As the winter weather begins to get more harsh, it is important to take the necessary steps to prepare your grounds to avoid any possible chaos! No one wants to be outside in the cold taking care of the things they wish they’d done when it was warmer! Protect the outside of your home and keep the inside warm and comfortable! Not only will it help you stay healthier during cold and flu season, it will save you more money on your heating bills as well!
The Outside
There is a large list of items to take care of as the freezing temperatures start to become more recurrent. Making sure these are catered to before the winter truly hits is a great way to ensure the quality and longevity of your home is maintained.
Winterize your Sprinkler System
It’s important to make sure your sprinkler system (if you have one) is properly winterized so the pipes don’t crack and freeze. While this can be a DIY project, it is typically not recommended due to the potential risks involved in the process. You can contact your nearest irrigation professional and they will stop by and take care of this issue for you! Doing so will save you costly fees in the long run.
Clean Your Gutters
If you have debris built up in your gutters, this can be a problem following a big snowfall. If your gutters are full, they won’t be able to do their job properly, which is keeping water away from your home! After the snow melts, large ice dams can form and are hazardous to you and anyone who may walk beneath them! Do you and your family a favor and clean the gutters now before the first snow!
Check Your Chimney
Does your home have a fireplace or wood stove? If so, you’re likely going to put it to use this winter, and it is absolutely vital that you make sure the chimney/flue is clean! Failure to do so can result in a house fire! Imagine the feeling of enjoying your new fireplace for the first time only to wind up catching your home on fire. Please, avoid this at all costs and hire a professional today to inspect your chimney.
Trim Shrubbery & Trees
Landscaping may seem like an unimportant task, but you’d be surprised how much havoc a strong winter storm can wreak on your new home! If you have a large tree in the front yard, be sure to trim the branches. High velocity winds and heavy snow can cause branches to break, causing massive property damage.
The Inside
Block Your Windows & Doors
A significant amount of heat can escape from the small spaces beneath your doors and windows. By installing weatherstripping around these areas, you can keep the heat high and your bills low! Less cool air entering your home means you spend less money keeping your central heating on for longer periods of time!
Replenish Emergency Supplies
Though you may rarely use them, you will certainly notice their absence in a time of need! Make sure you have at least a few cans of non-perishable food items, water, candles, emergency blankets, flashlight, batteries, a radio and a first aid kit. Even in the case of a brief power-outage, these items are good to have on hand.
Insulate
If you have an attic, it is wise to install proper insulation to stop heat from escaping your home. Doing so will be another way to keep your heating bills down this winter! Purchase some fiberglass insulation, and if you’re on a budget, some suggest you can simply lay flattened rolls on the floor as opposed to tacking them up throughout the attic.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
Not all ceiling fans come with this option, but if yours does, it is good to utilize it! The reverse option is meant to circulate the warm air throughout your house by running in a clockwise direction.
These are only just a few ways to protect your home and keep it warm this winter! If reading all of this has made you homesick for your own house, move out of that apartment today with the help of Sandi Pressley Realty! We will help you find the home of your dreams so you may decorate and care for it as you please!