5 Easy Ways To Prepare Your Colorado Home for the Winter Season

We love fall in the Front Range, the mountain views, the falling leaves, and of course, the pumpkin spice lattes. But before we get too cozy, it’s time for a reality check: winter’s coming. And in Colorado, that means snow, ice, and freezing nights that can put your home to the test.

Every year, we hear from homeowners who put off preparing their homes for winter, and by the time they notice a roof leak or frozen pipe, the damage and the bills have already piled up. That’s why we like to call this time of year prevention season. A weekend or two of prep now can save you thousands later.

Here are our top five tips to get your home winter-ready.

1. Protect faucets and hoses. The first real freeze always seems to hit when you’re not thinking about it, maybe you’re out of town or busy with holiday plans. That’s when people realize their outdoor faucets and hoses aren’t protected.

Start by disconnecting all hoses from outdoor faucets. Most exterior faucets have a 12-inch valve behind the wall that helps keep them warm, but if a hose is attached, it traps water in the “freeze zone.” Once that water freezes, it can cause pipes to crack. After disconnecting, add insulated faucet covers for extra protection.

2. Trim trees and inspect your roof. Snow and heavy rain put a lot of pressure on weak branches. Trim any that hang over your roof, gutters, or cars before winter hits. While you’re outside, take a few minutes to inspect your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingles; fixing them now is far easier and cheaper than trying to patch leaks in January.

3. Seal drafts and check insulation. Even tiny gaps around doors and windows can waste heat and money. Sealing those drafts keeps your home cozy and lowers your bills. It also prevents snow from sneaking in when those winter winds start howling.

Don’t forget to check your attic for the insulation and vents. Here in Colorado, we get a lot of sideways snow, and it can actually blow through attic vents. A quick check now can help you avoid cold spots and moisture problems later.

4. Get your furnace tuned up. In Colorado, the weather changes fast. One night, it’s crisp and cool, the next, it’s below freezing. Don’t wait for the first cold snap to find out your furnace isn’t working. Schedule a tune-up now to make sure your system runs efficiently all winter.

A quick checkup can lower your energy bills and prevent those dreaded no-heat emergencies when every HVAC technician in town is already booked. We can also connect you with a great local tech who won’t pressure you to buy a new furnace just because yours is ten years old. With proper maintenance, they can last much longer.

5. Clean out your gutters. If you live on the west side of town or near mature trees, your gutters are probably packed with pine needles and leaves by now. Add in those heavy November winds, and they’ll clog up fast.

Clean your gutters before the snow starts. Clogs can cause overflowing water, ice dams, and even foundation damage. If you want to make things easier for future seasons, consider installing gutter guards.

A weekend or two of prep now will save you money, stress, and cold nights later. We have a trusted network of local professionals, HVAC techs, roofers, sprinkler specialists, who can help with any of these projects.

We’ve flipped a lot of homes over the years, so we know the importance of staying ahead of the weather. If you’d like our vendor recommendations or just want some homeowner advice, reach out to us at (719) 437-7311 or email us at derekandmariana@artisangroupco.com. We’d love to help you keep your home safe, warm, and ready for the season ahead.