Winter in the White Mountains and Lakes Region makes more demands on a home than any other season. Whether you purchased your home last spring or have owned it for years, a little preparation can make all the difference. Our real estate agents get asked a lot of questions about home maintenance in the region, and we often see the same issues come up again and again.

Getting Your Home's Systems Ready

Homes in Grafton and Coos Counties frequently face temperatures below zero during the winter, which places additional strain on heating equipment.

Heating and Insulation

Make sure that your heating system has been serviced and that your filters are clean before the first real cold snap. A furnace or boiler that was able to handle last October's mild temperatures may struggle once winter settles in, and heating contractors in the area tend to get much busier during the colder months. The following are also good things to think about as the weather turns:

• Furnace or boiler cleaning and filter replacement
• Cleaning chimney and woodstove flues if you burn wood
• Checking attic insulation, especially in older homes
• Weatherstripping older double-hung windows

Pipes and Water Systems

Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter concerns we hear about from our clients, and the good news is that they are also among the easiest to prevent. If your home has a well, make sure that the wellhead and any exposed water pipes are insulated. Many lakeside homes in the area have crawl spaces that stay colder than the main part of the house during the winter, which means pipes in these areas are especially vulnerable to freezing.

Preparing the Outside of Your Property

Snow load is a big concern for homeowners in the White Mountains. Heavy, accumulated snow can put significant stress on roofs, particularly older structures, additions, sheds, and other outbuildings. It is a good idea to keep an eye on these structures throughout the winter and address unusually heavy accumulation when needed.

Trees and overhead lines create a separate concern. Overhanging branches can damage roofs or contribute to power outages, and a tree that looked healthy in the summer can become a hazard when heavy snow or ice causes branches to sag. Taking a walk around your property to look for these types of issues before the cold weather arrives is always a good idea. Keep an eye out for:

• Branches hanging over power lines or the roofline
• Outbuildings or additions that may need extra attention during periods of heavy snow
• Trees with visible lean or weak limb structure near the house

Staying Ready for Winter Storms

Power outages can happen at any time during the winter, and restoring service may take time after a significant storm. A generator, a supply of firewood, and a plan for preventing your water from freezing during an outage are all important considerations for winterizing your home. Nor'easters are a familiar part of New Hampshire winters, and those who live in the White Mountains should be prepared to manage for a period of time without power.

If you use a portable generator, always operate it outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and vents to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide entering the home.

The same goes for roadways. If you have a private road, be sure to discuss snow removal arrangements with your road association before the first significant snowfall. A few things worth confirming ahead of time:

• Plowing schedule and priority order for your road
• Cost-sharing arrangement among road association members
• Backup access route in case of a prolonged storm closure

Winter Readiness: Common Questions

When should I have my heating system serviced before the start of the heating season?

Heating contractors tend to get much busier once cold weather arrives, so it's a good idea to schedule routine maintenance for late summer or early fall when possible.

Do I need to winterize a seasonal or second home?

Yes, you should always make sure that your seasonal or second home is winterized to handle the demands of a New Hampshire winter. In addition to making sure the heating system can handle the cold temperatures, you should also think about how to keep water from freezing in the plumbing and how to best control the temperature in the home if it will be unoccupied for long periods of time.

What should I know about septic systems and winter?

Avoid driving or parking vehicles over your septic tank or leach field. The weight can compact the soil and potentially damage pipes or other system components. It's also best to avoid disturbing the insulating layer of snow over the system unnecessarily during cold weather.

Ready for What Winter Brings

With the right preparation, your home will be able to weather the cold New England winter with far fewer problems, and proper winterization can also help protect its condition over time. If you're thinking of buying or selling before the snow flies, look through our Plymouth homes for sale or contact us today to talk about your winter home needs.