Wherever you live, chances are that during winter months you'll experience heightened wind, rain and, perhaps, snow. It's the time of year when we need to ready our homes against the elements that threaten our comfort and the integrity of the home itself.

Peeling paint, drafty windows and doors, leaking roofs, wet basements and soot-laden chimneys are symptoms of problems that, if left untreated, can lead to bigger ones and bigger repair bills. For example, the cost of an immediate repair to a leaking roof can be a fraction of what it would otherwise be if left to fester for a season or two.

A leaking roof can be caused by many things. Flashing around chimneys and the spot where plumbing vent pipes exit the roof are a couple of them.

Besides causing a roof to leak, clogged gutters and downspouts often lead to damaged eaves, rafter tails and fascia. A small garden trowel, a garden hose and a wet/dry vacuum can solve this problem.

Folks living in snow country often have ice dams to deal with. An ice dam is a buildup of ice that results from melting snow that freezes at the overhang. The ice traps melting snow that backs up between the shingles, into your attic and through your ceiling.

To prevent an ice dam, you must keep the snow on the roof from melting. This is accomplished by keeping the underside of the roof sheathing cool with attic insulation (at least 10 inches) and ventilation. The insulation should be snugly fit at the perimeter where the roof meets the exterior walls. Under no circumstances, however, should insulation be allowed to block eave vents. The free flow of air is key to ice dam prevention.

Insulating your attic pays dividends. Aside from preventing an ice dam, such a practice will increase comfort, decrease your utility bill and help the environment.

You can improve your personal comfort by eliminating drafts around windows, doors and other exterior penetrations. Install weatherstipping at locations where it is either faulty or doesn't exist. Adjust thresholds and door bottoms to prevent air from passing through. Caulking around doors and windows can also eliminate drafts, especially where the frame meets the trim and/or where the trim meets the siding, stucco, stone or masonry.

An insulated window (dual pane) is energy-efficient. It contains two layers and sometimes three of glass. In older homes energy and comfort can be lost at windows without storm windows. There is a less expensive alternative _ a temporary storm window that sells for about $5. This nifty device consists of a roll of double-sided adhesive tape along with a thin sheet of plastic like the wrap used in the kitchen. The adhesive tape is installed along the perimeter of the interior of the window frame. The sheet of plastic is affixed to the tape. A blow dryer is used to shrink the plastic for a "tight-as-a-drum" fit.

An important step in preparing for winter is to ensure that the home-heating system is operating safely and efficiently. Have your local utility company or a home-heating specialist perform this work. Cleaning, lubrication and burner and belt adjustment are among the most common maintenance tasks.

A dirty chimney can cause a disaster. Creosote is a tar-like substance that collects on the inside of chimney walls when wood is burned. Left to build up over time, it can result in a chimney fire that can have the same impact as several sticks of dynamite. It's a good idea to have the chimney inspected and swept annually or after each cord of wood is burned. A qualified chimney sweep also will be able to assess the condition of the mortar. The brick and mortar should also be sealed to prevent freeze-thaw deterioration.

Consider installing a spark-arresting chimney cap. This will prevent hot embers from starting a fire on your or your neighbor's roof. It also prevents birds and other animals from nesting in the chimney.

Where there is smoke and fire, there is sometimes carbon monoxide (CO), a byproduct of poor combustion that is tasteless, odorless and colorless. It is a major killer of individuals and families during the home-heating season.

Besides keeping your fuel-burning appliances in tiptop working order, your best defense against this silent killer is a carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm. CO detectors should be installed at each level of the home and at locations such as the garage, basement or attic where central heating devices are located.

Water. too, can be the source of damage in your home. Drain water AWAY from your foundation to avert a wet basement; avoid burst water pipes by installing rigid foam pipe insulation; stop water from traveling under your home by caulking cracks in the foundation and give your asphalt or concrete driveway a new lease on life by repairing cracks with emulsified asphalt or a vinyl concrete patching compound.

Preparing for winter is an investment in your home, health, comfort and pocketbook. Try finding an investment that pays better dividends than that.