Winter-Ready Homes and Communities: Insights from Vitalia Strongsville’s Plant Operations Director

As the Plant Operations Director at Vitalia Strongsville. I know the importance of having the community and my home ready for the cold winter weather. To prepare your house for winter weather, start by inspecting and sealing any gaps or cracks in doors, windows, and walls to prevent drafts and conserve heat. Be sure to clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. Thus preventing ice dams that can damage your roof and walls when snow and ice accumulate. 

Check your heating system, replace air filters, or schedule a professional inspection to ensure it’s functioning efficiently and safely for the colder months. Insulate your home properly by adding weatherstripping to doors and windows. Consider adding insulation to your attic and walls to retain heat and lower energy bills. Don’t forget also to prepare your outdoor spaces – drain and store garden hoses, cover outdoor furniture, and trim tree branches that could damage your home during winter storms. 

My activities to prepare for colder weather at home include cleaning gutters, purchasing and stacking firewood, winterizing the boat engine and outdrive, stocking up on ice melt and winter windshield washer fluid, and replacing the furnace filters.

I also make a point of servicing the garden tractor and lawn leaf vacuum, testing the snow blower, winterizing the summer lawn equipment, and applying fall lawn fertilizer. I’ve read it’s almost as important as spring lawn treatment.

It’s much better to have and not need it than to need and not have it. Think, plan, and buy early!

A little time and money spent preparing for cold weather will pay great dividends through energy savings. There is no way to stop “Old Man Winter” from arriving at your door, but with some preparation, he’ll stay outside where he belongs!