Winterize Your Home

Temperatures are dropping and winter will soon be upon us. Your house is not only the place you call home, but mostly likely your largest financial investment. Protect your investment and prepare for the cooler months with our Winter Home Checklist:

1. PROTECT YOUR PIPES

  • Insulate your pipes so they’re not exposed and susceptible to freezing. These are often found in the basement, crawlspace, or attic, but can also be inside walls between the interior and exterior of your home.
  • Disconnect garden hoses so the remaining water inside doesn’t freeze. If possible, shut off and drain water from the pipes leading to the outside faucet.

2. TEND TO YOUR FIREPLACE

  • Hire a chimney sweep so it’s cleaned out by a professional. You don’t want to light anything on fire that you didn’t intend to!
  • Check for any visible damage. A rule of thumb—if there is a crack in the face of the fireplace that’s larger than a finger, you’ll need to have it repaired by a professional.
  • Inspect the damper and gasket material/ sealing to ensure you’re blocking out the cold from coming inside.

3. SAFETY CHECK

  • Replace the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Check for frayed wires on electrical devices, and replace as needed.
  • Repair outdoor steps and handrails to make them safer in the ice and snow.

4. BLOCK OUT THE COLD

  • Caulk around trim and baseboards.
  • Install door sweeps.
  • Use foam outlet protectors or install a soft-rubber gasket below the cover. Be sure to turn off power at the circuit breaker before you begin.
  • Check your attic’s insulation. The majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic.
  • Be sure to remove window-mounted AC units.

5. READY YOUR ROOF

  • Ice can form on your roof and prevent melted snow from draining, resulting in damaged shingles, roof leaks, and home interior damage.
  • Clean your gutters so the melted ice water can flow somewhere.
  • Insulate your attic so the warm air can melt the snow.
  • Seal up the entrance to your attic by adding a weatherstrip, so cold air doesn’t enter into living spaces.

6. CHECK YOUR HVAC

  • Change filters to ensure you get the most out of the system.
  • Check ductwork for damage and clean if needed.
  • Make sure maintenance on your furnace is up to date.

7. BRING IN THE OUTDOORS

  • Bring all outdoor plants inside before the weather drops below 45 degrees.
  • Clean and store outdoor power equipment (lawnmower, weedwacker, etc.).
  • Store outdoor grills in your garage or basement, or purchase a cover to protect them.

+ ILLUSTRATIONS by Steve Haske

We shared this story with you in our Fall/Winter 2017 Issue of NEST Magazine

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Posted in Asheville, Charlottesville, Fall/Winter 2017, Fredericksburg, Lake Norman, NEST Magazine, New River Valley, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Shenandoah Valley, Wilmington
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