Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. I will be in touch with you shortly.

18 Ways to Winterize Your Home Before it Will be Too Late

Tara Knight March 5, 2024

After a long, hot summer, autumn has finally arrived, and winter is just around the corner! Many homeowners wait until the cold weather hits to start preparing their homes for the season, but if you take some time now to winterize your home, you’ll be able to avoid any nasty surprises down the line. In this blog post, we’ll go over 18 different ways that you can winterize your home. So please read on and get started! And even if you skip some of the items on this list, make sure that creating early isn’t one of them.

  1. Check and clean your gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free of debris and securely attached to the house.

  2. Caulk holes or cracks in the exterior of your home, especially around windows and doors, to prevent heat loss and potential damage from moisture buildup.

  3. Inspect your roof for any loose or missing shingles and have them repaired as soon as possible.

  4. Drain outdoor pipes and faucets before freezing temperatures set in to prevent them from bursting.

  5. Install storm windows or cover existing windows with plastic to improve insulation, decrease drafts, and lower energy bills.

  6. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned by a professional to make sure it’s running efficiently before the cold weather sets in.

  7. Install door sweeps on the bottoms of exterior doors to prevent cold air from sneaking into your home.

  8. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional to ensure it is safe for use.

  9. Change the direction of ceiling fan blades to rotate clockwise, which will push warm air down from the ceiling throughout the room.

  10. Replace furnace filters every 1-3 months as dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause the system to work harder than necessary.

  11. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so that they push warm air down instead of circulating it near the ceiling.

  12. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace old batteries if needed.

  13. Wrap the water heater and pipes with insulation to keep them from freezing.

  14. Bring outdoor furniture inside or cover it with a waterproof tarp to prevent damage from snow and ice.

  15. Trim trees and shrubs away from your house to prevent damage to the exterior during windy winter storms.

  16. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home when no one is there, saving energy and money on heating bills.

  17. Insulate attics, crawl spaces, and basements to improve overall energy efficiency and decrease the potential for moisture buildup and mold growth.

  18. Ensure that all doors have weather stripping around them to prevent drafts and heat loss in your home. 

Taking the time now to winterize your home can save you from headaches and expensive repairs in the future. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start preparing for the cold weather today! If you aren’t sure whether one of these tips is worth it, talk to your neighbors or ask your real estate agent what they do and what’s typical for the area, so you don’t miss anything critical.


Recent Blog Posts

4 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

September 6, 2024

Buying a home is an exciting process. However, there’s also a lot to consider when you decide to buy.

The First-Time Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Property

August 20, 2024

To avoid that unfortunate scenario, first-time buyers will need to think carefully and weigh all of their options.

Tips for Selling Your House as Fast as Possible

August 6, 2024

We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about how to sell fast before you even have to talk to an agent.

How To Pick A Neighborhood

July 23, 2024

Once you’ve outlined the criteria you require in a home, start taking to agents about which neighborhoods meet your needs better than others.

12 (Affordable!) Decorative Items to Buy Before You Sell Your House

July 4, 2024

Assuming you’ve done the deep cleaning and decluttering, consider adding these items to your shopping list.

9 Types of Mortgage Loan to Consider

June 20, 2024

If you’ve never bought a home before, the sheer number of mortgage loan options can be overwhelming.

Market – A Quick Guide to Understanding the Housing Market

June 4, 2024

You hear it on the news all the time: “It’s a buyer’s market,” “It’s a seller’s market,” or “The housing market is on the rebound.”

Components to Add to Your 2020 Real Estate Business Plan

May 21, 2024

Even if your plan has been finalized for months, though, there might be some components you could add to make it even better.

23 Common Staging Mistakes Sellers Make

May 7, 2024

When you miss an opportunity to add plants or flowers, you’re missing out on the chance for your house to feel vibrant and alive. 

Work With Tara

Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact me today.