--- title: An Outside Guide to Prepping Your Home for Winter description: Water at home can be a disaster. So, take a walk around your home and think about how water might cause damage. These are the places you want to examine: image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0124.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) ### Posts by Topic - [Personal Finance (262)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Home (164)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Life Changes (109)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Credit Cards (92)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Security (74)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Credit Score (69)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Auto (60)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Checking (54)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/checking) - [Business (48)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Investments (36)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) - [Mortgage (32)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mortgage) - [Savings (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/savings) - [Scams (29)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams) - [Work (28)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/work) - [Debt (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debt) - [Holidays (25)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays) - [Money Management (22)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/money-management) - [Hanscom FCU (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/hanscom-fcu) - [Home Ownership (21)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-ownership) - [Credit Report (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-report) - [Government (20)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/government) - [Home Equity (18)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home-equity) - [Budget (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/budget) - [Mobile Banking (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mobile-banking) - [Investment Property (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investment-property) - [Saving Money (16)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/saving-money) - [Insurance (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Taxes (15)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/taxes) - [Children (13)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/children) - [College (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/college) - [Financial Wellness (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/financial-wellness) - [Retirement (11)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/retirement) - [Community (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/community) - [Online Banking (10)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/online-banking) - [Estate Planning (8)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [COVID (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/covid) - [Deals (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/deals) - [Death (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/death) - [Shopping (7)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/shopping) - [Fraud (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/fraud) - [Mass Save (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/mass-save) - [Teens (6)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/teens) - [Divorce (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/divorce) - [Travel (5)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/travel) - [ATM (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/atm) - [Baby (4)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/baby) - [Debit Cards (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/debit-cards) - [Motorcycles (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/motorcycles) - [Weddings (3)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/weddings) - [Boats (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/boats) - [Charity (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/charity) - [Family Finance (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/family-finance) - [Lending (2)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/lending) - [Credit Unions (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-unions) - [Green (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/green) - [Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical) - [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets) - [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # An Outside Guide to Prepping Your Home for Winter ** [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/hanscom-federal-credit-union) ** Nov 03, 2016 ![IMG_0124.jpg](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0124.jpg) Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, and that means winter isn’t far away. Now is the time to finish prepping your home for the transition to colder weather. In today’s blog, I share some vulnerable spots on your home that you should prioritize as you get ready for a new season. The most important thing to remember is winter brings water, often in the form of snow. While water at the beach is delightful, water at home can be a disaster. So, take a walk around your home and think about how water might cause damage. I did just that at a friend’s house recently, and I’m sharing pictures here to demonstrate how you can put an action plan in place for your home. These are the places you want to examine:*** *** ***![Cracks to look for in the foundation](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0119.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0119.jpg)******Foundation*** – Any obvious cracks should be addressed. Generally, any concrete foundation will have some cracks, so your focus should be on the major ones. At this home, a critter of some kind may be burrowing under the house, and a shot of expanding foam will fix that problem. If the crack is major, or there is seepage inside, the crack may need to be exposed and filled with hydraulic cement. ![Large crack in concrete](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0126.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0126.jpg)You can see that this home has a large gap where the bulkhead (exterior basement stairs) meet the outside patio. This likely formed because the concrete in the stairs and the patio expand and contract differently. There will probably always be a crack here, and filling it annually with expanding foam can help keep a seal. Expanding foam hardens quickly, so you go back the next day with a sharp knife and remove the excess. Read the label carefully as the manufacturer may call for a quick coat of paint when used on the exterior of your home. ***![Gaps in the penetration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0123.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0123.jpg)*** ***![Oil fill and sump pump drains](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0125.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0125.jpg)******Penetrations*** – Whenever a home has a penetration (as in the oil fill and sump pump drain shown here), there is often a gap between the penetration and the siding. Fill that penetration with a good caulk to help prevent any water seeping in. Some pros leave a small caulk gap at the bottom of a seal so water can drain from the area. ***![Filled gap between penetration and the siding](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0122.