Prepare for winter now with these great tips!
Below are some great tips to keep you up and running flawlessly this winter season! As according to the long-term forecasts, it’s going to be a snowy one! Here are some helpful tips to help you get on the right track
Interior:
- Checking for drafts
One of the simplest ways to save money! Set a fan behind an exterior doorway and stand outside, feel any breeze? If so it might be time to clean up the trim around the door. Another way to check if a fan is not available is by looking for sunlight peeping through the sides of the door.
2. Clean up home appliances or winterize them if needed
Certain appliances may need winterizing such as summer-only AC units. Covering the condensers outside with tarps or some other type of covering or removing window based AC units entirely and storing them in the basement or garage is another great way to cut on costs in your home.
3. Check your foundation or basement for signs of moisture intrusion
Cracks in an unfinished basement or smelling mold in your finished basement are tell-tale signs water is getting inside! Make sure that you check for these in your basement before winter sets in fully and freezes water inside your home!
4. Cleaning and inspecting your fireplace (if you are lucky enough to have one!)
Hiring a chimney sweep once a year in the fall is a great way to make sure your fireplace is running smoothly. It can also help prevent fires and spot potential problems before they become a huge headache for your family!
5. Bug proofing and pest prevention
When winter comes all of nature will be clamoring away at your warm home. Checking for small gaps near ground of your home will make sure that an unwanted guest does not snuggle up with your pantry throughout the frigid months.
Exterior:
- Cleaning out the garage
A great thing to start early on in the fall season to make sure you can store all of the summer toys and fun would be a big garage cleanout or garage sale! It makes getting rid of things easy and can yield a slight profit if done correctly.
2. Preparing the lawnmower/weed eater/summer car for spring
Now is the time to turn wrenches or take your machines into a professional to get service done since you will not be using them throughout the winter as well as making sure that they are operating great come next year
3. Checking drainage and terrain erosion
This is a very often overlooked but often most expensive damage done to a home. Surveying the soil around your home as well as gutters and drainage pipes to make sure all water near the home gets expelled as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
4. Inspecting trees
Another overlooked issue is trees with large branches looming over houses. Paying the tree trimming service a few hundred for removal will save you potentially thousands down the road in roof damage and price hikes to your homeowners insurance.
5. Removing hoses and turning off faucets
This one is probably the most well known but is often forgot in the lieu of things. Making sure that faucets are turned all the way off and hoses are removed from them will make sure everything is ready to go come springtime.
With the tips above, we’re hopeful that you’ll be able to enjoy your home all winter long with little to no hassle. Got real estate questions? Schedule an appointment with Chen today for all your real-estate needs by clicking here.