Preparing Your Home for Winter in the Pacific Northwest

Winter in the Pacific Northwest brings unique challenges, from heavy rainfall and gusty winds to occasional snow and freezing temperatures. Preparing your home for the season not only ensures comfort but also helps prevent costly repairs. We’ve outlined some tips to help you winterize your home and keep it safe and warm this season.

Seal and Insulate

One of the easiest ways to prepare your home for winter is to ensure it is correctly sealed. While our homes at Kingston meet or exceed industry standards in terms of energy efficiency, it’s important to maintain the weather seals around your doors and windows, no matter where you live. Drafts from windows, doors, outlets, and plumbing fixtures can significantly impact how well your house maintains a comfortable temperature. Sealing your home correctly is also an easy way to save money on your utility bills.

Good insulation is critical for keeping your house warm. If you are not living in a Kingston Home and are having difficulty keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, now is a great time to add extra insulation to your attic, crawl spaces, and walls to keep warm air inside and cold air out. However, Kingston-built homes are properly insulated and shouldn’t require you to add more.

Gutters, Downspouts, and Roof Inspection

Rain is a defining element of the Pacific Northwest. You are less likely to have issues with ice dams, leaks, mold, and water pooling if you clean your gutters and downspouts ahead of the season. Remove any debris build-up that you find from the gutters, downspouts, and roof.

It is also a great time to inspect your roof. Heavy rain and occasional snow can strain it. Inspect for loose, missing, or damaged shingles. Inspect and seal exposed nail heads around vents and other roofing penetrations. Address any issues quickly. If you aren’t sure what to look for, consider hiring a professional to ensure your roof and gutters will withstand the elements of winter.

Service Your Heating System

A well-functioning heating system is necessary for winter comfort. Schedule a professional inspection and maintenance for your furnace or heat pump to check that it’s running efficiently. You might also want to replace or clean your filters to improve air quality and system performance. If you have a fireplace, it is a great time to do your annual testing and maintenance. We want to ensure you can get cozy by the fire on those cold winter days.

Protect Plumbing

Check your pipes for proper insulation to prevent them from bursting during freezing temperatures. While all Kingston homes are properly insulated and shouldn’t need extra attention, it’s important to schedule maintenance inspections. If you find an exposed pipe, now is a great time to wrap it with foam insulation, especially if it is in unheated areas like crawl spaces and garages.

Your outdoor water valves should be shut off and covered with foam faucet covers. All outdoor hoses should be disconnected and removed from hose bibs; leaving them connected can freeze the water inside. If you have a dedicated shut-off for your outdoor faucets, it’s best to turn off the water and cover it with an insulating cap. If you have an irrigation system, turn the water off and blow out the lines with air.

We know that seasonal maintenance can feel overwhelming to some. Don’t be afraid to consult with professionals who specialize in these areas for assistance and opinions.

Prepare Your Yard

Southwest Washington experiences at least one winter storm each year, which can bring significant wind, ice, and snow. Trimming trees and shrubs near your house is vital to reduce the risk of branches falling during these storms. Raking leaves and clearing debris from sidewalks and pathways prevents soggy and slippery surfaces. Although these storms sometimes happen only once a year, getting the proper equipment to combat this weather is a worthy investment to keep your driveways and walkways clear and safe.

Please note that Kingston Homes does not recommend using deicing chemicals on your driveway or sidewalk. Doing so will void your concrete’s warranty. Even a deicer that claims to be safe for concrete can cause damage over time.

Preparing your home for winter in the Pacific Northwest is all about planning and preventative maintenance. By addressing these key areas, you can keep your home cozy, safe, and efficient all season long, no matter what the weather brings. Taking the time to winterize now will save you from headaches later, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest during the winter season.

We hope you find these steps helpful. For specific recommendations for your home, please refer to the owner’s manual and warranty.