How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Cold weather (and snow for some parts of the country) is coming whether we like it or not. Without proper care and preparations, the snow, ice and wind can cause irreversible damage to our homes so it is important to take precautions to ensure your home survives the winter. Below are some preparations every homeowner should take before winter arrives.

Clean your gutters. Cluttered gutters can cause many problems for your home like deterioration to your exterior and foundation. It can also cause your sidewalks and porch to? obtain water and create even more problems.

Prepare your fireplace/chimney. Have a professional inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney before you use it to make sure it is safe. Also, now is a great time to stock up on wood or propane.

Inspect your furnace. Change your filters and have a professional inspect your unit. The better you keep up with maintaining your unit, the longer it will last.

Check your plumbing. If you haven’t done so in the past, have a plumber check the insulation of your pipes. Proper insulation will make sure your pipes don’t freeze or bust as the temperatures drop.  Clogged pipes can also lead to mold so it’s important to check them each year.

Test your smoke detectors. The normal time to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is when we set our clocks back in fall. If you haven’t already tested them, now is as good of a time as ever. Winter is a prime time for house fires due to dryer air and furnace use.

In addition to these things, just do a walkthrough of the entire house. Are there gaps that need filled? Windows that need replaced, etc.? Doing so can help alleviate heating costs by keeping cold air out and warm air in.

If you’re looking to sell your current property or want to buy a home this winter, contact a United Country agent nearest you. Learn more at www.UnitedCountry.com.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/01/use-this-checklist-prepare-your-home-winter/

http://blog.rismedia.com/2020/preparing-home-against-winter/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email