We all know San Diego has perfect weather, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold in the Winter. In fact, the average low in January is a chilly 49 degrees, and the record low is a frosty 29! Still, with average highs in the mid-60s during Winter, San Diegans have it relatively easy. That being said, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the coming Winter.

1) Prepare Your Fireplace: Make sure that you have some sort of functioning cap or screen at the top of your chimney to keep rodents and birds out. You’ll also want to inspect the damper to make sure it opens & closes properly. You’ll also want to make sure that if your chimney hasn’t been swept in a while you schedule a professional to come out. This depends on how often you use your chimney, but you definitely need to inspect it thoroughly on your own at least once a year, ideally in the Fall.

2) Inspect Your Furnace: Consider hiring an HVAC professional or inspecting your furnace on your own. This includes the ducts. You’ll want to stock up on furnace filters, and move anything that’s flammable away from your furnace. Inspect your hot-water heater, as well as your hot-water radiator, if your home is heated by one.

3) Examine Your Roof, Gutters & Downspouts: Look for worn roof shingles or damaged flashing. Clean out the gutters and use a hose to wash any leftover debris down the downspouts. You may also want to install leaf guards for your gutters and downspouts, which will save you the time and hassle of cleaning the gutters in the future.

4) Examine Windows & Doors: Make sure all exterior entry points to the house around windows and doors are properly sealed. Install weatherstripping around your doors to prevent cold air from entering your home. Caulk around window sills, and replace or prime/paint any exposed or rotting wood around windows and doors. You’ll also want to investigate areas where pipes are entering your home to ensure everything is properly sealed.

5) Prepare Your Yard: This isn’t quite as involved as most Mid-Westerners or East Coasters’ Winter prepping, but still important. Trim all tree branches near your home or electrical wiring.  Frost is not a problem in San Diego, but you should still consider planting some cold temperature flowers or veggies just to be safe. Consider planting brocolli, lettuce, mustard and cabbage, which are frost-tolerant, or beets, carrots, spinach and kale, which are unaffected by frost. Finally, inspect your deck and driveway. Make sure both are properly sealed and protected.

6) Replace Batteries in Smoke Detectors & Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: The rule of thumb is to change your smoke detector batteries every 6 months. We recommend doing so during each Daylight Savings’ switch. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.

If you have any other tips for preparing your home for Winter in San Diego, feel free to leave us a comment below. If you’re considering a home remodel then leave Greyhound a note here or call us at 800-568-7108.