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December 22, 2015
by Shayla Concannon

6 Things Every Homeowner Should Do This Winter

Jan Blog

Youve got a wreath on your door and tinsel on your treebut throwing up Christmas decorations is just the beginning of your winter home preparation. Actually, if you want to keep your home warm, safe, and energy efficient throughout the coldest months of the year, there are several things you need to do to ensure your property is fully prepared.

Well offer six of the most significant ways to make your home winter-ready.

How to Get Your Home Winter-Ready

  1. Conduct a visual inspection of your home. Look in particular at the roof, noting things like missing shingles, curled shingles or a lot of sediment in the gutters. These issues could all point toward deeper problems with your roofing systemand given winters cold weather, this is not the time you want to risk your roof falling apart or springing a leak. If you see a lot of issues, call a roofer to have things appraised.
  1. Mind your landscaping. Spend a few minutes outsidebefore things turn reallychilly!and trim back any unruly or overhanging branches that you see. Anything that looks like it could be a problem should the wind get too gusty should probably be trimmed back a bit.
  1. Seal any spaces around your windows or doors. Take some time to look around your house for any leaks, holes, cracks, or places where warm air could escape the house. Generally, youll find them around doors and windows. Invest in some caulk to repair these areas. Doing so could make a big difference in your energy efficiencyand thus, your monthly heating bills!
  1. Make sure your plumbing is winter-ready. The last thing you want is for your pipes to freeze and then rupture. If you have any exposed outdoor pipes, invest in some insulation for them. Disconnect any outside hoses, and place insulated covers on outdoor spigots. Getting insulation for indoor pipesunder sinks and in the basementis also recommended.
  1. Have your heating system inspected by an HVAC professional. A little bit of routine maintenance can save you from costlier problems later in the season.
  1. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your house. Test them and change the batteries regularly. Youll have a lot more devices generating heat during the winter, which can increase the release of harmful toxins.

For homeowners, maintenance is an everyday year-round endeavorand winter can be especially demanding. But with the right strategies, you can ensure your home is not only safe, but optimally efficient.

Source: Minges Cline Team Blog http://www.mingesclineteam.com/cp/view-the-blog/

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