The winter time can be a beautiful season. The cold weather makes spending the holidays gathered by the fire that much cozier and more cheerful. However, the winter also brings new challenges that you’ll need to adapt to and prepare for.

If this is your first winter as a northerner, read on to find out how to prepare your house so you can keep things running smoothly throughout the freezing season.

Clean up the leaves

Those beautiful autumn leaves only last a few weeks before they start to litter your backyard, driveway, and clog your gutters. While small amounts of leaves can be mulched and turned into a healthy fertilizer for your lawn, huge piles will attract insects and decompose too slowly to be useful throughout the winter.

Sweeping your driveway and walkways will also ensure you remove any stones that may get caught in your snow blower once the first winter storm hits.

Finally, remove leaves and other debris from your gutter. Wet piles of leaves in your gutter will freeze and damage your gutters, stopping water from effectively running off of your roof and eventually causing leaks and water damage.

Roof and chimney maintenance

While you’re up on the ladder, it’s a good time to inspect your roof and chimney. A blocked chimney isn’t only a safety hazard, it can also up your utility bill by decreasing the efficiency of your stove.

When it comes to the roof itself, make sure your shingles are in good condition and that none are missing or decayed. Roof shingles take a beating in the winter time and, if you aren’t quick to remove any snow that falls onto your roof, outdated shingles can easily become a source of water damage.

Outside water

After you’ve cleaned your car one last time, detach your outdoor hoses and shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucet. This valve is usually found in your basement, crawl spaces, or sometimes in your garage.

Check for safety issues near heating sources

Before you turn on the heat for the first time, it’s a good idea to walk through your home and make sure curtains and other fire hazards are a safe distance from your stove, radiator, and any other heat sources.

To make sure all of that heat you’re producing stays in the house, this is also a good time to check for air leaks. If you’re concerned with energy costs (and who isn’t?) you could consider improving the insulation of your home by replacing weatherstripping, using insulation film on your windows, or replacing your windows altogether.

Monitor and compare your heating bills

If you use electric heating, many utility companies offer online tools to compare your bills with previous months and years, or with other homeowners in your area. This will give you a good idea of how much money you should be spending on heat and troubleshoot any issues you find.