The temperatures are starting to drop as the cold months of winter are beginning to set in. You’re thinking about pulling out those sweaters, winter coats and boots but are you thinking about what sorts of warm and fuzzy things your home needs? Just as the change in weather can affect you, it can also have a big impact on your home.
We talked about preparing for Fall and you may have started prepping your home but there are a few critical items that need to be addressed as the weather gets colder. Based on my own experience, my own #1 winter preparedness item is winterizing the hose bibs. Trust me – you do NOT want to worry about frozen pipes and ultimately a cold weather flood! Not only is this a big mess, it can also be quite costly. It’s a simple task that doesn’t take a great deal of time – well worth the effort.
Along with winterizing the pipes, you should inspect the gutters and downspouts. This is potentially another water/ice issue and one that can be avoided with a little bit of effort. Lack of taking care of this can result in ice dams and water seeping into your home. Another yucky situation!
Here are the Top Ten Tips from About.com for winterizing your home, top to bottom and inside & out:
1) Furnace Inspection
2) Get the Fireplace Ready
3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows
4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts
5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment
6) Check Foundations
7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
8 ) Prevent Plumbing Freezes
9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces
10) Prepare an Emergency Kit
For the complete details for each tip, check out the full article: “Winterizing Your Home – Preparing Your Home for Winter”.
Stay Warm!
