Winter is approaching quickly, and as it does, you’ll want to make sure your house is ready. There are many steps you can take to make sure that your house is cozy and inviting. We’ll take you through seven steps that will have your house buttoned up and ready for winter weather.
1. Seal Up Drafts and Leaks
When you think of winter, you think of cold, snowy weather. Before that cold sets in, make sure to check doors, windows and baseboards for drafts. You can use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep warm air in and keep your heating bill low.
2. Service Your Heating System
Before you turn on your heating system, schedule a professional inspection for your furnace or boiler. Replace air filters, clean the vents and test the thermostat to make sure your system is running efficiently before you really need it.
3. Protect Your Pipes
Frozen pipes can do serious damage. If you’re not careful, they can burst and cost you thousands to repair. Wrap exposed pipes in insulation sleeves and let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold to make sure water keeps moving.
4. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Cleaning gutter is extremely important when it comes to appearance, but also drainage is key. Remove leaves, twigs and debris from gutters so melting snow can drain properly. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams and roof leaks once temperatures drop.
5. Check Your Roof and Chimney
It’s crucial to check your roof so that you don’t have leaks come through when it’s in the middle of winter. Roof repairs can cost thousands of dollars and be a headache. Inspect for missing shingles, cracks or loose flashing. If you have a fireplace, have your chimney cleaned and checked for creosote buildup before lighting that first cozy fire.
6. Stock Up on Winter Essentials
Before the first snowfall, make sure you have winter supplies ready. Keep ice melt, snow shovels and extra fuel on hand. This can be helpful for if you have something like a snowblower. It’s also smart to prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, blankets and nonperishable food. Make sure that you also keep a similar kit in cars.
7. Reverse Ceiling Fans
During winter, switch your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This helps push warm air down from the ceiling and keeps rooms more comfortable. It’s an easy, energy-saving way to make your home feel warmer.
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services proudly provides real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services across 14 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, Howard Hanna operates more than 500 offices with 15,000 sales associates and staff. Recognized as the most innovative brokerage, Howard Hanna provides solution-based programs and platforms to empower their agents to provide more resources for homebuyers and home sellers, resulting in their agents achieving a sales success rate that is 53% higher than agents at the top 1000 brokerages nationally. Since 1957, Howard Hanna has helped agents build the skills and experience needed to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of real estate. Learn more at www.HowardHanna.com.
