Check doorways and windows to see if they are properly sealed. If you press your hand against the crack and notice that there is a draft, this needs to be corrected. Use weather stripping or caulk to keep the warmth in and cool air out!