Fall is just around the corner, and not long after that winter will follow. This means that it is now time to get started on thinking about the best way to ready your home for what’s heading your way. For new homeowners spending their first fall and winter in their new home, this preparation is even more important. You’ll want your new home to be kept as protected and safe as it possibly can be when that winter weather hits. The right changes could help you save money as well as protect your property.
Items New Homeowners Should Do to Prep for Winter and fall
1. Prevent Freezing
Any system outside your home which uses water can freeze and result in problems during winter. So, if you have an irrigation system in the garden, you will need to prepare it properly. You can manually drain them to remove any water. And you should do the same with any outdoor taps. Once you prevent the water from freezing within them, you additionally prevent the potential burst pipes that occur. You should also add pipe insulation to the pipes that are exposed to the cold throughout the winter season. This can also help to stop freezing and bursts.
2. Clean Out the Gutters
Should your gutters be blocked, it may cause you bigger problems in the wintertime than it does the rest of the year. That’s why it’s so important to keep them clean and clear at this time of the year. The debris you find inside the gutters will start to freeze. When this happens, it becomes impossible for water to pass through. So, you’re going to get backlogs of water, which often can cause water damage and leaks to appear on your roof. When you consider how easy it is to keep the gutters clear, there is really no excuse for letting stuff like this happen.
3. Seal Up Windows and doors
You don’t wish to let the warm air out and the cold air in during wintertime. If this happens, your heating bills will rise, and you’ll be throwing money away needlessly. But if you have gaps in the caulking that seals your windows and doors in place, this is what will happen. So, you’ll want to make certain you fill in any gaps before the cold weather really starts to take hold. Your house will feel much more comfortable if you do this, and you will save energy and your money in the process too.
4. Inspect the Roof and Fix it Up
Your home’s roof is the thing that protects it from the world outside. It’s something you should pay particular attention to as winter and fall approach. Start by performing a really easy inspection of the roof to see what there is to be fixed up there. If you can see any broken tiles or cracks that could let in water, they need to be fixed up as quickly as possible. It’s easy enough to do simple repairs on the roof if you have the right tools and a decent guide to follow.
Fortunately for us here in the Tampa Bay area, we have it pretty easy in the winter months. So if you are thinking of becoming a homeowner here in the Tampa Area, give us a call at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we can send you all the homes that meet your needs. And yes you can wear shorts here in December.