Winter Home Preparation
Autumn is a perfect time to address several property tasks including winter home preparation. Winter conditions can be harmful. These pre-winter property maintenance tasks will help prevent damage from winter conditions and improve its safety.Pre-winter Property Maintenance Tasks
Improve Heat Retention
During winter months, it is vital to eliminate heat loss to lower heating expenses. Eliminate gaps along window frames and replace door seals as needed. There commonly are additional openings around different wires and pipes connected to your home.Winterize Outdoor Pipes
Your property may have a few external water features such as an irrigation system and exterior faucets. These should be winterized to prevent freezing and damage in frigid temperatures. For faucets, turn off the source from the interior and empty any remaining water in the line. If you are not handy with irrigation systems, you should contact a professional to perform the winterization.Inspect Exterior Features
The outside of a home often takes a beating during the winter. Repair any missing shingles on the roof before winter arrives. Look for gaps in the siding as this may allow in moisture. Unclog and repair gutters. Also think about extending downspouts to direct water away from your foundation. These are all important aspects of your home to review and complete during any maintenance period.Fire Protection
As you heat your home during winter, you raise the probability of fire and CO poisoning. To reduce this danger, have heating sources inspected and cleaned every year. This includes fuel burning heating units, fireplaces, wood stoves, etc. Install smoke and CO detectors. Replace batteries and test them yearly. Additionally, make sure fire extinguishers dates are still good. These are all critical safety measures to complete annually.More Ideas for Winter Home Preparation
There are many other items to consider during winter home preparation. Other than completing necessary repairs, it is advisable to store your equipment and furniture in a safe place shielded from the elements. Think about lawn mowers, lawn furniture, lighting, pots, and anything else that you may have. Any items damaged last winter should not be left out again this year. Take care of those areas now to reduce the likelihood of a repeat. Lastly, perform an equipment and supply check. Make sure your gas powered tools are in sufficient working order. Pull out shovels and winter gear. Hopefully these winter home preparation maintenance tasks will make the upcoming winter less stressful.Contact Us for additional information.