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0122.jpg)******Electrical sources*** – Water and electricity do not mix. Check the cable coming from the street and make sure it is sealed. These service entrances are notorious for letting in water, and the water can then travel to the circuit or fuse box causing rust and general deterioration. In extreme cases, the electrical panel may need to be replaced. Electricians use a special non-hardening putty for this purpose and often simply pressing the putty against the cable will seal the entrance. If unsure, dab some exterior caulk on the entrance. ![Outside electricity box ](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0120.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0120.jpg)Also check any exterior electrical outlets. Make sure the outlets have a cover of some kind. In this example, the plastic cover is in place and operational. Sometimes these covers break and a replacement is needed. Exterior outlets should have GFCI protection, either at the outlet or in the circuit breaker box. This is where the power is turned off whenever a fault is detected. This inexpensive and sensible feature helps prevent electrocutions. If for some reason the outlet isn’t working, check the ground fault protection as part of your diagnosis (make sure nothing is obviously causing an issue). ![Staircase with worn paint ](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0124.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0124.jpg)***Paint*** – The steps on this home have a worn paint surface. It won’t take long to add a protective coat or two of paint to help protect the underlying wood surface. If the steps are prone to being slippery, a dusting of sand can add a little traction. Stairs are often abused in homes by regular traffic. In winter, the abuse grows with shoveling and ice melt. It makes great sense to keep them protected. ![Garden hoses attached to home](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0132.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0132.jpg)***Garden hose*** – Hoses are hard to use in the winter because the water in them often freezes. So, drain the hoses and put them inside (in a shed, garage or other protected space). Some exterior faucets are considered freeze/frost proof. This is generally achieved by placing the valve inside the heated space of the building, and not on the outside where it is exposed to weather. Even so, if one of these valves is hooked up to a hose freezing in the winter, the expanding ice in the hose can break the faucet. ![Summer plants should be moved inside for the winter](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0121.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0121.jpg)***Plants*** – Those beautiful summer plants will often die at the first frost. Those beautiful pots will often crack at the first freeze, so it might be a good idea to move them inside to a warmer location. If you have an unfinished basement or garage, you may be able to keep the plan t alive over the winter if located near a window and watered. If not, find a friend with a green thumb for wintering the plants. ![Leaves in gutter](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0135.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0135.jpg)***Gutters*** – Once the leaves have fallen, make sure your gutters are clear. There are many ways to do this, including using a leaf blower, scooping out the leaves, or using a water jet. The bottom line is the gutters need to be clear so melting snow can run down the drain. ![Edges on roof shingles and curving up ](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0152.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0152.jpg)***Roof ***– Using binoculars or a camera zoom, look over your roof. If you see missing shingles or edges curving up, a repair is needed. If edges are curling, it may be because the underlying nails are popping up. ![House siding ](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Outside/IMG_0133.jpg?width=600&height=338&name=IMG_0133.jpg)***Siding*** – Eight inches of foundation between the ground and the bottom of the siding is recommended. This helps prevent water dripping off the roof or siding from getting in contact with the siding underlayment. On a house like the one shown here, a bit of earth removal would be required to achieve this.  On any of these recommendations, consider your knowledge and capabilities. It might save you money in the long run to hire a professional to help. For more ways to make your home energy-efficient, residents of Massachusetts can take advantage of a program from Mass Save. [Click here](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-is-a-mass-save-home-energy-assessment) to find out what happens at a home energy assessment. [![Learn more about the  Mass Save HEAT Loan](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/49071685-634a-4179-806c-3362a078e4cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/49071685-634a-4179-806c-3362a078e4cc) ** [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) [** An Inside Guide to Prepping Your Home for Winter ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/inside-winter-prep) [** Find Out if Your Retirement Income is Taxable ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/is-your-retirement-income-taxable-it-depends-) ### About Author ![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg) Hanscom Federal Credit Union Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch. Related Posts [![Your First Step in Buying a Home: Pre-Approved for a Mortgage](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(85).jpg) Your First Step in Buying a Home: Pre-Approved for a Mortgage ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/172300/the-mortgage-application-process-get-pre-approved-before-you-look) [![How to Buy a Home With No Money Down](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Canva%20images/Canva%20Design%20DAFi0NubHVw.png) How to Buy a Home With No Money Down ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-buy-a-home-with-no-money-down) [![HELOC vs. Cash-Out Refinancing: What's the Difference?](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/FAMILY%20doing%20home%20renovation.png) HELOC vs. Cash-Out Refinancing: What's the Difference? ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/heloc-vs.-cash-out-refinancing-whats-the-difference) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/an-outside-guide-to-prepping-your-home-for-winter/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/an-outside-guide-to-prepping-your-home-for-winter/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/an-outside-guide-to-prepping-your-home-for-winter/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Comment ### Subscribe To Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### contact **Hanscom Federal Credit Union** 1610 Eglin St. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 Call us: [800-656-4328](tel:8006564328) [https://www.hfcu.org/](https://www.hfcu.org/) ### About Us [The MoneyWisdom Blog](https://www.hfcu.org/the-moneywisdom-blog.html) ### Social ** ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.facebook.com/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" }, "dateModified" : "February 17, 2020, 12:31:48 PM", "datePublished" : "2016-11-03 13:19:08", "description" : "Water at home can be a disaster. So, take a walk around your home and think about how water might cause damage. These are the places you want to examine: ", "headline" : "An Outside Guide to Prepping Your Home for Winter", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/images/Outside/IMG_0124.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/an-outside-guide-to-prepping-your-home-for-winter", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```