It’s Time To Winterize Your Home

It’s Time To Winterize Your Home – Don’t Delay!

It’s Time To Winterize Your Home – Don’t Delay!

Here in Houston, we never know what winter will bring. Sometime winters are mild with only a few days here and there, and others are wild! Whatever this year may bring, I want you to be prepared by completing a few simple honey-do’s.  This checklist of winter maintenance can prevent severe damage to your home and can make your home more energy-efficient, saving you money over the long term. Take the time to make sure the interior and exterior of your home is ready for any type of winter weather.

Some items are simple DIY tasks and others may require a professional.

Doors, Windows & Attic

These tasks can be simple DIY projects that can keep your home toasty and warm without having to crank up the heat. If you have an older, drafty home, this is a definite for you.

• Add or replace weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep out drafts.
• Caulk around windows where cold airs can get in.

Chimney

Before you sit by the fire, you’ll want to double check the list below. You don’t want to have any nasty surprises or create a fire hazard.

• Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney.
• Cap or screen the top to keep out rodents and birds seeking refuge.
• Buy firewood but store if away from the exterior of your home. Many creatures like to make woodpiles their winter home.

Furnace, Ducts & AC Units

No one wants to wake up in a bitter cold home. Do these now so you can relax over the winter months or head out of town with no worry about freezing pipes.

• Hire a HVAC professional to inspect and clean your furnace. Better yet, have a contract with a company that you can contact in case of an emergency outage, so that they’ll respond more quickly since you’re a dedicated customer.
• Hire a professional to inspect ducts for leaks in their joints; and have them cleaned if necessary.
• Ducts in cold spaces such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces should be insulated.

Outdoor/Home Exterior

The outside of your home is where harsh winter storms and cold weather can do damage. Get these outside tasks done right now..

• Take the time to make sure gutters and downspouts are cleaned out thoroughly of leaves and debris. Water can freeze causing them to detach from your home. This can also cause major water damage to your home!
• Trim tree branches that hang too close to your home or electrical wires to avoid causing power outages.
• Drain garden hoses and store them inside.
• Drain outdoor faucets and winterize in-ground watering systems so you don’t get burst pipes inside your walls. Your plumber can show you how.
• Cover outdoor furniture or store it inside. Do the same with sensitive potted plants.
• Seal foundation cracks to prevent mice sneaking in.

Power Failures & Severe Weather

When a storm hits, many neighborhoods lose power. Be ready with these tips.

• Store flashlights, a first-aid kit, and extra batteries in easy-to-reach locations. Consider getting some battery-operated candles instead of real candles to prevent any fire risk.
• Make sure your cell phone is charged if a storm is forecasted.
• Keep extra water bottles, nonperishable food (for babies and pets too!), blankets and necessary medications on hand.
• Consider getting a generator if your home or neighborhood loses power more often. It could be worth the money and might be needed if you have small children. Place the generator at least 20 feet from your house.
• Find the phone numbers and website of your utility companies. Post it somewhere for easy access.

Fire/CO Safety

Make sure your home doesn’t have any unsuspecting hazards. We’ve already mentioned cleaning your chimney, getting your heating units inspected but there are other steps to include on your list.

• Install a smoke detector. Test batteries monthly.
• Install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas, which causes headaches, nausea, and disorientation. Check batteries monthly.
• Be careful with space heaters. Make sure you don’t leave them on and don’t use extension cords.
• Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house and garage.
• Do not heat your home with a gas range or oven.
• Never run a car or truck inside an attached garage.

I hope you’ve found these tips a helpful way to enjoy a safe, cozy, and happy winter! If you have any questions about what you need to do to prepare for the colder weather or if I can be helpful by providing recommendations for contractors who can help you with any of these items, let me know!  I’d love to hear from you!