10 Ways To Prep For A Maine Winter BEFORE The Snow Flies

This week's frosty overnight temps have been an unwelcome wake-up call that colder conditions are on the horizon in Eastern Maine.

But there are ten things you can do right now that can make things a little easier when that frost and snow suddenly appear again because no one wants to mess around with winter in Maine.

1.) Check and clean your gutters.

With the wind and the rain we've seen this summer, there's likely some gunk in your gutters. Put in an afternoon of cleaning those suckers out, and it could prevent ice build-ups and possible leaks when the weather starts to freeze.

2.) Clean your windows and address any drafts.

Cleaning your windows now, while it's still warm during the day and it won't bother anyone to have them open for a little bit, will give you a good jump on letting a little more light into your home during the winter months. Letting the sun do some of the work when it's cold is never a bad idea. If your windows are clean, they'll let more light in....so spend a day doing that chore now, and reap the benefits later. And while you're cleaning them, check for spots where the seals may have worn down. If you can fix a drafty window now, it will help keep you warm in the long run this winter. Sealing those windows with some plastic wrap kits can keep a lot of the heat in during the winter. Grabbing some of those now, while they're in stock, isn't a bad idea either.

3.) Check your thermostat and make sure the furnace comes on.

If you're like me, you probably haven't had to change the setting on your thermostat in at least a couple of months. It's better to make sure it's still working and connected as it should be. A summer set to 50 isn't that bad. But when it's below freezing outside, you're going to want a dial that moves smoothly, and does its job!

4.) Speaking of furnaces, get yours serviced and cleaned before the winter heating season.

The technicians that do this type of work tend to get busy, really quickly during the winter months, so an ounce of prevention now, before it gets too cold, could really save your rear and your wallet in the long run. It's probably not a bad idea to make sure your pipes are insulated, too. Burst pipes in the winter are not fun and are not cheap. I speak from experience.

5.) Fill your oil tank and buy your wood before prices go up.

It might be a good idea to fill the oil or propane tank or stock up on firewood now, before these fuel sources are in high demand and cost you much more than they would if you got them now.

6.) Clean and prep your chimney, wood stove, and fireplace

Now that the burning embers of last winter's fires are officially extinguished, make sure to thoroughly clean and prep your wood stove or fireplace, so it will be ready to go when you want to light it up. Before that first fire, it's a good idea to call a pro to take a quick peek down your chimney to ensure there's been no damage done these past few months. It would suck to light the first cozy fire of the year, only to find out you just torched a family of squirrels in the process. Another important step to remember is to check the batteries in your smoke detectors as you get into the burning season. Also, switching the direction of your ceiling fan from the summer setting "counterclockwise" to the winter setting "clockwise" could help move that warm air around your house a little better.

7.) Find your cold-weather gear!

No one likes to look for stuff they need when it's cold outside. So before the first snow falls, or you get stuck scraping your windshield with an old CD case, now is a great time to pull out those ice scrapers, shovels, hats, mittens, and winter wear and give them a good wash before wearing them on a daily basis. If you scope that stuff out now, you'll have time to replace or repair the things that don't have matches or got damaged last year, too.

8.) Move snow and ice removal tools to a more accessible place.  

The back of the garage, underneath the bikes and helmets is not the most convenient place for things like shovels or snowblowers, especially when a winter storm sneaks up on you. Swap spots with things you used in the summer and pull out the things you'll need for the winter so they're handy.

9.) Get your snowblower tuned up.

You may not need to use it right away, but you'll rest easier knowing it's there and ready to go when you do need it. Make sure it's filled up with the gas and oil it needs, and that all the pins and blades are set to go.

10.) Check your home for leaks, and then fix them.

It's not just windows that can cause you to lose heat in the winter months. Getting an energy audit done now can give you an idea of where you might need to plug some holes with insulation or foam. That will save you some money and the hassle of feeling chilly when those temperatures drop. It could also help you keep the house cooler in these last throes of summer.

There are plenty of resources out there that can give you an idea of where to investigate for drafts and such, and plenty of companies locally who specialize in this stuff.

Bonus Tip:

Many Mainers already know this, but now's a great time to put a little emergency kit together to have in your car. Packing an extra shovel, ice scraper, some kitty litter, an extra layer of clothes, gloves, and boots, in case you end up in a pickle on the road, are all good things that can help you, if you become stuck in your car during the winter months.

There are some good tips and resources here, too.

Good luck.