17 Things Michiganders Should Do for Their Homes Before Winter Comes
Winter in Michigan is no joke. Whether you're a seasoned Michigander or new to the Mitten State, prepping your home before the first snow flake flies will be super helpful. Not to mention, it'll save you from really freezing your finger tips off in some situations.
Getting your house winter-ready might not be the most fun, but it’ll make surviving the Michigan winter a whole lot easier—plus, future you and your home will thank you when things are still standing strong when spring finally blooms.
Things Michiganders Should Do to Winterize Their Homes
Before things get too cold, here are 17 things Michiganders should do for their homes before winter really hits.
17. Put Away Patio Furniture
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Don't let it get buried in snow, or worse, get all moldy and gross so you can't use it next year. Store your patio furniture away or at least cover it up.
16. Drain Gas from Your Lawn Mower and Other Outdoor Power Tools
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If you leave gas in your lawn mower over winter, it can stick up the carburetor. Drain it for the season so it starts up with no issues come spring.
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15. Inspect the Chimney
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Make sure to have the chimney cleaned and inspected before you light it up for the season. You never now when a critter might have called it home.
14. Ready Your Fireplace
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Make sure the flue is working properly.
13. Prepare for Power Outages
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Whether it's snow or ice, Michigan can be prone to power outages in the winter. Make sure your flashlights, batteries, candles, and extra blankets are all ready and easily accessible in case you loose power. Plus, learn about this trick to make sure your food is still good.
12. Test Your Sump Pump
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Basement floods are always bad, but especially so when it's freezing. Test it now before it gets too cold.
11. Check Insulation
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Some additional insulation can go a long way in making sure your house stays warm and your heating bills stay low.
10. Winterize Outdoor Faucets
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Drain your hoses and double-check that the exterior faucets are turned off. Otherwise, you might learn the hard way like I did, that it froze during the winter and needs replaced come spring time.
9. Clean Your Carpets
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Carpets are the biggest filter in your home, and you're going to be spending a lot of time inside during the winter. If you have pets, this is an especially important thing to do before the house is closed up for the winter.
8. Trim Trees
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Now's the perfect time to trim branches that are hanging over your house or power lines, before they get weighed down with snow.
7. Check Your Roof
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Snow is heavy and wet. Have your roof inspected for any weak points or missing shingles.
6. Stock Up on Salt and Sand
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Don't learn that you're out of salt in the exact moment that you need it. Especially because if you need it, others do too, and the store might be out. Stock up now.
5. Check Your Furnace
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Furnaces are a must for a Michigan winter. Makes sure it's cleaned and working well. Change the filters if they need it.
4. Reverse Ceiling Fans
A brushed metal ceiling fan with black fins.
This will depend on the kind of person you are. If you like things a bit cooler, leave your fans the ways they are. But, if you want things to be a bit toastier, set your ceiling fan to run clockwise so it pushes that warm air down.
3. Clean Gutters
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Blocked gutters lead to ice dams, and that’s a mess you do not want to deal with. Clean them out now before it gets too cold out.
2. Seal Windows and Doors
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Drafts will makes your house (and you) colder, and raise those heating bills. But drafts are no match for some weather stripping and caulk.
1. Have a 6-pack of your favorite drink at the back of the "beer fridge"
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Don't wait for the snow storm to hit Michigan to make sure you have the essentials in the fridge.
Areas in Your House That Need to Be Deep Cleaned
It's easy to spot when your floors need to be vacuumed or mopped. It's a lot harder to tell when something like your hairbrush needs to be cleaned.
Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews
Does Your Dog Live Outside? Here's What You Need to Keep Them Warm During the Winter
Dogs, just like people, are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. That's why it's so important to keep them safe and warm during the frigid winter weather. If your dog lives outside during the winter months, here are ways you can keep them warm all winter long.
Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews
15 Reasons Why Spring Is Genuinely Michigan's Worst Season
What's great about Michigan is that it actually gets to experience all four seasons in the year. But just because we have all four seasons doesn't mean that we have to like them all. Case and point; Spring is the absolute worst season in Michigan. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some redeeming factors like the fact that plant life starts to bloom again and that we finally start to see warmer weather after a frigid winter. But that doesn't change the fact that spring is the worst season in Michigan, and we have the receipts to prove it. Take a look at the list below for 15 reasons why spring is just the worst.
Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews
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