How to Winterize Your Home in Port Angeles, Washington

Winter is coming, and if you live in Port Angeles, Washington, you know that it can bring cold temperatures, rain, snow, and ice. While winter can be a beautiful and cozy season, it can also pose some challenges for your home. That’s why it’s important to winterize your home before the cold weather arrives, to protect it from damage, save energy, and keep you and your family comfortable and safe. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips and tricks on how to winterize your home in Port Angeles, Washington, based on the average weather and climate of the area.

What is the average weather and climate in Port Angeles in winter?

Port Angeles has a sub-oceanic climate, with mild, rainy winters and mild, fairly sunny summers. The town is located in the northwest of Washington state and overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is in the area protected by the Olympic Mountains, where there is a relatively dry and sunny microclimate. However, winter can still bring some cold and snowy days, especially at higher elevations.

According to the historical weather data, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is 3.9 °C (39.1 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F). The average precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in) in December, mostly in the form of rain, but sometimes also snow. The average snowfall is 3.42 inches in December, but it can vary greatly depending on the year and the location. The snow usually stays on the mountain, leaving the town snow-free, but occasionally there can be a heavy snowfall, as happened in February 2011 and 2019. The current weather forecast shows a flood watch for Port Angeles until December 7, due to excessive rainfall from a long-duration atmospheric river event.

How to winterize the outside of your home in Port Angeles?

One of the first steps to winterize your home is to take care of the outside. Here are some things you can do to prepare your home exterior for winter:

• Clean your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and damage your roof, siding, and foundation. They can also create ice dams and icicles that can pose a hazard. Remove any leaves, twigs, and debris from your gutters and downspouts, and make sure they are securely attached and draining properly. You can use a ladder, a hose, a gutter scoop, or a leaf blower to do this task, or hire a professional if you prefer.
• Seal any gaps and cracks. Cold air can enter your home through any gaps and cracks in your foundation, windows, doors, and walls. This can lower your indoor temperature, increase your heating bills, and cause moisture and mold problems. To prevent this, you should seal any gaps and cracks with caulk, weatherstripping, or expanding foam. Pay special attention to the areas around pipes, vents, electrical outlets, and wires, as they can be entry points for pests as well.
• Inspect your roof and chimney. Your roof and chimney are exposed to the elements and can suffer from wear and tear, leaks, and damage. To avoid costly repairs and potential hazards, you should inspect your roof and chimney before winter. Look for any missing, loose, or damaged shingles, tiles, or flashing, and replace or repair them as needed. Check for any signs of leaks, mold, or rot, and fix them as soon as possible. If you have a chimney, make sure it is clean and clear of any obstructions, such as nests, leaves, or creosote. You can use a flashlight, binoculars, or a drone to inspect your roof and chimney, or hire a professional if you prefer.
• Winterize your outdoor faucets and pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and cause water damage and flooding. To prevent this, you should winterize your outdoor faucets and pipes before the first freeze. Turn off the water supply to your outdoor faucets and drain any remaining water from them. Disconnect and store any hoses, sprinklers, or other attachments. Cover your outdoor faucets with insulated faucet covers or wrap them with towels or rags. If you have any pipes that are exposed or in unheated areas, such as in the garage, basement, or crawl space, you should insulate them with foam pipe insulation or heat tape. You can also leave a trickle of water running from your indoor faucets to prevent freezing.
• Winterize your pool and spa. If you have a pool or spa, you should winterize them to protect them from freezing and algae growth. Depending on the type and size of your pool or spa, you may need to drain some or all of the water, or add chemicals to balance and sanitize it. The water pH, chlorine or non-chlorine shock, and algaecide can all be used to prepare your pool water for the winter. Clean your filters thoroughly before covering your pool or spa (if you plan to) and once during the winter months to keep from finding a growing green swamp when you uncover your pool or spa. You can also hire a professional pool service to winterize your pool or spa for you.

How to winterize the inside of your home in Port Angeles?

After you have taken care of the outside of your home, you should also winterize the inside. Here are some things you can do to prepare your home interior for winter:

• Change your furnace filter and tune up your heating system. Your furnace filter should be changed every month or every three months, depending on the type and quality of the filter. A dirty filter can reduce the efficiency and performance of your heating system, as well as the air quality in your home. You should also have your heating system checked and tuned up by a professional once a year, preferably before winter. This can help you prevent any breakdowns, improve your comfort and safety, and save energy and money.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential for your home safety, especially in winter, when you use your heating system, fireplace, or candles more often. You should test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month and replace the batteries every six months, or as needed. You should also have at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, and near the bedrooms and the kitchen. If you don’t have them, you should install them as soon as possible.
• Reverse your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can help you save energy and money in winter, as well as in summer. By reversing the direction of your ceiling fans, you can create an upward airflow that pushes the warm air down and distributes it evenly throughout the room. This can make you feel warmer and reduce your need for heating. To reverse your ceiling fans, you should turn them off, wait for the blades to stop, and flip the switch on the base of the fan. The blades should spin clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in summer.
• Add insulation and curtains. Insulation can help you keep your home warm and cozy in winter, as well as cool and comfortable in summer. It can also reduce your energy consumption and bills. You should check the insulation level in your attic, walls, and floors, and add more if needed. You can use fiberglass, cellulose, foam, or other materials to insulate your home. You should also add curtains or drapes to your windows, especially if they are single-pane or drafty. Curtains can act as an extra layer of insulation and block the cold air from entering your home. You can choose thick, heavy, or thermal curtains for better insulation, and open them during the day to let the sunlight in and close them at night to keep the heat in.

Conclusion

Winterizing your home is a smart and easy way to protect your home from winter damage, save energy and money, and enjoy a warm and cozy winter. By following these tips and tricks, you can winterize your home in Port Angeles, Washington, and be prepared for whatever winter brings. We hope this blog post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you’re looking for a real estate agent in Washington state who can help you buy or sell your home, please contact us today. I’d love to hear from you and assist you with your real estate needs.