Winter hits harder in the country, where you cannot count on quick help and a storm can knock out power for days. A little preparation each fall keeps a rural home safe, warm, and running through the cold months.
Here is a plain-English checklist for preparing your country home for winter.
1Protect your pipes
Insulate exposed pipes and know how to keep water moving in deep cold, since frozen, burst pipes are a costly rural headache.
2Service your heating
Have your furnace, stove, or heat pump serviced, and stock up on wood, propane, or oil well before the first freeze.
3Seal drafts and insulate
Seal gaps around doors and windows and check insulation to keep heat in and bills down all winter.
4Prepare for power outages
Keep a generator or backup heat, plus water, food, and light, since rural outages can last longer than in town.
5Ready your water system
Protect wells, pumps, and outdoor spigots from freezing, and know how your system behaves in extreme cold.
6Clear and prep outside
Trim hazardous branches, clean gutters, and have snow-clearing tools or a plan for your driveway and access.
7Stock up on essentials
Keep extra supplies on hand, since getting to town during a storm may not be an option for a while.
A few hours of preparation each fall can spare you frozen pipes, cold nights, and dangerous surprises when winter arrives.
Ready your pipes, heat, and backups ahead of time, and your country home will be set to ride out the season.