Winter can be a beautiful time of year, especially for those living in more northern climates. The snow cascading down can create a wonderland for the senses. Before you get caught off guard by an unexpected early storm, you should be thinking about getting your house ready for the long cold season.
If the leaves are starting to change in your area, then it’s time to start thinking about getting your house and property ready for the deep freeze. It’s never too early to start clearing away your summer items and preparing for the cold and snow. The winter season can be tough on your roof, driveway, siding and all of your outdoor gardens.
If you are getting ready for a northern winter, a Denver real estate agents can tell you that there are some important ways to get your home ready. The extreme cold, wind, and ice can have a powerful impact on any home. Protecting your home, especially in the winter is a vital way to keep things from getting out of control when the storms roll in. Take a look at some of the basic areas around your home that you should be preparing for winter.
Exterior
The leaves of fall can turn your eaves into a nightmare. Make sure that all leaves around your home are cleared out and secured properly to your house. With snow and ice gathering in your troughs, a build-up of old leaves can lead to leaks and damage. Repair all cracked window caulking and door weather stripping. Even the smallest cracks can get worse with the cold weather allowing cold drafts into your home. Check your roof for any loose or raised shingles and make certain that everything is securely fastened down.
Interior
You should turn on your furnace early to make sure it is running smoothly. You don’t want to wait until the temperatures drop to find out you may have a problem. While testing, you should replace your furnace filters as well. Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for any problems and put in fresh batteries. If you have water pipes in any unheated areas of your home like the garage, basement or crawlspace you should be wrapping them in foam insulation to keep them from freezing.
Garden & Yard
Use your fall leaves to make a nutrient-rich mulch for your gardens. Wrap any delicate shrubs in burlap to help protect them from the winter climate. Make sure that all outside hoses are turned off and stored for the winter. Your patio furniture should be moved to your shed or covered securely with your shed or covered securely with a weatherproof tarp.
Garage
This is the time of year to clear out your garage to make room for your car. No one wants to fight the weather while scraping down their windows if they don’t have to. Get your shovels and winter gear out and place them near the doors for easy access. If you have a snowblower, now is the time to tune it up and make sure that it is running properly. Buy a few bags of salt or sand for your driveway and walkways to keep them safe from slippery ice.
Great tips and a good check list for winter.