5 ways Maine homeowners can prepare their property for winter

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff

As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season. 

Those who own a house might need to take additional steps in the coming weeks to protect it from snow and ice and keep their property warm and dry. 

The Bangor Daily News asked several home maintenance experts from across the state what steps people should take to ensure their properties are ready for winter. These tips range from simple reminders to more complicated tasks they receive calls about frequently. 

Here’s what they said. 

Seal drafts 

Doors and windows can let in cold air and allow heat escape if they’re not sealed properly, which could force homeowners to spend more to heat their homes. 

To prevent this, Spencer Hills with Pine Tree Handyman in Orrington recommends residents check windows, doors and any other gaps to see if they’re letting in cold air. If a draft is found, there are several tools available that can help seal the areas. 

Most hardware stores sell caulk, weatherstripping or other sealants that can be placed along the edges of windows to keep the cold air from coming in. Installing plastic wrap or heavy duty curtains over windows are also a popular way homeowners can add additional insulation to their homes, Hills said.  

Sealing gaps around a home can also keep pests like mice out, “because they get cold, too,” said Keith George, owner of Keith’s Handyman Services based in Augusta. 

Clean heat sources

No matter what method Mainers use to heat their homes, it’s important to ensure it’s clean and in good condition before it’s turned on for the season. 

For fireplaces, regular cleaning can make them safer, as it prevents chimney fires, and helps them operate efficiently, said Stephanie Bryant of Spang Builders in Kennebunkport. 

Some oil companies offer oil tank and furnace inspections in addition to their scheduled oil delivery plans. 

Homeowners also need to remember to clean the air vents, ducts and filters of any heat source they use, including furnaces, heat pumps and central air systems, to allow those systems to work efficiently, Hills said. 

During the winter, clogged or blocked vents and ducts are some of the most common calls Hills receives, he said, but “they’re not necessarily things you need to hire someone to do.” 

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

The changing seasons can serve as a good reminder to check the batteries in a home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Aside from being an added safety precaution, the detectors are especially important to have as homeowners turn their heat on. 

“When you use gas, propane or oil heat, it can create fumes that you want to detect early,” Hills said. 

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that’s produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Prolonged exposure to high levels of the gas can cause illness or death. To prevent this, it’s important to ensure heat sources like furnaces and fireplaces are able to vent properly. 

A working carbon monoxide detector will alert residents if the presence of the gas in a home rises to dangerous levels. 

Clear gutters and protect yard tools 

Not all winter preparation takes place inside a home. 

Before freezing temperatures arrive, George recommended residents cover exterior hose bibbs — the water spouts that stick out of a home’s exterior — to prevent the pipes from freezing. 

Garden hoses should also be brought inside to prevent any water remaining in the hose from freezing and splitting, George said. 

While outside, Bryant said homeowners should clear leaves, sticks and other debris from a home’s gutters to prevent ice dams, which form when water can’t clear from a home’s roof and freezes.  

Ice dams are potentially hazardous because water that can’t run off the roof can eventually leak into a home, which can cause widespread damage to ceilings, walls and lead to mold growth. 

Reverse ceiling fans 

Most ceiling fans have switches on the base that change the direction of the blades, Bryant said.

In the summer, a ceiling fan turning counterclockwise will push air down, creating a breeze effect that makes the area feel cooler. However, flipping the switch so the fan turns clockwise in the winter will create an updraft, which helps circulate the air in a room. 

“Not everyone knows this, but especially if you use a fireplace or woodstove this helps with distributing heat,” Bryant said.