Pumpkin spice season is your cue. It’s time to prep before the freeze sneaks in. That golden window between back-to-school chaos and holiday hustle is perfect for tackling those must-dos around the house and adjusting your personal care routine. A little prep now means a more hassle-free season ahead, for both you and your home.
Here’s a handy checklist to help you get started.
Whether you’re winterizing your home, your cabin or even your self-care routine, a little preparation now goes a long way.
Around the house
- Drain your hot water heater (if you have hard water). Calcium, magnesium and other minerals can build up at the bottom of the tank, forcing the system to work harder and increasing your energy bills. Flushing it annually helps extend the life of your unit. Pro tip: Switching to a Kinetico® system helps to remove excess minerals from your home’s water, reducing the need for extra hot water heater maintenance.
- Winterize water softeners stored in unheated spaces. If you have a water softener or drinking water system in a cabin or garage where temps drop below freezing, drain and properly winterize the unit to avoid damage from frozen water expansion. Pro Tip: You don’t need to winterize your Kinetico® system unless it’s in a location exposed to freezing temperatures.
- Change your water system’s filters. Demand for filter replacements spikes in November and December, so it’s smart to get ahead. If your water has a strange odor, taste or discoloration, it may be time to schedule a filter change. Pro tip: Haferman’s licensed technicians can handle this on a regular maintenance schedule. Ask us how!
- Replace your furnace filters. Clogged filters reduce airflow and increase heating costs.
- Test smoke detectors and replace batteries. Do this with the daylight saving time change. It’s easy to remember and could save lives.
- Check your carbon monoxide (CO2) detector. Make sure it’s working and replace it if it’s more than five to seven years old (check the date on the back). CO2 is odorless and deadly. This one’s non-negotiable.
- Get your snow blower ready. Clean it, fill the tank and test the motor. A quick tune-up now beats shoveling with regrets later.
- Winterize your lawnmower. Add stabilizer to the gas and run the engine a few minutes to circulate the treated fuel. Change the oil. Disconnect the spark plug and battery.
- Do a final mow. Lower your mower blade about ½ inch below your summer height. Follow up with a potassium-rich winterizing fertilizer.
- Clean your gutters. Clearing leaves and debris helps prevent ice dams and protects your roof and foundation from winter damage.
- Locate and test your water shut-off valve. Do this before winter hits. Valves that sit idle for years can seize up. The worst time to discover a stuck valve is during a plumbing emergency.
Personal care prep
- Reassess your hydration habits. Are you still hitting your water consumption goals? Staying hydrated in colder months is just as important. Dry indoor air, caffeine and holiday indulgences can dehydrate you faster than you think.
- Switch to winter-friendly hair care. Cold air plus dry heat can equal frizz, static and breakage. Use more hydrating shampoos and conditioners. Pro tip: Installing a Kinetico whole-house water treatment system including a Non-Electric water softener, will help hair feel smoother, softer and more manageable.
- Take shorter, lukewarm showers. Hot, steamy showers feel amazing but they may strip natural oils and dry out your skin. Shorter, milder showers are better for your skin and give you extra time to make a warming breakfast instead. Pro tip: The minerals in hard water can strip skin of natural oils. If you have city-treated water, you also battle against chlorine in your water. The Kinetico combo of a non-electric water softer to remove excess minerals and a dechlorinator to remove the chlorine leads to less itchiness and flaking from winter dryness. Plus, moisturizers will work better.
- Check your sunscreen’s expiration date. Yes, you still need SPF in the winter! Sunscreen usually lasts about 3 years. Expired products lose effectiveness, which increases the risk of sun damage even on dark, overcast days.
Need help with water system maintenance?
If you’d like Haferman’s licensed technicians to handle filter changes, salt delivery or system checks on a regular basis, ask us about joining the Total Water Care Club to save on routine maintenance.
