How to Protect Your Home in Ice-Cold Temperatures

As winter quickly approaches, many homeowners start thinking about cozy fires, snow-covered rooftops, and hot cocoa. But before you get too comfortable, let’s talk about something less glamorous, but more important: protecting your home from the cold.

Ice-cold temperatures can do more than just make your home uncomfortable. They can lead to frozen pipes, higher energy bills, and costly repairs. Fortunately, a few simple steps before the deep freeze sets in can make a world of difference.

Here’s how to winter-proof your home and stay ahead of the cold.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most common and expensive problems homeowners face in winter. When water freezes, it expands – and that pressure can cause pipes to burst. The result? Water damage, major headaches, and unexpected repair costs.

Keep Water Flowing

Even a small trickle of water running through your faucets can help prevent freezing. Overnight, when we are expecting a particularly chilling night, let cold water drip from faucets. This is especially important for faucets connected to pipes that run along exterior walls. Moving water is less likely to freeze.

Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

Go outside and disconnect your garden hoses. Then, shut off the valve that controls the outdoor faucet, and drain any leftover water. Leaving hoses connected can cause water to back up into interior pipes and freeze.

Seal Cracks and Gaps

Your heating system works hard enough in the winter. Don’t make it battle outdoor temperatures more than it has to. Small gaps and cracks around your home can let in freezing air and send your energy bills soaring.

Walk around your home and inspect areas where cold air might be sneaking in. Common culprits include windows, doors, baseboards, and electrical outlets. Use caulk or foam sealant to fill in any visible cracks. Even filling in small gaps can make a big difference.

Add Insulation Where Needed

If your attic or crawlspace is poorly insulated, your home could be losing a ton of heat. Not sure if your insulation is up to par? A quick check in the attic to look for bare spots or thin areas can tell you a lot. Adding insulation where it’s lacking helps keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

Install Weather Stripping

Weather stripping under doors and around windows is an easy fix that pays off all winter long. If you feel a draft when you walk by a door or window, it’s probably time to upgrade or replace the seals. Look for rubber or foam weather stripping – both are inexpensive and easy to install yourself.

Don't Let the Cold Catch You Off Guard

Preparing your home for cold weather isn’t just about comfort – it’s about protection. Frozen pipes, drafty rooms, and energy loss are all avoidable with a bit of early action.
So, before the temperatures drop any further, take a weekend to check your home. Seal those cracks. Let the faucets drip. Shut off those outdoor valves. 
Winter doesn’t have to be harsh to your home. Stay warm, stay safe, and stay ahead of the cold this season.

Dreaming of staying warm in your very own home this season? Contact a Ruoff loan officer to get your homeownership journey started.

About Ruoff Mortgage

At Ruoff Mortgage, we understand that buying a home is one of life’s biggest moments – not just as a financial decision, but a personal one. For more than 41 years, we’ve proudly helped families turn their dreams into reality. From our roots in northeast Indiana to now serving homebuyers throughout the Midwest, our focus has stayed the same: delivering exceptional service rooted in care, speed, and community. With an average 15-day clear-to-close time, our team is here to make your journey to homeownership as smooth and stress-free as possible. When you're ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.