Winter Is Coming. Is Your Home Prepared?

Even though it hasn’t felt like it lately, the end of the year is
drawing to a close. Fall is here and winter is on its way. This
means there are a few home maintenance and repair projects you
should take care of before the weather gets colder and the days get
shorter. 1. Care for your trees and shrubs. Also, remember to rake
your leaves and clear out the underbrush. Now is a great time to do
this, since there aren’t as many spiders or snakes out and about at
this time. 2. Clean gutters and downspouts.Making sure these are
both clear will help you prepare for any oncoming rain or snow in
the months ahead. 3. Make exterior repairs. If there are any
projects you meant to take care of earlier in the year but didn’t,
don’t put them off any longer. Take care of anything leftover on
your to-do list for the exterior of your home. Exterior repairs
like fixing your mailbox or removing wood rot shouldn’t wait any
longer. 4. Seal the gaps. You don’t want any unwanted pests
entering your home, so make sure you seal up gaps. Also, add
weather stripping to any windows or doors where it’s needed. This
will help keep your home energy efficient 5. Check the walkways,
railings, stairs, and driveway. Making sure all of these features
are secure and free of holes, since this kind of damage won’t be
visible once it’s covered in snow or leaves. “There are a few home
maintenance and repair projects you should take care of before the
weather gets colder and the days get shorter.” 6. Stock up on
winter supplies. Make sure that you have plenty of gas for the
snowblower, salt and sand for the walkways, windshield washer fluid
for your car, and any other items that will help you prepare for
the coming season. 7. Shut off exterior water. You probably won’t
be needing your hoses or outside spigots for some time, so make
sure that you shut them off and store these items in a dry and safe
place. 8. Check safety devices. Make sure that your flashlights,
smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers
are in working order. Also, replace the batteries in your smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors regularly. This is something that is
frequently overlooked, but is very important 9. Clean your dryer
vents. Making sure this is taken care of on a regular basis will
help you prevent fires. 10. Schedule a chimney cleaning service and
HVAC system maintenance.These items should be taken care of before
winter strikes. Preventative maintenance is key, but if you think
your HVAC system might need more extensive repairs, hire a
professional to help. 11. Check and purge your closets.Look over
these areas, as well as your cabinets and garage, for any
infrequently used items that you can donate. If you have any other
questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a
call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.