As homebuilders and homeowners, we understand just how important it is to prepare for winter, and just how easy it is to forget about all of the details to tend to ahead of time.
As we transition from fall to winter, below is a checklist of Winter Prep.
The Exterior Check the house’s exterior ahead of time to resolve any issues while it is still relatively warm. Check for cracks in siding, peeling paint, windowsills, and even the roof.
Sprinklers, Pools, and Outdoor Furniture Make sure your sprinkler system is properly shut down for the season. Most sprinkler systems require the lines to be blown out. Also shut off the water valve to your outside spigot. This will prevent basement leaks and pipe bursts. Cover any outdoor furniture or store it indoors.
Purchase Salt, Shovels, and Batteries Don’t wait until you need these essentials. Have them handy. Purchase salt for icy walkways and shovels for snow so they’re available for the first storm. We recommend storing salt in a place where it’s top-of-mind and easy to continuously pour on icy walkways. Purchase extra batteries for flashlights, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors.
Heating and Cooling System Make sure to change your filters or have your system inspected by a HVAC contractor who will change the filters for you.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors once a year. If the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector is over ten years old, replace it.
Gutters Clean out your gutters. Gutters direct water away from the house’s roof and siding and into the drainage system. Clogged gutters can lead to roof leaks, which can be extremely inconvenient and expensive to fix.
Windows and Doors Check windows and doors for drafts. It’s easy to add stripping or caulk wherever cold air is coming from. This will help control the heating bill!
Chimney Dangerous gases from the fireplace/heating system travel up the chimney. A dirty chimney affects air quality and can even cause a fire. Make sure to clean the chimney regularly.
Stay warm and enjoy the season! -#HPHomes
