Getting Your Home Ready for Winter in Vermont
If you’ve spent a winter here, you know it’s no joke.
The snow stacks up, the wind howls through the valley, and before you know it, your driveway’s buried again. But the beauty of living in Vermont is that we know how to get ready, and we help each other out along the way.
Here are some tried-and-true steps
to Make sure your home is buttoned up before the real cold sets in
Some helpful tips from a guy who’s seen it all, and doesn’t want it happening to you!
Plug Up the Drafts
First thing: keep that precious heat inside. Walk around the house on a chilly morning and feel for drafts by windows and doors. A little weatherstripping or one of those clear plastic window kits can make a big difference.
Don’t forget the basement and attic! They’re sneaky spots where heat loves to escape.
Give the Heater Some Love
Whether you’ve got a wood stove, furnace, or boiler, it’s about to become your best friend. Call in a pro for a quick tune-up, swap out the filters, and make sure you’ve got your winter fuel lined up before prices jump.
If you burn wood, now’s the time to stack it high and dry.
Keep the Pipes from Freezing
We’ve all heard the horror stories of frozen pipes. A bit of pipe insulation in the basement or crawl space is cheap insurance. And if you’re heading out of town, keep the thermostat set around 55 just to be safe.
Plan for Outages
The ice and wind can knock out power fast up here. Stock a couple of flashlights where you can grab them easily, keep extra batteries, and tuck away a supply of bottled water and easy-to-make food. If you’ve got a generator, give it a test run before the first storm.
Look Up at the Roof
Before the snow piles on, clean those gutters and take a peek at your shingles. If you’ve dealt with ice dams before, heating cables can save a lot of grief. A quick check now beats a leak mid-January.
Yard and Driveway Prep
Shut off outdoor faucets and bring in the hoses so they don’t split. Put in some driveway markers while the ground’s still soft. You’ll thank yourself when the snowbanks hide the edges.
And of course, make sure you’ve got salt, sand, or kitty litter handy for those icy mornings.
Pro tip: keep some in your car for when you’re spinning your tires on slippery ice. And speaking of…
Don’t Forget the Car
We all know winter driving here isn’t a matter of if, but when it gets tricky. Toss a blanket, shovel, jumper cables, and a bag of snacks in your trunk. It’s one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’ll be glad it’s there.
One Last Thought
Winter in Vermont is tough, but it’s also what makes this place feel like home. With a little prep, you’ll stay warm, safe, and ready to enjoy the quiet beauty of snowy mornings and the crackle of the wood stove. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, make a list, and let’s get it done before the first Nor’easter rolls in.
