This year has been far from normal, but one thing that we can count on is colder weather.
As you and your family start to spend even more time indoors, it is important that you prep your home for chilly temps. Taking a few simple steps can help you avoid several different issues to ensure this is your household’s best (and safest) wintertime yet.
The Weather Outside is Frightful
After all the time spent at home this spring, we’re sure that your yard looks stunning. Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste!
By performing minimal maintenance before the winter, you can preserve the new sod you laid a few months ago. Mow your yard one last time, crank up the leaf blower and cover your patio furniture. Make sure all of the leaves are raked up and thrown away so that they don’t kill your grass. Unless you have branches up against your house, you can wait until late December or early January to trim your trees, bushes and shrubs. If you do have branches up against your home, it is important to remove them so they don’t cause any damage to you or your home. You should also make sure the sprinkler system and outdoor hoses are shut off to prevent any pipe freezing. When it’s finally time to put all of your lawn equipment away, make sure to drain the gas so it doesn’t go bad and damage your equipment when you use it next spring.
The Fire is so Delightful
There’s nothing cozier than snuggling up next to the fireplace with a good book and hot cup of cocoa…until you realize your fireplace is dusty and you are out of firewood.
If you are a frequent fireplace user, it is crucial to double-check that your fireplace is clean and safe to operate. Hiring a professional chimney sweep for an inspection will give you peace of mind so you can stay warm by the fire. While you’re at it, have a load of firewood delivered to your house so you are stocked up for the season!
Make sure the woodpile is placed away from your house, is covered and that any old rotted wood is removed from the pile. Before you go to bed, make sure you completely put out the fire! Ironically enough, winter is the most common time for house fires due to unattended fires, candles and portable heaters. You should also verify that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are ready. Replace the batteries and run a test so you know they work. If you do have a Christmas tree (or decorations of any sort), make sure to keep it distanced from the fireplace and heating vents.
Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow
Holiday season is not the time to waste money on your energy bills, especially if you are going all out on the holiday décor. If you plan to put up holiday lights, set them on a timer so you aren’t blinding your neighbors all night or running up your electric tab.
Look into purchasing LED lights as well—they are energy savers! You can also decorate with candles to create that same glow-y feel without using electricity. Feeling a draft? Check out your door seals. If you do feel air coming through the door, you can caulk the door frame or use insulation piping. If you don’t already have a regular HVAC inspection scheduled, go ahead and do that now! They will be able to change your filters and assure your heater won’t go out this winter. Another pro tip is to switch your fans to run in a clockwise direction. This will push the hot air (which rises) down to you so that you don’t have to keep turning up the heat. You may even be able to turn your heat down a couple of degrees with this simple switch.
With the winter months ahead, it is now more important than ever to take care of the place where you spend the majority of your time. Whether it be an energy audit, a chimney sweep or raking up leaves, RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group knows how to safely and effectively prep your home for the upcoming season.
Lawrence M. Lipman is the owner and president of RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group. He and his team pride themselves on guiding buyers and sellers through exciting home transitions at any price point. For any and all real estate questions, Larry and his team can be reached by calling 615-463-3333 or at info@lipmanhomesandestates.com.