Winterizing Your Home!

With the first snap of cold and the anticipated first snow fall comes the mad panic to book-in and get those winter tires and last week’s thought of “I’ll get to that” is always a hindsight 20/20 kicker. But what about winterizing your house before the snow flies too? Getting your home ready for the cold onslaught will save you appalling winter bills and lots of moola this season if you are proactive in getting your house bundled up for the cooler weather, plus, keeping your heating bills to a minimum in the winter is a great way to put more jangle in your pocket for fun activities!

Here are a few key things you should jump on to get your home ready for the cooler seasons ahead:

1. Irrigation and Water

– either blow out the lines or hire someone to do it for you,
– detach and empty any exterior hoses and shut off all hose bibs
– make sure to rid your home of “pooling” areas where water can freeze/thaw (contract/expand) and cause cracking in undesired places, and,
– be sure to winterize and cover up your A/C unit as well.

2. Flora

– cut down dead plants and trim back growth so that come spring, your yard can start growing and flourishing when it’s ready (BUT, be mindful that some of our honey bee friends winter in hollow plant stalks, so you might just leave those ones until the spring!)

3. Tight Seals

– Check for drafty windows and re-caulk, seal and get rid of those air-leaks

4. Furnace

– have a furnace service scheduled well in advance so that you don’t get stuck at the end of the season,
– change or clean out your furnace filter, if needed.

5. Fans

– put your ceiling fans on reverse to push that hot air down into the rooms

6. Thermostat

– set your thermostat for a few degrees below your normal comfort level and throw on a cozy cardigan, you’d be surprised how much of a difference it can make to your heating bills.

Stay warm and wise out there, folks!

For all your real estate needs, questions, concerns, feel free to contact me any time for an analysis of the market and your home. I am here to help!