We can fight it all we want, but it is inevitable...
Winter is coming.
It's almost time to pull out the blankets, light up the fireplace, and settle into "hibernation mode." But before you curl up for a long winter's nap, it's important to make sure your home is ready to keep you warm, dry, and headache-free for the season. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way!
With this in mind, here are 5 tips for preparing your home for winter:
- Prep Your Pipes.
There's nothing more aggravating than a busted or frozen water pipe in the middle of February, so be sure to minimize the potential for issues before they become a reality. Shut off any outdoor valves, faucets, sprinklers and drain any outdoor pipes before the temperature gets close to freezing. If you haven't wrapped or insulated any pipes in your crawlspace, this would be a good time to do that as well.
- Cover Your Air Conditioner.
A/C units are life-savers in the heat of the summer, so be sure to take care of them in the off-season. Cover any outdoor units properly (check your owner's manual or call an HVAC specialist if you're not sure how to do this), and remove any window units and store them inside to minimize damage from the winter weather. This will help extend the life of you air conditioning system.
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans.
Most people don't think about running their fans in the winter, but reversed ceiling fans push hot air (which naturally rises) back down from the ceiling to help circulate warmth. It's usually as simple as flipping a switch on the base of the unit - by changing the direction your fan is rotating, you'll start pushing air down rather than drawing it up and away.
- Seal Cracks & Crevices.
Everyone wants to stay warm during the cold winter months, even the local wildlife. Mice and other pests will be looking for a warm place to get out of the elements, so make sure they don't sneak into your home though cracks in the foundation. Take a close look at the perimeter of your home and seal up any cracks and crevices that you find with a spray foam or steel wool.
- Check Your Fireplace.
There's nothing quite like curling up in front of a crackling fire when there's snow on the ground outside. However, if you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home you need to make sure it's in good working order before lighting it up. Check that the chimney and flu are clear of any bird's nests or other obstructions, and don't forget to check your firewood pile for bugs like termites and carpenter ants before bringing any firewood inside.
So there you have it: 5 tips for preparing your home for winter. With just a little preparation, you should be able to settle in for a nice, quiet winter in your warm, cozy home.
If your home just isn't the cozy, comfy place you'd like it to be and you've been thinking about about building or buying a new home for your family, stop by Paradise Homes to chat with one of our experts. We have a variety of model homes at our sales center that you can tour, all with different options, floorplans, square footage, and styles. You can walk through our models and discuss what features are important to you, where you'd like to build, and what your home will cost. We'll customize a floorpan just for you, and walk you through every step of the home buying process.
Just CONTACT US or give us a call at 304-291-0072...or better yet, stop by our office in Morgantown!
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