Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter.
- Leaves are falling all around and November rains are on our heels. (Do I need to cite Guns n Roses here?) Water can enter your home when gutters are clogged. Make sure to arrange to clean (or have someone clean) your gutters as soon as the majority of leaves have dropped from the trees.
- You’ve over-seeded your lawn and you’re watering like crazy, but at the sign of first frost you should turn off your exterior hose bibs. After turning them off make sure to open the valves to allow any water trapped inside to exit.
- Have your fireplace and chimney swept and inspected. A fireplace is one of the most neglected features of a home and can also be one of the most dangerous without proper upkeep.
- Have your HVAC system serviced. Now is the time to make sure that all systems are go! That your dampers are set in the proper position for maximum efficiency, your humidifier (if so equipped) is clean and ready to stop that crazy static. and generally that your heat is working! Many service companies offer annual contracts in which they will inspect your system during the spring and fall months. They may also provide a discount on parts and or labor during that contract period!
- Check your windows! Are they locked tight? Look for broken seals sometimes demonstrated by condensation between the panes, which will greatly reduce their efficiency. Most windows can be repaired and if not they can be replaced for around $400.
Do you have a great tip you can share for winter preparedness? Please post it here!
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